1
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Lucca C, Rosina E, Pezzani L, Piazzolla D, Spaccini L, Scatigno A, Gasperini S, Pezzoli L, Cereda A, Milani D, Cattaneo E, Cavallari U, Frigeni M, Marchetti D, Daolio C, Giordano L, Bellini M, Goisis L, Mongodi C, Tonduti D, Pilotta A, Cazzaniga G, Furlan F, Bedeschi MF, Mangili G, Bonanomi E, Iascone M. First-Tier Versus Last-Tier Trio Whole-Genome Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Pediatric-Onset Rare Diseases. Clin Genet 2025. [PMID: 40274276 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14760] [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: 02/21/2025] [Revised: 04/11/2025] [Accepted: 04/16/2025] [Indexed: 04/26/2025]
Abstract
Despite advances in diagnostics, children with rare genetic disorders still face extended diagnostic odysseys, delaying appropriate clinical management, and placing burdens on families and healthcare resources. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) offers a more comprehensive interrogation of the genome than other genetic tests, but its use in clinical practice remains limited. This study compared diagnostic rates, turnaround times, and clinical utility of first-tier versus last-tier trio-WGS for patients with suspected genetic pediatric-onset conditions, including 97 critical and 104 non-critical patients. Eighty-five patients (42.3%), including 57 (58.8%) critical and 28 (26.9%) non-critical patients, received a molecular diagnosis. The diagnostic rate was higher for first-tier (57%) than for last-tier (32.8%) trio-WGS. Of 121 causative variants identified, 19.8% would have been missed by whole-exome sequencing. Laboratory processing time was 4 days for all patients. The clinical setting had the greatest impact on time to reporting, averaging 5 days for critical patients versus 74 days for outpatients. WGS results impacted clinical decision-making for 34% of all critical and 14.3% of WGS-positive non-critical patients. This is the first Italian clinical study to demonstrate the diagnostic and clinical utility of a genome-first approach for both critical and non-critical patients with suspected genetic pediatric-onset disorders and feasibility in a public healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Lucca
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Erica Rosina
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Lidia Pezzani
- Rare Disease Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Luigina Spaccini
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Serena Gasperini
- Inherited Metabolic Disorders Unit Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Laura Pezzoli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Anna Cereda
- Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Donatella Milani
- Fondazione IRCCS ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Cattaneo
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ugo Cavallari
- Medical Genetics Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Frigeni
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Daniela Marchetti
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Cecilia Daolio
- Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Laura Giordano
- Pediatric Unit, Ospedale Fatebenefratelli e Oftalmico, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Bellini
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Goisis
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Chiara Mongodi
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Davide Tonduti
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, C.O.A.L.A. (Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Leukodystrophies), Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alba Pilotta
- Pediatric Clinic, Children's Hospital, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Furlan
- Clinical Metabolic Reference Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Mangili
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Ezio Bonanomi
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Maria Iascone
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
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2
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Keener AB. Whole-genome sequencing susses out rare diseases. Nature 2025:10.1038/d41586-025-01014-1. [PMID: 40247064 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-01014-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2025]
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3
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Malhotra A, Thorpe E, Coffey AJ, Rajkumar R, Adjeman J, Naa Adjeley Adjetey ND, Aglobitse S, Allotey F, Arsov T, Ashong J, Badoe EV, Basel D, Brew Y, Brown C, Bosfield K, Casas K, Cornejo-Olivas M, Davis-Keppen L, Freed A, Gibson K, Jayakar P, Jones MC, Kawome M, Lumaka A, Maier U, Makay P, Manassero G, Marbell-Wilson M, Marcuccilli C, Masser-Frye D, McCarrier J, Mills HS, Montoya JB, Mubungu G, Ngole M, Perez J, Pivnick E, Duenas-Roque MM, Pena Salguero H, Serize A, Shinawi M, Sirchia F, Soler-Alfonso C, Taylor A, Thompson L, Vance G, Vanderver A, Vaux K, Velasco D, Wiafe S, Taft RJ, Perry DL, Kesari A. Multiple molecular diagnoses identified through genome sequencing in individuals with suspected rare disease. HGG ADVANCES 2025; 6:100430. [PMID: 40195116 PMCID: PMC12033986 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2025.100430] [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: 01/14/2025] [Revised: 04/01/2025] [Accepted: 04/01/2025] [Indexed: 04/09/2025] Open
Abstract
