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Jansen PR, Vos N, van Uhm J, Dekkers IA, van der Meer R, Mannens MMAM, van Haelst MM. The utility of obesity polygenic risk scores from research to clinical practice: A review. Obes Rev 2024:e13810. [PMID: 39075585 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Obesity represents a major public health emergency worldwide, and its etiology is shaped by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors. Over the last decade, polygenic risk scores (PRS) have emerged as a promising tool to quantify an individual's genetic risk of obesity. The field of PRS in obesity genetics is rapidly evolving, shedding new lights on obesity mechanisms and holding promise for contributing to personalized prevention and treatment. Challenges persist in terms of its clinical integration, including the need for further validation in large-scale prospective cohorts, ethical considerations, and implications for health disparities. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of PRS for studying the genetics of obesity, spanning from methodological nuances to clinical applications and challenges. We summarize the latest developments in the generation and refinement of PRS for obesity, including advances in methodologies for aggregating genome-wide association study data and improving PRS predictive accuracy, and discuss limitations that need to be overcome to fully realize its potential benefits of PRS in both medicine and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip R Jansen
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Human Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Niels Vos
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Human Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jorrit van Uhm
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Human Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ilona A Dekkers
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Rieneke van der Meer
- Netherlands Obesity Clinic, Huis ter Heide, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marcel M A M Mannens
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Human Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mieke M van Haelst
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Human Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Chen J, Martingano AJ, Ravuri S, Foor K, Fortney C, Carnell S, Batheja S, Persky S. Teaching gene-environment interaction concepts with narrative vignettes: Effects on knowledge, stigma, and behavior motivation. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300452. [PMID: 38722839 PMCID: PMC11081345 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene-environment interaction (GxE) concepts underlie a proper understanding of complex disease risk and risk-reducing behavior. Communicating GxE concepts is a challenge. This study designed an educational intervention that communicated GxE concepts in the context of eating behavior and its impact on weight, and tested its efficacy in changing knowledge, stigma, and behavior motivation. The study also explored whether different framings of GxE education and matching frames with individual eating tendencies would result in stronger intervention impact. The experiment included four GxE education conditions and a control condition unrelated to GxE concepts. In the education conditions, participants watched a video introducing GxE concepts then one of four narrative vignettes depicting how a character's experience with eating hyperpalatable or bitter tasting food (reward-based eating drive vs. bitter taste perception scenario) is influenced by genetic or environmental variations (genetic vs. environmental framings). The education intervention increased GxE knowledge, genetic causal attributions, and empathetic concern. Mediation analyses suggest that causal attributions, particularly to genetics and willpower, are key factors that drive downstream stigma and eating behavior outcomes and could be targeted in future interventions. Tailoring GxE education frames to individual traits may lead to more meaningful outcomes. For example, genetic (vs. environmental) framed GxE education may reduce stigma toward individuals with certain eating tendencies among individuals without such tendencies. GxE education interventions would be most likely to achieve desired outcomes such as reducing stigma if they target certain causal beliefs and are strategically tailored to individual attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhan Chen
- Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | | | - Siri Ravuri
- Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Kaylee Foor
- Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Christopher Fortney
- Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Susan Carnell
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Sapna Batheja
- College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | - Susan Persky
- Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
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Riddle L, Joseph G, Caruncho M, Koenig BA, James JE. The role of polygenic risk scores in breast cancer risk perception and decision-making. J Community Genet 2023; 14:489-501. [PMID: 37311883 PMCID: PMC10576692 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-023-00655-x] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Polygenic risk scores (PRS) have the potential to improve the accuracy of clinical risk assessments, yet questions about their clinical validity and readiness for clinical implementation persist. Understanding how individuals integrate and act on the information provided by PRS is critical for their effective integration into routine clinical care, yet few studies have examined how individuals respond to the receipt of polygenic risk information. We conducted an embedded Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) study to examine if and how unaffected participants in a US population breast cancer screening trial understood and utilized PRS, as part of a multifactorial risk score combining traditional risk factors with a genetic risk assessment, to make screening and risk-reduction decisions. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 trial participants who were designated at elevated risk for breast cancer due to their combined risk score. Interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Participants understood PRS conceptually and accepted it as one of many risk factors to consider, yet the value and meaning they ascribed to this risk estimate varied. Most participants reported financial and insurance barriers to enhanced screening with MRI and were not interested in taking risk-reducing medications. These findings contribute to our understanding of how PRS may be best translated from research to clinical care. Furthermore, they illuminate ethical concerns about identifying risk and making recommendations based on polygenic risk in a population screening context where many may have trouble accessing appropriate care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Riddle
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Galen Joseph
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mikaella Caruncho
