LabCorp Plans to Offer BRCAssure Breast Cancer Mutation Tests

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (LabCorp) announced the nationwide availability of a suite of tests to identify patients with BRCA mutations who are at increased risk for breast, ovarian and other cancers.

The BRCAssure tests will be available through LabCorp as well as Integrated Genetics and Integrated Oncology, members of LabCorp'sSpecialty Testing Group.

In a release, the company noted that the vast majority of individuals with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, as well as a significant percentage of all diagnosed breast cancers, exhibit mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In addition, men and women with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 may also have increased risk of other cancers, including pancreatic, prostate, melanoma, stomach, esophageal and bile duct cancers.

LabCorp's Comprehensive BRCAssure BRCA1/2 Analysis will include full gene sequencing of BRCA1/2 genes and duplication/deletion testing, with a variant of unknown significance (VUS) rate of less than five percent (5 percent). Once a mutation is identified, family members can be tested for the known mutations using the BRCAssure BRCA1 or BRCAssure BRCA2 Targeted Analysis tests. In addition, LabCorp offers a separate panel for mutations prevalent among people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. The BRCAssure Ashkenazi Jewish Panel includes screening for three known pathogenic variants: two in the BRCA1 gene, and one in the BRCA2 gene. These three mutations have a combined frequency of approximately 2 percent in the Jewish population.

"The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognize the importance of screening for BRCA 1 and BRCA2 mutations, and LabCorp's BRCAssure panels will make this testing more available," stated Dr. Mark Brecher, LabCorp's Chief Medical Officer. "LabCorp's comprehensive, full gene sequencing BRCAssure tests will give healthcare providers the mutation information necessary to assist in patient counseling."

A company focused on genetic testing and counseling services for more than 25 years, LabCorp's BRCA testing capabilities and services provide physicians and patients tools for the assessment of breast cancer risk. With 145 genetic counselors on staff, LabCorp offers the broadest team of professionals trained to analyze, assess and interpret genetic test results. Combined with LabCorp's Care Coordination preauthorization service, the Company offers a program for patients and physicians including compliance with insurance requirements, testing, and expert interpretation.

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, an S&P 500 company, is a company focused on commercializing new diagnostic technologies and the first in its industry to embrace genomic testing.

More Information:

http://www.labcorp.com

((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected]))