Genome sequencing is a powerful and comprehensive test that detects multiple variants of different types. The interrogation of variants across the genome enables the identification of multiple molecular diagnoses (MMDs) in a single individual. In this retrospective study, we describe individuals in whom MMDs were associated with the proband's indication for testing (IFT), secondary findings, or incidental findings. An MMD is considered where at least one of the findings is associated with the primary IFT and all variants are classified as either likely pathogenic or pathogenic. Clinical genome sequencing was performed for all individuals as part of the iHope program at the Illumina Laboratory Services between September 2017 and December 2023. The iHope cohort included 1,846 affected individuals, with 872 (47.2%) found to have at least one likely pathogenic or pathogenic variant associated with the primary IFT. Of these, 81 (9.3%) individuals had multiple clinically significant molecular findings, including 76 individuals with reported variants associated with 2 different conditions, and 5 individuals with more than 2 molecular findings. A total of 32 individuals (3.7%) had at least 2 molecular diagnoses related to the primary IFT, while in 49 (5.6%) individuals, the variant(s) reported for the second condition constituted a secondary or incidental finding. Our study highlights that among individuals with a likely pathogenic or pathogenic finding identified through genome sequencing, 9% have MMDs, which may have been missed with different testing methods. Of note, approximately 60% of the 81 individuals with an MMD had a potentially actionable secondary or incidental finding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin Thorpe
- Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Genetic Alliance, Damascus, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Todor Arsov
- Goce Delcev Universiity, Stip, North Macedonia
| | | | | | - Donald Basel
- Children's Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Yvonne Brew
- Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Chester Brown
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kerri Bosfield
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Mario Cornejo-Olivas
- Neurogenetics Working Group, Universidad Cientifica del Sur, Lima, Peru; Neurogenetics Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Abbey Freed
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kate Gibson
- Genetic Health Service, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Marilyn C Jones
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego-Imperial Counties Developmental Services, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Aimé Lumaka
- Center for Human Genetics, Universite de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Prince Makay
- Center for Human Genetics, Universite de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Marilyn Marbell-Wilson
- Instituto Nacional de Salud del Nino-San Borja, Lima, Peru; Mission Clinic, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Diane Masser-Frye
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego-Imperial Counties Developmental Services, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Julie McCarrier
- Children's Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Gerrye Mubungu
- Center for Human Genetics, Universite de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Mamy Ngole
- Center for Human Genetics, Universite de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Eniko Pivnick
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Marwan Shinawi
- Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Fabio Sirchia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Alan Taylor
- Al Jalila Genomics Center of Excellence, Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Gail Vance
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Adeline Vanderver
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Keith Vaux
- Point Loma Pediatrics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Ryan J Taft
- Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Genetic Alliance, Damascus, MD, USA
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Frees M, Carter JN, Wheeler MT, Reuter C. The current landscape of clinical exome and genome reanalysis in the U.S. J Genet Couns 2025; 34:e1968. [PMID: 39285507 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1968] [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] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/30/2025]
Abstract
The majority of patients undergoing exome or genome sequencing receive a nondiagnostic result. Periodic reanalysis is known to increase diagnostic yield from exome sequencing, yet laboratory reanalysis practices are obscure. We sought to define the landscape of exome and genome reanalysis across clinical laboratories. Genetic testing registries were queried to identify eligible clinical genetic laboratories offering exome and/or genome sequencing in the United States. A survey administered to lab representatives investigated reanalysis offerings, policies, perceived uptake, bioinformatic steps, and billing options. The analysis consisted of descriptive statistics. Survey data were collected from 30 of 32 eligible laboratories (93%), comprising 28 exome products and 13 genome products. Reanalysis was widely available for both exomes (n = 27/28, 96%) and genomes (n = 12/13, 92%). Most participating laboratories required ordering providers to initiate reanalysis (n = 24/28, 86%). Most respondents estimated providers initiated reanalysis in less than 10% of all exomes (n = 12/22) or genomes (n = 6/9) sequenced. The approach to reanalysis varied greatly by laboratory. Laboratory approaches to exome and genome reanalysis are highly variable and typically require provider initiation. This could contribute to low reanalysis uptake and increased administrative burden on providers. Further work should emphasize development of clinical exome and genome reanalysis standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Frees
