Cancer predisposition gene panel

$1,868.00
Unit price per

For financing options, please see the Financing tab below.

A cancer predisposition gene panel DNA test assesses specific, inherited DNA code sites for an interpretation related to an increased risk of cancer development. This information can be important for preventative screening or medical interventions.

In order to obtain the DNA testing kit under medical supervision (required), the purchased test includes a bill to be presented at your selected clinic. Test prices can vary between different medical clinics. PATHOGENIC RESULTS WILL REQUIRE A GENETIC COUNSELING SESSION PRIOR TO MEDICAL MANAGEMENT.

Clients will also be given a checklist of topics to facilitate informed consent. Test purchase should take place after consultation with a Merogenomics representative in order for the client to be best prepared for informed consent. Informed consent and education towards its understanding will be required by the clinic. IF YOU HAVE NOT CONSULTED MEROGENOMICS ABOUT YOUR DNA TEST PLEASE BOOK A FREE APPOINTMENT USING THE LINK BELOW PRIOR TO TEST PURCHASE!

All international or Canadian clients in a region without a supported medical clinic, please book a meeting with Merogenomics to discuss the use of your preferred local doctor.

Gene panel sequencing is the process of decoding the order of nucleotide bases in the DNA of selected genes that are currently known to be associated with the health-impacting condition being investigated. Variants (changes) observed in the DNA between different individuals can afford insights into the variations in specific health conditions of interest that might affect the medical management of such individuals. Panels can range in the number of genes included, depending on the disease area being investigated. A hereditary cancer predisposition gene panel looks for DNA alterations in the select 91 genes validated to play a role in cancer development.

Gene panel sequencing provides the overview of alterations in an individual’s DNA code in genes related to cancer predispositions across numerous cancer types
This test is used for clinical purposes and should not be regarded as investigational or for research
The test must be ordered by a medical doctor who will oversee the clinical report based on the DNA sequence interpretation
The test is for presumed healthy individuals interested in proactively screening themselves for hereditary cancer predispositions. The test is also for patients already diagnosed with cancer who had not investigated their germline DNA for hereditary cancer predisposition, or who seek further information
This test is not to diagnose any other inherited suspected genetic conditions or to obtain pharmacogenetic information. Please refer to the “Full genome sequencing” option for a screening test for the most comprehensive overview of alterations in an individual’s DNA code, including cancer predispositions, genetic disease risks, and carrier status. Please refer to the “Pharmacogenetic panel” option for pharmacogenetic-specific information
This test is not for DNA analysis of tumor samples. Please refer to tumor sequencing test options for more information
Anonymized patient/client clinically-relevant information will be included in public databases to help with the future medical analysis of human genomes. Databases contain cumulative results from around the world and do not include information that can personally identify the patient/client
The test might not provide a diagnosis if either the causes of the condition are not genetic in nature or the causative variant is not identified. Even with a successful DNA diagnosis, it is possible that the information might not help in predicting the prognosis or change medical management or the treatment of disease
Test can be paid for directly by the patient/client. Insurance billing is available and can be investigated up-front to determine out-of-pocket expenses. Institutional billing is also available for organizations that prefer to bill patients/clients directly

Merogenomics provides background education towards patient/client informed consent
The collection kit can be for a saliva or a blood sample, with prepaid shipping included
Services are fully insured, HIPAA, CLIA and CAP compliant
The results are available within 14-21 days
Concise clinical report is delivered to the ordering doctor only, and then subsequently discussed/shared with the patient/client. The report lists variants associated with the increased risk of developing a hereditary cancer
Previous medical information of the patient/client that has already been collected by the ordering physician will be incorporated into the analysis
The databases used for DNA sequence interpretation are regularly updated, and novel findings pertaining to currently unknown variants identified in a patient/client will be delivered to the ordering physician, who will be continuously notified for the duration of the DNA data storage by the company

Positive results can have important implications for the medical management of otherwise presumed healthy individuals, including screening frequency, undergoing prophylactic surgery, or other risk-reducing measures
For cancer patients, the results might inform one’s physician about treatment options or determine their eligibility for clinical trials
Individuals can be released from unnecessary clinical surveillance, including potentially invasive diagnostic procedures
The test results can help identify other at-risk family members
The discovery of a pathogenic variant (a DNA change that is capable of causing disease), in the patient/client allows for the screening of additional closely-related family members for the same pathogenic variant at no additional charge. Conditions may apply
Patient/client data is securely stored on cloud for subsequent re-analysis
The entire process closely follows the Canadian and American guidelines, therefore there is a high level of proper accountability for the clinic

