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Goh ESY, Chad L, Richer J, Bombard Y, Mighton C, Agatep R, Lacaria M, Penny B, Thomas MA, Zawati MH, MacFarlane J, Laberge AM, Nelson TN. Canadian College of Medical Geneticists: clinical practice advisory document - responsibility to recontact for reinterpretation of clinical genetic testing. J Med Genet 2024:jmg-2024-110330. [PMID: 39362754 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2024-110330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in technology and knowledge have facilitated both an increase in the number of patient variants reported and variants reclassified. While there is currently no duty to recontact for reclassified genetic variants, there may be a responsibility. The purpose of this clinical practice advisory document is to provide healthcare practitioners guidance for recontact of previously identified and classified variants, suggest methods for recontact, and principles to consider, taking account patient safety, feasibility, ethical considerations, health service capacity and resource constraints. The target audience are practitioners who order genetic testing, follow patients who have undergone genetic testing and those analysing and reporting genetic testing. METHODS A multidisciplinary group of laboratory and ordering clinicians, patient representatives, ethics and legal researchers and a genetic counsellor from the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors reviewed the existing literature and guidelines on responsibility to recontact in a clinical context to make recommendations. Comments were collected from the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) Education, Ethics, and Public Policy, Clinical Practice and Laboratory Practice committees, and the membership at large. RESULTS Following incorporation of feedback, and external review by the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and patient groups, the document was approved by the CCMG Board of Directors. The CCMG is the Canadian organisation responsible for certifying laboratory and medical geneticists who provide medical genetics services, and for establishing professional and ethical standards for clinical genetics services in Canada. CONCLUSION The document describes the ethical and practical factors and suggests a shared responsibility between patients, ordering clinician and laboratory practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Suk-Ying Goh
- Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Chad
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julie Richer
- Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yvonne Bombard
- Genomics Health Services Research Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chloe Mighton
- Genomics Health Services Research Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ron Agatep
- Genomics, Shared Health Diagnostic Services, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Melanie Lacaria
- Newborn Screening Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Mary Ann Thomas
- Departments of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ma'n H Zawati
- Human Genetics, Centre of Genomics and Policy - McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julie MacFarlane
- Screening Programs, Perinatal Services BC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Laberge
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tanya N Nelson
- Genome Diagnostics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Genome Diagnostics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Ricker C, Arun B, Pirzadeh-Miller S, Stoffel EM, Messersmith H, Tung N. Selection of Germline Genetic Testing Panels in Patients With Cancer: ASCO Guideline Clinical Insights. JCO Oncol Pract 2024; 20:1308-1313. [PMID: 38759126 DOI: 10.1200/op.24.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Banu Arun
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Sara Pirzadeh-Miller
- Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | | | - Nadine Tung
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Sharon, MA
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Abu Hijlih R, Sharaf B, Salah S, Bani Hani H, Nielsen SM, Heald B, Esplin ED, Ghanem R, Alzibdeh A, Al-Batsh T, Al-Masri Y, Abdel-Razeq H. Patterns and Frequency of Pathogenic Germline Variants Among Prostate Cancer Patients Utilizing Multi-Gene Panel Genetic Testing. World J Oncol 2024; 15:801-808. [PMID: 39328335 PMCID: PMC11424115 DOI: 10.14740/wjon1896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Germline genetic testing (GGT) has significant implications in the management of patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Herein, we report on patterns and frequency of pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants (P/LPGVs) among newly diagnosed Arab patients with PCa. Methods Patients meeting the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) eligibility criteria for GGT were offered a 19-gene PCa panel or an expanded 84-gene multi-cancer panel. Results During the study period, 231 patients were enrolled; 107 (46.3%) had metastatic disease at diagnosis. In total, 17 P/LPGVs were detected in 17 patients (7.4%). Among the 113 (48.9%) patients who underwent GGT with the 19-gene panel, eight (7.1%) had P/LPGVs, compared to nine (7.6%) of the 118 (51.1%) who did GGT through the expanded 84-gene panel (P = 0.88). Variant of uncertain significance (VUS) rate was higher (n = 73, 61.9%) among the group who underwent expanded 84-gene panel testing compared to those who underwent the 19-gene PCa panel (n = 35, 30.9%) (P = 0.001). P/LPGVs in DNA damage repair (DDR) genes, most frequently BRCA2, CHEK2 and TP53, were the most common P/LPGVs findings. Conclusion This study is the first to characterize the germline genetic profile of an Arab population with PCa. All detected P/LPGVs were potentially actionable, with most variants able to be detected with a PCa-specific panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiz Abu Hijlih
- Department of Radiation Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Baha Sharaf
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Samer Salah
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hira Bani Hani
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | | | | | | | - Rami Ghanem
- Department of Surgery, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdulla Alzibdeh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Tamer Al-Batsh
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Yosra Al-Masri
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hikmat Abdel-Razeq
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
- School of Medicine, the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Capalbo A, de Wert G, Mertes H, Klausner L, Coonen E, Spinella F, Van de Velde H, Viville S, Sermon K, Vermeulen N, Lencz T, Carmi S. Screening embryos for polygenic disease risk: a review of epidemiological, clinical, and ethical considerations. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:529-557. [PMID: 38805697 PMCID: PMC11369226 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic composition of embryos generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be examined with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Until recently, PGT was limited to detecting single-gene, high-risk pathogenic variants, large structural variants, and aneuploidy. Recent advances have made genome-wide genotyping of IVF embryos feasible and affordable, raising the possibility of screening embryos for their risk of polygenic diseases such as breast cancer, hypertension, diabetes, or schizophrenia. Despite a heated debate around this new technology, called polygenic embryo screening (PES; also PGT-P), it is already available to IVF patients in some countries. Several articles have studied epidemiological, clinical, and ethical perspectives on PES; however, a comprehensive, principled review of this emerging field is missing. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review has four main goals. First, given the interdisciplinary nature of PES studies, we aim to provide a self-contained educational background about PES to reproductive specialists interested in the subject. Second, we provide a comprehensive and critical review of arguments for and against the introduction of PES, crystallizing and prioritizing the key issues. We also cover the attitudes of IVF patients, clinicians, and the public towards PES. Third, we distinguish between possible future groups of PES patients, highlighting the benefits and harms pertaining to each group. Finally, our review, which is supported by ESHRE, is intended to aid healthcare professionals and policymakers in decision-making regarding whether to introduce PES in the clinic, and if so, how, and to whom. SEARCH METHODS We searched for PubMed-indexed articles published between 1/1/2003 and 1/3/2024 using the terms 'polygenic embryo screening', 'polygenic preimplantation', and 'PGT-P'. We limited the review to primary research papers in English whose main focus was PES for medical conditions. We also included papers that did not appear in the search but were deemed relevant. OUTCOMES The main theoretical benefit of PES is a reduction in lifetime polygenic disease risk for children born after screening. The magnitude of the risk reduction has been predicted based on statistical modelling, simulations, and sibling pair analyses. Results based on all methods suggest that under the best-case scenario, large relative risk reductions are possible for one or more diseases. However, as these models abstract several practical limitations, the realized benefits may be smaller, particularly due to a limited number of embryos and unclear future accuracy of the risk estimates. PES may negatively impact patients and their future children, as well as society. The main personal harms are an unindicated IVF treatment, a possible reduction in IVF success rates, and patient confusion, incomplete counselling, and choice overload. The main possible societal harms include discarded embryos, an increasing demand for 'designer babies', overemphasis of the genetic determinants of disease, unequal access, and lower utility in people of non-European ancestries. Benefits and harms will vary across the main potential patient groups, comprising patients already requiring IVF, fertile people with a history of a severe polygenic disease, and fertile healthy people. In the United States, the attitudes of IVF patients and the public towards PES seem positive, while healthcare professionals are cautious, sceptical about clinical utility, and concerned about patient counselling. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The theoretical potential of PES to reduce risk across multiple polygenic diseases requires further research into its benefits and harms. Given the large number of practical limitations and possible harms, particularly unnecessary IVF treatments and discarded viable embryos, PES should be offered only within a research context before further clarity is achieved regarding its balance of benefits and harms. The gap in attitudes between healthcare professionals and the public needs to be narrowed by expanding public and patient education and providing resources for informative and unbiased genetic counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Capalbo
- Juno Genetics, Department of Reproductive Genetics, Rome, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Department of Medical Genetics, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI-School for Public Health and Primary Care and GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi Mertes
- Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liraz Klausner
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Edith Coonen
- Departments of Clinical Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Spinella
- Eurofins GENOMA Group Srl, Molecular Genetics Laboratories, Department of Scientific Communication, Rome, Italy
| | - Hilde Van de Velde
- Research Group Genetics Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
- Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Stephane Viville
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale LGM, Institut de Génétique Médicale d’Alsace IGMA, INSERM UMR 1112, Université de Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, Unité de Génétique de l’infertilité (UF3472), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Karen Sermon
- Research Group Genetics Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | | | - Todd Lencz
- Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Shai Carmi
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Cooper J, Senter L. Germline Variants of Uncertain Significance in Gynecologic Oncology Patients. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2024:00003081-990000000-00173. [PMID: 39324968 DOI: 10.1097/grf.0000000000000898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Germline and somatic genetic/genomic testing are commonly ordered for gynecologic oncology patients. Genetic tests can inform disease etiology, prognosis, treatment decisions, and risk to the patient's relatives. Variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) are frequently encountered and have a more nuanced interpretation than straightforward pathogenic or benign variant classifications. Clinical care providers should be familiar with why and how VUSs are reported, their clinical significance, variant reclassification practices, and patient perceptions of VUSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Cooper
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
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Fummey E, Navarro P, Plazzer JP, Frayling IM, Knott S, Tenesa A. Estimating cancer risk in carriers of Lynch syndrome variants in UK Biobank. J Med Genet 2024; 61:861-869. [PMID: 39004446 PMCID: PMC11420727 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
BackgroundLynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome caused by genetic variants affecting DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 Cancer risk in LS is estimated from cohorts of individuals ascertained by individual or family history of cancer, which may upwardly bias estimates. METHODS 830 carriers of pathogenic or likely pathogenic (path_MMR) MMR gene variants classified by InSiGHT were identified in 454 756 UK Biobank (UKB) participants using whole-exome sequence. Nelson-Aalen survival analysis was used to estimate cumulative incidence of colorectal, endometrial and breast cancer (BC). RESULTS Cumulative incidence of colorectal and endometrial cancer (EC) by age 70 years was elevated in path_MMR carriers compared with non-carriers (colorectal: 11.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 9.5% to 14.6%) vs 1.7% (95% CI: 1.6% to 1.7%), endometrial: 13.4% (95% CI: 10.2% to 17.6%) vs 1.0% (95% CI: 0.9% to 1.0%)), but the magnitude of this increase differed between genes. Cumulative BC incidence by age 70 years was not elevated in path_MMR carriers compared with non-carriers (8.9% (95% CI: 6.3% to 12.4%) vs 7.5% (95% CI: 7.4% to 7.6%)). Cumulative cancer incidence estimates in UKB were similar to estimates from the Prospective Lynch Syndrome Database for all genes and cancers, except there was no evidence for elevated EC risk in carriers of pathogenic PMS2 variants in UKB. CONCLUSION These results support offering incidentally identified carriers of any path_MMR surveillance to manage colorectal cancer risk. Incidentally identified carriers of pathogenic variants in MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 would also benefit from interventions to reduce EC risk. The results suggest that BC is not an LS-related cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilidh Fummey
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Pau Navarro
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, UK
| | - John-Paul Plazzer
- Colorectal Medicine and Genetics, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian M Frayling
- The Centre for Familial Intestinal Cancer, St Mark's the National Bowel Hospital and Academic Institute, London, UK
- Institute of Cancer & Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sara Knott
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Albert Tenesa
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, UK
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7