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Barbara Ann Koenig
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Health and Aging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Elyse James
- Institute for Health and Aging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Huynh S, Morris E, Inglis A, Austin J. Behavioral Changes after Psychiatric Genetic Counseling: An Exploratory Study. Public Health Genomics 2023; 26:35-44. [PMID: 37019096 DOI: 10.1159/000530366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Though it is well established that genetic information does not produce behavior changes, there are limited data regarding whether genetic counseling can facilitate changes in lifestyle and health behaviors that can result in improved health outcomes. METHODS To explore this issue, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 8 patients who had lived experience of psychiatric illness and who had received psychiatric genetic counseling (PGC). Using interpretive description, we used a constant comparative approach to data analysis. RESULTS Participants talked about how, prior to PGC, they held misconceptions and/or uncertainties about the causes of and protective behaviors associated with mental illness, which caused feelings of guilt, shame, fear, and hopelessness. Participants reported that PGC reframed things in a way that provided them a sense of agency over illness management, allowed a greater acceptance of illness, and provided release from some of the negative emotions associated with their initial framing of their illness, which seemed to be related to the self-reported increase in engagement in illness management behaviors and consequently improved mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION This exploratory study provides evidence to support the idea that through addressing emotions associated with perceived cause of illness and facilitating understanding of etiology and risk-reducing strategies, PGC may lead to an increase in behaviors, which protect mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Huynh
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Emily Morris
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Angela Inglis
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jehannine Austin
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Park JK, Lu CY. Polygenic Scores in the Direct-to-Consumer Setting: Challenges and Opportunities for a New Era in Consumer Genetic Testing. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13040573. [PMID: 37108959 PMCID: PMC10144199 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13040573] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests have generated considerable scholarly attention and public intrigue. Although the current consumer genetic testing regime relies on the reporting of individual variants of interest to consumers, there has recently been interest in the possibility of integrating polygenic scores (PGS), which aggregate genetic liability for disease across the entire genome. While PGS have thus far been extensively explored as clinical and public health tools, the use of PGS in consumer genetic testing has not yet received systematic attention, even though they are already in use for some consumer genetic tests. In this narrative review, we highlight the ethical, legal, and social implications of the use of PGS in DTC genetic tests and synthesize existing solutions to these concerns. We organize these concerns into three domains: (1) industry variation; (2) privacy and commercialization; and (3) patient safety and risk. While previously expressed concerns in these domains will remain relevant, the emergence of PGS-based DTC genetic tests raises challenges that will require novel approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin K Park
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christine Y Lu
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2077, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Young MA, Yanes T, Cust AE, Dunlop K, Limb S, Newson AJ, Purvis R, Thiyagarajan L, Scott RJ, Verma K, James PA, Steinberg J. Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Use of Polygenic Scores in Clinical Practice and Population Health. Twin Res Hum Genet 2023; 26:40-48. [PMID: 36950972 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2023.10] [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: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Considerable progress continues to be made with regards to the value and use of disease associated polygenic scores (PGS). PGS aim to capture a person's genetic liability to a condition, disease, or a trait, combining information across many risk variants and incorporating their effect sizes. They are already available for clinicians and consumers to order in Australasia. However, debate is ongoing over the readiness of this information for integration into clinical practice and population health. This position statement provides the viewpoint of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) regarding the clinical application of disease-associated PGS in both individual patients and population health. The statement details how PGS are calculated, highlights their breadth of possible application, and examines their current challenges and limitations. We consider fundamental lessons from Mendelian genetics and their continuing relevance to PGS, while also acknowledging the distinct elements of PGS. Use of PGS in practice should be evidence based, and the evidence for the associated benefit, while rapidly emerging, remains limited. Given that clinicians and consumers can already order PGS, their current limitations and key issues warrant consideration. PGS can be developed for most complex conditions and traits and can be used across multiple clinical settings and for population health. The HGSA's view is that further evaluation, including regulatory, implementation and health system evaluation are required before PGS can be routinely implemented in the Australasian healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary-Anne Young
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tatiane Yanes
- Dermatology Research Centre, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anne E Cust
- The Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate Dunlop
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sharne Limb
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ainsley J Newson
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Purvis
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lavvina Thiyagarajan
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rodney J Scott
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Division of Molecular Medicine, NSW Health Pathology North, New Lambton, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kunal Verma
- Monash Genetics, Monash Health, Melbourn, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Heart, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul A James
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julia Steinberg
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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