Genetic Technologies works with University of Melbourne to expand breast cancer test to women with hereditary risk

Genetic Technologies (ASX: GTG) has struck an agreement with the University of Melbourne to enhance and broaden its genetic breast cancer risk assessment test to include women with a hereditary risk.

The collaborative arrangement aims to assist physicians with more accurately predicting the risk in someone who has a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

Genetic Technologies’ BREVAGenplus test has already been validated in clinical studies for non-hereditary breast cancer and is available to the public. Under the company’s new agreement with the University of Melbourne, the duo hopes to expand the test’s applicability to include women with a hereditary risk.

“This research agreement provides us with the basis to translate our scientific work into the clinical arena,” University of Melbourne research director of the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Prof John Harper comment on the agreement.

“Risk stratification of patients to improve breast cancer screening and prevention has significant potential upside benefit for both women and the health system,” he added.

Although the agreement terms are confidential, Genetic Technologies disclosed the collaborative work will expand upon Prof Hopper and his team’s existing research, as well as Genetic Technologies’ existing BREVAGenplus product.

“I am extremely pleased with the execution of this agreement as we seek to enhance our portfolio of proprietary risk assessment products,” Genetic Technologies scientific director Richard Allman said.

“In addition to our colorectal cancer test under development, this represents the company’s continued commitment to development of SNP-based genetic resources,” he noted.

Breast cancer risks

As the most common cancer in women, breast cancer is believed to affect one in eight women in Australian and the United States.

Genetic Technologies claims if its test identified a woman was at risk, then chemoprevention, screening and lifestyle changes could improve outcomes for breast cancer by catching the disease early or mitigating it altogether.

The company uses genomic testing platforms with blockchain technologies to devise cancer predictive testing and assessment tools.

Shares in Genetic Technologies were up more than 9% to A$0.012 in mid-afternoon trade.