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Caroselli S, Poli M, Gatta V, Stuppia L, Capalbo A. Preconception carrier screening and preimplantation genetic testing in the infertility management. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 39166614 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic testing serves as a valuable element of reproductive care, applicable at various stages of the reproductive journey: (i) before pregnancy, when a couple's genetic reproductive risk can be evaluated; (ii) before embryo implantation, as part of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, to ascertain several inherited or de novo genetic/chromosomal diseases of the embryo before transfer; (iii) during the prenatal period, to assess the genetic costitution of the fetus. Preconception carrier screening (CS) is a genetic test typically performed on couples planning a pregnancy. The primary purpose of CS is to identify couples at-risk of conceiving a child affected by a severe genetic disorder with autosomal recessive or X-linked inheritance. Detection of high reproductive risk through CS allows prospective parents to be informed of their predisposition and improve reproductive decision-making. These include undergoing IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) or donor gametes, prenatal diagnosis, adoption, remaining childless, taking no actions. Both the presence of the affected gene (PGT-M) and chromosomal status (PGT-A) of the embryo can be comprehensively assessed through modern approaches. OBJECTIVES We provide a review of CS and PGT applications to equip healthcare providers with up-to-date information regarding their opportunities and complexities. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The use of CS and PGT is currently considered the most effective intervention for avoiding both an affected pregnancy whilst using autologous gametes in couples with known increased risk, and chromosomal abnormalities. As our understanding in the genetic component in pathological conditions increases, the number of tested disorders will expand, offering a more thorough assessment of one's genetic inheritance. Nevertheless, implementation and development in this field must be accompanied by scientific and ethical considerations to ensure this approach serves the best long-term interests of individuals and society, promoting justice and autonomy and preserving parenthood and the healthcare system. CONCLUSION The combination of CS and PGT aligns with principles of personalized medicine by offering reproductive care tailored to the individual's genetic makeup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Caroselli
- Juno Genetics, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Gatta
- Unit of Molecular Genetics, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Department of Psychological Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Unit of Molecular Genetics, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Department of Psychological Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Antonio Capalbo
- Juno Genetics, Rome, Italy
- Unit of Molecular Genetics, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Department of Psychological Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
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Pavlick DC, Frampton GM, Ross JR. Understanding variants of unknown significance and classification of genomic alterations. Oncologist 2024; 29:658-666. [PMID: 38982622 PMCID: PMC11299939 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite recent efforts to issue clinical guidelines outlining strategies to define the pathogenicity of genomic variants, there is currently no standardized framework for which to make these assertions. This review does not present a step-by-step methodology, but rather takes a holistic approach to discuss many aspects which should be taken into consideration when determining variant pathogenicity. Categorization should be curated to reflect relevant findings within the scope of the specific medical context. Functional characterization should evaluate all available information, including results from literature reviews, different classes of genomic data repositories, and applicable computational predictive algorithms. This article further proposes a multidimensional view to infer pathogenic status from many genomic measurements across multiple axes. Notably, tumor suppressors and oncogenes exhibit fundamentally different biology which helps refine the importance of effects on splicing, mutation interactions, copy number thresholds, rearrangement annotations, germline status, and genome-wide signatures. Understanding these relevant datapoints with thoughtful perspective could aid in the reclassification of variants of unknown significance (VUS), which are ambiguously understood and currently have uncertain clinical implications. Ongoing assessments of VUS examining these relevant biological axes could lead to more accurate classification of variant pathogenicity interpretation in diagnostic oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean C Pavlick
- Department of Computational Discovery, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Boston, MA, United States
| | - Garrett M Frampton
- Department of Computational Discovery, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jeffrey R Ross
- Department of Pathology, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Boston, MA, United States, and
- Departments of Pathology, Medicine (Oncology), and Urology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
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Mellgard GS, Atabek Z, LaRose M, Kastrinos F, Bates SE. Variants of uncertain significance in precision oncology: nuance or nuisance? Oncologist 2024; 29:641-644. [PMID: 38847368 PMCID: PMC11299927 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Variants of unknown significance cause uncertainty for patients and are a challenge for oncologists. This commentary describes 4 clinical examples illustrating these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoey Atabek
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meredith LaRose
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fay Kastrinos
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susan E Bates
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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10
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Huang X, Chen C, Lin Y, Wang C, Zhou X, Xu Y, Sun Q, Zhou Y. Pedigree analysis exploring the inconsistency between diverse phenotypes and testing criteria for germline TP53 mutations in Chinese women with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024; 206:653-666. [PMID: 38878125 PMCID: PMC11208215 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07341-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the present study, we addressed the inconsistency between the testing criteria and diverse phenotypes for germline TP53 mutation in patients with breast cancer in the Chinese population. METHOD We proposed a new added item (synchronous or metachronous bilateral breast cancer) as one of the testing criteria (aimed at high-penetrance breast cancer susceptibility genes) and applied it for determining TP53 germline mutation status in 420 female patients with breast cancer using multigene panel-based next-generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and mass spectrometry. RESULTS We found that 1.4% of patients carried a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline TP53 mutation. Compared with BRCA mutation carriers (8.0%) and non-carriers (7.1%), TP53 mutation carriers (33.3%) developed breast cancer earlier. The majority of TP53 mutation carriers (66.7%) developed breast cancer after age 30 and had bilateral breast cancer (33.3%). Pedigree investigation of four TP53 carriers and a patient with a TP53 variant of unknown significance revealed that neither of their parents harbored the same mutations as the probands, indicating that the mutations might occur de novo. CONCLUSION Our study revealed distinguishing features of TP53 carriers among Chinese women with breast cancer, which is inconsistent with the currently used testing criteria; therefore, the newly proposed testing criteria may be more appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changjun Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xingtong Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yidong Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
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11
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Knoers NV, van Eerde AM. The Role of Genetic Testing in Adult CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol 2024; 35:1107-1118. [PMID: 39288914 PMCID: PMC11377809 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that monogenic disorders are the underlying cause in a significant proportion of patients with CKD. In recent years, the diagnostic yield of genetic testing in these patients has increased significantly as a result of revolutionary developments in genetic sequencing techniques and sequencing data analysis. Identification of disease-causing genetic variant(s) in patients with CKD may facilitate prognostication and personalized management, including nephroprotection and decisions around kidney transplantation, and is crucial for genetic counseling and reproductive family planning. A genetic diagnosis in a patient with CKD allows for screening of at-risk family members, which is also important for determining their eligibility as kidney transplant donors. Despite evidence for clinical utility, increased availability, and data supporting the cost-effectiveness of genetic testing in CKD, especially when applied early in the diagnostic process, many nephrologists do not use genetic testing to its full potential because of multiple perceived barriers. Our aim in this article was to empower nephrologists to (further) implement genetic testing as a diagnostic means in their clinical practice, on the basis of the most recent insights and exemplified by patient vignettes. We stress why genetic testing is of significant clinical benefit to many patients with CKD, provide recommendations for which patients to test and which test(s) to order, give guidance about interpretation of genetic testing results, and highlight the necessity for and essential components of pretest and post-test genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nine V.A.M. Knoers
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Tung N, Ricker C, Messersmith H, Balmaña J, Domchek S, Stoffel EM, Almhanna K, Arun B, Chavarri-Guerra Y, Cohen SA, Cragun D, Crew KD, Hall MJ, Idos G, Lopez G, Pal T, Pirzadeh-Miller S, Pritchard C, Rana HQ, Swami U, Vidal GA. Selection of Germline Genetic Testing Panels in Patients With Cancer: ASCO Guideline. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:2599-2615. [PMID: 38759122 DOI: 10.1200/jco.24.00662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To guide use of multigene panels for germline genetic testing for patients with cancer. METHODS An ASCO Expert Panel convened to develop recommendations on the basis of a systematic review of guidelines, consensus statements, and studies of germline and somatic genetic testing. RESULTS Fifty-two guidelines and consensus statements met eligibility criteria for the primary search; 14 studies were identified for Clinical Question 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Patients should have a family history taken and recorded that includes details of cancers in first- and second-degree relatives and the patient's ethnicity. When more than one gene is relevant based on personal and/or family history, multigene panel testing should be offered. When considering what genes to include in the panel, the minimal panel should include the more strongly recommended genes from Table 1 and may include those less strongly recommended. A broader panel may be ordered when the potential benefits are clearly identified, and the potential harms from uncertain results should be mitigated. Patients who meet criteria for germline genetic testing should be offered germline testing regardless of results from tumor testing. Patients who would not normally be offered germline genetic testing based on personal and/or family history criteria but who have a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant identified by tumor testing in a gene listed in Table 2 under the outlined circumstances should be offered germline testing.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/molecular-testing-and-biomarkers-guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Tung
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Sharon, MA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Banu Arun
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Yanin Chavarri-Guerra
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición, Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | - Gregory Idos
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Ghecemy Lopez
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Tuya Pal
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Sara Pirzadeh-Miller
- Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | | | - Umang Swami
- Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Gregory A Vidal
- The West Cancer Center and Research Institute and The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Germantown, TN
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Hahn E, Mighton C, Fisher Y, Wong A, Di Gioacchino V, Watkins N, Mayers J, Bombard Y, Charames GS, Lerner-Ellis J. Variant classification changes over time in the clinical molecular diagnostic laboratory setting. J Med Genet 2024; 61:788-793. [PMID: 38806232 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variant classification in the setting of germline genetic testing is necessary for patients and their families to receive proper care. Variants are classified as pathogenic (P), likely pathogenic (LP), uncertain significance (VUS), likely benign (LB) and benign (B) using the standards and guidelines recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics and the Association for Molecular Pathology, with modifications for specific genes. As the literature continues to rapidly expand, and evidence continues to accumulate, prior classifications can be updated accordingly. In this study, we aim to characterise variant reclassifications in Ontario. METHODS DNA samples from patients seen at hereditary cancer clinics in Ontario from January 2012 to April 2022 were submitted for testing. Patients met provincial eligibility criteria for testing for hereditary cancer syndromes or polycystic kidney disease. Reclassification events were determined to be within their broader category of significance (B to LB or vice versa, or P to LP or vice versa) or outside of their broader category as significance (ie, significant reclassifications from B/LB or VUS or P/LP, from P/LP to VUS or B/LB, or from VUS to any other category). RESULTS Of the 8075 unique variants included in this study, 23.7% (1912) of variants were reassessed, and 7.2% (578) of variants were reclassified. Of these, 351 (60.7%) variants were reclassified outside of their broader category of significance. Overall, the final classification was significantly different for 336 (58.1%) variants. Importantly, most reclassified variants were downgraded to a more benign classification (n=245; 72.9%). Of note, most reclassified VUS was downgraded to B/LB (n=233; 84.7%). CONCLUSIONS The likelihood for reclassification of variants on reassessment is high. Most reclassified variants were downgraded to a more benign classification. Our findings highlight the importance of periodic variant reassessment to ensure timely and appropriate care for patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan Hahn
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chloe Mighton
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Genomics Health Services Research Program, St Michael's Hospital Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yael Fisher
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Wong
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vanessa Di Gioacchino
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicholas Watkins
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justin Mayers
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yvonne Bombard
- Genomics Health Services Research Program, St Michael's Hospital Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - George S Charames
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan Lerner-Ellis
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Franceschini N, Feldman DL, Berg JS, Besse W, Chang AR, Dahl NK, Gbadegesin R, Pollak MR, Rasouly HM, Smith RJH, Winkler CA, Gharavi AG. Advancing Genetic Testing in Kidney Diseases: Report From a National Kidney Foundation Working Group. Am J Kidney Dis 2024:S0272-6386(24)00871-0. [PMID: 39033956 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2024.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
About 37 million people in the United States have chronic kidney disease, a disease that encompasses multiple causes. About 10% or more of kidney diseases in adults and as many as 70% of selected chronic kidney diseases in children are expected to be explained by genetic causes. Despite the advances in genetic testing and an increasing understanding of the genetic bases of certain kidney diseases, genetic testing in nephrology lags behind other medical fields. More understanding of the benefits and logistics of genetic testing is needed to advance the implementation of genetic testing in chronic kidney diseases. Accordingly, the National Kidney Foundation convened a Working Group of experts with diverse expertise in genetics, nephrology, and allied fields to develop recommendations for genetic testing for monogenic disorders and to identify genetic risk factors for oligogenic and polygenic causes of kidney diseases. Algorithms for clinical decision making on genetic testing and a road map for advancing genetic testing in kidney diseases were generated. An important aspect of this initiative was the use of a modified Delphi process to reach group consensus on the recommendations. The recommendations and resources described herein provide support to nephrologists and allied health professionals to advance the use of genetic testing for diagnosis and screening of kidney diseases.
