Outcomes of the "BRCA Quality Improvement Dissemination Program": An initiative to improve patient receipt of cancer genetics services at five health systems.

OBJECTIVE: A quality improvement initiative (QII) was conducted with five community-based health systems' oncology care centers (sites A-E). The QII aimed to increase referrals, genetic counseling (GC), and germline genetic testing (GT) for patients with ovarian cancer (OC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS: QII activities occurred at sites over several years, all concluding by December 2020. Medical records of patients with OC and TNBC were reviewed, and rates of referral, GC, and GT of patients diagnosed during the 2 years before the QII were compared to those diagnosed during the QII. Outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-test, chi-squared/Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: For patients with OC, improvement was observed in the rate of referral (from 70% to 79%), GC (from 44% to 61%), GT (from 54% to 62%) and decreased time from diagnosis to GC and GT. For patients with TNBC, increased rates of referral (from 90% to 92%), GC (from 68% to 72%) and GT (81% to 86%) were observed. Effective interventions streamlined GC scheduling and standardized referral processes. CONCLUSION: A multi-year QII increased patient referral and uptake of recommended genetics services across five unique community-based oncology care settings.

Implementation and outcome evaluations of a multi-site improvement program in cancer genetics.

Program evaluation can identify the successes and challenges of implementing clinical programs, which can inform future dissemination efforts. A cancer genetics improvement program, disseminated from the Lead Team's institution to five health systems (Participating Sites), was genetic counselor led, using virtual implementation facilitation to support Participating Sites' performance of quality improvement (QI) activities over several years. Program implementation and outcome evaluations were performed and included evaluation of program delivery and initial effects of the program on Participating Sites. A logic model guided evaluation of program implementation (inputs, activities, outputs, delivery/fidelity, and coverage/reach) and initial outcomes (short-term and intermediate outcomes). Data were collected from program documents and an Evaluation Survey of Participating Site team members (21 respondents), compared against the Lead Team's expectations of participation, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. All program inputs, outputs, and activities were available and delivered as expected across the five Participating Sites. The most frequently used activities and inputs were facilitation-associated meetings and meeting resources, which were rated as useful/helpful by the majority of respondents. Nearly all respondents noted improvement in short-term outcomes following participation: 82.4% reported increased awareness of clinical processes, 94.1% increased knowledge of QI methods, 100% reported increased perceived importance of QI, 94.1% increased perceived feasibility of QI, and 76.5% reported increased problem-solving skills and self-efficacy to use QI at their site. Intermediate outcomes (identifying barriers, developing interventions, improved teamwork, and capacity) were achieved following program participation as indicated by the results of the program document review and Evaluation Survey responses. Implementation challenges at Participating Sites included staffing constraints, difficulties obtaining buy-in and participation, and developing interventions over time. The multi-site improvement program was delivered and implemented with high levels of fidelity and resulted in improved short and intermediate outcomes. Future research will evaluate long-term, patient-level outcomes associated with site-specific QI interventions.

RNA sequencing uncovers clinically actionable germline intronic MSH2 variants in previously unresolved Lynch syndrome families.

Despite advances in genetic testing for Lynch syndrome, nearly one quarter of mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) colorectal and endometrial cancers remain unexplained. When added to germline DNA testing, RNA sequencing can increase diagnostic yield, improve variant classification and reduce variants of uncertain significance. Here, we describe two cases where RNA sequencing uncovered likely pathogenic MSH2 variants in families with MMRd tumours that were initially unexplained following comprehensive genetic testing for Lynch syndrome.

Homozygous Germline APC p.I1307K Variants: A Case Series.

Approximately 10% of all colorectal cancer is estimated to be due to an inherited predisposition. Identification of a germline pathogenic variant can aid in treatment, screening, and surveillance and help stratify familial cancer risks based on gene-specific cancer associations. The APC gene contributes to a small percentage of hereditary colon cancer, with most pathogenic APC variants causing familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome. However, one specific variant in APC called p.I1307K, found in approximately 10% of Ashkenazi Jewish individuals, is associated with a moderate risk for colon cancer, but not polyposis. Heterozygous carriers of one p.I1307K variant are well documented in the literature, and guidelines recommend earlier and more frequent colonoscopies. Conversely, reports of homozygous carriers of 2 p.I1307K variants are limited, and guidelines for medical management are lacking. This case series describes 4 homozygous p.I1307K patients of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry identified in cancer genetics clinics. Case 1 is a 73-year-old pancreatic cancer patient with a family history of melanoma and colon cancer. Case 2 is a 62-year-old patient with a personal history of 4 adenomatous colorectal polyps and a family history of breast, pancreatic, colon, and prostate cancers. Case 3 is a 52-year-old patient with a personal history of early-onset breast cancer and uveal melanoma and a family history of breast, prostate, and stomach cancers. Case 4 is a 70-year-old patient with a personal history of gallbladder adenocarcinoma and a family history of breast cancer. These cases exhibit wide phenotypic variability and contribute to the limited reports of homozygous p.I1307K variant carriers.

