Multi-Gene Testing Overview with a Clinical Perspective in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is the technology of choice for the routine screening of tumor samples in clinical practice. In this setting, the targeted sequencing of a restricted number of clinically relevant genes represents the most practical option when looking for genetic variants associated with cancer, as well as for the choice of targeted treatments. In this review, we analyze available NGS platforms and clinical applications of multi-gene testing in breast cancer, with a focus on metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). We make an overview of the clinical utility of multi-gene testing in mTNBC, and then, as immunotherapy is emerging as a possible targeted therapy for mTNBC, we also briefly report on the results of the latest clinical trials involving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and TNBC, where NGS could play a role for the potential predictive utility of homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD) and tumor mutational burden (TMB).

Molecular Features and Clinical Management of Hereditary Gynecological Cancers.

Hereditary gynecological cancers are caused by several inherited genes. Tumors that arise in the female reproductive system, such as ovaries and the uterus, overlap with hereditary cancers. Several hereditary cancer-related genes are important because they might lead to therapeutic targets. Treatment of hereditary cancers should be updated in line with the advent of various new methods of evaluation. Next-generation sequencing has led to rapid, economical genetic analyses that have prompted a concomitant and significant paradigm shift with respect to hereditary cancers. Molecular tumor profiling is an epochal method for determining therapeutic targets. Clinical treatment strategies are now being designed based on biomarkers based on tumor profiling. Furthermore, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines significantly changed the genetic testing process in 2020 to initially consider multi-gene panel (MGP) evaluation. Here, we reviewed the molecular features and clinical management of hereditary gynecological malignancies, such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), and Lynch, Li-Fraumeni, Cowden, and Peutz-Jeghers syndromes. We also reviewed cancer-susceptible genes revealed by MGP tests.

Germline TP53 and MSH6 mutations implicated in sporadic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Germline BRCA1/2 prevalence is relatively low in sporadic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We hypothesized that non-BRCA genes may also have significant germline contribution to Chinese sporadic TNBC, and the somatic mutational landscape of TNBC may vary between ethnic groups. We therefore conducted this study to investigate germline and somatic mutations in 43 cancer susceptibility genes in Chinese sporadic TNBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six Chinese sporadic TNBC patients were enrolled in this study. Germline and tumor DNA of each patient were subjected to capture-based next-generation sequencing using a 43-gene panel. Standard bioinformatic analysis and variant classification were performed to identify deleterious/likely deleterious germline mutations and somatic mutations. Mutational analysis was conducted to identify significantly mutated genes. RESULTS: Deleterious/likely deleterious germline mutations were identified in 27 (27/66, 40.9%) patients. Among the 27 patients, 9 (9/66, 13.6%) were TP53 carriers, 5 (5/66, 7.6%) were MSH6 carriers, and 5 (5/66, 7.6%) were BRCA1 carriers. Somatic mutations were identified in 64 (64/66, 97.0%) patients. TP53 somatic mutations occurred in most of the patients (45/66, 68.2%) and with highest mean allele frequency (28.1%), while NF1 and POLE were detected to have the highest mutation counts. CONCLUSIONS: Our results supported our hypotheses and suggested great potentials of TP53 and MSH6 as novel candidates for TNBC predisposition genes. The high frequency of somatic NF1 and POLE mutations in this study showed possibilities for clinical benefits from androgen-blockade therapies and immunotherapies in Chinese TNBC patients. Our study indicated necessity of multi-gene testing for TNBC prevention and treatment.

Insurance Coverage Policies for Pharmacogenomic and Multi-Gene Testing for Cancer.

Insurance coverage policies are a major determinant of patient access to genomic tests. The objective of this study was to examine differences in coverage policies for guideline-recommended pharmacogenomic tests that inform cancer treatment. We analyzed coverage policies from eight Medicare contractors and 10 private payers for 23 biomarkers (e.g., HER2 and EGFR) and multi-gene tests. We extracted policy coverage and criteria, prior authorization requirements, and an evidence basis for coverage. We reviewed professional society guidelines and their recommendations for use of pharmacogenomic tests. Coverage for KRAS, EGFR, and BRAF tests were common across Medicare contractors and private payers, but few policies covered PML/RARA, CD25, or G6PD. Thirteen payers cover multi-gene tests for nonsmall lung cancer, citing emerging clinical recommendations. Coverage policies for single and multi-gene tests for cancer treatments are consistent among Medicare contractors despite the lack of national coverage determinations. In contrast, coverage for these tests varied across private payers. Patient access to tests is governed by prior authorization among eight private payers. Substantial variations in how payers address guideline-recommended pharmacogenomic tests and the common use of prior authorization underscore the need for additional studies of the effects of coverage variation on cancer care and patient outcomes.

Genetic Testing in Pediatric Ophthalmology.

The authors review the utility of genetic testing in ophthalmic disorders - precise diagnosis, accurate prognosis, genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and entry into gene-specific therapeutic trials. The prerequisites for a successful outcome of a genetic test are an accurate clinical diagnosis, a careful family history that guides which genes to study, and genetic counseling (both pre-test and post-test). The common eye disorders for which genetic testing is commonly requested are briefly discussed - anophthalmia, microphthalmia, coloboma, anterior segment dysgenesis, corneal dystrophies, cataracts, optic atrophy, congenital glaucoma, congenital amaurosis, retinitis pigmentosa, color blindness, juvenile retinoshisis, retinoblastoma etc. A protocol for genetic testing is presented. If specific mutations in a gene are common, they should form the first tier test, as the mutations in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. If mutations in one gene are likely, sequencing of that gene should be carried out, e.g. GALT gene in galactosemia, RS1 gene in retinoshisis. Disorders with genetic heterogeneity require multi-gene panel tests, and if these show no abnormality, then deletion / duplication or microarray studies are recommended, followed in sequence by clinical exome (5000 to 6000 genes), full exome (about 20,000 genes or whole genome studies (includes all introns). It is fortunate that most genetic tests in ophthalmology are available in India, including gene panel and whole exome/genome sequencing tests.

Establishment and application of a MassARRAY platform-based method to detect multiplex genetic mutations in lung cancer / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To establish a method based on the iPLEX analysis of MassARRAY mass spectrometry platform to detect multiplex genetic mutations among Chinese lung cancer patients. Methods:We reviewed the related literature and data of lung cancer treatments. We also determined 99 mutation hot spots in 13 target genes, namely, EGFR, KRAS, ALK, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, PIK3CA, BRAF, PTEN, MET, ERBB2, AKT1, and STK11, which are closely related to the pathogenesis, drug resistance, and metastasis of lung cancer and are associated with relevant transduction pathways. A total of 297 primers comprising 99 paired forward and reverse amplification primers and 99 matched extension primers were designed by using Assay Design in accordance with the mutation label and format requirements of the MassARRAY platform. The detection method was established by analyzing eight cell lines and six lung cancer specimens;the proposed method was then validated through comparisons with a LungCarta kit. The sensitivity and specificity of the proposed method were evaluated by directly sequencing EGFR and KRAS genes in 100 lung cancer cases. Results:The proposed method could detect multiplex genetic mutations in the lung cancer cell lines, and this finding is consistent with that observed using previously reported methods. The proposed method could also detect such mutations in clinical lung cancer specimens;this result is also consistent with that observed by using the LungCarta kit. However, an FGFR2 mutation was detected only by using the proposed method. The measured sensitivity and specificity were 100%and 96.3%, respectively. Conclusion:The proposed MassARRAY technology-based method could detect multiplex genetic mutations among Chinese lung cancer patients. Indeed, the proposed method can be potentially applied to detect mutations in cancer cells.