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Genomic Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Jennefer N Carter
- Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Matthew T Wheeler
- Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chloe Reuter
- Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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5
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Da Silva JD, Maia N, Jorge P, Sousa V, Tkachenko N, Soares AR. Enhancing clinical decision-making for CNVs of uncertain significance in neurodevelopmental disorders: the relevance (or uselessness) of scoring and segregating. J Med Genet 2025; 62:298-302. [PMID: 39956615 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2024-110144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2025] [Indexed: 02/18/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinicians often deal with copy-number variants of unknown significance (CNVUS) when managing neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Variant classification is often complemented with textual comments, while the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)/Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) numerical scores are rarely reported. Our aim was to determine if the application of ACMG/ClinGen scoring and inheritance/segregation studies are relevant for the reclassification of CNVUS. METHODS We retrieved 167 CNVUS (112 duplications, 55 heterozygous deletions) from test reports of 141 patients with NDD in a 5-year period. None of those testing reports included ACMG/ClinGen scoring information for the CNVUS. One clinical and one laboratorial geneticist independently applied the ACMG/ClinGen scoring system for CNVs. Final scores/categories were assessed for potential modification when adding inheritance/segregation criteria. RESULTS 138 (83%) of the CNVUS retained the VUS classification, 14 (8%) changed to benign and 15 (9%) to (likely) pathogenic. Variants deemed benign (11 duplications, 3 deletions) mostly overlapped with ClinGen-established benign regions or were common in the general population; variants deemed (likely) pathogenic (all deletions) were either associated with unrelated autosomal recessive/later-onset autosomal dominant (AD) conditions, or with an AD NDD phenotype in a single case. Inheritance studies were available for 20 (12%) variants (17 inherited, 3 de novo), and none led to a change in classification. A simulation showed that adding inheritance information would also not change the classification of any other variant. CONCLUSION Application of the ACMG/ClinGen scoring system led by itself to reclassification of 17% of VUS, despite a very low increase in diagnostic yield (1/141, 0.7%). Additionally, segregation/inheritance studies in CNVUS were mostly irrelevant in most NDD cases, challenging their routine broad application in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Diogo Da Silva
- Medical Genetics Centre Dr. Jacinto Magalhães, Santo António University Hospital Center, Porto, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
- Genetyca-ICM, Atrys, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Maia
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
- School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Jorge
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, UPorto - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Sousa
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, UPorto - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nataliya Tkachenko
- Medical Genetics Centre Dr. Jacinto Magalhães, Santo António University Hospital Center, Porto, Portugal
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Soares
- Medical Genetics Centre Dr. Jacinto Magalhães, Santo António University Hospital Center, Porto, Portugal
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
- Genetyca-ICM, Atrys, Porto, Portugal
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AlAbdi L, Maddirevula S, Aljamal B, Hamid H, Almulhim A, Hashem MO, Algoos Y, Alqahtani M, Albaloshi S, Alghamdi M, Alduaylij M, Shamseldin HE, Nadeef S, Patel N, Abdulwahab F, Abouyousef O, Alshidi T, Jaafar A, Abouelhoda M, Alhazzani A, Alfares A, Qudair A, Alsulaiman A, Alhashem A, Khan AO, Chedrawi A, Alebdi B, AlAjlan F, Alotaibi F, Alzaidan H, Banjar H, Abdelraouf H, Alkuraya H, Abumansour I, Alfayez K, Tulbah M, Alowain M, Alqahtani M, El-Kalioby M, Shboul M, Sulaiman R, Al Tala S, Khan S, Coskun S, Mrouge S, Alenazi W, Rahbeeni Z, Alkuraya FS. Arab founder variants: Contributions to clinical genomics and precision medicine. MED 2025; 6:100528. [PMID: 39504961 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.10.005] [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: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 11/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Founder variants are ancestral variants shared by individuals who are not closely related. The large effect size of some of these variants in the context of Mendelian disorders offers numerous precision medicine opportunities. METHODS Using one of the largest datasets on Mendelian disorders in the Middle East, we identified 2,908 medically relevant founder variants derived