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Grigore LG, Radoi VE, Serban A, Mihai AD, Stoica I. The Molecular Detection of Germline Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes Associated with Breast and Ovarian Cancer in a Romanian Cohort of 616 Patients. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:4630-4645. [PMID: 38785549 PMCID: PMC11119367 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050281] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify and classify the spectrum of mutations found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer in female patients in Romania. Germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were investigated in a cohort of 616 female patients using NGS and/or MLPA methods followed by software-based data analysis and classification according to international guidelines. Out of the 616 female patients included in this study, we found that 482 patients (78.2%) did not have any mutation present in the two genes investigated; 69 patients (11.2%) had a BRCA1 mutation, 34 (5.5%) had a BRCA2 mutation, and 31 (5%) presented different type of mutations with uncertain clinical significance, moderate risk or a large mutation in the BRCA1 gene. Our investigation indicates the most common mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, associated with breast and ovarian cancer in the Romanian population. Our results also bring more data in support of the frequency of the c.5266 mutation in the BRCA1 gene, acknowledged in the literature as a founder mutation in Eastern Europe. We consider that the results of our study will provide necessary data regarding BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that would help to create a genetic database for the Romanian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana-Georgiana Grigore
- Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
- Personal Genetics, 010987 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Viorica-Elena Radoi
- Department of Medical Genetics, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- “Alessandrescu-Rusescu” National Institute for Maternal and Child Health, 20382 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | | - Ileana Stoica
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
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Chrysafi P, Jani CT, Lotz M, Al Omari O, Singh H, Stafford K, Agarwal L, Rupal A, Dar AQ, Dangelo A, Lam P. Prevalence of Variants of Uncertain Significance in Patients Undergoing Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Lynch Syndrome. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5762. [PMID: 38136308 PMCID: PMC10742236 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245762] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) and Lynch Syndrome (LS) are the most common inherited cancer syndromes identified with genetic testing. Testing, though, commonly reveals variants of uncertain significance (VUSs). This is a retrospective observational study designed to determine the prevalence of pathogenic mutations and VUSs in patients tested for HBOC and/or LS and to explore the characteristics of the VUS population. Patients 18-80 years old that met NCCN criteria for HBOC and/or LS genetic screening were tested between 2006 and 2020 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A total of 663 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 50 years old and 90% being females. Pathogenic mutations were identified in 12.5% and VUSs in 28.3%. VUS prevalence was associated with race (p-value = 0.019), being particularly higher in Asian populations. Patients with a personal history of breast cancer or family history of breast or ovarian cancer were more likely to have a VUS (personal breast: OR: 1.55; CI: 1.08-2.25; family breast: OR: 1.68; CI: 1.08-2.60, family ovarian OR: 2.29; CI: 1.04-5.45). In conclusion, VUSs appear to be detected in almost one third patients tested for cancer genetic syndromes, and thus future work is warranted to determine their significance in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Chrysafi
- Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (P.C.); (M.L.); (K.S.); (A.D.); (P.L.)
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Chinmay T. Jani
- Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (P.C.); (M.L.); (K.S.); (A.D.); (P.L.)
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Margaret Lotz
- Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (P.C.); (M.L.); (K.S.); (A.D.); (P.L.)
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Omar Al Omari
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
| | - Harpreet Singh
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA;
| | - Katherine Stafford
- Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (P.C.); (M.L.); (K.S.); (A.D.); (P.L.)
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Lipisha Agarwal
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
| | - Arashdeep Rupal
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA;
| | - Abdul Qadir Dar
- Department of Medicine, Lahey Medical Center, Burlington, MA 01805, USA;
| | - Abby Dangelo
- Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (P.C.); (M.L.); (K.S.); (A.D.); (P.L.)
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Prudence Lam
- Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (P.C.); (M.L.); (K.S.); (A.D.); (P.L.)
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
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Zahid MF, Moriarty K, Dryden C, Weinberg O, Asif M, Ikpefan R, Anderson JM, Collins RH, Chung SS, Chen W, Patel PA, Madanat YF. Identifying patients at risk for hereditary myeloid malignancy syndromes incorporating a novel, self-administered questionnaire to an initial screening platform. Eur J Haematol 2023; 111:844-850. [PMID: 37587783 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14084] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Four to 10% of cases of myeloid malignancies are inherited. We report our experience on hereditary myeloid malignancy syndromes (HMMS) incorporating a novel questionnaire in the screening platform for patients with myeloid malignancies and aplastic anemia. METHODS The questionnaire was sent via electronic patient portal prior to clinic visits. Patients screened positive based on responses to questionnaire items, presence of suspicion disease characteristics (young age, family history, monosomy 7 etc.) and/or presence of signs of HMMS. Those deemed at-risk based on questionnaire responses, clinical features and/or somatic mutation profile were offered germline testing. RESULTS A total of 408 patients were screened, 141 (35%) were deemed at-risk. Fifty-four (38%) of at-risk patients were seen in the genetics clinic. Forty-one (76%) of the patients seen agreed to germline testing and 13 declined due to cost or personal decision. Twenty pathogenic (P)/likely-pathogenic (LP) germline mutations were identified in 16 (39%) of the tested patients. Five patients also had a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) and an additional 13 had at least 1 VUS without P/LP mutations (total 29 VUS's were found in 18 (44%) of tested patients). The median age of diagnosis for patients with P/LP mutations was 56 years versus 66 years in the entire cohort. CONCLUSION Incorporating an electronic questionnaire is an effective screening method for HMMS. Many patients declined testing due to cost. These results highlight the importance of germline testing in patients with myeloid malignancies, further research in HMMS, and coverage by healthcare plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Faizan Zahid
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Leukemia Program, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kelsey Moriarty
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Courtney Dryden
