PROCREAMATCHING

Genetic diseases are rare but they are numerous

Mendelian (single-gene) diseases are a group of diseases caused by mutations in one gene. Defined “rare diseases”, they have a very low incidence if examined individually, but overall they affect a significant portion of the population. They are in fact responsible for 20% of infant mortality and 18% of hospitalisation.

Today we know of 8,000 single-gene disorders, of which approximately 1,100 are recessive, meaning that both parents must be healthy carriers of a mutation in the same gene in order to transmit the disease to their children.

Out of 100 new-borns, 2-3 are affected by a congenital disease and of this number, 1 out of 200 is afflicted by a recessive single-gene disorder.


They cannot be cured but they can be prevented

There are no cures for these diseases. There are some treatments for some of the diseases that can improve the quality of life for those who suffer from them.
But the road to take is prevention.


Who is ProCreaMatching aimed at?

The analysis is recommended in case of:

► assisted reproduction cycles with gamete donors (heterologous ART)
► consanguineous couples
► couples belonging to groups with low genetic variation, such as island populations or other particular populations
► couples about to undertake assisted procreation (ART)

The test can be proposed in general to all adult individuals who are planning a family and wish to lower their genetic risk in reproduction. Knowledge of the genetic variations that cause a disease in these genes is still incomplete. That is why the test cannot completely exclude the occurence of a disease in your child, but can drastically reduce the risk.


Genes analysed

552 analysed genes responsible for over 600 serious recessive diseases.


What is ProCreaMatching?

The test is based on the latest next-generation sequencing technology (NGS), which permits a wide spectrum of genes to be checked with a single examination in order to identify any mutations. On average we are healthy carriers of at least three serious genetic diseases without knowing it. However, when both partners in a couple are carriers of the same disease, there is a very high risk that that disease might be transmitted to their children.

ProCreaMatching allows future parents to assess the risk of transmitting a serious genetic disease to their children.

Transmission of the recessive genetic disease

Probable offspring from 2 carriers of a genetic disease
25% not carriers
50% healthy carriers
25% affected by the disease

Genetic screening for couples actually reduces the chances of transmitting recessive genetic diseases to your children from 1 in 200 to approximately 1 in 10,000.


How does ProCreaMatching work?

A blood sample is all that is needed to perform the test. The genomic DNA needed to perform the genetic screening can be extracted from this sample.

Unless otherwise requested, the results will only show the genes where both partners present pathological variations and therefore have an increased risk of having children with serious genetic diseases.


How do I prepare for the test?

Genetic consultation: correct information is the basis of trust and of informed consent

Like every genetic test, ProCreaMatching must be prescribed by your doctor who will be able to provide a suitable genetic consultation.

► Provide all requested anamnestic information
► Provide detailed account of ethnic origin

The information requested allows us to adapt the test to the couple and improve the clinical sensitivity.


Our strong points - How we distinguish ourselves

Every result is assessed by a specialist in genetic medicine

► Some genes that are hard to analyse using NGS are analysed using more reliable alternative methods (Fragile-X, Spinal muscular atrophy, Thalassemia screening)
► Each matching result is confirmed using Sanger sequencing, the gold standard in genetic sequencing
► Extreme focus on family origins and anamnesis in order to increase the clinical sensitivity of the test
► Genetic consultation with our specialist available at no extra cost

The United Kingdom’s Human Genetics Commission has stated that there are no specific social, ethical or legal principles that would rule out a population-wide screening programme.