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15
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Guida A, Mosillo C, Mammone G, Caserta C, Sirgiovanni G, Conteduca V, Bracarda S. The 5-WS of targeting DNA-damage repair (DDR) pathways in prostate cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 128:102766. [PMID: 38763054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
DNA-damage repair (DDR) pathways alterations, a growing area of interest in oncology, are detected in about 20% of patient with prostate cancer and are associated with improved sensitivity to poly(ADP ribose) polymerases (PARP) inhibitors. In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two PARP inhibitors (olaparib and rucaparib) for prostate cancer treatment. Moreover, germline aberrations in DDR pathways genes have also been related to familial or hereditary prostate cancer, requiring tailored health-care programs. These emerging scenarios are rapidly changing diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approaches in prostate cancer management. The aim of this review is to highlight the five W-points of DDR pathways in prostate cancer: why targeting DDR pathways in prostate cancer; what we should test for genomic profiling in prostate cancer; "where" testing genetic assessment in prostate cancer (germline or somatic, solid or liquid biopsy); when genetic testing is appropriate in prostate cancer; who could get benefit from PARP inhibitors; how improve patients outcome with combinations strategies.
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16
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Cragun D, Dean M, Baker D, Kelley M, Hooker G, Weidner A, Hunt P, Pal T. The Development and Evaluation of Novel Patient Educational Material for a Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS) Result in Hereditary Cancer Genes. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:3361-3378. [PMID: 38920739 PMCID: PMC11202617 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31060256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS) is a difference in the DNA sequence with uncertain consequences for gene function. A VUS in a hereditary cancer gene should not change medical care, yet some patients undergo medical procedures based on their VUS result, highlighting the unmet educational needs among patients and healthcare providers. To address this need, we developed, evaluated, and refined novel educational materials to explain that while VUS results do not change medical care, it remains important to share any personal or family history of cancer with family members given that their personal and family medical history can guide their cancer risk management. We began by reviewing the prior literature and transcripts from interviews with six individuals with a VUS result to identify content and design considerations to incorporate into educational materials. We then gathered feedback to improve materials via a focus group of multidisciplinary experts and multiple rounds of semi-structured interviews with individuals with a VUS result. Themes for how to improve content, visuals, and usefulness were used to refine the materials. In the final round of interviews with an additional 10 individuals with a VUS result, materials were described as relatable, useful, factual, and easy to navigate, and also increased their understanding of cancer gene VUS results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Cragun
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Marleah Dean
- Department of Communication, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
- Outcomes & Behavior Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Meghan Kelley
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Gillian Hooker
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Anne Weidner
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Paige Hunt
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Tuya Pal
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
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17
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Laguna JC, Pastor B, Nalda I, Hijazo-Pechero S, Teixido C, Potrony M, Puig-Butillé JA, Mezquita L. Incidental pathogenic germline alterations detected through liquid biopsy in patients with solid tumors: prevalence, clinical utility and implications. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1420-1431. [PMID: 38532104 PMCID: PMC11059286 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02607-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy, a minimally invasive approach for detecting tumor biomarkers in blood, has emerged as a leading-edge technique in cancer precision medicine. New evidence has shown that liquid biopsies can incidentally detect pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) associated with cancer predisposition, including in patients with a cancer for which genetic testing is not recommended. The ability to detect these incidental PGV in cancer patients through liquid biopsy raises important questions regarding the management of this information and its clinical implications. This incidental identification of PGVs raises concerns about cancer predisposition and the potential impact on patient management, not only in terms of providing access to treatment based on the tumor molecular profiling, but also the management of revealing genetic predisposition in patients and families. Understanding how to interpret this information is essential to ensure proper decision-making and to optimize cancer treatment and prevention strategies. In this review we provide a comprehensive summary of current evidence of incidental PGVs in cancer predisposition genes identified by liquid biopsy in patients with cancer. We critically review the methodological considerations of liquid biopsy as a tool for germline diagnosis, clinical utility and potential implications for cancer prevention, treatment, and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Laguna
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Belén Pastor
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Nalda
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Hijazo-Pechero
- Preclinical and Experimental Research in Thoracic Tumors (PRETT), Oncobell, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Teixido
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Potrony
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Antón Puig-Butillé
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Biology CORE, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Mezquita
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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18
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Lim E, Borden C, Mehta S, Roberts MB, Mazzola S, Zhao F, Wang X. Reclassification of Variants Following Renal Genetics Testing: Uncommon Yet Impactful for Diagnosis and Management. Kidney Int Rep 2024; 9:1441-1450. [PMID: 38707809 PMCID: PMC11068948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Genetic testing is increasingly utilized in nephrology practice, but limited real-world data exist on variant reclassification following renal genetics testing. Methods A cohort of patients at the Cleveland Clinic Renal Genetics Clinic who underwent genetic testing through clinical laboratories was assessed with their clinical and laboratory data analyzed. Results Between January 2019 and June 2023, 425 new patients with variable kidney disorders from 413 pedigrees completed genetic testing through 10 clinical laboratories, including 255 (60%) females with median (25th, 75th percentiles) age of 36 (22-54) years. Multigene panel was the most frequently used modality followed by single-gene testing, exome sequencing (ES), chromosomal microarray (CMA), and genome sequencing (GS). At initial report, 52% of patients had ≥1 variants of uncertain significance (VUS) with or without concurrent pathogenic variant(s). Twenty amendments were issued across 19 pedigrees involving 19 variants in 17 genes. The overall variant reclassification rate was 5%, with 63% being upgrades and 32% downgrades. Of the reclassified variants, 79% were initially reported as VUS. The median time-to-amendments from initial reports was 8.4 (4-27) months. Following the variant reclassifications, 60% of the patients received a new diagnosis or a change in diagnosis. Among these, 67% of patients received significant changes in clinical management. Conclusion Variant reclassification following genetic testing is infrequent but important for diagnosis and management of patients with suspected genetic kidney disease. The majority of variant reclassifications involve VUS and are upgrades in clinically issued amended reports. Further studies are needed to investigate the predictors of such events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euyn Lim
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Chloe Borden
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Seysha Mehta
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mary-Beth Roberts
- Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare, Medical Specialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Sarah Mazzola
- Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare, Medical Specialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Fang Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Xiangling Wang
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare, Medical Specialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Kidney Medicine, Medical Specialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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19
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Fernandez-Falgueras A, Coll M, Iglesias A, Tiron C, Campuzano O, Brugada R. The importance of variant reinterpretation in inherited cardiovascular diseases: Establishing the optimal timeframe. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297914. [PMID: 38691546 PMCID: PMC11062523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited cardiovascular diseases are rare diseases that are difficult to diagnose by non-expert professionals. Genetic analyses play a key role in the diagnosis of these diseases, in which the identification of a pathogenic genetic variant is often a diagnostic criterion. Therefore, genetic variant classification and routine reinterpretation as data become available represent one of the main challenges associated with genetic analyses. Using the genetic variants identified in an inherited cardiovascular diseases unit during a 10-year period, the objectives of this study were: 1) to evaluate the impact of genetic variant reinterpretation, 2) to compare the reclassification rates between different cohorts of cardiac channelopathies and cardiomyopathies, and 3) to establish the most appropriate periodicity for genetic variant reinterpretation. All the evaluated cohorts (full cohort of inherited cardiovascular diseases, cardiomyopathies, cardiac channelopathies, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia) showed reclassification rates above 25%, showing even higher reclassification rates when there is definitive evidence of the association between the gene and the disease in the cardiac channelopathies. Evaluation of genetic variant reclassification rates based on the year of the initial classification showed that the most appropriate frequency for the reinterpretation would be 2 years, with the possibility of a more frequent reinterpretation if deemed convenient. To keep genetic variant classifications up to date, genetic counsellors play a critical role in the reinterpretation process, providing clinical evidence that genetic diagnostic laboratories often do not have at their disposal and communicating changes in classification and the potential implications of these reclassifications to patients and relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fernandez-Falgueras
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Trueta, Girona, Spain
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine Unit, Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Trueta, Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Monica Coll
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine Unit, Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Trueta, Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Iglesias
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine Unit, Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Trueta, Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Coloma Tiron
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Trueta, Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Trueta, Girona, Spain
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine Unit, Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Trueta, Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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20
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Takahashi K, Yachida N, Tamura R, Adachi S, Kondo S, Abé T, Umezu H, Nyuzuki H, Okuda S, Nakaoka H, Yoshihara K. Clonal origin and genomic diversity in Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer with multiple synchronous tumors: Identification of the pathogenicity of MLH1 p.L582H. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23231. [PMID: 38459936 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer patients often present multiple synchronous tumors and this assessment can affect treatment strategies. We present a case of a 27-year-old woman with tumors in the uterine corpus, cervix, and ovaries who was diagnosed with endometrial cancer and exhibited cervical invasion and ovarian metastasis. Her family history suggested Lynch syndrome, and genetic testing identified a variant of uncertain significance, MLH1 p.L582H. We conducted immunohistochemical staining, microsatellite instability analysis, and Sanger sequencing for Lynch syndrome-associated cancers in three generations of the family and identified consistent MLH1 loss. Whole-exome sequencing for the corpus, cervical, and ovarian tumors of the proband identified a copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (LOH) occurring at the MLH1 position in all tumors. This indicated that the germline variant and the copy-neutral LOH led to biallelic loss of MLH1 and was the cause of cancer initiation. All tumors shared a portion of somatic mutations with high mutant allele frequencies, suggesting a common clonal origin. There were no mutations shared only between the cervix and ovary samples. The profiles of mutant allele frequencies shared between the corpus and cervix or ovary indicated that two different subclones originating from the corpus independently metastasized to the cervix or ovary. Additionally, all tumors presented unique mutations in endometrial cancer-associated genes such as ARID1A and PIK3CA. In conclusion, we demonstrated clonal origin and genomic diversity in a Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer, suggesting the importance of evaluating multiple sites in Lynch syndrome patients with synchronous tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Cancer Genome Research, Sasaki Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nozomi Yachida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ryo Tamura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sosuke Adachi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shuhei Kondo
- Division of Pathology, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Abé
- Division of Oral Pathology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Division of Molecular and Diagnostic Pathology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hajime Umezu
- Division of Pathology, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiromi Nyuzuki
- Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shujiro Okuda
- Division of bioinformatics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Nakaoka
- Department of Cancer Genome Research, Sasaki Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Yoshihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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21
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SoRelle JA, Funke BH, Eno CC, Ji J, Santani A, Bayrak-Toydemir P, Wachsmann M, Wain KE, Mao R. Slice Testing-Considerations from Ordering to Reporting: A Joint Report of the Association for Molecular Pathology, College of American Pathologists, and National Society of Genetic Counselors. J Mol Diagn 2024; 26:159-167. [PMID: 38103592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
As the number of genes associated with various germline disorders continues to grow, it is becoming more difficult for clinical laboratories to maintain separate assays for interrogating disease-focused gene panels. One solution to this challenge is termed slice testing, where capture backbone is used to analyze data specific to a set of genes, and for this article, we will focus on exome. A key advantage to this strategy is greater flexibility by adding genes as they become associated with disease or the ability to accommodate specific provider requests. Here, we provide expert consensus recommendations and results from an Association for Molecular Pathology-sponsored survey of clinical laboratories performing exome sequencing to compare a slice testing approach with traditional static gene panels and comprehensive exome analysis. We explore specific considerations for slices, including gene selection, analytic performance, coverage, quality, and interpretation. Our goal is to provide comprehensive guidance for clinical laboratories interested in designing and using slice tests as a diagnostic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A SoRelle
