Integration of Germline Pharmacogenetics Into a Tumor Sequencing Program

Purpose Evidence-based guidelines inform treatment decisions for patients for whom germline genetic information is available. Our real-time tumor sequencing program, which makes precision treatment decisions for patients with cancer, produces matched germline information, providing a unique opportunity to efficiently implement pharmacogenetics and benefit patients. Methods The germline genetic database from the Michigan Oncology Sequencing (MI-Oncoseq) program was searched for 21 clinically actionable polymorphisms in five cancer-relevant genes: TPMT, DPYD, CYP2C19, CYP3A5, and UGT1A1. Residual germline DNA was sent to an external Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments–approved laboratory for confirmatory genotyping. The medical records of MI-Oncoseq patients with actionable phenotypes were searched for receipt of relevant drugs and to determine whether having genetic information at the time of treatment would have led to a treatment recommendation. Results All nine variants in TPMT, DPYD, and CYP2C19 that were detected in MI-Oncoseq were confirmed by external genotyping. Genotype determinations could not be made for CYP3A5*3, UGT1A1*28, or UGT1A1*80. On the basis of retrospective assessment of 115 adult and pediatric patient records, 4.3% (n = 5) had a potentially clinically actionable phenotype for TPMT, DPYD, or CYP2C19 and received a relevant medication. After accounting for differences in adult and pediatric recommendations, three of these patients could have received a treatment recommendation at the time of prescribing. Conclusion Germline genotype determinations for TPMT, DPYD, and CYP2C19 can be used to make evidence-based treatment recommendations in MI-Oncoseq patients. Although the proportion of patients for whom recommendations can be made is small, this added value to MI-Oncoseq and patient care comes at no additional genotyping cost. Pharmacogenetic assessment should be integrated into tumor sequencing programs that genotype matched germline DNA; however, the complexity and additional cost of implementing pharmacogenetics remain challenging.