Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer — approximately 10% of pancreatic cancers have a genetic cause, and screening programs for confirmed carriers detect tumors at resectable stages where 5-year survival exceeds 40%, compared to <12% when detected symptomatically.
Whole genome sequencing evaluates all pancreatic cancer predisposition genes — BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, CDKN2A, STK11, MLH1, MSH2, and others — identifying individuals who qualify for pancreatic cancer screening programs that save lives through early detection.
Pancreatic Cancer — Hereditary
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers — approximately 64,000 new US cases annually with overall 5-year survival of ~12%. The poor prognosis is primarily due to late-stage detection: >80% of cases are diagnosed at unresectable stages because early-stage PDAC is asymptomatic. However, approximately 5-10% of pancreatic cancers have a hereditary component with identifiable germline pathogenic variants in BRCA2 (~3-5% of PDAC, 3-10x risk), PALB2 (2-6x risk), ATM (2-5x risk), CDKN2A/p16 (13-22x risk), STK11/Peutz-Jeghers (132x risk), and Lynch syndrome genes MLH1/MSH2 (9x risk).
The International Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) consortium recommends annual pancreatic screening with MRI and/or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for individuals with pathogenic variants in high-risk genes (BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, CDKN2A, STK11, MLH1/MSH2) starting at age 50 (or 10 years before the youngest family case). Screening programs detecting CAPS-qualifying lesions achieve resection rates >60% and stage I detection in ~60-80% — compared to <20% stage I at symptomatic diagnosis. This stage shift translates directly to improved survival.
Beyond screening, germline genetic testing has therapeutic implications for pancreatic cancer treatment. BRCA2 and PALB2 pathogenic variants confer sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy (FOLFIRINIX) and PARP inhibitors — olaparib maintenance therapy is FDA-approved for germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. ATM deficiency may confer sensitivity to PARP inhibitors and ATR inhibitors in clinical trials. These gene-specific treatment responses make germline testing relevant for all pancreatic cancer patients, not just those with family history.
CDKN2A/p16 carriers have 13-22x pancreatic cancer risk — the highest of any non-syndromic gene. Yet CDKN2A is primarily known as a melanoma gene. Any family with both melanoma AND pancreatic cancer should have CDKN2A testing urgently.
Pancreatic cancer screening saves lives when targeted to genetically confirmed high-risk individuals. Without molecular testing, these individuals remain unidentified until symptomatic — when 80% of tumors are already unresectable.
Olaparib maintenance is FDA-approved for germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer — molecular testing determines eligibility
The POLO trial demonstrated that olaparib maintenance therapy significantly improved progression-free survival in germline BRCA1/2-mutated metastatic PDAC. NCCN guidelines now recommend germline genetic testing for ALL pancreatic cancer patients — not just those with family history — because approximately 5-10% carry actionable germline variants. Without molecular testing, patients with BRCA-mutated pancreatic cancer receive standard chemotherapy alone, missing the PARP inhibitor maintenance that could extend their lives.
Pancreatic screening with MRI/EUS detects cancer at resectable stages — but enrollment requires confirmed genetic high-risk status
Pancreatic cancer screening is not recommended for the general population (low prevalence, imperfect specificity). It IS recommended for individuals with confirmed germline high-risk variants — where the pre-test probability is high enough to make screening cost-effective and clinically beneficial. CAPS consortium enrollment requires documented pathogenic variant in a qualifying gene. WGS identifies all qualifying genes from a single test, enabling immediate screening enrollment that catches tumors when surgery is still curative.
Your full DNA (not just a part of it)
Traditional genetic testing looks at narrow sets of genes, missing most parts of your genome. We sequence your full genome — every gene and every region between genes.
Comprehensive insights and specialized reports
Easy to read and with answers you and your doctor can act on. Not a file to interpret — 200+ clinical reports, organized by category.
Your test becomes more valuable every year
Your DNA does not change, but genome science is accelerating. Every month, new variant-disease associations are discovered. We validate these findings and update your reports automatically. Your test becomes more valuable every year.
The results doctors bring to their hardest cases.
Forty years of uncertainty. One test.
A patient had spent decades in the UK healthcare system without a diagnosis. Dante data, accepted by NHS clinical teams at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow, identified Noonan Syndrome and a RUNX1 leukemia-associated variant that had gone undetected. After 40 years, they finally had an answer.
A complete read delivers a complete picture.
A patient came to Dante to investigate periodic paralysis. Reading the complete genome identified a concurrent hereditary cardiac finding — Brugada syndrome — that their doctor confirmed with an ECG. The result also explained a family member's unresolved cardiac history. One test. Every answer in it.