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Birgit H Funke
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; Sema4, Stamford, Connecticut; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Celeste C Eno
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; Department of Academic Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jianling Ji
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Avni Santani
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Pinar Bayrak-Toydemir
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Megan Wachsmann
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Karen E Wain
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; GeneDx, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Rong Mao
- Whole Exome Sequencing Standards Working Group of the Clinical Practice Committee, Association for Molecular Pathology, Rockville, Maryland; Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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22
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Walsh N, Cooper A, Dockery A, O'Byrne JJ. Variant reclassification and clinical implications. J Med Genet 2024; 61:207-211. [PMID: 38296635 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Genomic technologies have transformed clinical genetic testing, underlining the importance of accurate molecular genetic diagnoses. Variant classification, ranging from benign to pathogenic, is fundamental to these tests. However, variant reclassification, the process of reassigning the pathogenicity of variants over time, poses challenges to diagnostic legitimacy. This review explores the medical and scientific literature available on variant reclassification, focusing on its clinical implications.Variant reclassification is driven by accruing evidence from diverse sources, leading to variant reclassification frequency ranging from 3.6% to 58.8%. Recent studies have shown that significant changes can occur when reviewing variant classifications within 1 year after initial classification, illustrating the importance of early, accurate variant assignation for clinical care.Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are particularly problematic. They lack clear categorisation but have influenced patient treatment despite recommendations against it. Addressing VUS reclassification is essential to enhance the credibility of genetic testing and the clinical impact. Factors affecting reclassification include standardised guidelines, clinical phenotype-genotype correlations through deep phenotyping and ancestry studies, large-scale databases and bioinformatics tools. As genomic databases grow and knowledge advances, reclassification rates are expected to change, reducing discordance in future classifications.Variant reclassification affects patient diagnosis, precision therapy and family screening. The exact patient impact is yet unknown. Understanding influencing factors and adopting standardised guidelines are vital for precise molecular genetic diagnoses, ensuring optimal patient care and minimising clinical risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Walsh
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aislinn Cooper
- Next Generation Sequencing Lab, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adrian Dockery
- Next Generation Sequencing Lab, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James J O'Byrne
- National Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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23
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Agaoglu NB, Unal B, Hayes CP, Walker M, Ng OH, Doganay L, Can ND, Rana HQ, Ghazani AA. Genomic disparity impacts variant classification of cancer susceptibility genes in Turkish breast cancer patients. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6852. [PMID: 38308423 PMCID: PMC10905328 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Turkish genome is underrepresented in large genomic databases. This study aims to evaluate the effect of allele frequency in the Turkish population in determining the clinical utility of germline findings in breast cancer, including invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), mixed invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma (IDC-L), and ductal carcinoma (DC). METHODS Two clinic-based cohorts from the Umraniye Research and Training Hospital (URTH) were used in this study: a cohort consisting of 132 women with breast cancer and a non-cancer cohort consisting of 492 participants. The evaluation of the germline landscape was performed by analysis of 27 cancer genes. The frequency and type of variants in the breast cancer cohort were compared to those in the non-cancer cohort to investigate the effect of population genetics. The variant allele frequencies in Turkish Variome and gnomAD were statistically evaluated. RESULTS The genetic analysis identified 121 variants in the breast cancer cohort (actionable = 32, VUS = 89) and 223 variants in the non-cancer cohort (actionable = 25, VUS = 188). The occurrence of 21 variants in both suggested a possible genetic population effect. Evaluation of allele frequency of 121 variants from the breast cancer cohort showed 22% had a significantly higher value in Turkish Variome compared to gnomAD (p < 0.0001, 95% CI) with a mean difference of 60 times (ranging from 1.37-354.4). After adjusting for variant allele frequency using the ancestry-appropriate database, 6.7% (5/75) of VUS was reclassified to likely benign. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study of population genetic effects in breast cancer subtypes in Turkish women. Our findings underscore the need for a large genomic database representing Turkish population-specific variants. It further highlights the significance of the ancestry-appropriate population database for accurate variant assessment in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihat B. Agaoglu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer GeneticsUmraniye Training and Research HospitalIstanbulTurkey
| | - Busra Unal
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer GeneticsUmraniye Training and Research HospitalIstanbulTurkey
- Division of GeneticsBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Connor P. Hayes
- Division of GeneticsBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - McKenzie Walker
- Division of GeneticsBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Ozden Hatirnaz Ng
- Department of Medical Biology, School of MedicineAcibadem UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Levent Doganay
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer GeneticsUmraniye Training and Research HospitalIstanbulTurkey
| | - Nisan D. Can
- Department of Molecular Biology Genetics and BiotechnologyIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Huma Q. Rana
- Division of Cancer Genetics and PreventionDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of MedicineBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Arezou A. Ghazani
- Division of GeneticsBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of MedicineBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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24
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Asatryan B, Murray B, Gasperetti A, McClellan R, Barth AS. Unraveling Complexities in Genetically Elusive Long QT Syndrome. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2024; 17:e012356. [PMID: 38264885 DOI: 10.1161/circep.123.012356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Genetic testing has become standard of care for patients with long QT syndrome (LQTS), providing diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information for both probands and their family members. However, up to a quarter of patients with LQTS do not have identifiable Mendelian pathogenic variants in the currently known LQTS-associated genes. This absence of genetic confirmation, intriguingly, does not lessen the severity of LQTS, with the prognosis in these gene-elusive patients with unequivocal LQTS mirroring genotype-positive patients in the limited data available. Such a conundrum instigates an exploration into the causes of corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation in these cases, unveiling a broad spectrum of potential scenarios and mechanisms. These include multiple environmental influences on QTc prolongation, exercise-induced repolarization abnormalities, and the profound implications of the constantly evolving nature of genetic testing and variant interpretation. In addition, the rapid advances in genetics have the potential to uncover new causal genes, and polygenic risk factors may aid in the diagnosis of high-risk patients. Navigating this multifaceted landscape requires a systematic approach and expert knowledge, integrating the dynamic nature of genetics and patient-specific influences for accurate diagnosis, management, and counseling of patients. The role of a subspecialized expert cardiogenetic clinic is paramount in evaluation to navigate this complexity. Amid these intricate aspects, this review outlines potential causes of gene-elusive LQTS. It also provides an outline for the evaluation of patients with negative and inconclusive genetic test results and underscores the need for ongoing adaptation and reassessment in our understanding of LQTS, as the complexities of gene-elusive LQTS are increasingly deciphered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babken Asatryan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Brittney Murray
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Alessio Gasperetti
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Rebecca McClellan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Andreas S Barth
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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25
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LaRose M, Manji GA, Bates SE. Beyond BRCA: Diagnosis and management of homologous recombination repair deficient pancreatic cancer. Semin Oncol 2024; 51:36-44. [PMID: 38171988 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Approximately 4%-7% of patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are found to harbor deleterious germline mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2. Loss of function of BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 results in deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), a critical DNA repair pathway, and confers sensitivity to certain DNA damaging agents, including platinum chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors. The PARP inhibitor olaparib is food and drug administration (FDA) approved for use in pancreatic cancer based on the POLO trial, which found that maintenance olaparib significantly prolonged progression free survival compared to placebo among patients with germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations and metastatic PDAC that had not progressed following frontline platinum-based chemotherapy. Recently, there has been considerable interest in identifying patients without BRCA inactivation whose tumors also exhibit properties of HRR deficiency and thus may be susceptible to therapies with proven benefit in cancers harboring BRCA mutations. Here, we discuss methods for identification of HRR-deficiency and review the management of HRR-deficient cancers with a focus on HRR-deficient PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith LaRose
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York NY, USA.
| | - Gulam A Manji
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York NY, USA
| | - Susan E Bates
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York NY, USA
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26
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Dratch L, Azage M, Baldwin A, Johnson K, Paul RA, Bardakjian TM, Michon SC, Amado DA, Baer M, Deik AF, Elman LB, Gonzalez-Alegre P, Guo MH, Hamedani AG, Irwin DJ, Lasker A, Orthmann-Murphy J, Quinn C, Tropea TF, Scherer SS, Ellis CA. Genetic testing in adults with neurologic disorders: indications, approach, and clinical impacts. J Neurol 2024; 271:733-747. [PMID: 37891417 PMCID: PMC11095966 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The role of genetic testing in neurologic clinical practice has increased dramatically in recent years, driven by research on genetic causes of neurologic disease and increased availability of genetic sequencing technology. Genetic testing is now indicated for adults with a wide range of common neurologic conditions. The potential clinical impacts of a genetic diagnosis are also rapidly expanding, with a growing list of gene-specific treatments and clinical trials, in addition to important implications for prognosis, surveillance, family planning, and diagnostic closure. The goals of this review are to provide practical guidance for clinicians about the role of genetics in their practice and to provide the neuroscience research community with a broad survey of current progress in this field. We aim to answer three questions for the neurologist in practice: Which of my patients need genetic testing? What testing should I order? And how will genetic testing help my patient? We focus on common neurologic disorders and presentations to the neurology clinic. For each condition, we review the most current guidelines and evidence regarding indications for genetic testing, expected diagnostic yield, and recommended testing approach. We also focus on clinical impacts of genetic diagnoses, highlighting a number of gene-specific therapies recently approved for clinical use, and a rapidly expanding landscape of gene-specific clinical trials, many using novel nucleotide-based therapeutic modalities like antisense oligonucleotides and gene transfer. We anticipate that more widespread use of genetic testing will help advance therapeutic development and improve the care, and outcomes, of patients with neurologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laynie Dratch
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Meron Azage
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Aaron Baldwin
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kelsey Johnson
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rachel A Paul
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tanya M Bardakjian
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Sarepta Therapeutics Inc, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sara-Claude Michon
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Defne A Amado
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael Baer
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Andres F Deik
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lauren B Elman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Spark Therapeutics Inc, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael H Guo
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ali G Hamedani
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - David J Irwin
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Aaron Lasker
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Colin Quinn
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Thomas F Tropea
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Steven S Scherer
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Colin A Ellis
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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27