Creation and Implementation of an Environmental Scan to Assess Cancer Genetics Services at Three Oncology Care Settings.

An environmental scan (ES) is an efficient mixed-methods approach to collect and interpret relevant data for strategic planning and project design. To date, the ES has not been used nor evaluated in the clinical cancer genetics setting. We created and implemented an ES to inform the design of a quality improvement (QI) project to increase the rates of adherence to national guidelines for cancer genetic counseling and genetic testing at three unique oncology care settings (OCS). The ES collected qualitative and quantitative data from reviews of internal processes, past QI efforts, the literature, and each OCS. The ES used a data collection form and semi-structured interviews to aid in data collection. The ES was completed within 6 months, and sufficient data were captured to identify opportunities and threats to the QI project's success, as well as potential barriers to, and facilitators of guideline-based cancer genetics services at each OCS. Previously unreported barriers were identified, including inefficient genetic counseling appointment scheduling processes and the inability to track referrals, genetics appointments, and genetic test results within electronic medical record systems. The ES was a valuable process for QI project planning at three OCS and may be used to evaluate genetics services in other settings.

Genetic counseling and tumor predisposition in neuro-oncology practice.

Tumor predisposition syndromes may be under-recognized in neuro-oncology practice. Identifying patients with a hereditary tumor predisposition permits appropriate tumor management as well as surveillance and risk-reduction measures for patients and their families. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the National Society of Genetic Counselors recently published referral guidelines for tumor predisposition assessment, providing an impetus to review the use of genetic counseling in neuro-oncology and to describe features of the less stereotypic conditions from the perspective of neuro-oncology practice. This review also provides a framework for the identification and management of these conditions, as well as references to guidelines and resources for providers and patients.

Hereditary pancreatitis for the endoscopist.

Hereditary pancreatitis shares a majority of clinical and morphologic features with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, but may present at an earlier age. The term hereditary pancreatitis has primarily been associated with mutations in the serine protease 1 gene (PRSS1) which encodes for cationic trypsinogen. PRSS1 mutations account for approximately 68-81% of hereditary pancreatitis. Mutations in other genes, primarily serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) are also associated with hereditary pancreatitis. While chronic alcoholic pancreatitis may develop in the fourth or fifth decades, patients with hereditary pancreatitis may develop symptoms in the first or second decades of life. Hereditary pancreatitis is diagnosed either by detecting a causative gene mutation or by the presence of chronic pancreatitis in two first-degree or three second-degree relatives, in two or more generations, without precipitating factors and with a negative workup for known causes. Patients with hereditary pancreatitis may have recurrent acute pancreatitis and may develop pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. Hereditary pancreatitis may involve premature trypsinogen activation or decreased control of trypsin. Recurrent inflammation can lead to acute pancreatitis and subsequently to chronic pancreatitis with parenchymal calcification. There is a markedly increased risk of pancreatic carcinoma compared with the general population. Patients are often referred for evaluation of pancreatitis, biliary or pancreatic ductal dilatation, jaundice, biliary obstruction, pancreatic duct stone or stricture, pancreatic pseudocysts, and for evaluation for malignancy. Medical treatment includes pancreatic enzyme supplementation, nutritional supplementation, diabetes management, and palliation of pain. Patients should avoid tobacco use and alcohol exposure. Hereditary pancreatitis is reviewed and recommendations for genetic testing are discussed.

Papillary thyroid cancer in a patient with MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP).

We describe a patient with MUTYH-associated polyposis diagnosed with colon cancer at 33 years of age, as well as gastric polyps at a later age. She was also diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer at age 35. MUTYH-associated polyposis is an autosomal recessively inherited disease which has clinical overlap with Familial adenomatous polyposis and its attenuated form, in that it is associated with risk of colon cancer at a young age. Extra-intestinal cancers have also been reported in patients with MUTYH-associated polyposis; however the tumor spectrum is still evolving. National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend screening for colon, duodenal and gastric polyps in individuals with MUTYH-associated polyposis. Screening for extra-intestinal cancers i.e. thyroid cancer is presently not part of these recommendations. These will likely continue to evolve as the MUTYH-associated polyposis tumor spectrum is better understood as a result of future case reports and research.