In just one week, Secaucus-based Quest Diagnostics announced two new product offerings: one for at-home consumer use and another for physicians. 

The consumer product, Genetic Insights, helps people understand their potential risk of developing certain inheritable health conditions, while the clinical offering is a novel prostate cancer biomarker test. 

For consumers 

The first consumer genetic health test under the Quest brand, Genetic Insights uses a saliva sample to analyze 36 genes to identify potential risk of several inheritable conditions. These include breast and colon cancer; heart and blood disorders; and carrier status for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia and Tay-Sachs disease, according to a July 11 product announcement. 

Quested noted that this new test is “powered by advanced next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, which can analyze thousands of DNA variants in genes associated with disease and looks at more regions in a person’s genome than microarray testing technology.” 

Sarah South, executive scientific director of R&D for molecular genetics and oncology at Quest Diagnostics, said in a statement that, “Genetic Insights goes beyond the typical consumer genetic test.” 

She added that the company has spent years innovating not only the test but also the way the consumer interacts with it, creating a product “that is digestible and actionable to the end user.” 

“The use of NGS is a crucial distinction­, because NGS-based tests are uniquely able to identify a wider range of genetic conditions and keep pace with new genetic discoveries,” South noted. 

Available for U.S. adults on questhealth.com for $199 (with a $12 physician service fee), the kits are mailed to a consumer and then shipped back to Quest for analysis. A consumer is also given access to a personalized online dashboard to view the results, which are available within three to five weeks, as well as additional features, Quest said. 

Consumers also have the option to schedule a free one-on-one phone or video session with a genetic counselor to discuss results. 

For physicians 

Quest Diagnostics’ new novel prostate cancer biomarker test was launched through its subspecialty pathology business, AmeriPath, in collaboration with Australian-based Envision Sciences, according to a July 13 announcement.  

The tissue-based test service aims to help clinicians identify and differentiate potentially aggressive cases of prostate cancer, one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers affecting men, according to the American Cancer Society. 

Additionally, a recent Quest Diagnostics Health Trends study showed that diagnoses of prostate and breast cancer continue to lag pre-pandemic levels, suggesting more people are living with undiagnosed cancers now than before COVID-19. This aligns with findings by the New Jersey Hospital Association that showed patients are now coming into hospitals with more severe levels of illnesses than they were in 2019, possibly caused by individuals waiting to seek care, leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. 

Quest added that, although prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, existing testing methods have limited accuracy. 

“Our goal for this innovative prostate biomarker test is to improve the accuracy of grading prostate cancer biopsies. We expect this service to help fill a clinical gap affecting millions of men for staging, diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer,” said Kristie Dolan, vice president and general manager, Quest Diagnostics Oncology Franchise. 

Quest developed and validated the laboratory test under an intellectual property license agreement with Envision for use of Envision’s proprietary biomarker and immunohistochemistry technology, according to Quest. 

The test is now available for doctors in the U.S. to order (excluding those based in New York).