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Rosamilia MB, Markunas AM, Kishnani PS, Landstrom AP. Underrepresentation of Diverse Ancestries Drives Uncertainty in Genetic Variants Found in Cardiomyopathy-Associated Genes. JACC. ADVANCES 2024; 3:100767. [PMID: 38464909 PMCID: PMC10922016 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thousands of genetic variants have been identified in cardiomyopathy-associated genes. Diagnostic genetic testing is key for evaluation of individuals with suspected cardiomyopathy. While accurate variant pathogenicity assignment is important for diagnosis, the frequency of and factors associated with clinically relevant assessment changes are unclear. OBJECTIVES The authors aimed to characterize pathogenicity assignment change in cardiomyopathy-associated genes and to identify factors associated with this change. METHODS We identified 10 sarcomeric and 6 desmosomal genetic cardiomyopathy-associated genes along with comparison gene sets. We analyzed clinically meaningful changes in pathogenicity assignment between any of the following: pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP), conflicting interpretations of pathogenicity or variant of unknown significance (C/VUS), and benign/likely benign. We explored association of minor allele frequency (MAF) differences between well, and traditionally poorly, represented ancestries in genetic studies with assessment stability. Analyses were performed using ClinVar and GnomAD data. RESULTS Of the 30,975 cardiomyopathy-associated gene variants in ClinVar, 2,276 of them (7.3%) had a clinically meaningful change in pathogenicity assignment over the study period, 2011 to 2021. Sixty-seven percent of variants that underwent a clinically significant change moved from P/LP or benign/likely benign to C/VUS. Among cardiomyopathy variants downgraded from P/LP, 35% had a MAF above 1 × 10 -4 in non-Europeans and below 1 × 10 -4 in Europeans. CONCLUSIONS Over the past 10 years, 7.3% of cardiomyopathy gene variants underwent a clinically meaningful change in pathogenicity assignment. Over 30% of downgrades from P/LP may be attributable to higher MAF in Non-Europeans than Europeans. This finding suggests that low ancestral diversity in genetic studies has increased diagnostic uncertainty in cardiomyopathy gene variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B. Rosamilia
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexandra M. Markunas
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Priya S. Kishnani
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew P. Landstrom
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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28
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Lascurain S, Thull D, Durst A, Bear T, Mai PL. Release of reclassified VUS results of now deceased patients to family members: Practices and opinions. J Genet Couns 2024. [PMID: 38189571 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are commonly identified in genetic testing. The rate at which a VUS is reclassified depends on multiple factors. However, as the amount of time it might take for a VUS to be reclassified varies, some patients with a VUS genetic testing result might have passed away before the VUS is reclassified. A VUS that is reclassified after the patient's death has clinical implications for the deceased patient's family members. The disclosure of reclassified VUS results for a deceased patient has complex legal and ethical implications. There are no established guidelines on how the reclassified VUS result for a deceased patient should be disclosed to at-risk relatives. An online survey was sent to members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGCs) to elicit practices and opinions regarding this issue. A total of 153 (4%) NSGC members completed the survey. Thirty-seven (24.2%) respondents reported having received a reclassified VUS for a deceased patient. Respondents were more likely to attempt disclosure if the variant was reclassified as pathogenic (93.5%) versus benign (76.5%), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). Respondents more often reported the impact on family members (85.5%) than the decedent's right to privacy (15.0%) as extremely important when considering disclosure to family members. A legal mechanism to allow disclosure to relatives was supported by 70.6% of respondents and 97.4% felt the issue was important enough to pursue if such a process was in place. Only 9.8% of respondents supported a legal requirement of consent before disclosing to family members when a VUS is reclassified after the patient has passed away. Our results indicate that there is no consensus for how these results should be handled and a mechanism for disclosure of reclassified results to family members is supported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Lascurain
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Darcy Thull
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cancer Genetics Program, Magee Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrea Durst
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Todd Bear
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Phuong L Mai
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cancer Genetics Program, Magee Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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29
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Yoon E, Lee JK, Park TK, Chang SA, Huh J, Kim JW, Kim DK, Jang JH. Experience of reassessing FBN1 variants of uncertain significance by gene-specific guidelines. J Med Genet 2023; 61:57-60. [PMID: 37558401 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and Association of Molecular Pathology (AMP) guideline, many variants of FBN1 gene remain inconclusive. In line with publication of the FBN1-specific variant interpretation guideline by ClinGen in 2022, we reassessed variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in FBN1 gene found in our institution. METHODS VUS found in the course of FBN1 sequencing between December 2015 and April 2022 were reassessed based on FBN1-specific variant interpretation guideline, review of updated literatures and additional genetic tests including family study and/or RNA study if available. RESULTS Out of 695 patients who underwent FBN1 sequencing, 61 VUS were found in 69 patients. Among them, 38 VUS in 43 patients (62.3%) were reclassified as pathogenic and likely pathogenic variant ((L)PV), including 20 novel (L)PV. Major causes of reclassification were: (1) gene-specific modification of ACMG/AMP criteria, (2) updated literatures and (3) additional genetic tests. The most important evidence for reclassification was clarification of critical amino acid residues. CONCLUSIONS After reassessing FBN1 variants according to FBN1-specific guideline and up-to-date database, a significant number of VUS was reclassified. Clinical laboratories are encouraged to perform variant reassessment at regular intervals or when there is a major change in the principle of variant interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eungjun Yoon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Kwon Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Taek Kyu Park
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-A Chang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - June Huh
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Won Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Duk-Kyung Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Hyun Jang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Basho R, Chase MC. Genetic Testing in Metastatic Breast Cancer in the USA: A Podcast. Oncol Ther 2023; 11:433-443. [PMID: 37707712 PMCID: PMC10673788 DOI: 10.1007/s40487-023-00243-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This podcast highlights the importance of genetic testing in patients with metastatic breast cancer, with a specific focus on germline or inherited breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) mutations. In the USA, national guidelines recommend that all patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer should be offered genetic testing for germline breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 or 2 (BRCA1 or 2) mutations to identify patients potentially suitable for treatment with a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor. However, a retrospective study indicated that only 43% of patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative advanced breast cancer who may be eligible for genetic testing have undergone germline BRCA1 or 2 testing. Therefore, a large national effort is required to offer genetic testing to more patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. The aim of this podcast is to provide physicians with information to support the early engagement of patients in discussions about genetic testing, and guidance on how to manage patient concerns about the potential implications of testing. Here, a healthcare professional discusses germline genetic testing with a patient advocate and answers questions regarding the importance of testing in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Furthermore, the authors discuss what it means to receive a positive or negative result for a germline BRCA mutation and the impact this may have on the patient and their family members. Overall, the authors emphasize the importance of healthcare professionals providing every patient with metastatic breast cancer with the relevant information about genetic testing so that patients can make informed decisions. Podcast Audio and Infographic available for this article.Podcast Audio and Infographic available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reva Basho
- The Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, 12414 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA.
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Sukpan P, Sangkhathat S, Sriplung H, Laochareonsuk W, Choochuen P, Auseng N, Khoonjan W, Salaeh R, Thangnaphadol K, Wanawanakorn K, Kanokwiroon K. Exome Sequencing Reveals Novel Germline Variants in Breast Cancer Patients in the Southernmost Region of Thailand. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1587. [PMID: 38003901 PMCID: PMC10672121 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13111587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline carriers of pathogenic variants in cancer susceptibility genes are at an increased risk of breast cancer (BC). We characterized germline variants in a cohort of 151 patients diagnosed with epithelial BC in the southernmost region of Thailand, where the predominant ethnicity differs from that of the rest of the country. Whole exome sequencing was used to identify and subsequently filter variants present in 26 genes known to be associated with cancer predisposition. Of the 151 individuals assessed, 23, corresponding to 15.2% of the sample, exhibited the presence of one or more pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants associated with BC susceptibility. We identified novel germline truncating variants in BRIP1, CHEK2, MSH6, PALB2, and PTEN and annotated variants of uncertain significance (VUSs), both novel and previously documented. Therefore, it is advisable to use genetic testing as an additional risk screening method for BC in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panupong Sukpan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.S.); (W.L.); (P.C.)
- Medical Education Center, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital, Narathiwat 96000, Thailand; (N.A.); (W.K.)
| | - Surasak Sangkhathat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.S.); (W.L.); (P.C.)
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Hutcha Sriplung
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand;
| | - Wison Laochareonsuk
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.S.); (W.L.); (P.C.)
| | - Pongsakorn Choochuen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.S.); (W.L.); (P.C.)
| | - Nasuha Auseng
- Medical Education Center, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital, Narathiwat 96000, Thailand; (N.A.); (W.K.)
| | - Weerawan Khoonjan
- Medical Education Center, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital, Narathiwat 96000, Thailand; (N.A.); (W.K.)
| | - Rusta Salaeh
- Department of Surgery, Pattani Hospital, Pattani 94000, Thailand;
| | | | | | - Kanyanatt Kanokwiroon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.S.); (W.L.); (P.C.)
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Fillman C, Anantharajah A, Marmelstein B, Dillon M, Horton C, Peterson C, Lopez J, Tondon R, Brannan T, Katona BW. Combining clinical and molecular characterization of CDH1: a multidisciplinary approach to reclassification of a splicing variant. Fam Cancer 2023; 22:521-526. [PMID: 37540482 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-023-00346-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in the CDH1 gene are associated with diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome (DGLBC) and can increase the lifetime risk for both diffuse gastric cancer and lobular breast cancer. Given the risk for diffuse gastric cancer among individuals with CDH1 PGVs is up to 30-40%, prophylactic total gastrectomy is often recommended to affected individuals. Therefore, accurate interpretation of CDH1 variants is of the utmost importance for proper clinical decision-making. Herein we present a 45-year-old female, with lobular breast cancer and a father with gastric cancer of unknown pathology at age 48, who was identified to have an intronic variant of uncertain significance in the CDH1 gene, specifically c.833-9 C > G. Although the proband did not meet the International Gastric Cancer Linkage Consortium (IGCLC) criteria for gastric surveillance, she elected to pursue an upper endoscopy where non-targeted gastric biopsies identified a focus of signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC). The proband then underwent a total gastrectomy, revealing numerous SRCC foci, but no invasive diffuse gastric cancer. Simultaneously, a genetic testing laboratory performed RNA sequencing to further analyze the CDH1 intronic variant, identifying an abnormal transcript from a novel acceptor splice site. The RNA analysis in conjunction with the patient's gastric foci of SRCC and family history was sufficient evidence for reclassification of the variant from uncertain significance to likely pathogenic. In conclusion, we report the first case of the CDH1 c.833-9 C > G intronic variant being associated with DGLBC and illustrate how collaboration among clinicians, laboratory personnel, and patients is crucial for variant resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrine Fillman
- Cancer Risk and Genetics Program, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | | | - Briana Marmelstein
- Cancer Risk and Genetics Program, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Monica Dillon
- Cancer Risk and Genetics Program, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph Lopez
- Cancer Risk and Genetics Program, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Rashmi Tondon
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Bryson W Katona
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Blvd. 751 South Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Shore N, Gazi M, Pieczonka C, Heron S, Modh R, Cahn D, Belkoff LH, Berger A, Mazzarella B, Veys J, Idom C, Morris D, Jayram G, Engelman A, Bukkapatnam R, Dato P, Bevan-Thomas R, Cornell R, Wise DR, Hardwick MK, Hernandez RD, Rojahn S, Layman P, Hatchell KE, Heald B, Nussbaum RL, Nielsen SM, Esplin ED. Efficacy of National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines in Identifying Pathogenic Germline Variants Among Unselected Patients with Prostate Cancer: The PROCLAIM Trial. Eur Urol Oncol 2023; 6:477-483. [PMID: 37574391 DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in cancer predisposition genes may be eligible for U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved targeted therapies, clinical trials, or enhanced screening. Studies suggest that eligible patients are missing genetics-informed care due to restrictive testing criteria. OBJECTIVE To establish the prevalence of actionable PGVs among prospectively accrued, unselected PCa patients, stratified by their guideline eligibility. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Consecutive, unselected PCa patients were enrolled at 15 sites in the USA from October 2019 to August 2021, and had multigene cancer panel testing. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Correlates between the prevalence of PGVs and clinician-reported demographic and clinical characteristics were examined. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Among 958 patients (median [quartiles] age at diagnosis 65 [60, 71] yr), 627 (65%) had low- or intermediate-risk disease (grade group 1, 2, or 3). A total of 77 PGVs in 17 genes were identified in 74 patients (7.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.2-9.6%). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of PGVs among patients who met the 2019 National Comprehensive Cancer Network Prostate criteria (8.8%, 43/486, 95% CI 6.6-12%) versus those who did not (6.6%, 31/472, 95% CI 4.6-9.2%; odds ratio 1.38, 95% CI 0.85-2.23), indicating that these criteria would miss 42% of patients (31/74, 95% CI 31-53%) with PGVs. The criteria were less effective at predicting PGVs in patients from under-represented populations. Most PGVs (81%, 60/74) were potentially clinically actionable. Limitations include the inability to stratify analyses based on individual ethnicity due to low numbers of non-White patients with PGVs. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that almost half of PCa patients with PGVs are missed by current testing guidelines. Comprehensive germline genetic testing should be offered to all patients with PCa. PATIENT SUMMARY One in 13 patients with prostate cancer carries an inherited variant that may be actionable for the patient's current care or prevention of future cancer, and could benefit from expanded testing criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Shore
- Carolina Urologic Research Center, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA.
