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Zhou Y, Jiang Y. Current Advances in Genetic Testing for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Curr Genomics 2023; 24:273-286. [PMID: 38235355 PMCID: PMC10790334 DOI: 10.2174/0113892029273388231023072050] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide, and genetic testing plays a key role in its diagnosis and prevention. The last decade has seen a continuous flow of new methods for SMA genetic testing that, along with traditional approaches, have affected clinical practice patterns to some degree. Targeting different application scenarios and selecting the appropriate technique for genetic testing have become priorities for optimizing the clinical pathway for SMA. In this review, we summarize the latest technological innovations in genetic testing for SMA, including MassArray®, digital PCR (dPCR), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and third-generation sequencing (TGS). Implementation recommendations for rationally choosing different technical strategies in the tertiary prevention of SMA are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Zhou
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine & School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
- Biobank, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Yu Jiang
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine & School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
- Biobank, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
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Hanson B, Scotchman E, Chitty LS, Chandler NJ. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD): how analysis of cell-free DNA in maternal plasma has changed prenatal diagnosis for monogenic disorders. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:1615-1629. [PMID: 36383187 PMCID: PMC9670272 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is released into the maternal circulation from trophoblastic cells during pregnancy, is detectable from 4 weeks and is representative of the entire fetal genome. The presence of this cffDNA in the maternal bloodstream has enabled clinical implementation of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for monogenic disorders. Detection of paternally inherited and de novo mutations is relatively straightforward, and several methods have been developed for clinical use, including quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and PCR followed by restriction enzyme digest (PCR-RED) or next-generation sequencing (NGS). A greater challenge has been in the detection of maternally inherited variants owing to the high background of maternal cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Molecular counting techniques have been developed to measure subtle changes in allele frequency. For instance, relative haplotype dosage analysis (RHDO), which uses single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for phasing of high- and low-risk alleles, is clinically available for several monogenic disorders. A major drawback is that RHDO requires samples from both parents and an affected or unaffected proband, therefore alternative methods, such as proband-free RHDO and relative mutation dosage (RMD), are being investigated. cffDNA was thought to exist only as short fragments (<500 bp); however, long-read sequencing technologies have recently revealed a range of sizes up to ∼23 kb. cffDNA also carries a specific placental epigenetic mark, and so fragmentomics and epigenetics are of interest for targeted enrichment of cffDNA. Cell-based NIPD approaches are also currently under investigation as a means to obtain a pure source of intact fetal genomic DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt Hanson
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, U.K
| | - Elizabeth Scotchman
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, U.K
| | - Lyn S. Chitty
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, U.K
- Genetic and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, U.K
| | - Natalie J. Chandler
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, U.K
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Schwab ME, Shao S, Zhang L, Lianoglou B, Belter L, Jarecki J, Schroth M, Sumner CJ, MacKenzie T. Investigating Attitudes Towards Prenatal Diagnosis and Fetal Therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Prenat Diagn 2022; 42:1409-1419. [PMID: 36029101 PMCID: PMC10128916 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In utero SMA treatment could improve survival & neurologic outcomes. We investigated the attitudes of patients and parents with SMA regarding prenatal diagnosis, fetal therapies, and clinical trials. METHODS A multidisciplinary team designed a questionnaire that Cure SMA electronically distributed to parents and patients (>18 years old) affected by SMA. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze associations between respondent characteristics and attitudes. RESULTS Of 114 respondents (60% of whom were patients), only 2 were prenatally diagnosed. However, 91% supported prenatal testing and 81% felt there had been a delay in their diagnosis. Overall, 55% would enroll in a phase I trial for fetal antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) while 79% would choose an established fetal ASO/small molecule therapy. Overall, 61% would enroll in fetal gene therapy trials; 87% would choose fetal gene therapies. Patients were less likely to enroll in a fetal gene therapy trial than parents enrolling a child (OR 0.31, p<0.05). Older parental age and believing there had been excessive delay in diagnosis were associated with an interest in enrolling in a fetal ASO trial (OR 1.04, 7.38, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION In utero therapies are promising for severe genetic diseases. Patients with SMA and their parents view prenatal testing and therapies positively, with gene therapy being favored. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa E Schwab
- Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shirley Shao
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Billie Lianoglou
- Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Jill Jarecki
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Charlotte J Sumner
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tippi MacKenzie
- Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Gaňová M, Zhang H, Zhu H, Korabečná M, Neužil P. Multiplexed digital polymerase chain reaction as a powerful diagnostic tool. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 181:113155. [PMID: 33740540 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) multiplexing method can simultaneously detect and quantify closely related deoxyribonucleic acid sequences in complex mixtures. The dPCR concept is continuously improved by the development of microfluidics and micro- and nanofabrication, and different complex techniques are introduced. In this review, we introduce dPCR techniques based on sample compartmentalization, droplet- and chip-based systems, and their combinations. We then discuss dPCR multiplexing methods in both laboratory research settings and advanced or routine clinical applications. We focus on their strengths and weaknesses with regard to the character of biological samples and to the required precision of such analysis, as well as showing recently published work based on those methods. Finally, we envisage possible future achievements in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gaňová
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Haoqing Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, PR China
| | - Hanliang Zhu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, PR China
| | - Marie Korabečná
- 1st Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, Charles University and General University Hospital, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Neužil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic; School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, PR China; The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, 616 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Rabinowitz T, Deri-Rozov S, Shomron N. Improved noninvasive fetal variant calling using standardized benchmarking approaches. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 19:509-517. [PMID: 33510858 PMCID: PMC7809098 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The technology of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) enables risk-free detection of genetic conditions in the fetus, by analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in maternal blood. For chromosomal abnormalities, NIPT often effectively replaces invasive tests (e.g. amniocentesis), although it is considered as screening rather than diagnostics. Most recently, the NIPT has been applied to genome-wide, comprehensive genotyping of the fetus using cfDNA, i.e. identifying all its genetic variants and mutations. Previously, we suggested that NIPD should be treated as a special case of variant calling, and presented Hoobari, the first software tool for noninvasive fetal variant calling. Using a unique pipeline, we were able to comprehensively decipher the inheritance of SNPs and indels. A few caveats still exist in this pipeline. Performance was lower for indels and biparental loci (i.e. where both parents carry the same mutation), and performance was not uniform across the genome. Here we utilized standardized methods for benchmarking of variant calling pipelines and applied them to noninvasive fetal variant calling. By using the best performing pipeline and by focusing on coding regions, we showed that noninvasive fetal genotyping greatly improves performance, particularly in indels and biparental loci. These results emphasize the importance of using widely accepted concepts to describe the challenge of genome-wide NIPT of point mutations; and demonstrate a benchmarking process for the first time in this field. This study brings genome-wide and complete NIPD closer to the clinic; while potentially alleviating uncertainty and anxiety during pregnancy, and promoting informed choices among families and physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Rabinowitz
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Shira Deri-Rozov
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Rabinowitz T, Shomron N. Genome-wide noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of monogenic disorders: Current and future trends. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2463-2470. [PMID: 33005308 PMCID: PMC7509788 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) is a risk-free alternative to invasive methods for prenatal diagnosis, e.g. amniocentesis. NIPD is based on the presence of fetal DNA within the mother’s plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Though currently available for various monogenic diseases through detection of point mutations, NIPD is limited to detecting one mutation or up to several genes simultaneously. Noninvasive prenatal whole exome/genome sequencing (WES/WGS) has demonstrated genome-wide detection of fetal point mutations in a few studies. However, Genome-wide NIPD of monogenic disorders currently has several challenges and limitations, mainly due to the small amounts of cfDNA and fetal-derived fragments, and the deep coverage required. Several approaches have been suggested for addressing these hurdles, based on various technologies and algorithms. The first relevant software tool, Hoobari, recently became available. Here we review the approaches proposed and the paths required to make genome-wide monogenic NIPD widely available in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Rabinowitz
- Faculty of Medicine and Edmond J Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Faculty of Medicine and Edmond J Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Wei X, Lv W, Tan H, Liang D, Wu L. Development and validation of a haplotype-free technique for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy. J Clin Lab Anal 2019; 34:e23046. [PMID: 31556165 PMCID: PMC7031576 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a technique for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy and validate its performance. STUDY DESIGN Pregnant women with 1 copy of SMN1 and male fetuses were enrolled. Seventeen women were included in test set A, and 10 of them were selected into test set B randomly and blinded. The two sets were tested independently by two different researchers blinded to fetal genotypes. Fetal DNA fractions were calculated based on the relative proportion of mapped chromosome Y sequencing reads. An algorithm was developed to decide fetal SMN1 copy numbers. RESULTS The concordance rate with the results of MLPA testing of amniocyte DNA was 94.12% in test set A and 90% in set B. For all tests with a classifiable result, the percent of agreement with the results of MLPA testing of amniocyte DNA was up to 100% (25/25). CONCLUSION We have developed a direct, rapid, and low-cost technique, which has a potential to be utilized for first-trimester non-invasive prenatal diagnosis and screening for spinal muscular atrophy with considerable reliability and feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianda Wei
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weigang Lv
- Hunan Jiahui Genetics Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Hu Tan
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Desheng Liang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lingqian Wu
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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