ProstateNow

Science and Physician-Driven Germline Testing Solution

ProstateNow™ is a comprehensive germline test for people with prostate cancer. This test can be used to predict prognosis among men with localized prostate cancer, predict therapeutic responses for advanced patients, and predict cancer risk among unaffected men.

This test is developed and supported by the NorthShore University HealthSystem urology team, a national leader in the field of the genetics of prostate cancer.

Features of ProstateNow™

Delivers the three main reasons for germline testing

To predict prognosis among patients with localized prostate cancer.
To predict therapeutic responses among advance prostate cancer patients.
Predict prostate cancer risk among unaffected men.

Includes Rare Pathogenic Mutations (RPMs) & Genetic Risk Scores (GRS) from studies involving multiple races

This test includes all known prostate cancer susceptibility genes as well as >100 prostate cancer risk-associated SNPs for calculating GRS in multiple races.

Based on comprehensive evaluation of current evidence

This test is developed based on recommendations from up-to-date clinical guidelines, current evidence review, and proprietary data from the NorthShore team.

What is the Difference Between Germline and Somatic Testing?

Germline testing detects inherited alterations in the DNA passed down from parents. This is the DNA that an individual is born with. Any mutations or variations in germline DNA exist in every cell and can be passed down to offspring.

Somatic testing detects genetic changes in cells specific to an organ (such as the prostate). These changes can occur and accumulate during one’s lifetime and can contribute to tumor formation. Unlike germline mutations, somatic mutations are not passed down to offspring.

Is ProstateNow™ Right for your Patient?

NCCN guidelines recommend germline testing for men with prostate cancer, and patients with a high-risk family history, intraductal histologies or other conditions, regardless of risk. These recommendations are also for unaffected men with a family history of hereditary cancer syndromes and a family history of pathogenic mutations.

ProstateNow™ is covered by Medicare for qualifying patients.

The Genetics of
Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is not typically considered a hereditary disease, but studies show that inherited factors account for 57% of the risk for developing prostate cancer (including sporadic cases). In fact, the heritability of prostate cancer is stronger compared to other cancers such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. This highlights the importance of assessing the inherited risk for prostate cancer. Inherited risk can be assessed using three available methods; Family History (FH), Rare Pathogenic Mutations (RPMs), and Genetic Risk Score (GRS).

High-Risk Men for
Prostate Cancer

Schematic Venn diagram of high-risk men for prostate cancer in the general population identified by FH, RPMs, and GRS. The size of the circle indicates the proportion of high-risk men in the general population identified by each measure of inherited risks. The color indicates the degree of risk, with darker red denotes higher risk.

ProstateNow™ Workflow

The workflow below describes the streamlined service of GeneticsNow® to prioritize quality and simplicity. You and your team will handle only the Patient section and GoPath will handle the rest.