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Panchal S, Mahajan R, Aujla N, McKay P, Casalino S, Di Gioacchino V, Charames GS, Lefebvre M, Metcalfe KA, Akbari MR, McCuaig JM, Lerner-Ellis J. Recontact to return new or updated PALB2 genetic results in the clinical laboratory setting. J Med Genet 2024; 61:477-482. [PMID: 38124008 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109652] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to recontact individuals with clinically actionable test results identified through a retrospective research study and to provide a framework for laboratories to recontact patients. METHODS Genetic testing was conducted on 2977 individuals originally referred for BRCA1 and BRCA2 hereditary breast and ovarian cancer testing that had a negative genetic test result. A gene panel was used to identify pathogenic variants in known or newly discovered genes that could explain the underlying cause of disease; however, analysis was restricted to PALB2 for the purposes of this study. A patient recontact decision tree was developed to assist in the returning of updated genetic test results to clinics and patients. RESULTS Novel clinically actionable pathogenic variants were identified in the PALB2 gene in 18 participants (0.6%), the majority of whom were recontacted with their new or updated genetic test results. Eight individuals were unable to be recontacted; five individuals had already learnt about their new or updated findings from genetic testing outside the context of this study; three individuals prompted cascade testing in family members; two individuals were deceased. CONCLUSION Novel pathogenic variants in PALB2 were identified in 18 individuals through retrospective gene panel testing. Recontacting these individuals regarding these new or updated findings had a range of outcomes. The process of conveying genomic results within this framework can be effectively accomplished while upholding patient autonomy, potentially leading to advantageous outcomes for patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Panchal
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Radhika Mahajan
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Navneet Aujla
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul McKay
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Selina Casalino
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vanessa Di Gioacchino
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - George S Charames
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maude Lefebvre
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kelly A Metcalfe
- Lawrence S Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jeanna Marie McCuaig
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan Lerner-Ellis
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Oerlemans AJ, Feenstra I, Yntema HG, Boenink M. Downgrades: a potential source of moral tension. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2023; 49:815-816. [PMID: 37734905 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2023-109441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anke Jm Oerlemans
- IQ healthcare, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse Feenstra
- Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Helger G Yntema
- Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne Boenink
- IQ healthcare, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Watts G, Newson AJ. Is there a duty to routinely reinterpret genomic variant classifications? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2023; 49:808-814. [PMID: 37208157 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2022-108864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies show that periodic reanalysis of genomic test results held by clinical laboratories delivers significant increases in overall diagnostic yield. However, while there is a widespread consensus that implementing routine reanalysis procedures is highly desirable, there is an equally widespread understanding that routine reanalysis of individual patient results is not presently feasible to perform for all patients. Instead, researchers, geneticists and ethicists are beginning to turn their attention to one part of reanalysis-reinterpretation of previously classified variants-as a means of achieving similar ends to large-scale individual reanalysis but in a more sustainable manner. This has led some to ask whether the responsible implementation of genomics in healthcare requires that diagnostic laboratories routinely reinterpret their genomic variant classifications and reissue patient reports in the case of materially relevant changes. In this paper, we set out the nature and scope of any such obligation, and analyse some of the main ethical considerations pertaining to a putative duty to reinterpret. We discern and assess three potential outcomes of reinterpretation-upgrades, downgrades and regrades-in light of ongoing duties of care, systemic error risks and diagnostic equity. We argue against the existence of any general duty to reinterpret genomic variant classifications, yet we contend that a suitably restricted duty to reinterpret ought to be recognised, and that the responsible implementation of genomics into healthcare must take this into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Watts
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ainsley J Newson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Morrow A, Speechly C, Young AL, Tucker K, Harris R, Poplawski N, Andrews L, Nguyen Dumont T, Kirk J, Southey MC, Willis A. "Out of the blue": A qualitative study exploring the experiences of women and next of kin receiving unexpected results from BRA-STRAP research gene panel testing. J Genet Couns 2023. [PMID: 37864663 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1803] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
In the genomic era, the availability of gene panel and whole genome/exome sequencing is rapidly increasing. Opportunities for providing former patients with new genetic information are also increasing over time and recontacting former patients with new information is likely to become more common. Breast cancer Refined Analysis of Sequence Tests-Risk And Penetrance (BRA-STRAP) is an Australian study of individuals who had previously undertaken BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing, with no pathogenic variants detected. Using a waiver of consent, stored DNA samples were retested using a breast/ovarian cancer gene panel and clinically significant results returned to the patient (or next of kin, if deceased). This qualitative study aimed to explore patient experiences, opinions, and expectations of recontacting in the Australian hereditary cancer setting. Participants were familial cancer clinic patients (or next of kin) who were notified of a new pathogenic variant identified via BRA-STRAP. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted approximately 6 weeks post-result. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Thirty participants (all female; average age = 57; range 36-84) were interviewed. Twenty-five were probands, and five were next of kin. Most women reported initial shock upon being recontacted with unexpected news, after having obtained a sense of closure related to their initial genetic testing experiences and cancer diagnosis. For most, this initial distress was short-lived, followed by a process of readjustment, meaning-making and adaptation that was facilitated by perceived clinical and personal utility of the information. Women were overall satisfied with the waiver of consent approach and recontacting process. Results are in line with previous studies suggesting that patients have positive attitudes about recontacting. Women in this study valued new genetic information gained from retesting and were satisfied with the BRA-STRAP recontact model. Practice implications to facilitate readjustment and promote psychosocial adaptation were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Morrow
- Implementation to Impact (i2i), School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Hereditary Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catherine Speechly
- Hereditary Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alison Luk Young
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kathy Tucker
- Hereditary Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- UNSW Prince of Wales Clinical School, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Harris
- Westmead Hospital Familial Cancer Service, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola Poplawski
- Adult Genetics Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Lesley Andrews
- Hereditary Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tu Nguyen Dumont
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Judy Kirk
- Westmead Hospital Familial Cancer Service, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Melissa C Southey
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda Willis
- Clinical Translation and Engagement Platform, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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