SAN FRANCISCO, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Invitae
Corporation (NYSE: NVTA), a leading medical genetics company, is
presenting multiple studies in multiple cancer types at the 2021
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting showing
all cancer patients can benefit from germline genetic testing to
guide their care. The use of genetic information informs changes in
cancer care, increases access to precision therapies and guides
screening for high-risk individuals and their family members.
Earlier detection and precision therapies are critical to increase
survivorship for people with cancer, yet the oncology community has
been slow to adopt routine testing.
"Cancer is a disease of genetics, yet clinical practice has
struggled to keep pace with rapid advancements in research,
particularly with respect to the role of germline genetics. Testing
guidelines and medical policy often codify barriers, further
lengthening the path to adoption of widespread testing and in some
cases restricting access to precision therapies and clinical
treatment trials," said Ed Esplin,
M.D., Ph.D., FACMG, FACP, clinical geneticist at Invitae. "Research
presented at ASCO shows that cancer-linked genetic changes are
common across cancer types and when patients do receive germline
testing, over two thirds of those with positive results are
eligible for changes to their treatment plans. It's clear that
incorporating germline testing alongside tumor profiling can help
oncologists better tailor treatment for each patient."
Data from 250 pancreatic cancer patients from the landmark
INTERCEPT study conducted at the Mayo Clinic found that nearly one
in six patients with pancreatic cancer (n=38) showed cancer-linked
genetic changes and, importantly, receiving germline testing was
associated with improved survival.
A separate study of prostate cancer patients confirmed similar
findings in other cancer types that limiting testing deprives
patients and clinicians of actionable information. In the
first-ever presentation of the PROCLAIM study, which was conducted
primarily in community urology clinics, of patients diagnosed with
prostate cancer, a significant number of cancer-linked variants
were missed if testing was done based on NCCN guidelines. Of the
532 patients with clinician-reported data, nearly half, 45%
(n=239), did not meet NCCN criteria. Overall, 59 patients had a
cancer-linked variant; one in 10 of them did not meet the criteria
(9.6%, n=23), and 12.3% (n=36) of patients met the criteria. When a
12-gene panel was used, only 29 patients were found to have a
cancer-linked variant and one third of these patients were missed
by guidelines.
A third study showed simply changing medical policy is not
enough to drive changes in clinician adoption. In a review of two
independent datasets, including commercially insured and Medicare
Advantage enrollees, only 3% (n=1,675) of the 55,595 colorectal
cancer patients received germline genetic testing, despite medical
policy recommending germline genetic testing for all colorectal
cancer patients (consistent with the INTERCEPT colorectal cancer
study). Of the patients who received testing, 18% (n=143) had a
cancer-linked variant and two thirds, or 67% (n=96), of those
patients were potentially eligible for precision therapy and/or
clinical trials.
"The data have been available for years that show knowing what
changes patients have in their genes is beneficial to treating
their cancer. Yet the oncology community has been slower to adopt
germline testing than tumor profiling, for reasons that are not
entirely clear. These data presented at ASCO highlight the need for
oncologists to embrace germline genetic testing as routine practice
for all cancer patients," said Robert
Nussbaum, M.D., chief medical officer at Invitae. "A
positive germline genetic result may enable patients to enroll in
clinical trials or gain access to new precision medicines. And
equally important, the discovery of an inherited variant can alert
relatives to seek out earlier cancer screening, helping avoid
later-stage diagnoses and offering a treatment benefit if cancer
develops."
Invitae aims to help overcome obstacles to the adoption of
genetic testing by providing physicians with clinical consults to
help interpret results and reducing cost as a barrier to genetic
information. Invitae also provides patients direct access to
genetic counselors, helping to integrate routine genetic testing
into patient care with GIA, a HIPAA-compliant chatbot. Family
members are also able to receive no-charge genetic testing if a
positive result is found.
Details of the 2021 ASCO presentations:
Oral Abstract Session: Prevention, Risk Reduction, and
Hereditary Cancer
- Abstract #10504: Underdiagnosis of germline genetic prostate
cancer: Are genetic testing guidelines an aid or an impediment?
Presented by Neal Shore, M.D.
- On-demand discussion will take place on June 4, 2021 from 9:00 -
11:30 a.m. ET.
Poster Discussion Session: Prevention, Risk Reduction, and
Hereditary Cancer
- Abstract #10514: Clinical impact of medical policy supporting
universal germline testing for patients with colorectal cancer.
Presented by Sarah Nielsen, M.S.,
L.C.G.C
- Abstract #10515: Limitations of direct-to-consumer (DTC)
genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Presented
by Neelam V. Desai, M.D.
- On-demand poster discussions will take place on June 4, 2021 from 9:00 -
10:00 a.m. ET.
Poster Session: Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Hereditary
Cancer
- Abstract #10534: Germline alterations among Hispanic men with
prostate cancer. Presented by Justin
Shaya, M.D.
- The poster will be available on-demand beginning June 4, 2021.
Poster Session: Gastrointestinal Cancer--GastroesophageaI,
Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary
- Abstract #4118: Clinical impact of pathogenic germline variants
in pancreatic cancer: Results from a multicenter prospective
universal genetic testing study. Presented by Pedro L. Uson Junior, M.D.
- The poster will be available on-demand beginning June 4, 2021.
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 benefits of germline testing
and genetic information; and that the data presented at ASCO
highlight the need for increased germline testing in all cancer
patients regardless of medical policy. 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 March 31, 2021. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and
Invitae Corporation disclaims any obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Laura D'Angelo
pr@invitae.com
(628) 213-3283
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SOURCE Invitae Corporation