Pathway Genomics introduces BRCA One for One program to detect breast and ovarian cancer

Pathway Genomics Corporation, a San Diego-based CLIA and CAP accredited clinical laboratory that offers genetic testing services globally, today announced it has launched BRCATrue^TM, a next-generation sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis that can detect mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, the genes linked to breast, ovarian and other types of cancer. BRCATrue has a sensitivity of >99.99% and the broadest coverage across BRCA1/2 in the industry.

To enhance the accessibility of this important genetic test, Pathway Genomics has developed the BRCA One for One^TM program - for every qualified BRCATrue test ordered, one test is donated to a person in need through patient advocacy organizations, up to $10 million of free testing.

"Pathway's mission is to ensure that people in need receive genetic testing regardless of their economic or insurance status," said Jim Plante, Pathway Genomics' founder and CEO. "Offering the industry's best BRCA genetic test and making it accessible to a wide range of people is a vital objective in this mission."

Recent studies show that up to 80 percent of families with multiple cases of breast and ovarian cancer have been attributed to BRCA1/2 mutations. Mutations in BRCA genes can occur in men and women across all ethnicities, and although anyone can have mutations in one of the BRCA genes, some groups are more likely to be affected such as those with a family history of cancer and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

"One out of every eight women will be affected by breast cancer in her lifetime," said Ardy Arianpour, Pathway Genomics' chief strategy officer. "In the history of the medical community, no clinical laboratory has offered such an unprecedented program as BRCA One for One. By making our test more accessible, we aim to make a substantial impact in the prevention of breast cancer and help further raise awareness by partnering with global patient advocacy organizations."

BRCATrue offers physicians an easy to interpret and clinically actionable report, advanced variant classification, as well as a rapid 2-week turnaround time. BRCATrue is the first step of many that will occur this year to demonstrate Pathway Genomics' leadership in clinical genomics and commitment to having the most comprehensive cancer-testing menu.