– Study findings to be presented at the 2024 ASCO
Annual Meeting find hereditary risk for gastric and lung cancers,
among others, underscoring the need for broader genetic testing
–
SAN
FRANCISCO, May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Invitae
(OTC:NVTAQ), a leading medical genetics company, today announced
eight studies to be presented at the 2024 American Society of
Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting held in Chicago from May
31-June 4, 2024. The clinical data being presented
demonstrate the importance of genetic testing for patients with
various different types of cancers, including breast, gastric,
prostate and lung, to better inform management and treatment
decisions.
Genetic testing guidelines need to be inclusive of more
cancer types, with new data finding gastric, lung and prostate
cancer patients with inherited genes linked to increased cancer
risk
Gastric cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related
deaths worldwide, and the role of pathogenic (disease causing)
variants in cancer predisposition genes is not well understood for
this disease. One study looked at genetic testing results in 3,706
gastric cancer patients – the largest study of its kind – to better
understand the prevalence of disease causing variants in cancer
associated genes. The results found the percentage of patients with
disease causing variants to be 13.4%, about 1 in 8 patients. This
shows the value of genetic testing in all gastric cancer patients,
as the prevalence of pathogenic variants is similar to other cancer
types for which guidelines recommend universal genetic
testing.
"Current guidelines haven't met the needs for patients across
cancer types, gastric cancer included," said Dr. Ophir Gilad, University of
Chicago and a co-author of this study. "The prevalence of
actionable gene variants found in this study of gastric cancer
patients is on par with other cancer types for which guidelines
recommend universal genetic testing. We're increasingly seeing
evidence for germline genetic testing to help guide treatment plans
and familial testing for various cancer types."
Additionally, in a study of 14,317 patients with lung cancer,
12.6% had pathogenic germline variants -- regardless of smoking
history. The study results suggest these inherited genes are not
only independently associated with lung cancer, but also additive
to smoking risk for lung cancer. These data reinforce prior studies
supporting consideration of germline genetic testing for all
patients with lung cancer, independent of age or reported smoking
history.
Genetic testing is similarly underutilized for prostate cancer.
In a large study of 15,000 prostate cancer patients that received
genetic testing, results showed that of the patients with genetic
variants that increase risk of prostate cancer, 3 in 4 patients had
no reported family history of prostate cancer and more than 1 in 3
patients had no reported family history of any cancer. The findings
underscore the importance of genetic testing for all prostate
cancer patients, regardless of age, stage or family
history.
Breast cancer data in Rwanda
demonstrates need for more genetic testing in underrepresented
populations
Despite the observation that cancers are often diagnosed at
young ages and take an aggressive course in Sub-Saharan Africa
(SSA), genetic data that could inform treatment are limited for
this population group.
In a recent study, patients undergoing cancer treatment in
hospitals in Rwanda for female
breast, male breast and prostate cancer underwent multigene panel
testing (Invitae), and the results found a large proportion of the
patients had inherited pathogenic variants that could help inform
their treatment (18.3% of female breast cancer, 16.7% of male
breast cancer, and 4.3% of prostate cancer patients). The findings
suggest that genetic testing should be more routinely implemented
into cancer care and prevention strategies in this
population.
Underrepresented race, ethnicity, and ancestry (REA) groups face
these challenges across geographies. In another recent study being
presented at ASCO that included more than one million people over
an eight-year period who underwent genetic testing for hereditary
cancer syndromes, it was found that underrepresented REA groups are
disproportionately impacted by variants of uncertain significance
(VUS) in genetic testing, which are uncertain results that are not
clinically actionable. With more representation of these groups in
clinical studies, there will be more data that could uncover
life-saving discoveries. Clinical evidence was the most significant
source of information leading to VUS resolution, underscoring the
importance of the clinician-lab partnership and communication.
"Germline genetic testing should be the standard of cancer care
across many types of cancers. In underrepresented populations, this
is especially crucial as more information needs to be collected to
better inform care and improve population health overall," said Dr.