from 18,360 exomes and genomes and investigated their contribution to the clinical annotation of the human genome. FINDINGS Strikingly, ∼34% of Arab founder variants are absent in gnomAD. We found a strong contribution of Arab founder variants to the identification of novel gene-disease links (n = 224) and the support/dispute (n = 81 support, n = 101 dispute) of previously reported candidate gene-disease links. The powerful segregation evidence generated by Arab founder variants allowed many ClinVar and Human Gene Mutation Database variants to be reclassified. Overall, 39.5% of diagnostic reports from our clinical lab are based on founder variants, and 19.41% of tested individuals carry at least one pathogenic founder variant. The presumptive loss-of-function mechanism that typically underlies autosomal recessive diseases means that Arab founder variants also offer unique opportunities in "druggable genome" research. Arab founder variants were also informative of migration patterns in the Middle East consistent with documented historical accounts. CONCLUSIONS We highlight the contribution of founder variants from an under-represented population group to precision medicine and inform future prevention programs. Our study also sheds light on the added value of these variants in supplementing other lines of research in tracing population history. FUNDING There is no funding for this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama AlAbdi
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sateesh Maddirevula
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bayan Aljamal
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Halima Hamid
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Almulhim
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mais O Hashem
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yusra Algoos
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashael Alqahtani
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahad Albaloshi
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alghamdi
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alduaylij
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanan E Shamseldin
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seba Nadeef
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nisha Patel
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Firdous Abdulwahab
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Abouyousef
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarfa Alshidi
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Jaafar
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Abouelhoda
- Department of Computational Science, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel Alhazzani
- Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Alfares
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Qudair
- Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah 23433, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahood Alsulaiman
- Department of Medical Genomics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Alhashem
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical Center, Riyadh 12233, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; Seha Virtual Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 12382, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arif O Khan
- Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Aziza Chedrawi
- Department of Medical Genomics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basel Alebdi
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad AlAjlan
- Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawaz Alotaibi
- Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamad Alzaidan
- Department of Medical Genomics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanaa Banjar
- Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanem Abdelraouf
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical Center, Riyadh 12233, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hisham Alkuraya
- Global Eye Care, Specialized Medical Center Hospital, Riyadh 13215, Saudi Arabia
| | - Iman Abumansour
- Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah 23433, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khowlah Alfayez
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical Center, Riyadh 12233, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Tulbah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alowain
- Department of Medical Genomics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alqahtani
- Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed El-Kalioby
- Department of Computational Science, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Shboul
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Raashda Sulaiman
- Department of Medical Genomics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saed Al Tala
- Department of Pediatrics, Armed Forces Hospital, Khamis Mushayt 62413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameena Khan
- Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Serdar Coskun
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and College of Medicine, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sobaihi Mrouge
- Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah 23433, Saudi Arabia
| | - Walaa Alenazi
- Department of Computational Science, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zuhair Rahbeeni
- Department of Medical Genomics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fowzan S Alkuraya
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical Center, Riyadh 12233, Saudi Arabia.
