BRCA1/BRCA2 test from a lab other than Myriad (patent overturn)

GiseleB

Hi I have posted the topic about BRCA1 and 2 testing from a lab outside of myriad before but obviously that did not exist due to the patents.  Since the patent is over I have heard of other labs offering this service.  I also found it on Amazon and Ebay.  A did a google search and a company called viaguard, 23andme and otogenetics offers it.  Would more people now consider the test since the price has dropped?  What will happen to myriad?

peggy_j

Are you searching for information for yourself? If so, I'd ask at your MO's office. My MO referred me to a genetic counselor who filled out the paperwork when Myriad was the only company offering it. I don't know if the other companies are ready today or not. I'm assuming this will cause the price to drop. I can't predict what will happen to Myriad. They do offer other products. Surely their profits will go down now (or soon) now that they can't use monopoly pricing.

GC1

As good as it is that the Myriad patents have been overturned, here is an example of a major downside.  

Let's take a quote from Amazon about the Viaguard test: "Thus costs which were as high as $3,000 are now $599 to include the $99 kit cost and $500 per test in lab fees to include standard BRCA1/2 analysis to identify the 3 mutations".  

The key here is "3 mutations", what they are referring to is the 3 common mutations in the Jewish population (187delAG, 5385insC, and 6174delT).  Those 3 mutations account for a very high proportion of mutations in that ethnic group; however, it any other ethnic group, those 3 mutations account for almost nothing (the only one typically seen outside of Jewish individuals is 5385insC).  BTW - Myriad does testing for those 3 mutations under the name Multisite-3 and the cost is $575. Yes, Myriad offers the same test as Viaguard but at a lower price.  

In other words, consumers/patients who believe they are getting a complete test for a great deal are actually getting a test that detects almost nothing (outside of Jewish individuals) and paying more for it.

As an aside, one of the arguments used to fight the patents was that Myriad was offering a sub-standard test.  Because BART (large rearrangement testing) was not offered with the Comprehensive BRACAnalysis, there were some patients who may have had mutations missed.  Mutations seen with BART account for about 2 to 3% of all mutations (and perhaps higher in some ethnic groups).  So really, the argument is that Myriad's test might be picking up only 97 to 98% of detectable mutations.  Viaguard on the other hand is offering a test for 3 mutations that in non-Jewish individuals might account for 1% (but probably lower), and missing 99% of possible mutations.  The irony in all of this is that after fighting so hard for patients to be offered more than sub-standard testing; now that the patents are gone, less reputable companies can now start offering an even worse test and many consumers/patients will never know the difference.  

FYI - 23andme only looks at the three mutations as well.