Michael Korn, chief medical officer
at Invitae. "Each year, ASCO presents us with an opportunity to
share compelling research to help propel cancer treatment forward,
and we're proud of the clinical insights our tests are able to
provide across cancer types."
Study offers reassurance that variants of uncertain
significance in genetic testing results among patients with breast
cancer do not lead to overuse of treatment or surveillance
interventions, such as mastectomies
It's common for patients with breast cancer undergoing germline
genetic testing to have uncertain results, but it's previously been
unclear if these results impact clinical management. However, a
recent study being presented at ASCO presents new evidence
indicating that variants of uncertain significance (VUS) identified
through germline genetic testing do not result in
guideline-discordant management in real-world settings.
Specifically, patients with breast cancer and VUS results
demonstrated similar rates of treatment, prevention and
surveillance interventions compared to those with negative results.
This offers reassurance that VUS results do not lead to overuse of
mastectomies or other interventions for patients with breast
cancer.
2024 ASCO presentations and posters:
- Oral presentation/Abstract 10513: Titled: Tracking uncertainty
in germline genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes:
Sources, attributes and resolution of variants of uncertain
significance in over 1 million individuals. Presenter: Brian Reys, MS, CGC
- Oral presentation/Abstract 10512: Titled: Real-world cancer
care utilization among patients with breast cancer with germline
variants of uncertain significance. Presenter: Allison W. Kurian, MD, MS, MSc, FASCO
- Poster 374/Abstract 6058: Titled: The combination of
patient-specific tumor and HPV sequencing to enable
high-sensitivity detection of ctDNA in patients with HPV-associated
oropharyngeal carcinoma. Presenter: Bill
Diplas, MD, PhD
- Poster 106/Abstract 10579: Titled: Uptake of risk-reduction,
surveillance and therapeutic interventions among breast cancer
patients with pathogenic germline variants. Presenter: Allison W. Kurian, MD, MS, MSc, FASCO
- Poster 508/Abstract 5102: Titled: Germline gene-specific
associations in a large prostate cancer cohort. Presenter:
Hiba Khan, MD, MPH
- Poster 105/Abstract 10578: Titled: Prevalence of pathogenic
genetic variants in patients with gastric cancer ascertained
through multi-gene panel testing. Presenter: Ophir Gilad, MD
- Poster 118/Abstract 10591: Titled: Germline sequence variation
in Rwandan patients with breast and prostate cancer. Presenter:
Achille Manirakiza, MD,
MMed
- Poster 302/Abstract 8040: Titled: Smoking and pathogenic
germline variants in patients with lung cancer. Presenter:
Ed Esplin, FACMG, FACP, MD, PhD
About Invitae
Invitae (OTC: NVTAQ) is a leading
medical genetics company trusted by millions of patients and their
providers to deliver timely genetic information using digital
technology. We aim to provide accurate and actionable answers to
strengthen medical decision-making for individuals and their
families. Invitae's genetics experts apply a rigorous approach to
data and research, serving as the foundation of their mission to
bring comprehensive genetic information into mainstream medicine to
improve healthcare for billions of people.
To learn more, visit invitae.com and follow for updates on
LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook @Invitae.
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 company's beliefs regarding its new research; the
company's belief that its new research demonstrates the importance
of genetic testing for many cancers not currently covered by
clinical guidelines; the company's belief that its new research
demonstrates the need for more research in underrepresented
populations; and the company's belief that its research helps move
cancer treatment forward.. 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 applicability of clinical
results to actual outcomes; the company's ability to use rapidly
changing genetic data to interpret test results accurately and
consistently; risks and uncertainties regarding the company's
ability to successfully consummate and complete a plan under
chapter 11 or any strategic or financial alternative as well as the
company's ability to implement and realize any anticipated benefits
associated with its sale of assets to Labcorp and the any
alternative that may be pursued, including the asset sales and wind
down of operations; the company's public securities' potential
liquidity and trading; and any impact resulting from the delisting
of the company's common stock from the New York Stock Exchange and
trading instead on the OTC Pink Marketplace; 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 September 30, 2023. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Invitae
Corporation disclaims any obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
Invitae PR contact:
Renee
Kelley
pr@invitae.com
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