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7
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Wenger TL, Scott A, Kruidenier L, Sikes M, Keefe A, Buckingham KJ, Marvin CT, Shively KM, Bacus T, Sommerland OM, Anderson K, Gildersleeve H, Davis CJ, Love-Nichols J, MacDuffie KE, Miller DE, Yu JH, Snook A, Johnson B, Veenstra DL, Parish-Morris J, McWalter K, Retterer K, Copenheaver D, Friedman B, Juusola J, Ryan E, Varga R, Doherty DA, Dipple K, Chong JX, Kruszka P, Bamshad MJ. SeqFirst: Building equity access to a precise genetic diagnosis in critically ill newborns. Am J Hum Genet 2025; 112:508-522. [PMID: 39999847 PMCID: PMC11947171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2025.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2025] [Accepted: 02/04/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Access to a precise genetic diagnosis (PrGD) in critically ill newborns is limited and inequitable because the complex inclusion criteria used to prioritize testing eligibility omit many patients at high risk for a genetic condition. SeqFirst-neo is a program to test whether a genotype-driven workflow using simple, broad exclusion criteria to assess eligibility for rapid genome sequencing (rGS) increases access to a PrGD in critically ill newborns. All 408 newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit between January 2021 and February 2022 were assessed, and of 240 eligible infants, 126 were offered rGS (i.e., intervention group [IG]) and compared to 114 infants who received conventional care in parallel (i.e., conventional care group [CCG]). A PrGD was made in 62/126 (49.2%) IG neonates compared to 11/114 (9.7%) CCG infants. The odds of receiving a PrGD were ∼9 times greater in the IG vs. the CCG, and this difference was maintained at 12 months follow-up. Access to a PrGD in the IG vs. CCG differed significantly between infants identified as non-White (34/74, 45.9% vs. 6/29, 20.7%; p = 0.024) and Black (8/10, 80.0% vs. 0/4; p = 0.015). Neonatologists were significantly less successful at predicting a PrGD in non-White than non-Hispanic White infants. The use of a standard workflow in the IG with a PrGD revealed that a PrGD would have been missed in 26/62 (42%) infants. The use of simple, broad exclusion criteria that increase access to genetic testing significantly increases access to a PrGD, improves access equity, and results in fewer missed diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara L Wenger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Abbey Scott
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | | | - Megan Sikes
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Alexandra Keefe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Kati J Buckingham
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Colby T Marvin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kathryn M Shively
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tamara Bacus
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Kailyn Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Heidi Gildersleeve
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Chayna J Davis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Katherine E MacDuffie
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
| | - Danny E Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Brotman Bay Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Joon-Ho Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98121, USA; Institute for Public Health Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | | | - David L Veenstra
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Julia Parish-Morris
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA
| | | | - Kyle Retterer
- GeneDx, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, USA; Geisinger, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel A Doherty
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Brotman Bay Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Katrina Dipple
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Jessica X Chong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Brotman Bay Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Michael J Bamshad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Brotman Bay Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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8
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Mori M, Chaudhari BP, Ream MA, Kemper AR. Promises and challenges of genomic newborn screening (NBS) - lessons from public health NBS programs. Pediatr Res 2025; 97:1327-1336. [PMID: 39516573 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03689-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 10/03/2024] [Accepted: 10/14/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
Newborn screening (NBS) in the United States began in the 1960s to detect inborn errors of metabolism that benefited from presymptomatic treatment compared with treatment after the development of symptoms and diagnosis. Over time, it expanded to include endocrinological disorders, hematological disorders, immunodeficiencies, and other treatable diseases such as lysosomal storage diseases (LSD), cystic fibrosis, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, and spinal muscular dystrophy. This expansion has been driven by new technologies (e.g., tandem mass spectrometry) and novel treatments (e.g., enzyme replacement therapy and stem cell transplant for LSDs). Advances in next-generation gene sequencing (NGS) enable rapid identification of many additional conditions that might benefit from early presymptomatic intervention. We review the NGS technologies that evolved as diagnostic testing and suggest issues to be resolved before their potential application to screening the asymptomatic population. We illustrate the importance of selecting diseases to be screened and propose