Biological sample quality can influence the scope and quality of the final decoded DNA sequence data, and therefore its interpretation
If a new gene or a variant is added to a panel, the previous information cannot be updated for that particular gene/variant if the patient/client has not been tested for it in the first place. Therefore, in order to capture any novel DNA sequence information, the patient/client would have to retake the test
It is possible that previously unidentified variants with clinical implications might be present in the selected genes that are not investigated by the test due to an incomplete DNA sequence analysis, therefore a negative result cannot rule out the possibility that the patient carries an unexamined mutation
False positive results can occur and all clinically relevant identified alterations are recommended to be validated by separate technology
The test does not detect alterations which are not caused by a change in the DNA sequence, such as gene expression, epigenetic modifications, fusion, or chromosome conformational changes
The interpretation will be limited to the current state of scientific knowledge of how DNA changes lead to a disease. This scientific knowledge can also contain mistakes
Samples cannot be accepted if the patient/client has undergone an allogenic transplant such as bone marrow or a peripheral stem cell transplant. A history of hematological disease might exclude test availability in certain circumstances, and cultured fibroblasts will be required instead
Psychological consequences can be severe with high-risk individuals and patients/clients should be screened prior to testing
The test does not consider somatic alterations (non-inherited DNA changes acquired post-birth throughout one’s lifetime)
The test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The FDA does not require this test to go through premarket FDA review

All tests offered through Merogenomics require a physician to sign a test requisition form for regulatory compliance reasons. Once the requisition form is signed by the doctor, the ordering doctor does not have to participate in the process until the receipt of the test results
Merogenomics can provide detailed background information to the ordering physician on the test process. Merogenomics provides background education towards patient/client informed consent
The test results should be interpreted in context with any other available patient/client clinical findings
In the case of a clear clinical diagnosis, more targeted panels are available as a first-tier approach to reduce the chance of secondary or uncertain findings, which can then be followed by specified reflex options
Chromosomal microarray with whole exome sequencing or full genome sequencing without microarray can be selected instead of gene panel testing to increase detection rates
The patient/client’s personalized lifetime risk for breast or prostate cancer development based on clinical history and genetic information can be provided to aid in medical management. Requires an additional order form to be filled out. Available only for unaffected patients/clients of Caucasian (non-Ashkenazi Jewish for breast cancer risk score) ancestry
It is recommended by guidelines that the patient/client undergoes genetic counseling prior to and following clinical DNA testing
The DNA sequencing and interpretation takes place in a CLIA/CAP certified laboratory
Patient data is HIPAA compliant, securely stored on cloud for continuous re-analysis, and never sold or shared with third-party companies
The ordering physician will be the recipient of the gene panel sequencing analysis clinical report. The patient/client will not obtain these results independent of the ordering physician. Merogenomics will not have access to patient/client report, but can review the report after the receipt of data if that is requested by the patient/client
The report is designed with doctors in mind and will be divided into the following sections:
- The first page will have a condensed summary listing all of the clinically relevant results arranged as follows:
  - Pathogenic or likely pathogenic results – information requiring the utmost attention
  - Variants of unknown significance – DNA changes currently without evidence of clinical impacts
  - Structural variants – large scale DNA changes such as gross deletions or duplications
  - The summary of the results and interpretation
  - A list of the genes analyzed in the panel
- The second page will list a personalized lifetime risk score for breast or prostate cancer, including follow-up suggestions (optional)
- The final pages are devoted to methods of testing and the limitations of the procedure
Samples cannot be accepted if the patient/client has undergone an allogenic transplant such as bone marrow or a peripheral stem cell transplant. A history of hematological disease might exclude test availability in certain circumstances
For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, the DNA quality may be affected if the patient has received treatment in past 120 days, potentially requiring sample resubmission

Targeted sequence enrichment is performed using PCR. Either next-generation sequencing or Sanger sequencing of all exons (gene section that is the code for protein development), and flanking regions of 5’ and 3’ ends of all the introns and untranslated regions and promoter regions of select genes (DNA regions involved in gene use regulation), is completed, or specific point mutations are analyzed, depending on the gene investigated
The test provides over 99.9% sensitivity
Proprietary methods identify and analyze following types of variants:
- Small sequence changes
  - Single nucleotide variants (SNVs, alterations that affect only one nucleotide at a time, also termed single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs)
  - Insertions and deletions (indels under 50 bp)
- Structural variants (DNA alterations that affect large segments of DNA of more than 50 bp, and can include insertions, deletions, or copy number variations or CNVs: duplication of a particular DNA segment)
Identification of structural variants in selected genes are confirmed with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and/or targeted chromosomal microarray
For clinical genes with related pseudogenes, sequencing is performed to confirm mutation presence in the gene of interest and not in the pseudogene
Genes investigated: AIP, ALK, APC, ATM, AXIN2, BAP1, BARD1, BLM, BMPR1A, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CASR, CDC73, CDH1, CDK4, CDKN1B, CDKN2A, CFTR , CHEK2, CPA1, CTNNA1, CTRC, DICER1, EGFR, EGLN1, EPCAM, FAM175A, FANCC, FH, FLCN, GALNT12, GREM1, HOXB13, KIF1B, KIT, LZTR1, MAX, MEN1, MET, MITF, MLH1, MLH3, MRE11A, MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, MUTYH, NBN, NF1, NF2, NTHL1, PALB2, PALLD, PDGFRA, PHOX2B, PMS2, POLD1, POLE, POT1, PRKAR1A, PRSS1, PTCH1, PTEN, RAD50, RAD51C, RAD51D, RB1, RECQL, RET, RINT1, RPS20, SDHA, SDHAF2, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SMAD4, SMARCA4, SMARCB1, SMARCE1, SPINK1, STK11, SUFU, TERT, TMEM127, TP53, TSC1, TSC2, VHL, XRCC2

