scholarly journals Expanding the search for germline pathogenic variants for breast cancer. How far should we go and how high should we jump? The missed opportunity!

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hikmat Abdel-Razeq

Since the identification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes 3 decades ago, genetic testing and genetic counseling have become an integral part of routine clinical practice. The risk of breast cancer among carriers of germline pathogenic variants, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, is well established. Risk-reducing interventions, including bilateral mastectomies and salpingo-oophorectomies are both effective and have become more acceptable. Many researchers and professional societies view current guidelines as restrictive and may miss many at-risk women, and are calling to expand testing to include all patients with breast cancer, regardless of their personal or family history of cancer, while others are calling for wider adoption to even include all healthy women at age 30 or older. This review will address expanding testing in two directions; horizontally to include more patients, and even healthy women, and vertically to include more genes using next-generation sequencing-based multi-gene panel testing.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elke M. van Veen ◽  
D. Gareth Evans ◽  
Elaine F. Harkness ◽  
Helen J. Byers ◽  
Jamie M. Ellingford ◽  
...  

AbstractPurpose: Lobular breast cancer (LBC) accounts for ~ 15% of breast cancer. Here, we studied the frequency of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in an extended panel of genes in women affected with LBC. Methods: 302 women with LBC and 1567 without breast cancer were tested for BRCA1/2 PGVs. A subset of 134 LBC affected women who tested negative for BRCA1/2 PGVs underwent extended screening, including: ATM, CDH1, CHEK2, NBN, PALB2, PTEN, RAD50, RAD51D, and TP53.Results: 35 PGVs were identified in the group with LBC, of which 22 were in BRCA1/2. Ten actionable PGVs were identified in additional genes (ATM(4), CDH1(1), CHEK2(1), PALB2(2) and TP53(2)). Overall, PGVs in three genes conferred a significant increased risk for LBC. Odds ratios (ORs) were: BRCA1: OR = 13.17 (95%CI 2.83–66.38; P = 0.0017), BRCA2: OR = 10.33 (95%CI 4.58–23.95; P < 0.0001); and ATM: OR = 8.01 (95%CI 2.52–29.92; P = 0.0053). We did not detect an increased risk of LBC for PALB2, CDH1 or CHEK2. Conclusion: The overall PGV detection rate was 11.59%, with similar rates of BRCA1/2 (7.28%) PGVs as for other actionable PGVs (7.46%), indicating a benefit for extended panel genetic testing in LBC. We also report a previously unrecognised association of pathogenic variants in ATM with LBC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. S432-S433
Author(s):  
C. Filorizzo ◽  
D. Fanale ◽  
L. Incorvaia ◽  
N. Barraco ◽  
M. Bono ◽  
...  

Mastology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Suppl 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandro Vinícius Machado Melo ◽  
Thamyse Fernanda de Sa Dassie ◽  
Felipe Eduardo Martins de Andrade ◽  
Erica Maria Monteiro Santos ◽  
Benedito Mauro Rossi

Introduction: Most breast and ovarian cancers in women are sporadic. However, five to ten percent of these individuals may have an inherited predisposition to cancer (Famorca-Tram, 2015). Women with pathogenic variants in BRCA1 are at risk of breast cancer of up to 72% and of ovarian cancer of up to 44%. Pathogenic variants of the BRCA2 gene increase the risk of breast cancer by up to 69% and of ovarian cancer by up to 25%. Risk reduction measures include: risk-reducing mastectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, and chemoprevention. For women who do not choose any of these measures, follow-up with periodic examinations is necessary. In this work, the risk reduction measures adopted by 52 women with pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, are analyzed. In addition, it was analyzed what factors could influence the risk-reducing measure adopted. Materials and methods: cross-sectional study with a sample of 52 women with pathogenic variants identified in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes seen at a tertiary hospital. Results: 80.8% opted for surgical management as a risk-reducing measure, with 46.2% of women having had prophylactic mastectomy, 11.5% having had bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and 23.1% having undergone both surgical procedures. Non-surgical management occurred in 19.2% of the cases, with 8% (3 cases) undergoing chemoprophylaxis with tamoxifen and 15.4% undergoing surveillance. Conclusion: Most patients opted for surgical intervention, with risk-reducing mastectomy being the most frequent one, followed by salpingo-oophorectomy. When testing was not requested by the geneticist, there was a greater tendency toward the surgical option.