recommendations to follow when variants of uncertain significance are found. We address ethical issues around achieving equity in the sensitivity of genomic NBS, access to follow-up and management, especially for people from diverse backgrounds, and other considerations. Finally, we discuss the potential benefits and harms of genomic NBS to the overall health of children with monogenic diseases. IMPACT: Genomic newborn screening programs are ongoing worldwide. Public discussion is needed as to whether genomic newborn screening should be offered as a public health program and, if so, what conditions should be screened for. Providers should understand that the sensitivity of genomic newborn screening is especially low for newborns from non-European populations. Methylation, large structural variants and repeat expansion variants are not amenable to next-generation sequencing-based genomic newborn screening. The article serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding issues that need to be solved before genomic newborn screening is implemented as a public health program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Mori
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Bimal P Chaudhari
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute of Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Margie A Ream
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Division of Child Neurology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alex R Kemper
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Primary Care Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
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9
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Coleman TF, Pugh J, Kelley WV, East KM, Greve V, Finnila CR, Henson A, Korf BR, Barsh GS, Cooper GM, Cochran ME. Errors in genome sequencing result disclosures: A randomized controlled trial comparing neonatology non-genetics healthcare professionals and genetic counselors. Genet Med 2024; 26:101198. [PMID: 38943479 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2024.101198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We compared the rate of errors in genome sequencing (GS) result disclosures by genetic counselors (GC) and trained non-genetics healthcare professionals (NGHPs) in SouthSeq, a randomized trial utilizing GS in critically ill infants. METHODS Over 400 recorded GS result disclosures were analyzed for major and minor errors. We used Fisher's exact test to compare error rates between GCs and NGHPs and performed a qualitative content analysis to characterize error themes. RESULTS Major errors were identified in 7.5% of disclosures by NGHPs and in no disclosures by GCs. Minor errors were identified in 32.1% of disclosures by NGHPs and in 11.4% of disclosures by GCs. Although most disclosures lacked errors, NGHPs were significantly more likely to make any error than GCs for all result types (positive, negative, or uncertain). Common major error themes include omission of critical information, overstating a negative result, and overinterpreting an uncertain result. The most common minor error was failing to disclose negative secondary findings. CONCLUSION Trained NGHPs made clinically significant errors in GS result disclosures. Characterizing common errors in result disclosure can illuminate gaps in education to inform the development of future genomics training and alternative service delivery models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jada Pugh
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL
| | | | - Kelly M East
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL
| | | | | | - Ava Henson
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Bruce R Korf
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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10
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Lin Z, Xiang J, Sun X, Song N, Liu X, Cai Q, Yang J, Ye H, Xu J, Zhang H, Peng J, Sun Y, Peng Z. Genome Sequencing Unveils the Role of Copy Number Variants in Hearing Loss and Identifies Novel Deletions With Founder Effect in the DFNB1 Locus. Hum Mutat 2024; 2024:9517114. [PMID: 40225913 PMCID: PMC11918852 DOI: 10.1155/2024/9517114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2025]
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss is a prevalent disorder with significant genetic involvement, which is often challenging to diagnose due to genetic heterogeneity. Exome sequencing (ES) has been a standard diagnostic tool for sensorineural hearing loss, but its limitations in detecting copy number variants (CNVs) and intronic variants have prompted the exploration of genome sequencing (GS) for improved diagnostic yield. We conducted GS on 46 hearing loss families with previously negative ES results and an additional cohort of 36 patients with a monoallelic pathogenic variant in GJB2 (the most common deafness gene). Additionally, the impact of a previously unrecognized novel 125-kb deletion in the DFNB1 locus on GJB2 expression was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and haplotype analysis was performed to characterize the deletion. GS diagnosed eight cases (17%, 8/46) in the ES-negative cohort, primarily attributed to CNVs (6/8). Notably, a previously unrecognized 125 kb deletion in the DFNB1 region was identified, affecting GJB2 expression and characterizing it as a founder effect in East Asian. In 47 patients with a monoallelic GJB2 variant, 15% (95% CI, 7.4%-28%) were diagnosed with DFNB1 deletions. Analysis of the gnomAD database revealed the prevalence and ethnic diversity of DFNB1 deletions, with the novel 125 kb deletion emerging as a prominent pathogenic variant in East Asian, non-Finnish European, and admixed American populations. Our study highlights the utility of GS in diagnosing sensorineural hearing loss. The identification of DFNB1 deletions underscores their significant contribution to hearing loss etiology, advocating for their inclusion in routine diagnostic testing. We propose GS as a primary genetic testing approach for patients with hearing loss, offering comprehensive genomic analysis and the potential for improved diagnostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibin Lin