A patient/client with a variant of unknown significance (DNA changes with limited and/or conflicting evidence regarding pathogenicity), can apply for follow-up testing for select family members at no additional charge in order to help understand the relationship between the variant and the genetic condition
Personalized lifetime risk for breast or prostate cancer development can be estimated based on the proprietary polygenic risk score calculation using a patient/client’s clinical history and genetic results at no additional charge. Available only for unaffected patients/clients of Caucasian (non-Ashkenazi Jewish for breast cancer risk score) ancestry. Other restrictions may apply. The accuracy of the risk estimate is highly-dependant on the accuracy of the provided clinical history
Analysis of RNA of 19 genes (APC, ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDH1, CHEK2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 EX1-10, MUTYH, NF1, PTEN, PALB2, RAD51C, RAD51D, TP53) can be added to a panel for increased detection rate of the test (enhanced accuracy) by resolving variants of unknown significance, allowing to provide a clear diagnosis to more patients
Extracted genomic DNA can also be submitted for sequencing, isolated from a CLIA-certified laboratory or equivalent. Contact Merogenomics to discuss additional alternatives
Volume discounts are available. Contact Merogenomics for more details

Clinical DNA testing is not a simple straight-forward process compared to commercial, direct-to-physician genetic testing. As a consequence, there are stringent guidelines and criteria that need to be fulfilled in order to ensure that the results of the test, as well as the managing parties involved, are all compliant for subsequent medical oversight.

The client/patient has a consultation with Merogenomics to fully understand informed consent for Clinical DNA testing.
All DNA tests promoted by Merogenomics require a doctor to sign a test order. The client/patient can select one of the clinics for DNA testing. This selection allows for online test purchase. Alternatively, any physician can order the test for a client. Merogenomics can provide background about the desired test to any physician interested in signing the test requisition form. For independent doctors, you will need to book a FREE consultation.
The client picks the DNA test of choice offered by the selected clinic. Alternatively, any DNA test can be selected if ordered by independent doctor.
The client/patient will have the option to purchase the test in full or apply for financing. An invoice is issued to the patient on behalf of an ordering doctor/clinic, allowing the patient to proceed to a clinic to receive the DNA test kit. The DNA test kit can only be obtained upon proof of payment.
For independent doctor orders, the invoice can be issued from the DNA test provider.
The doctor must sign the test requisition form. The ordering doctor is also the doctor who will receive the DNA test results.
The biological sample containing the client/patient’s DNA must be collected (blood or saliva, depending on DNA test).
For blood collection, the blood will be either collected at the clinic of the ordering physician, or at an independent blood collection clinic.
The DNA test kit can be sent by either of the clinics. Sending through an independent blood collection clinic might require extra fee.
The DNA test kit is received by the test service provider. DNA is isolated from the biological sample, checked for quality and sequenced. The DNA code is analyzed for medical interpretation and a report is generated. The ordering physician can then have access to a clinical interpretation of the DNA code.
The report is provided to the ordering physician for medical management consideration. The client/patient can only obtain the results from the ordering physician.
Pathogenic results will require interpretation oversight by a genetic counsellor prior to medical action.
The client/patient can choose either public or private genetic counselling access.
The ordering physician determines medical management of the client/patient.

Purchase of the test can be refunded within 30-days of issued invoice date minus $50 processing fee to cover the costs associated with testing kit (even if the kit was not used by the customer). A refund is not available once the sample has been obtained by the laboratory and DNA testing has commenced.

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Merogenomics is collaborating with a third party institution, Blue Finance, to provide access for eligible customers to convenient, monthly payment options. Contact Merogenomics for more information.

Below are examples of possible monthly payment options for specified duration terms.

Payment options for 12 month term

DNA test cost	Monthly payment
$699	$65
$799	$85

Payment options for 24 month term

DNA test cost	Monthly payment
$2,499	$127
$3,749	$190
$4,099	$208
$5,199	$264
$7,399	$376

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