| | - Mukaram Gazi
- University Urology Associates of New Jersey, Hamilton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Sean Heron
- Advanced Urology Institute, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Rishi Modh
- Advanced Urology Institute, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Aaron Berger
- Associated Urological Specialists, Chicago Ridge, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul Dato
- Genesis Healthcare Partners, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - David R Wise
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Ryan D Hernandez
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert L Nussbaum
- Invitae Corporation, San Francisco, CA, USA; Volunteer Faculty, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Luetke Lanfer H, Reifegerste D, Berg A, Memenga P, Baumann E, Weber W, Geulen J, Müller A, Hahne A, Weg-Remers S. Understanding Trust Determinants in a Live Chat Service on Familial Cancer: Qualitative Triangulation Study With Focus Groups and Interviews in Germany. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e44707. [PMID: 37610815 PMCID: PMC10483292 DOI: 10.2196/44707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In dealing with familial cancer risk, seeking web-based health information can be a coping strategy for different stakeholder groups (ie, patients, relatives, and those suspecting an elevated familial cancer risk). In the vast digital landscape marked by a varied quality of web-based information and evolving technologies, trust emerges as a pivotal factor, guiding the process of health information seeking and interacting with digital health services. This trust formation in health information can be conceptualized as context dependent and multidimensional, involving 3 key dimensions: information seeker (trustor), information provider (trustee), and medium or platform (application). Owing to the rapid changes in the digital context, it is critical to understand how seekers form trust in new services, given the interplay among these different dimensions. An example of such a new service is a live chat operated by physicians for the general public with personalized cancer-related information and a focus on familial cancer risk. OBJECTIVE To gain a comprehensive picture of trust formation in a cancer-related live chat service, this study investigates the 3 dimensions of trust-trustor, trustee, and application-and their respective relevant characteristics based on a model of trust in web-based health information. In addition, the study aims to compare these characteristics across the 3 different stakeholder groups, with the goal to enhance the service's trustworthiness for each group. METHODS This qualitative study triangulated the different perspectives of medical cancer advisers, advisers from cancer support groups, and members of the public in interviews and focus group discussions to explore the 3 dimensions of trust-trustor, trustee, and application-and their determinants for a new live chat service for familial cancer risk to be implemented at the German Cancer Information Service. RESULTS The results indicate that experience with familial cancer risk is the key trustor characteristic to using, and trusting information provided by, the live chat service. The live chat might also be particularly valuable for people from minority groups who have unmet needs from physician-patient interactions. Participants highlighted trustee characteristics such as ability, benevolence, integrity, and humanness (ie, not a chatbot) as pivotal in a trustworthy cancer live chat service. Application-related characteristics, including the reputation of the institution, user-centric design, modern technology, and visual appeal, were also deemed essential. Despite the different backgrounds and sociodemographics of the 3 stakeholder groups, many overlaps were found among the 3 trust dimensions and their respective characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Trust in a live chat for cancer information is formed by different dimensions and characteristics of trust. This study underscores the importance of understanding trust formation in digital health services and suggests potential enhancements for effective, trustworthy interactions in live chat services (eg, by providing biographies of the human medical experts to differentiate them from artificial intelligence chatbots).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Annika Berg
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Paula Memenga
- Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva Baumann
- Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Winja Weber
- Krebsinformationsdienst, Heidelberg, Germany
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35
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McCarthy RL, Copson E, Tapper W, Bolton H, Mirnezami AH, O'Neill JR, Patel NN, Tischkowitz M, Cutress RI. Risk-reducing surgery for individuals with cancer-predisposing germline pathogenic variants and no personal cancer history: a review of current UK guidelines. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:383-392. [PMID: 37258796 PMCID: PMC10403612 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02296-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying healthy carriers of germline pathogenic variants in high penetrance cancer susceptibility genes offers the potential for risk-reducing surgery. The NHS England National Genomic Test Directory offers germline and somatic testing to patients with certain cancers or rare and inherited diseases, or, in some cases, to their relatives. This review summarises current UK guidelines for risk-reducing surgical interventions available for individuals with no personal history of cancer, who are determined to carry germline pathogenic variants. An electronic literature search of NICE guidelines and PubMed citable articles was performed. NICE guidelines are available for bilateral mastectomy and are currently in development for risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Guidelines developed with affiliation to, or through relevant British Surgical Societies or international consensus, are available for risk-reducing hysterectomy, polypectomy, gastrectomy, and thyroidectomy. There is a disparity in the development and distribution of national guidelines for interventions amongst tumour types. Whilst we are focusing on UK guidelines, we anticipate they will be relevant much more generally and so of interest to a wider audience including where there are no national guidelines to refer to. We suggest that, as genetic testing becomes rapidly more accessible, guideline development for interventions should be more closely aligned to those for testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L McCarthy
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Ellen Copson
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Cancer Sciences Academic Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - William Tapper
- University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine Health and Life Sciences, Southampton, UK
| | - Helen Bolton
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Alex H Mirnezami
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Cancer Sciences Academic Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - J Robert O'Neill
- Cambridge Oesophagogastric Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Nimesh N Patel
- Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Marc Tischkowitz
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ramsey I Cutress
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Cancer Sciences Academic Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Lee NY, Hum M, Zihara S, Wang L, Myint MK, Lim DWT, Toh CK, Skanderup A, Samol J, Tan MH, Ang P, Lee SC, Tan EH, Lai GGY, Tan DSW, Yap YS, Lee ASG. Landscape of germline pathogenic variants in patients with dual primary breast and lung cancer. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:66. [PMID: 37461096 PMCID: PMC10353088 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00510-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer predisposition is most often studied in the context of single cancers. However, inherited cancer predispositions can also give rise to multiple primary cancers. Yet, there is a paucity of studies on genetic predisposition in multiple primary cancers, especially those outside of well-defined cancer predisposition syndromes. This study aimed to identify germline variants associated with dual primary cancers of the breast and lung. METHODS Exome sequencing was performed on germline DNA from 55 Singapore patients (52 [95%] never-smokers) with dual primaries in the breast and lung, confirmed by histopathology. Using two large control cohorts: the local SG10K_Health (n = 9770) and gnomAD non-cancer East Asians (n = 9626); and two additional local case cohorts of early-onset or familial breast cancer (n = 290), and lung cancer (n = 209), variants were assessed for pathogenicity in accordance with ACMG/AMP guidelines. In particular, comparisons were made with known pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in the ClinVar database, pathogenicity predictions were obtained from in silico prediction software, and case-control association analyses were performed. RESULTS Altogether, we identified 19 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants from 16 genes, detected in 17 of 55 (31%) patients. Six of the 19 variants were identified using ClinVar, while 13 variants were classified pathogenic or likely pathogenic using ACMG/AMP guidelines. The 16 genes include well-known cancer predisposition genes such as BRCA2, TP53, and RAD51D; but also lesser known cancer genes EXT2, WWOX, GATA2, and GPC3. Most of these genes are involved in DNA damage repair, reaffirming the role of impaired DNA repair mechanisms in the development of multiple malignancies. These variants warrant further investigations in additional populations. CONCLUSIONS We have identified both known and novel variants significantly enriched in patients with primary breast and lung malignancies, expanding the body of known cancer predisposition variants for both breast and lung cancer. These variants are mostly from genes involved in DNA repair, affirming the role of impaired DNA repair in the predisposition and development of multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Yuan Lee
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
| | - Melissa Hum
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
| | - Sabna Zihara
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
| | - Lanying Wang
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
| | - Matthew K Myint
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
| | - Darren Wan-Teck Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme (ONCO ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Chee-Keong Toh
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
| | - Anders Skanderup
- Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis St, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Jens Samol
- Medical Oncology Department, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Min-Han Tan
- Lucence Diagnostics Pte Ltd, 211 Henderson Road, Singapore, 159552, Singapore
| | - Peter Ang
- Oncocare Cancer Centre, Gleneagles Medical Centre, 6 Napier Road, Singapore, 258499, Singapore
| | - Soo-Chin Lee
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute, Singapore (CSI), National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Dr, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Eng-Huat Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
- Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
| | - Gillianne G Y Lai
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme (ONCO ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Daniel S W Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme (ONCO ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis St, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
- Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
| | - Yoon-Sim Yap
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme (ONCO ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Ann S G Lee
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore, 168583, Singapore.
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme (ONCO ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117593, Singapore.
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Diquigiovanni C, Rizzardi N, Kampmeier A, Liparulo I, Bianco F, De Nicolo B, Cataldi-Stagetti E, Cuna E, Severi G, Seri M, Bertrand M, Haack TB, Marina AD, Braun F, Fato R, Kuechler A, Bergamini C, Bonora E. Mutant SPART causes defects in mitochondrial protein import and bioenergetics reversed by Coenzyme Q. Open Biol 2023; 13:230040. [PMID: 37433330 PMCID: PMC10335854 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in SPART cause Troyer syndrome, characterized by lower extremity spasticity and weakness, short stature and cognitive impairment, and a severe mitochondrial impairment. Herein, we report the identification of a role of Spartin in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins. SPART biallelic missense variants were detected in a 5-year-old boy with short stature, developmental delay and muscle weakness with impaired walking distance. Patient-derived fibroblasts showed an altered mitochondrial network, decreased mitochondrial respiration, increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and altered Ca2+ versus control cells. We investigated the mitochondrial import of nuclear-encoded proteins in these fibroblasts and in another cell model carrying a SPART loss-of-function mutation. In both cell models the mitochondrial import was impaired, leading to a significant decrease in different proteins, including two key enzymes involved in CoQ10 (CoQ) synthesis, COQ7 and COQ9, with a severe reduction in CoQ content, versus control cells. CoQ supplementation restored cellular ATP levels to the same extent shown by the re-expression of wild-type SPART, suggesting CoQ treatment as a promising therapeutic approach for patients carrying mutations in SPART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Diquigiovanni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Antje Kampmeier
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45122, Germany
| | - Irene Liparulo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Francesca Bianco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40064, Italy
| | - Bianca De Nicolo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Erica Cataldi-Stagetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cuna
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Giulia Severi
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Marco Seri
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Miriam Bertrand
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Tobias B. Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Adela Della Marina
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45122, Germany
| | - Frederik Braun
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45122, Germany
| | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Alma Kuechler
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45122, Germany
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Elena Bonora
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
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Zukin E, Culver JO, Liu Y, Yang Y, Ricker CN, Hodan R, Sturgeon D, Kingham K, Chun NM, Rowe-Teeter C, Singh K, Zell JA, Ladabaum U, McDonnell KJ, Ford JM, Parmigiani G, Braun D, Kurian AW, Gruber SB, Idos GE. Clinical implications of conflicting variant interpretations in the cancer genetics clinic. Genet Med 2023; 25:100837. [PMID: 37057674 PMCID: PMC10416421 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to describe the clinical impact of commercial laboratories issuing conflicting classifications of genetic variants. METHODS Results from 2000 patients undergoing a multigene hereditary cancer panel by a single laboratory were analyzed. Clinically significant discrepancies between the laboratory-provided test reports and other major commercial laboratories were identified, including differences between pathogenic/likely pathogenic and variant of uncertain significance (VUS) classifications, via review of ClinVar archives. For patients carrying a VUS, clinical documentation was assessed for evidence of provider awareness of the conflict. RESULTS Fifty of 975 (5.1%) patients with non-negative results carried a variant with a clinically significant conflict, 19 with a pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant reported in APC or MUTYH, and 31 with a VUS reported in CDKN2A, CHEK2, MLH1, MSH2, MUTYH, RAD51C, or TP53. Only 10 of 28 (36%) patients with a VUS with a clinically significant conflict had a documented discussion by a provider about the conflict. Discrepant counseling strategies were used for different patients with the same variant. Among patients with a CDKN2A variant or a monoallelic MUTYH variant, providers were significantly more likely to make recommendations based on the laboratory-reported classification. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the frequency of variant interpretation discrepancies and importance of clinician awareness. Guidance is needed on managing patients with discrepant variants to support accurate risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyssa Zukin
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Center for Precision Medicine, Duarte, CA; University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Julie O Culver
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Yuxi Liu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Yunqi Yang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Charité N Ricker
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Rachel Hodan
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Duveen Sturgeon
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Center for Precision Medicine, Duarte, CA
| | - Kerry Kingham
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | | | | | | | | | - Uri Ladabaum
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Kevin J McDonnell
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Center for Precision Medicine, Duarte, CA
| | - James M Ford
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Giovanni Parmigiani
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Danielle Braun
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | - Stephen B Gruber
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Center for Precision Medicine, Duarte, CA
| | - Gregory E Idos
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Center for Precision Medicine, Duarte, CA.