2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florentia Fostira ◽  
Irene Kostantopoulou ◽  
Paraskevi Apostolou ◽  
Myrto S Papamentzelopoulou ◽  
Christos Papadimitriou ◽  
...  

BackgroundGene panel testing has become the norm for assessing breast cancer (BC) susceptibility, but actual cancer risks conferred by genes included in panels are not established. Contrarily, deciphering the missing hereditability on BC, through identification of novel candidates, remains a challenge. We aimed to investigate the mutation prevalence and spectra in a highly selected cohort of Greek patients with BC, questioning an extensive number of genes, implicated in cancer predisposition and DNA repair, while calculating gene-specific BC risks that can ultimately lead to important associations.MethodsTo further discern BC susceptibility, a comprehensive 94-cancer gene panel was implemented in a cohort of 1382 Greek patients with BC, highly selected for strong family history and/or very young age (<35 years) at diagnosis, followed by BC risk calculation, based on a case–control analysis.ResultsHerein, 31.5% of patients tested carried pathogenic variants (PVs) in 28 known, suspected or candidate BC predisposition genes. In total, 24.8% of the patients carried BRCA1/2 loss-of-function variants. An additional 6.7% carried PVs in additional genes, the vast majority of which can be offered meaningful clinical changes. Significant association to BC predisposition was observed for ATM, PALB2, TP53, RAD51C and CHEK2 PVs. Primarily, compared with controls, RAD51C PVs and CHEK2 damaging missense variants were associated with high (ORs 6.19 (Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC)) and 12.6 (Fabulous Ladies Over Seventy (FLOSSIES)), p<0.01) and moderate BC risk (ORs 3.79 (ExAC) and 5.9 (FLOSSIES), p<0.01), respectively.ConclusionStudying a large and unique cohort of highly selected patients with BC, deriving from a population with founder effects, provides important insight on distinct associations, pivotal for patient management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13540-e13540
Author(s):  
Sushma Tatineni ◽  
Kristen Purrington ◽  
Hadeel Assad ◽  
Nadine Abdallah ◽  
Meri Tarockoff ◽  
...  

e13540 Background: The identification of pathogenic variants and variants of unknown significance (VUS) in multi-gene cancer predisposition testing raises new questions regarding cancer risk and management. We evaluated the personal and family cancer patterns and variation by race and ethnicity, among individuals positive for pathogenic variants in non-BRCA1/ 2 cancer predisposing genes. Methods: The Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI) Cancer Genetics database was queried from May 13, 2013 through December 31, 2018. There were 3,544 unrelated individuals evaluated for hereditary cancer predisposition of whom 1,868 had 18-gene panel testing at 6 sites across Michigan. Data was collected on personal and family cancer history including ages at diagnosis utilizing a 3-generation pedigree, self-identified race and ethnicity and results of genetic testing. We describe the prevalence of pathogenic variants by proband cancer diagnosis, family history, race, and ethnicity. Results: The race/ethnic distribution of the tested cohort included 67.5% non-Hispanic White (NHW), 24.4% African American (AA), 2.1% Arab, 1.8% Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ), 1.0% Hispanic, and 3.4% other. The distribution of cancer diagnoses included 40.6% breast, 5.5% ovarian, 4.1% colon, 3.5% endometrial, 2.0% pancreas and 39.7% unaffected. Pathogenic variants were seen in 151 (8.1%) individuals and VUS in 309 (16.5%). The five most common pathogenic variants were CHEK2 (40), MUTYH (22), ATM (20), and PALB2 (18). The most common pathogenic variants by race and ethnicity were CHEK2 (NHW), RAD51C (AA), PALB2 (Arab), CHEK2, MSH6 (AJ), and none in Hispanics. Variants associated with the four most common cancer types were breast ( CHEK2 ), ovarian ( CHEK2, MUTYH, BRIP1), colon ( ATM), and endometrial ( MSH6, PALB2). Of 40 individuals with CHEK2 variants, 92.5% were NHW, and 34 (85%), 31 (78%), 10 (25%), 1 (2.5%) had family history of breast cancer, breast cancer before age 50, ovarian, and colon cancer, respectively. Of 20 with ATM variants, 95% were NHW, 13 had family history data and 10 (76.9%), 8 (61.5%), 2 (15.4%), 1 (7.7%) had family history of breast, breast cancer before age 50, ovarian, and colon cancer, respectively. Conclusions: Pathogenic variants seen using multigene panel testing differ by race, ethnicity and personal/family history of cancer. This data will inform genetic counseling strategies in regards to cancer risk and management. Data on additional genes updated through 2019 will be presented.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Santa Cruz Guindalini ◽  
Danilo Vilela Viana ◽  
João Paulo Fumio Whitaker Kitajima ◽  
Vinícius Marques Rocha ◽  
Rossana Verónica Mendoza López ◽  
...  