Sequenced in 2019. The data worked in 2021.
Jennifer sequenced her genome with Dante two years before her breast cancer diagnosis. When treatment began, Dante's pharmacogenomics data showed her prescribed chemotherapy would cause serious adverse effects. Her doctor selected an alternative — and she started effective treatment from day one.
Every genetic question deserves a complete answer.
Whether you are searching for answers today or protecting your health for tomorrow, a complete read of your entire genome is the only place to start.
It runs in your family. Now you can know if it runs in your genes.
Your genome contains inherited variants associated with medical conditions like cardiac, cancer, and neurological. We read all of them — with the clinical depth to give the result meaning.
Learn more →When traditional lab tests say you're fine. And you know you're not.
Standard diagnostic tests check for a pre-selected set of answers. We sequence your full DNA — including parts that no test was designed to check. If the answer is in your genome, we will help you find it.
Learn more →Your diagnosis may be right. Your treatment plan may be incomplete.
Your genes determine which treatments are most likely to work — and which are not. We give your doctor the tools and insights to inform your treatment plan.
Learn more →You want to know before something forces the question.
Some people don't wait for a diagnosis or a family history to act. Whole genome sequencing gives you the complete genetic picture now — so you and your doctor can make informed decisions before anything becomes urgent.
Learn more →You already took a DNA test. Here's what it couldn't tell you.
Most consumer DNA tests read less than 0.1% of your genome. We read all of it.
Learn more →Clinical-grade results. Chosen by individuals, trusted by doctors for their most complex cases.
Dante Genome Test helped specialists at a UK national acute hospital in the identification of Noonan Syndrome and a rare leukemia-associated genetic variant that had gone undetected. That result changed the medical care of the patient.
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Common questions about whole genome sequencing.
What is the difference between whole genome sequencing and a targeted genetic test?
Targeted genetic tests — including standard hereditary cancer panels — read a pre-defined list of known variants in a specific set of genes. They are designed to find what they already know to look for. Whole genome sequencing reads your entire genome: all 6 billion base pairs, every gene, every region between genes. A Mayo Clinic study published in JAMA Oncology found that standard testing guidelines missed more than half of patients with inherited cancer mutations. Genome Test does not have a fixed list.
What will I receive when my results are ready?
Your Dante Genome delivers 200+ physician-ready reports organized by clinical category — hereditary cancer, cardiac conditions, rare diseases, pharmacogenomics, carrier status, and more. Reports are delivered to your secure Genome Manager and are formatted for direct clinical use. Your genome data is permanently retained and re-analyzed automatically as science advances.
What happens if a clinically significant variant is found?
If a pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variant is identified, it will be clearly flagged in your physician-ready report with clinical context, published evidence, and recommended next steps. We recommend sharing any clinically significant finding with your physician or a genetic counselor, who can guide decisions about surveillance, risk reduction, or cascade testing for family members.
How is this different from a consumer DNA test like 23andMe or AncestryDNA?
Consumer DNA tests use genotyping chips that read less than 0.1% of your genome — a tiny pre-selected set of common variants. They are optimized for ancestry and population-level traits, not clinical genetic findings. The Dante Genome Test sequences 100% of your genome at 30X coverage, the same standard used in clinical diagnostic settings. The two tests are not comparable in scope, methodology, or clinical utility.
How long does it take to get results, and how are they delivered?
Your collection kit ships within 48 hours of ordering. Once your sample arrives at our CLIA-certified laboratory, sequencing and analysis takes 6–8 weeks. Results are delivered securely to your Genome Manager, where you can access your reports, share them with your physician, and receive automatic updates as new findings are validated against your genome.
We work with patient advocacy groups worldwide.
Dante Labs works with patient advocacy groups of any size — for Pancreatic Cancer — Hereditary and other conditions, rare and common. We support groups in any country, including virtual patient advocacy groups.
We can provide customized reports, group discounts, and packages tailored for your members. Please reach out using the form and we'll be in touch within two business days.
- Custom genomic reports for your members
- Group discounts and tailored packages
- Any country — including virtual groups
- Rare and common conditions covered
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We'll be in touch within 2 business days. To follow up directly: hello@dantelabs.com
One test.
A lifetime of answers.
One kit, sent to your home. Your entire genome sequenced at the clinical standard used for diagnostic decisions. 200+ physician-ready reports delivered to your Genome Manager in 6–8 weeks — permanent and updated as science advances.
Ships within 48 hours · Results in 6–8 weeks