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Farag CM, Johnston EK, Antar RM, Issa SG, Gadiwalla Q, Tariq Z, Kim SA, Whalen MJ. Unveiling the genomic landscape of possible metastatic malignant transformation of teratoma secondary to cisplatin-chemotherapy: a Tempus gene analysis-based case report literature review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1192843. [PMID: 37427132 PMCID: PMC10324607 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1192843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In this case report, we describe a patient who developed metastatic liver cancer of unknown primary origin one year following the surgical removal of a retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma. The retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma is considered a malignant transformation of teratoma (MTT), given the patient's distant history of testicular tumor excised 25 years prior and treated with chemotherapy. Despite no primary tumor being identified, the leading primary hypothesis is that the liver metastasis stemmed from the resected retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma from one year prior. We theorize that the patient's cisplatin-based chemotherapy 25 years ago may have triggered the MTT, as documented in the existing literature. Using TEMPUS gene testing on both the retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma and the recently discovered liver metastasis, we identified several genes with variants of unknown significance (VUS) that could potentially be linked to cisplatin chemotherapy resistance. While we cannot conclude that this patient definitively underwent MTT, it remains the most plausible explanation. Future research should investigate both the validity of the genes we have uncovered with respect to cisplatin resistance, as well as other genes associated with cisplatin resistance to further understand the pathogenesis of cisplatin resistance for better prediction of treatment response. As the world of medicine shifts towards individualized therapies and precision medicine, reporting and analyzing genetic mutations derived from tumors remains imperative. Our case report aims to contribute to the growing database of defined mutations and underscores the immense potential of genetic analysis in directing personalized treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M. Farag
- Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Elena K. Johnston
- Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Ryan M. Antar
- Department of Urology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Shaher G. Issa
- Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Qasim Gadiwalla
- Department of Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zoon Tariq
- Department of Pathology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Sun A. Kim
- Department of Pathology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michael J. Whalen
- Department of Urology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
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Makhnoon S, Davidson E, Shirts B, Arun B, Shete S. Practices and Views of US Oncologists and Genetic Counselors Regarding Patient Recontact After Variant Reclassification: Results of a Nationwide Survey. JCO Precis Oncol 2023; 7:e2300079. [PMID: 37384863 PMCID: PMC10581618 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Over a 5-year or 10-year period, between 6% and 15% of germline cancer genetic variants undergo reclassification. Up-to-date interpretation can clarify a variant's clinical significance and guide patient management. As the frequency of reclassifications increase, the issue of whether, how, when, and which providers should recontact patients with information about reclassification becomes important. However, the field lacks research evidence and definitive guidance from professional organizations about how providers should recontact patients. We compared the perspectives of US oncologists and cancer genetic counselors (GCs) to describe their practices and views regarding recontact. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed a survey using themes identified from semistructured interviews with oncologists and GCs and administered it in a national sample of oncologists and GCs between July and September 2022. RESULTS In total, 634 respondents completed the survey including 349 oncologists and 285 GCs. On frequency of recontacting patients with reclassified results, 40% of GCs reported recontacting often compared with 12.5% of oncologists. Neither group reported recording patient preference for recontact on electronic medical record (EMR). Both groups agreed that all reclassified variants, even those that do not affect clinical management, should be returned to patients. They also reported that recontact via EMR messages, mailed letters, and phone calls from GC assistants were more suitable for downgrades. By contrast, face-to-face meetings and phone calls were preferred for upgrades. Remarkably, oncologists were more likely to endorse face-to-face return of results and were more likely to endorse return through a nongenetics provider compared to GCs. CONCLUSION These data on current recontact practices and opinions provide a foundation for developing guidelines with explicit recommendations on patient recontact that can help maximize clinical effect while considering provider preferences for recontact within resource-constrained genomic practice settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukh Makhnoon
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Elenita Davidson
- Department of Behavioral Science, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TTX
| | - Brian Shirts
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Banu Arun
- Clinical Cancer Genetics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Sanjay Shete
- Department of Epidemiology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Appelbaum PS, Berger SM, Brokamp E, Brown HS, Burke W, Clayton EW, Evans BJ, Hamid R, Marchant GE, Martin DM, O'Connor BC, Pagán JA, Parens E, Roberts JL, Rowe J, Schneider J, Siegel K, Veenstra DL, Chung WK. Practical considerations for reinterpretation of individual genetic variants. Genet Med 2023; 25:100801. [PMID: 36748709 PMCID: PMC10408279 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
With the growing use of genetic testing in medicine, the question of when genetic findings should be reinterpreted in light of new data has become inescapable. The generation of population and disease-specific data, development of computational tools, and new understandings of the relationship of specific genes to disorders can all trigger changes in variant classification that may have important implications for patients and the clinicians caring for them. This is a particular concern for patients from groups underrepresented in current reference datasets, since they have higher rates of uncertain findings. Here we identify the challenges to implementing a systematic approach to variant reinterpretation and propose solutions. In particular, we address (a) the infrastructure needed to support implementation of systematic variant reinterpretation, (b) the issues around obtaining consent from patients for reinterpretation, (c) the process for triggering reinterpretation, (d) pathways for the flow of reinterpreted data, (e) considerations for how to cover the costs of reinterpretation, and (f) practical issues related to implementation of processes and policies that address these issues, including the importance of a fixed duration during which there is an expectation that variants will be reinterpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Appelbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Sara M Berger
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Elly Brokamp
- Vanderbilt Genomics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Henry Shelton Brown
- Management, Policy and Community Health, UT Health School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Austin Regional Campus, Austin, TX
| | - Wylie Burke
- Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Ellen Wright Clayton
- Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, School of Law, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Barbara J Evans
- Levin College of Law, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Rizwan Hamid
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Gary E Marchant
- Center for Law, Science & Innovation, Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Donna M Martin
- Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | - José A Pagán
- Department of Public Health Policy and Management, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Erik Parens
- Hastings Center Initiative in Bioethics, The Hastings Center, Garrison, NY
| | - Jessica L Roberts
- Health Law & Policy Institute Humanities, University of Houston Law Center, Houston, TX; College of Medicine, University of Houston, Houston, TX
| | - John Rowe
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | | | - Karolynn Siegel
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - David L Veenstra
- The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy and Economics (CHOICE) Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY.
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De Silva DL, Stafford L, Skandarajah AR, Sinclair M, Devereux L, Hogg K, Kentwell M, Park A, Lal L, Zethoven M, Jayawardana MW, Chan F, Butow PN, James PA, Mann GB, Campbell IG, Lindeman GJ. Universal genetic testing for women with newly diagnosed breast cancer in the context of multidisciplinary team care. Med J Aust 2023; 218:368-373. [PMID: 37005005 PMCID: PMC10952347 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility of universal genetic testing of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, to estimate the incidence of pathogenic gene variants and their impact on patient management, and to evaluate patient and clinician acceptance of universal testing. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS Prospective study of women with invasive or high grade in situ breast cancer and unknown germline status discussed at the Parkville Breast Service (Melbourne) multidisciplinary team meeting. Women were recruited to the pilot (12 June 2020 - 22 March 2021) and expansion phases (17 October 2021 - 8 November 2022) of the Mutational Assessment of newly diagnosed breast cancer using Germline and tumour genomICs (MAGIC) study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Germline testing by DNA sequencing, filtered for nineteen hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes that could be classified as actionable; only pathogenic variants were reported. Surveys before and after genetic testing assessed pilot phase participants' perceptions of genetic testing, and psychological distress and cancer-specific worry. A separate survey assessed clinicians' views on universal testing. RESULTS Pathogenic germline variants were identified in 31 of 474 expanded study phase participants (6.5%), including 28 of 429 women with invasive breast cancer (6.5%). Eighteen of the 31 did not meet current genetic testing eligibility guidelines (probability of a germline pathogenic variant ≥ 10%, based on CanRisk, or Manchester score ≥ 15). Clinical management was changed for 24 of 31 women after identification of a pathogenic variant. Including 68 further women who underwent genetic testing outside the study, 44 of 542 women carried pathogenic variants (8.1%). Acceptance of universal testing was high among both patients (90 of 103, 87%) and clinicians; no decision regret or adverse impact on psychological distress or cancer-specific worry were reported. CONCLUSION Universal genetic testing following the diagnosis of breast cancer detects clinically significant germline pathogenic variants that might otherwise be missed because of testing guidelines. Routine testing and reporting of pathogenic variants is feasible and acceptable for both patients and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilanka L De Silva
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- Parkville Familial Cancer CentrePeter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUnited States of America
| | - Lesley Stafford
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- The Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
| | - Anita R Skandarajah
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- The Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
| | | | - Lisa Devereux
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreMelbourneVIC
| | - Kirsten Hogg
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVIC
| | - Maira Kentwell
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- Parkville Familial Cancer CentrePeter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
| | - Allan Park
- The Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
| | - Luxi Lal
- The Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
- Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreMelbourneVIC
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVIC
| | | | - Madawa W Jayawardana
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreMelbourneVIC
| | - Fiona Chan
- The Royal Children's Hospital MelbourneMelbourneVIC
| | - Phyllis N Butow
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence‐based Decision Making, the University of SydneySydneyNSW
| | - Paul A James
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- Parkville Familial Cancer CentrePeter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
- The Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
- Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreMelbourneVIC
| | - G Bruce Mann
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- The Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
- Royal Women's HospitalMelbourneVIC
| | - Ian G Campbell
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreMelbourneVIC
| | - Geoffrey J Lindeman
- The University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC
- Parkville Familial Cancer CentrePeter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVIC
- Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreMelbourneVIC
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVIC
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Andreis TF, de Souza KIW, Vieira IA, Alemar B, Sinigaglia M, de Araújo Rocha YM, Artigalás O, Bittar C, Oliveira Netto CB, Ashton-Prolla P, Rosset C. Challenges in periodic revision of genetic testing results: Comparison of the main classification guidelines and report of a retrospective analysis involving BRCA1/BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance. Gene 2023; 862:147281. [PMID: 36775216 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
In the context of cancer predisposition syndromes, it is widely known that the correct interpretation of germline variants identified in multigene panel testing is essential for adequate genetic counseling and clinical decision making, in which variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are not considered actionable findings. Thus, their periodic re-evaluation using appropriate guidelines is notably important. In the present study, we compared the performance of the main variant classification guidelines (ACMG, Sherloc and ENIGMA) in variant reassessment, using as input a BRCA1/2 VUS case series (retrospective analysis) from Brazil, an ethnically diverse and admixed country with substantial challenges in VUS reclassification. As main findings, two of the 15 VUS analyzed were reclassified as likely pathogenic by the 3 guidelines, BRCA1 c.4987-3C > G (rs397509213) and BRCA2 c.7868A > G (rs80359012). Moreover, challenges in variant classification and reassessment are described and additional in silico data about structural impact of the variant BRCA2 c.7868A > G are provided. We hypothesize that the establishment of a framework to reassess VUS could improve this process in health centers that have not yet implemented this practice. Results of this study underscore that periodic monitoring of the functional, clinical, and bioinformatics data of a VUS by a multidisciplinary team are of utmost importance in clinical practice. When there is a specific guideline for a given gene, such as ENIGMA for BRCA1/2, it should be considered the first option for variant assessment. Finally, recruitment of VUS carriers and their relatives to participate in variant segregation studies and publication of VUS reclassification results in the international scientific literature should be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Finger Andreis
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Kayana Isabel Weber de Souza
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas: Medicina (PPGCM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Igor Araujo Vieira
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Escola de Saúde, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Alemar
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Yasminne Marinho de Araújo Rocha
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Osvaldo Artigalás
- Hospital Moinhos de Vento (HMV), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Camila Bittar
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Hospital Moinhos de Vento (HMV), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Patricia Ashton-Prolla
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas: Medicina (PPGCM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Clévia Rosset
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas: Medicina (PPGCM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Unidade de Pesquisa Laboratorial (UPL) - Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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44
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Sakaguchi T, Tokutomi T, Yoshida A, Yamamoto K, Obata K, Carrieri D, Kelly SE, Fukushima A. Recontact: a survey of current practices and BRCA1/2 testing in Japan. J Hum Genet 2023:10.1038/s10038-023-01149-x. [PMID: 37072622 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-023-01149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Genetic testing advances have enabled the provision of previously unavailable information on the pathogenicity of genetic variants, frequently necessitating the recontact of former patients by clinicians. In Japan, national health insurance coverage was extended to BRCA1/2 testing for the diagnosis of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer for patients who meet certain criteria in 2020, and conditions necessitating recontact were expected to increase. Studies and discussions regarding recontact have been conducted in the U.S. and Europe; however, in Japan, the national discussion around recontact remains undeveloped. We conducted a cross-sectional study by interviewing 73 facilities accredited by the Japanese Organization of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer regarding the practice of recontacting patients at these facilities. Sixty-six facilities responded that they recontact patients, but only 17 facilities had a protocol for this. The most common reason for recontact was that it could benefit the patient. Facilities that did not recontact stated that they lacked the necessary personnel or services. Most facilities indicated that a recontact system should be implemented in their practice. The increased burden on too few medical personnel, unestablished systems, patient confusion, and the right not to know were cited as barriers to implementing recontact. Although developing recommendations on recontact would be useful for providing equitable healthcare in Japan, there is an urgent need to deepen the discussion on recontacting, as negative opinions about recontacting patients were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Sakaguchi
- Genetic Counseling Program, Applied Medical Science, Graduate School of Medical Science, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8505, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Tokutomi
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8505, Japan.
