BRCA Breakthroughs?

Color Genomics announces a new, lower-cost BRCA mutation test, while Inserm and Quest Diagnostics reveal plans to pool patient data to investigate rare mutations.

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WIKIMEDIA, HAKUNAMATATA1

Silicon Valley-based Color Genomics will offer genetic screening of saliva samples for BRCA mutations associated with elevated breast and ovarian cancer risk for $249, a fraction of the current price, the firm announced this week (April 20). Separately, the French medical research institution Inserm and Quest Diagnostics today (April 21) introduced BRCA Share, a private-public partnership to collect data on BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations to determine the impact of uncharacterized mutations on cancer risk.

Myriad Genetics, the current market leader in BRCA testing, charges $4,000 for a test that identifies mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes linked to an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Insurers do not usually pay for these tests unless there is a family history of the disease.

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