Introduction: A New Era in Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment
MyOme has introduced the first integrated polygenic risk score (PRS) for prostate cancer, packaged within its comprehensive whole-genome testing platform. This breakthrough combines multiple genetic signals across the genome to deliver a nuanced risk profile, going beyond traditional screening methods. The goal is to identify men at higher risk earlier and tailor prevention strategies to individual genetic makeup.
What Is a Polygenic Risk Score and Why It Matters
A polygenic risk score aggregates the small effects of many genetic variants to estimate an individual’s overall risk of developing prostate cancer. Unlike single-gene tests, PRS considers thousands of loci, improving predictive accuracy for diverse populations. When integrated with family history, lifestyle data, and clinical factors, PRS can refine screening intervals, imaging decisions, and prevention plans, potentially catching cancers at a more treatable stage.
Key Advantages of MyOme’s Integrated PRS
- Early Detection: By flagging high-risk individuals before abnormal PSA levels or imaging findings appear, clinicians can initiate closer monitoring sooner.
- Personalized Prevention: Risk-informed lifestyle recommendations and chemoprevention discussions may be aligned with a patient’s genetic predisposition.
- Comprehensive Genomic View: The PRS is embedded in a whole-genome analysis, offering a broad view of inherited risk alongside other clinically actionable insights.
- Population Relevance: The score is developed to be informative across diverse populations, addressing gaps common in traditional risk models.
How the Test Works: From Sample to Risk Insight
Patients provide a DNA sample that undergoes whole-genome sequencing. Bioinformatic pipelines compute the integrated PRS to produce a risk tier. This result is interpreted in the context of established clinical factors and, when appropriate, paired with decision-support tools for clinicians, ensuring that the information translates into concrete next steps for care.
Clinical and Public Health Implications
Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers among men. An integrated PRS can help stratify risk at the population level, enabling a shift from one-size-fits-all screening toward precision-based strategies. In clinical settings, providers can personalize screening frequency, start age for surveillance, and discuss preventive options with greater confidence. For researchers and health systems, widespread adoption of PRS could enhance population health management by allocating resources to those most likely to benefit.
Patient Experience: What to Expect
For individuals considering the test, education and informed consent are paramount. Clinicians will explain how the PRS augments traditional risk factors and what the findings could mean for personal health decisions. Support resources, genetic counseling, and clear reporting formats help translate complex genetic data into practical actions, reducing uncertainty and empowering patients to participate actively in their care plan.
Looking Ahead: A Step Toward Proactive Prostate Health
The launch of an integrated polygenic risk score for prostate cancer signals a broader shift toward proactive, genetics-informed prevention. As real-world data accumulate, the MyOme platform aims to refine predictive accuracy further and expand its genomic insights to additional cancers and complex diseases, advancing equity in precision medicine while maintaining rigorous standards for privacy and clinical validity.
Conclusion: A New Tool in the Armamentarium
By combining comprehensive whole-genome analysis with a robust polygenic risk score for prostate cancer, MyOme offers clinicians and patients a powerful instrument for earlier intervention and tailored prevention. This development has the potential to improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary procedures, and support more individualized care pathways in men’s health.