Abstract Genetic diversity of germline variants in breast cancer (BC) predisposition genes, is unexplored in miscegenated people, such as Latin American populations. We evaluated 1,662 Brazilian BC patients, who underwent hereditary multi-gene panel testing (20–38 cancer susceptibility genes), to determine the spectrum and prevalence of (likely) pathogenic variants (P/LP) and variants of uncertain significance (VUS). In total, 161 (9.7%) participants carried germline P/LP variants in BRCA1/2 and 162 (9.7%) in other cancer predisposition genes. Overall, 341 distinctive P/LP variants were identified in 22 genes, including BRCA1(28%), BRCA2(19%), TP53(11%), MUTYH heterozygous (10%), ATM(9%), CHEK2(6%), and PALB2(5%). The Brazilian variant TP53 R337H (c.1010G > A, p.Arg337His), detected in 1.6% of BC patients and 0.09% of reference controls (RC), was strongly associated with odds of disease (OR = 17.67; 95%CI:9.21–34.76; p < 0.001). Heterozygous MUTYH c.1187G > A and MUTYH c.536A > G, detected in 0.78% (0.90% RC) and 0.48% (0.40% RC) of the patients, respectively, were not associated with the odds of BC, the former with OR = 0.87 (95%CI:0.49–1.53; p = 0.63) and the latter with OR = 1.20 (95%CI:0.58–2.49; p = 0.63). Besides, 766 individuals (46.1%) had 1 or more VUS. Concluding, the use of multi-gene panel testing doubled the identification of mutation carriers in Brazilian BC patients. Special attention should be given to TP53 mutations.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly Cummings ◽  
Susana San Roman ◽  
Jennifer Saam ◽  
Ryan Bernhisel ◽  
Krystal Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Professional society guidelines recommend risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) for women with pathogenic variants (PVs) in ovarian cancer-risk genes. Personalization of that intervention is based on gene-specific phenotypes; however, the age of ovarian cancer diagnosis in women with PVs in moderate penetrance ovarian cancer-risk genes is not well characterized. Women who had hereditary cancer panel testing from September 2013-May 2019 were included (N=631,950). Clinical/demographic information was compared for women with a PV in BRIP1, RAD51C, or RAD51D versus in BRCA1 or BRCA2. Results: PVs in BRIP1, RAD51C, or RAD51D were identified in 0.5% of all tested women but in 1.6% of women with a history of ovarian cancer (~3-fold increase). PVs in BRCA1 or BRCA2 were identified in 2.4% of all tested women but in 6.1% of women with a history of ovarian cancer (~2.5-fold increase). The proportion of women with a personal or family history of ovarian cancer was similar among women with a PV in BRIP1, RAD51C, RAD51D, BRCA1, or BRCA2. The median age at ovarian cancer diagnosis was 53 years in BRCA1, 59 years for BRCA2, 65 years for BRIP1, 62 years for RAD51C, and 57 years for RAD51D.Conclusions: These data reinforce the importance of identifying PVs in moderate penetrance ovarian cancer-risk genes. The age at ovarian cancer diagnosis was older for women with PVs in BRIP1, RAD51C, or RAD51D, suggesting that it is safe to delay RRSO until age 45-50 in RAD51D PV carriers and possibly, until age 50-55 in BRIP and RAD51C PV carriers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 244-244
Author(s):  
Anna K McGill ◽  
Sheila R Solomon ◽  
Megan L Marshall ◽  
Lisa Susswein ◽  
Corrine Fillman ◽  
...  