- College of Life SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Jiale Xiang
- College of Life SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and ControlChangsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | | | - Nana Song
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xiaozhou Liu
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyUnion Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qinming Cai
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyUnion Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jing Yang
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Yu Sun
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyUnion Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Zhiyu Peng
- College of Life SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and ControlChangsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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11
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Guo F, Liu R, Pan Y, Colasanto M, Collins C, Hegde M. Beyond Single Diagnosis: Exploring Multidiagnostic Realities in Pediatric Patients through Genome Sequencing. Hum Mutat 2024; 2024:9115364. [PMID: 40225944 PMCID: PMC11919036 DOI: 10.1155/2024/9115364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2025]
Abstract
Recent advancements in the next-generation sequencing have illuminated the occurrence of multiple genetic diagnoses (MGD). While exome sequencing has provided insights, genome sequencing (GS), the most comprehensive diagnostic tool, remains underexplored for studying MGD prevalence. We retrospectively analyzed 1487 pediatric cases from our laboratory, employing GS to investigate the incidence of single definitive genetic diagnosis (SDD) and MGD in children suspected of having a genetic disease. Of these patients, 273 received at least one definitive diagnosis, including 245 with SDD (16.5%) and 28 with MGD (1.9%). Diagnostic yield was consistent across genders and unaffected by previous testing in SDD cases. Notably, prior testing significantly increased the diagnostic yield in MGD cases to 2.7% overall and 14.4% among diagnosed cases, compared to 1.1% for those with GS as a first-tier test. Age was a significant factor in diagnostic outcome for both SDD and MGD cases with neonates showing the highest diagnostic yield of 24.5% in SDD and a notably higher yield in MGD at 4.9%, representing 16.7% of the diagnosed cases. Of the 28 MGD cases, 17 exhibited distinct phenotypes, 9 had overlapping features, and 2 presented a mix, underscoring the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity within this group. This study is the first to exclusively use GS to assess MGD prevalence. Our findings highlight the complexity of rare diseases and emphasize the importance of comprehensive, genome-level diagnostics. Clinicians must ensure that diagnoses fully account for the observed phenotypes to inform optimal therapeutic strategies and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Guo
- Revvity Omics, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ruby Liu
- Revvity Omics, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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12
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Kingsmore SF, Nofsinger R, Ellsworth K. Rapid genomic sequencing for genetic disease diagnosis and therapy in intensive care units: a review. NPJ Genom Med 2024; 9:17. [PMID: 38413639 PMCID: PMC10899612 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-024-00404-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Single locus (Mendelian) diseases are a leading cause of childhood hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mortality, and healthcare cost. Rapid genome sequencing (RGS), ultra-rapid genome sequencing (URGS), and rapid exome sequencing (RES) are diagnostic tests for genetic diseases for ICU patients. In 44 studies of children in ICUs with diseases of unknown etiology, 37% received a genetic diagnosis, 26% had consequent changes in management, and net healthcare costs were reduced by $14,265 per child tested by URGS, RGS, or RES. URGS outperformed RGS and RES with faster time to diagnosis, and higher rate of diagnosis and clinical utility. Diagnostic and clinical outcomes will improve as methods evolve, costs decrease, and testing is implemented within precision medicine delivery systems attuned to ICU needs. URGS, RGS, and RES are currently performed in <5% of the ~200,000 children likely to benefit annually due to lack of payor coverage, inadequate reimbursement, hospital policies, hospitalist unfamiliarity, under-recognition of possible genetic diseases, and current formatting as tests rather than as a rapid precision medicine delivery system. The gap between actual and optimal outcomes in children in ICUs is currently increasing since expanded use of URGS, RGS, and RES lags growth in those likely to benefit through new therapies. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that URGS, RGS, or RES should be considered in all children with diseases of uncertain etiology at ICU admission. Minimally, diagnostic URGS, RGS, or RES should be ordered early during admissions of critically ill infants and children with suspected genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen F Kingsmore
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Russell Nofsinger
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kasia Ellsworth
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
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