– Invitae study reports universal
genetic testing improves outcomes for patients with breast cancer
–
SAN
FRANCISCO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/
-- Invitae (NYSE: NVTA), a leading medical genetics company,
released a new study in JAMA Network Open, underscoring the
clinical utility of the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS)
guidelines recommending universal genetic testing for patients with
breast cancer, and showing universal testing improves patient
outcomes. Building on a previous study reported in the Journal
of Clinical Oncology, the current study is the first clinical
outcomes study of a cohort of unselected patients with breast
cancer who underwent universal germline genetic testing. Our data
show that genetic information aids patients and their physicians in
implementing effective precision treatments and personalized
management for their cancer.
The data confirm the clinical utility of universal germline
testing for all patients regardless of cancer type, age, stage or
family history as cited in landmark studies published in JAMA
Oncology and Clinical Gastroenterology and
Hepatology by Invitae and Mayo Clinic.
"This study and others clearly demonstrate the reason universal
genetic testing for patients with breast cancer is the current
standard of care in clinical practice," said Pat Whitworth, MD, lead author, breast surgical
oncologist and director of the Nashville Breast Center. "It is
essential for practices to systematically implement universal
testing to improve patient care and outcomes. Even more important,
this is the only way we find the family members who carry the gene
and need prevention. Other guidelines miss half of these unaffected
carriers."
In the study, clinicians were asked to assess changes to
clinical management as a result of germline genetic testing results
for 952 patients. Clinical recommendations were changed for 68% of
patients who did not meet the criteria for testing according
to previous non-universal guidelines, but were found to have
pathogenic variants in cancer predisposition genes. For those with
pathogenic variants that did fall within criteria according to
previous guidelines, genetic testing impacted management with one
or more changes to recommendations reported for 84% of
patients.
Clinicians considered testing beneficial for two-thirds of
patients with pathogenic variants (e.g. gene-based therapy) and for
one-third of patients with either negative results or variants of
uncertain significance (e.g. de-escalation of surgical
intervention).
ASBrS recommended universal germline genetic testing has
the potential to impact millions, as breast cancer is the most
frequently diagnosed cancer in women, affecting >7 million
worldwide with more than 2 million new cases expected to be
diagnosed each year according to the American Cancer Society.
Approximately 1 in 8 women (13%) will be diagnosed with invasive
breast cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 39 women (3%) will die
from breast cancer. Prior to the ASBrS guidelines, only about 25%
of patients with breast cancer in the U.S. were getting genetic
testing.
"The medical community's understanding of genetics and cancer,
and the underlying evidence, has evolved to make universal genetic
testing the standard of care for breast cancer," said Peter Beitsch, MD, surgical oncologist, former
president of the ASBrS and co-PI of the iGAP registry at Invitae.
"This will not only benefit patients but also entire families –
both male and female relatives – since pathogenic variants
associated with breast cancer can lead to many different cancers
including prostate cancer."
The ASBrS established guidelines recommending germline genetic
testing for all patients currently or previously diagnosed with
breast cancer in 2019 (Consensus Guidelines on Genetic Testing for
Hereditary Breast Cancer from the American Society of Breast
Surgeons), catalyzed and supported by our studies in the Journal
of Clinical Oncology and Cancers. "The sooner we
systematically implement universal genetic testing for patients
with breast cancer, the sooner we'll achieve President Biden's
Cancer Moonshot 2.0 objectives of reducing cancer mortality
and improving the lives of patients with cancer and their
families," Ed Esplin, MD, PhD,
FACMG, FACP, clinical geneticist at Invitae and senior author of
the study.
Restrictive guidelines can lead to disparities in cancer care.
Offering germline genetic testing to all cancer patients at
diagnosis, consistent with the recent expert consensus in JCO
Precision Oncology, may help reduce inequities in cancer care
by expanding access for all patients to precision therapy or
clinical treatment trials.
About Invitae
Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA) is a leading medical genetics
company, whose mission is to bring comprehensive genetic
information into mainstream medicine to improve healthcare for
billions of people. Invitae's goal is to aggregate the world's
genetic tests into a single service with higher quality, faster
turnaround time and lower prices. For more information, visit the
company's website at invitae.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, including statements relating to the results of the company's
study; the clinical utility of universal germline genetic testing
for patients with breast cancer; the potential benefits of genetic
information; the company's beliefs regarding the impact of
implementing universal germline testing on reducing cancer
mortality and improving patients' lives; and the company's belief
that offering universal germline testing to cancer patients may
help reduce inequities in cancer care. Forward-looking statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially and reported results should not be
considered as an indication of future performance. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the company's
history of losses; the company's ability to compete; the company's
failure to manage growth effectively; the company's need to scale
its infrastructure in advance of demand for its tests and to
increase demand for its tests; the company's ability to use rapidly
changing genetic data to interpret test results accurately and
consistently; security breaches, loss of data and other
disruptions; laws and regulations applicable to the company's
business; and the other risks set forth in the company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks
set forth in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2022. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and
Invitae Corporation disclaims any obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Renee Kelley
pr@invitae.com
(628) 213-3283
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SOURCE Invitae Corporation