#USA #Menlo Park #Prostate Cancer #MyOme #genomic risk

MyOme Launches Prostate Cancer Integrated Polygenic Risk Score Test

MyOme, a frontrunner in clinical whole-genome testing, has made a significant advancement in prostate cancer risk assessment with the introduction of its Integrated Polygenic Risk Score (iPRS) test. This innovative tool not only identifies men at a genetically heightened risk of developing prostate cancer but also aims to enhance early detection and facilitate personalized preventive measures.

While prostate cancer is a common affliction, nearly 60% of the associated risk is hereditary, as indicated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Many instances of this disease arise from genetic variants that were previously difficult to detect. Although some men have identifiable mutations in specific genes related to prostate cancer, such as BRCA2 or HOXB13, up to 95% of prostate cancer cases are seen in men who do not carry these mutations yet may possess a polygenic risk detectable using MyOme's new iPRS test.

The Prostate Cancer iPRS test pioneers an approach that compiles genetic data from approximately 7 million markers along with established clinical risk indicators. It offers tailored risk assessments for both 10-year and lifetime intervals, providing users with a comprehensive and actionable view of their prostate cancer risk. Dr. Akash Kumar, a co-founder of MyOme, emphasized that this test elevates risk evaluation in men's health, allowing for more accurate identification of those at heightened risk and facilitating timely screening and preventive strategies that could ultimately lead to better health outcomes.

Transforming Prostate Cancer Detection

Currently, medical professionals face limitations with existing prostate cancer risk assessment tools. The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, while widely utilized, often yields false positives—up to 75% of elevated PSA results are inaccurate—causing unnecessary biopsies, imaging, and associated anxiety for patients. Thus, most guidelines recommend shared decision-making with patients regarding screening. Consequently, the demand for additional evidence-based tools that can stratify risk with high accuracy is evident.

Research supports that polygenic risk scores like MyOme's can significantly enhance the detection and stratification of prostate cancer risk. Data from a comprehensive meta-analysis, encompassing over 520,000 males, indicated that individuals in the top 10% of polygenic risk scores face a risk of developing prostate cancer that is three to four times higher than that of average-risk populations. Notably, the BARCODE1 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2025, found that men classified in the top 10% of prostate cancer risk scores were diagnosed with cancer at alarming rates, with 40% receiving a cancer diagnosis despite normal PSA levels. Alarmingly, 72% of these high-risk cases would have evaded detection through traditional approaches.

MyOme's own internal data validates this approach: 8.6% of individuals without a family history were marked as high-risk by the iPRS test, displaying a threefold increase in prostate cancer incidence in comparison to non-risk groups. Evaluated among diverse ancestries, the Prostate Cancer iPRS test has shown robust performance across over 140,000 men aged 40 to 75, ensuring equitable risk prediction.

By merging genomic insights with clinical factors, the iPRS methodology encourages a customized approach to screening and preventive care. This allows health providers to guide decisions about early PSA tests, MRI imaging, or preventive interventions based on calculated risks.

Proactive, Personalized Men's Health

The Prostate Cancer iPRS test is available for men aged 30 to 75, provided they have no prior history of prostate cancer or pathogenic variants in known prostate cancer genes like BRCA1, BRCA2, or HOXB13. Results are communicated through MyOme's secure online portal and should be interpreted by healthcare providers within the context of personal and familial health histories. Genetic counseling services are available if necessary.

This test joins MyOme's portfolio of Proactive Health offerings, including:

• - Single-Gene Risk™: Identifying rare variants associated with inherited diseases.
• - Medication Response™: Assessing genetic variants affecting medication metabolism.
• - Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) iPRS™: Personalized risk assessment for cardiac events.
• - Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) iPRS™: Integrating genetics and clinical data for diabetes risk insights.
• - Breast Cancer iPRS™: Providing lifetime risk estimates for breast cancer prevention.

Together, these innovative tests aim to transition healthcare from reactive responses to preventive measures, thereby lightening the disease burden through timely interventions and informed health choices.

About MyOme

MyOme is a leader in clinical whole genome analysis, assisting families in understanding inherited disease risks. They harness the power of genomic data to deliver actionable insights for lifelong health, operating under rigorous clinical standards including CLIA certification and CAP accreditation, with their headquarters situated in Menlo Park, California. For further details, visit www.myome.com.