| | - Akiko Yoshida
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8505, Japan
| | - Kayono Yamamoto
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8505, Japan
| | - Keiko Obata
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8505, Japan
| | - Daniele Carrieri
- Medical School, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Susan E Kelly
- Egenis, The Centre for the Study of Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4PY, UK
| | - Akimune Fukushima
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8505, Japan
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Wedd L, Gleeson M, Meiser B, O'Shea R, Barlow-Stewart K, Spurdle AB, James P, Fleming J, Nichols C, Austin R, Cops E, Monnik M, Do J, Kaur R. Exploring the impact of the reclassification of a hereditary cancer syndrome gene variant: emerging themes from a qualitative study. J Community Genet 2023:10.1007/s12687-023-00644-0. [PMID: 37012465 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-023-00644-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of genetic variant interpretation means that a proportion of individuals who undergo genetic testing for a hereditary cancer syndrome will have their test result reclassified over time. Such a reclassification may involve a clinically significant upgrade or downgrade in pathogenicity, which may have significant implications for medical management. To date, few studies have examined the psychosocial impact of a reclassification in a hereditary cancer syndrome context. To address this gap, semi-structured telephone interviews were performed with eighteen individuals who had a BRCA1, BRCA2 or Lynch syndrome-related (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 or PMS2) gene variant reclassified. The interviews were analysed utilising an inductive, qualitative approach and emergent themes were identified by thematic analysis. Variable levels of recall amongst participants were found. Common motivations for initial testing included a significant personal and/or family history of cancer and a desire to "find an answer". No individual whose uncertain result was upgraded reported negative psychosocial outcomes; most reported adapting to their reclassified result and appraised their genetic testing experience positively. However, individuals whose likely pathogenic/pathogenic results were downgraded reported feelings of anger, shock and sadness post reclassification, highlighting that additional psychosocial support may be required for some. Genetic counselling issues and recommendations for clinical practice are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Wedd
- School of Clinical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | | | - Bettina Meiser
- School of Clinical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Rosie O'Shea
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Amanda B Spurdle
- Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Paul James
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jane Fleming
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cassandra Nichols
- Genetic Services of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Rachel Austin
- Genetic Health Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Elisa Cops
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Melissa Monnik
- Adult Genetics Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Judy Do
- School of Clinical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Rajneesh Kaur
- School of Clinical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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46
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Appelbaum PS, Burke W, Parens E, Roberts J, Berger S, Chung WK. Cases in Precision Medicine: Is There an Obligation to Return Reinterpreted Genetic Results to Former Patients? Ann Intern Med 2023; 176:563-567. [PMID: 36972543 PMCID: PMC10413009 DOI: 10.7326/m22-3682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Interpretation of many genetic test results can change over time as new data accumulate. Hence, physicians who order genetic tests may subsequently receive revised reports with important implications for patients' medical treatment-even for patients who are no longer in their care. Several of the ethical principles underlying medical practice suggest an obligation to reach out to former patients with this information. Discharging that obligation can be accomplished, at a minimum, by attempting to contact the former patient with their last known contact information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S. Appelbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NY State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
| | - Wylie Burke
- Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Jessica Roberts
- Health Law & Policy Institute, University of Houston Law Center, Houston, TX
| | - Sara Berger
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Wendy K. Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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47
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Abdelrazek AS, Ghoniem K, Ahmed ME, Joshi V, Mahmoud AM, Saeed N, Khater N, Elsharkawy MS, Gamal A, Kwon E, Kendi AT. Prostate Cancer: Advances in Genetic Testing and Clinical Implications. URO 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/uro3020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The demand for genetic testing (GT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is expanding, but there is limited knowledge about the genetic counseling (GC) needs of men. A strong-to-moderate inherited genetic predisposition causes approximately 5–20% of prostate cancer (PCa). In men with prostate cancer, germline testing may benefit the patient by informing treatment options, and if a mutation is noticed, it may also guide screening for other cancers and have family implications for cascade genetic testing (testing of close relatives for the same germline mutation). Relatives with the same germline mutations may be eligible for early cancer detection strategies and preventive measures. Cascade family testing can be favorable for family members, but it is currently unutilized, and strategies to overcome obstacles like knowledge deficiency, family communication, lack of access to genetic services, and testing expenses are needed. In this review, we will look at the genetic factors that have been linked to prostate cancer, as well as the role of genetic counseling and testing in the early detection of advanced prostate cancer.
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48
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Lampson BL, Gupta A, Tyekucheva S, Mashima K, Petráčková A, Wang Z, Wojciechowska N, Shaughnessy CJ, Baker PO, Fernandes SM, Shupe S, Machado JH, Fardoun R, Kim AS, Brown JR. Rare Germline ATM Variants Influence the Development of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:1116-1128. [PMID: 36315919 PMCID: PMC9928739 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Germline missense variants of unknown significance in cancer-related genes are increasingly being identified with the expanding use of next-generation sequencing. The ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) gene on chromosome 11 has more than 1,000 germline missense variants of unknown significance and is a tumor suppressor. We aimed to determine if rare germline ATM variants are more frequent in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) compared with other hematologic malignancies and if they influence the clinical characteristics of CLL. METHODS We identified 3,128 patients (including 825 patients with CLL) in our hematologic malignancy clinic who had received clinical-grade sequencing of the entire coding region of ATM. We ascertained the comparative frequencies of germline ATM variants in categories of hematologic neoplasms, and, in patients with CLL, we determined whether these variants affected CLL-associated characteristics such as somatic 11q deletion. RESULTS Rare germline ATM variants are present in 24% of patients with CLL, significantly greater than that in patients with other lymphoid malignancies (16% prevalence), myeloid disease (15%), or no hematologic neoplasm (14%). Patients with CLL with germline ATM variants are younger at diagnosis and twice as likely to have 11q deletion. The ATM variant p.L2307F is present in 3% of patients with CLL, is associated with a three-fold increase in rates of somatic 11q deletion, and is a hypomorph in cell-based assays. CONCLUSION Germline ATM variants cluster within CLL and affect the phenotype of CLL that develops, implying that some of these variants (such as ATM p.L2307F) have functional significance and should not be ignored. Further studies are needed to determine whether these variants affect the response to therapy or account for some of the inherited risk of CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L. Lampson
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Aditi Gupta
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Kiyomi Mashima
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Anna Petráčková
- Department of Immunology, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Zixu Wang
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Natalia Wojciechowska
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Current Address: Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Conner J. Shaughnessy
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Peter O. Baker
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Stacey M. Fernandes
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Samantha Shupe
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - John-Hanson Machado
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Rayan Fardoun
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Annette S. Kim
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jennifer R. Brown
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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49
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Chang EY, Solomon I, Culver JO, Gorman N, Comeaux JG, Lerman C, Quinn EA, Ekstein T. Clinical and laboratory genetic counselor attitudes on the reporting of variants of uncertain significance for multigene cancer panels. J Genet Couns 2023. [PMID: 36747331 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Research suggests variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) present a variety of challenges for genetic counselors (GCs), nongenetics clinicians, and patients. Multigene cancer panels reveal more VUSs than single gene testing as a result of the increase in the number of genes being tested. This study surveyed 87 clinical cancer GCs involved with direct patient care and 19 laboratory GCs who provide guidance to clinicians regarding genetic test results about their attitudes on various options for the reporting of VUSs by laboratories for broad multigene cancer panels. Independent samples t-tests were utilized to compare the two groups. Based on a six-point Likert-type scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 6 = Strongly Agree), clinical cancer GCs (M = 5.4; SD = 0.8) and laboratory GCs (M = 5.2; SD = 0.9) agreed overall that VUSs should be reported (p = 0.44; Cohen's d = 0.21). When asked about specific reporting options, both clinical cancer GCs (M = 1.9; SD = 1.1) and laboratory GCs (M = 2.1; SD = 1.4) disagreed that VUSs should be reported only for genes related to the indication for testing (p = 0.50; Cohen's d = 0.17). Overall, most GCs felt clinicians should not choose whether VUSs should be reported on genetic test results, with clinical cancer GCs (M = 1.9; SD = 1.3) feeling more strongly against it than laboratory GCs (M = 3.1; SD = 1.4; p = 0.002; Cohen's d = 0.88). Generally, GCs were more in favor of VUSs not being reported for population-based screening, with laboratory GCs (M = 4.7; SD = 0.8) agreeing more with that practice than clinical cancer GCs (M = 3.7; SD = 1.4; p = 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.80). Both clinical cancer GCs (M = 4.1; SD = 1.2) and laboratory GCs (M = 3.9; SD = 1.2) agreed additional guidelines on how to approach VUSs in clinical practice should be developed (p = 0.54; Cohen's d = 0.17). While most GCs supported the reporting of VUSs overall, our analyses suggest clinical cancer and laboratory GCs may have different attitudes toward specific VUS-related reporting options. Further research is needed to elucidate GC preferences to help inform best practices for the reporting of VUSs. The development of additional standardized guidelines on how to approach VUSs would further support clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmeline Y Chang
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Ilana Solomon
- Center for Precision Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Julie O Culver
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nicholas Gorman
- Department of Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Jacob G Comeaux
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Caryn Lerman
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Emily A Quinn
- Department of Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Tali Ekstein
- Clinical Consultation Services, Invitae, San Francisco, California, USA
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50
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Makhnoon S, Levin B, Ensinger M, Mattie K, Volk RJ, Zhao Z, Mendoza T, Shete S, Samiian L, Grana G, Grainger A, Arun B, Shirts BH, Peterson SK. A multicenter study of clinical impact of variant of uncertain significance reclassification in breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer susceptibility genes. Cancer Med 2023; 12:2875-2884. [PMID: 36426404 PMCID: PMC9939195 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical interpretation of genetic test results is complicated by variants of uncertain significance (VUS) that have an unknown impact on health but can be clarified through reclassification. There is little empirical evidence regarding VUS reclassification in oncology care settings, including the prevalence and outcomes of reclassification, and racial/ethnic differences. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of persons with and without a personal history of cancer carrying VUS (with or without an accompanying pathogenic or likely pathogenic [P/LP] variant) in breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer predisposition genes seen at four cancer care settings (in Texas, Florida, Ohio, and New Jersey) between 2013 and 2019. RESULTS In 2715 individuals included in the study, 3261 VUS and 313 P/LP variants were reported; 8.1% of all individuals with VUS experienced reclassifications and rates varied significantly among cancer care settings from 4.81% to 20.19% (overall p < 0.001). Compared to their prevalence in the overall sample, reclassification rates for Black individuals were higher (13.6% vs. 19.0%), whereas the rates for Asian individuals were lower (6.3% vs. 3.5%) and rates for White and Hispanic individuals were proportional. Two-year prevalence of VUS reclassification remained steady between 2014 and 2019. Overall, 11.3% of all reclassified VUS resulted in clinically actionable findings and 4.6% subsequently changed individuals' clinical managements. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this large multisite study suggest that VUS reclassification alters clinical management, has implications for precision cancer prevention, and highlights the need for implementing practices and solutions for efficiently returning reinterpreted genetic test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukh Makhnoon
- Department of Behavioral ScienceUT MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Brooke Levin
- William G. Rohrer Cancer Genetics Program, Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyMD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper University Health CareCamdenNew JerseyUSA
| | | | - Kristin Mattie
- William G. Rohrer Cancer Genetics Program, Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyMD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper University Health CareCamdenNew JerseyUSA
| | - Robert J. Volk
- Department of Health Services ResearchUT MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical InformaticsThe University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Tito Mendoza
- Department of Symptoms researchUT MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Sanjay Shete
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Population SciencesUT MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | | | - Generosa Grana
- William G. Rohrer Cancer Genetics Program, Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyMD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper University Health CareCamdenNew JerseyUSA
| | | | - Banu Arun
- Clinical Cancer GeneticsUT MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | | | - Susan K. Peterson
- Department of Behavioral ScienceUT MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
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