What's Happening?
GENinCode, a predictive genetics company, has presented a study at the American Heart Association Conference 2025, showcasing the clinical utility of CARDIO inCode-Score Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) for
preventing coronary heart disease (CHD). The study, conducted in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente, demonstrated that integrating CARDIO inCode-Score with the PREVENT equation significantly improves the prediction of CHD events. The study involved over 60,000 individuals from the Northern California GERA cohort, highlighting the enhanced predictive accuracy of personalized risk assessments. The CARDIO inCode-Score, validated for multi-ethnic populations, uses DNA from saliva or blood samples to assess CHD risk, showing a 52% reduction in CHD incidence through lifestyle changes for individuals with high PRS.
Why It's Important?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for over 900,000 deaths annually and imposing a significant economic burden on healthcare systems. The integration of polygenic risk scores into clinical practice offers a promising advancement in personalized medicine, allowing for more accurate risk stratification and potentially reducing the incidence of CHD through targeted lifestyle interventions. This approach could lead to more effective prevention strategies, particularly for individuals at borderline or intermediate risk, thereby improving public health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
What's Next?
The study's findings may prompt healthcare providers to incorporate polygenic risk scores into routine CHD risk assessments, especially for patients with a family history of heart disease. As the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association acknowledge the value of PRS, further research and clinical trials could explore its application in broader healthcare settings. This could lead to the development of new guidelines for CHD prevention, emphasizing genetic risk assessment alongside traditional clinical factors.
Beyond the Headlines
The use of polygenic risk scores raises ethical considerations regarding genetic privacy and the potential for discrimination based on genetic predispositions. As genetic testing becomes more integrated into healthcare, policies must address these concerns to ensure equitable access and protect patient rights. Additionally, the interplay between genetic risk and lifestyle factors underscores the importance of holistic approaches to disease prevention, encouraging a shift towards personalized healthcare models.