244 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PC) is associated with multiple hereditary cancer syndromes. Genes implicated in hereditary PC include ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2 and PMS2. The advent of multi-gene hereditary cancer panel testing streamlines diagnoses and medical management for clinicians and patients. Our objective was to assess the yield of pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPV) in individuals with PC undergoing panel testing as an initial test at GeneDx. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed panel test results of 605 individuals reporting a personal history of PC. Panel testing evaluated up to 32 genes associated with hereditary cancer. Individuals reporting neuroendocrine pathology or previous BRCA1/BRCA2 testing were excluded. Results: In this cohort, 61 PV/LPV were detected in 57 individuals in the following genes: ATM (17), BRCA2 (14), BRCA1 (5), CDKN2A (5), PALB2 (5), CHEK2 (4), MLH1 (2), MUTYH (2), PMS2 (2), BARD1 (1), FANCC (1), MSH2 (1), RAD51D (1) and TP53 (1), corresponding to a positive yield of 9.4% (57/605). Fifty-one of 61 PV/LPV were detected in genes associated with PC (84%) while 10 PV/LPV (16%) were identified in other genes including BARD1, CHEK2, FANCC, MUTYH, and RAD51D. The diagnostic yield among those reporting a family history of PC (33/294, 11.2%) was not statistically different from those without a reported family history (24/311, 7.7%). However, PV/LPV in ATM were detected more often in individuals reporting a family history of PC compared to those without a family history (4.1% vs. 1.6%, p=0.018). Conclusions: In total, 9.4% of patients with PC tested positive for PV/LPV in 14 different genes by panel testing. Although the majority of PV/LPV were identified in known PC genes, 16% of positive findings occurred in genes not typically associated with PC. ATM was most commonly implicated and more frequently reported in patients reporting family histories of PC. Assessing whether these genes are indeed causally related to PC and/or are possibly associated with other cancer types requires further investigation. Based on our results we conclude multi-gene panel testing may be considered as a first option for patients with PC regardless of their family history.


Author(s):  
Yusuke Kobayashi ◽  
Akira Hirasawa ◽  
Tatsuyuki Chiyoda ◽  
Arisa Ueki ◽  
Kenta Masuda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is performed for the primary prevention of ovarian cancer in patients with hereditary breast–ovarian cancer syndrome. We performed risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy for the first time in Japan in 2008, and we experienced 20 cases of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy through 2019. In the past, the use of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in Japan was restricted because it was not covered by a Japanese National Health Insurance. Since April 2020, risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy has been covered by insurance for patients with breast–ovarian cancer syndrome and pre-existing breast cancer, and this surgery is expected to become more widely implemented in Japan. Methods To contribute to the widespread use of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in the future, we retrospectively reviewed 20 cases of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy at our hospital cohort study to clarify the issues in its implementation. Results The variant genes for which risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy was indicated were BRCA1 and BRCA2 in 13 (65%) and 7 patients (35%), respectively. The median age at which risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy was performed was 49 years (range, 38–58), 13 patients (65%) had gone through menopause, and 16 patients (80%) had a history of breast cancer. Of the five patients (25%) with vasomotor symptoms, four received Chinese medicine, and only one received hormone replacement therapy. Occult cancer was detected in the removed ovaries in two patients (10%), although no postoperative peritoneal carcinogenesis has been observed to date. Conclusions Women who paid for risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy out of pocket were older than the recommended age at which the procedure should be performed, and this may explain the higher rate of occult cancers than previously reported. We need to perform risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy at the recommended age to ensure that the procedure is effective for primary prevention.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3140
Author(s):  
Maria Zanti ◽  
Maria A. Loizidou ◽  
Kyriaki Michailidou ◽  
Panagiota Pirpa ◽  
Christina Machattou ◽  
...  

In Cyprus, approximately 9% of triple-negative (estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative) breast cancer (TNBC) patients are positive for germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in BRCA1/2. However, the contribution of other genes has not yet been determined. To this end, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of germline PVs in BRCA1/2-negative TNBC patients in Cyprus, unselected for family history of cancer or age of diagnosis. A comprehensive 94-cancer-gene panel was implemented for 163 germline DNA samples, extracted from the peripheral blood of TNBC patients. Identified variants of uncertain clinical significance were evaluated, using extensive in silico investigation. Eight PVs (4.9%) were identified in two high-penetrance TNBC susceptibility genes. Of these, seven occurred in PALB2 (87.5%) and one occurred in TP53 (12.5%). Interestingly, 50% of the patients carrying PVs were diagnosed over the age of 60 years. The frequency of non-BRCA PVs (4.9%) and especially PALB2 PVs (4.3%) in TNBC patients in Cyprus appears to be higher compared to other populations. Based on these results, we believe that PALB2 and TP53 along with BRCA1/2 genetic testing could be beneficial for a large proportion of TNBC patients in Cyprus, irrespective of their age of diagnosis.


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