Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Genetic test finds inherited cancer-risk changes in 1 in 10 patients
The FPG500 program at Gemelli analyzed about 2,700 patient samples over its first two years, mostly from people with endometrial or ovarian cancer.
Testing more than 500 genes found that one in 10 patients had inherited cancer-risk changes present from birth and also in healthy cells.
These changes can raise the risk of different cancers and may also be present in healthy relatives.
About a third of the inherited risks may have been missed through standard diagnosis.
Finding them can help doctors choose treatments and plan checks for other organs at risk.
The results can also guide prevention, including risk-reducing surgery or targeted medicines.
Relatives can be tested for the same changes and, if they carry them, may be offered prevention or monitoring before cancer develops.
A genetic test found inherited cancer-risk changes in about one in 10 patients with cancer, mostly gynecological cancers.
The findings came from sequencing more than 500 genes and were published in Genome Medicine.
About one third of the identified predispositions might not have been found through standard diagnostic procedures.
The research was conducted through the FPG500 program at Gemelli, which has been active since 2022.
Researchers said the findings could guide treatment, risk monitoring and preventive care for patients and at-risk relatives.
- Who
- Researchers in the FPG500 program, coordinated by Maurizio Genuardi, studied patients with cancer.
- What
- Genetic testing found inherited cancer-predisposing changes in about one in 10 patients examined.
- When
- The report was published on November 5, 2026. The program has been active since 2022.
- Where
- At Gemelli, the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.
- Why
- The study identified genetic predispositions that could inform treatment, monitoring and prevention.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The FPG500 program became active at Gemelli.
Clinicians analyzed about 2,700 samples from patients with cancer, mostly gynecological cancers.
ANSA reported the findings, which were published in Genome Medicine.
- Genetic findings
- About 1 in 10 patients had inherited cancer-predisposing changes
- Gene test
- Sequencing of more than 500 genes
- Samples
- About 2,700 analyzed in the program’s first two years
- Unrecognized predispositions
- About one third might not have been detected through standard diagnostic procedures
- Program
- FPG500, active at Gemelli since 2022
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What people are saying
Identifying these genetic changes represents a concrete contribution to precision medicine and prevention.
It can guide treatment choices, allow monitoring of other organs at risk to be planned and support cancer-risk reduction strategies through preventive surgery or targeted medical therapy.