Ambry Genetics study shows that performing both RNA and DNA testing is more effective at finding patients with hereditary breast cancer than DNA analysis by itself.

A study conducted by clinical genetic testing laboratory Ambry Genetics has found that conducting RNA and DNA testing concurrently is more effective at identifying hereditary cancer risk –– in the form of more mutations –– than performing just DNA testing by itself.

The intent with combined DNA and RNA testing is to overcome the limitations of DNA testing, which does not cover major portions of DNA, can fail to identify errors that can increase risk, and can be inconclusive. By conducting both DNA and RNA testing, more information is obtained about DNA mutations.

In this specific study, the company evaluated results for 746 patients with breast cancer that had received its +RNAinsight™ RNA next-generation sequencing test paired with its hereditary cancer DNA genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk.

The researchers looked at 16 hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer genes. Five patients with breast cancer were identified to have mutations that would have not been detected with DNA testing alone. The paired testing was also found to reduce the number of inconclusive results.

According to Holly LaDuca, senior manager of Ambry's clinical affairs research, the more accurate results provided by the company’s +RNAinsight test enable clinicians to be better informed and offer enhanced patient care.