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Olga Weinberg
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Misha Asif
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ruth Ikpefan
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Julia M Anderson
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Robert H Collins
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Leukemia Program, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Stephen S Chung
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Leukemia Program, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Weina Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Prapti A Patel
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Leukemia Program, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yazan F Madanat
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Leukemia Program, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Abdel-Razeq H, Mustafa R, Abdel-Razeq S, Abu-Fares H, Al Masri S, Damsees R, El-Atrash M, Elemian S, Alkyam M, Ammar K, Bater R, Kderat M, Alhajahjeh A. Pathogenic germline variants in patients with breast cancer: conversations across generations, practices and patients' attitude. Front Genet 2023; 14:1194075. [PMID: 37920853 PMCID: PMC10619647 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1194075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer susceptibility genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CHEK2 and many others are increasingly recognized among our patient population. In addition to their impact on treatment decisions of tested patients themselves, identifying at-risk family members offer opportunities for cancer preventive measures. Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study of adult breast cancer patients with positive breast-cancer-susceptibility germline variants who received treatment at our institution. Patients with variants of uncertain significance (VUS), or who refused to give consent, were excluded. The data was collected from an eligible sample of breast cancer patients using a structured questionnaire developed by the study team and tested for validity and reliability, as well as a clinical chart review form. Patients were invited to participate in the study during their scheduled oncology clinics visit. Results: 169 patients were enrolled, including 42 (24.9%) with pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) BRCA1 variants, 84 (49.7%) with BRCA2 and 43 (25.4%) with non-BRCA variants. All patients were female and the mean age was 45 ± 9.9 years. Among 140 eligible patients, 104 (74.3%) underwent prophylactic mastectomy, while 79 (59.0%) of 134 eligible patients had prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). Results were communicated with family members by majority (n = 160, 94.7%), including 642 first degree female relatives, and 286 (44.5%) of them have taken no action. Fear of positive test results, cost of testing, unwillingness to undergo preventive measures, and social stigma were cited as barriers to genetic testing in 54%, 50%, 34% and 15%, respectively. Conclusion: Risk-reducing interventions including mastectomy and BSO were carried by majority of patients with P/LP variants. However, though the rate of communication of genetic testing results with family members was high, proper preventive measures were relatively low. Cost and fear of cancer diagnosis, were the leading causes that prevented cascade testing in our cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmat Abdel-Razeq
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amman, Jordan
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rawan Mustafa
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Hala Abu-Fares
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sama Al Masri
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rana Damsees
- King Hussein Cancer Center, The Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mariam El-Atrash
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amman, Jordan
| | - Shatha Elemian
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mais Alkyam
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amman, Jordan
| | - Khawlah Ammar
- King Hussein Cancer Center, The Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rayan Bater
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amman, Jordan
| | - Marah Kderat
- King Hussein Cancer Center, The Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, Amman, Jordan
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Abdel-Razeq H, Abbasi S, Abdeen G, Abdulelah H, Debs J, Al Masri S, Aljadayeh MH, Awidi A. Management of breast cancer patients with BRCA gene mutations in Jordan: perspectives and challenges. Hosp Pract (1995) 2023; 51:184-191. [PMID: 37927299 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2023.2266019] [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: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper explores and discusses local challenges oncologists face for diagnosing and managing breast cancer patients with BRCA gene mutations in Jordan. METHODS A task force involving key opinion leaders, experts in the management of breast cancer, and stakeholders in healthcare systems where genetic testing is available in Jordan discussed current evidence and local real-life practice. The task force then formulated recommendations to achieve better patient outcomes and satisfaction based on evidence-based medicine and their clinical experience in BRCA-mutated breast cancer management. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Eligibility of patients for genetic testing, physician acceptance and willingness to integrate genetic testing into routine practice is encouraging but remains restricted by testing availability and financial coverage. Until more data is available, genetic testing should be targeted for breast cancer patients based on tumor subtypes, as well as family and personal history of cancer, as per international guidelines. Whenever possible, genetic testing should aim to detect all actionable genes through a multigene panel including BRCA1/2. Major challenges faced in clinical practice in Jordan include fear of genetic discrimination and social stigmatization, as well as hesitancy toward risk-reducing surgery. Pre-testing counseling is therefore critical to promote acceptance of genetic testing. Since geneticists are in short supply in Jordan, genetic counseling can be offered through a specially trained genetic counselor or through a hybrid system that includes oncologist-based counselling. In addition to cancer prevention, germline genetic testing may assist in the selection of specific anti-cancer therapy, such as PARP inhibitors, in patients with BRCA1/2 mutation. Nationwide initiatives are also needed to ensure access to PARP inhibition therapy and provide financial coverage for genetic screening, mastectomies and reconstructive surgery across Jordan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmat Abdel-Razeq
- Deputy Director General, Chief Medical Officer, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Salah Abbasi
- Hematology and Medical Oncology; Associate Professor of Medicine, Hematology & Oncology, Private Sector, Jordan University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ghadeer Abdeen
- Consultant Internal Medicine and Medical Oncologist, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hazem Abdulelah
- Consultant Internal Medicine and Medical Oncologist, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Jamil Debs
- Medical Affairs, Pfizer Inc., Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Majdi H Aljadayeh
- Head of Medical Oncology, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit, Military Cancer Center, Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdalla Awidi
- Professor of Medicine, Hematology & Oncology, Director of cell therapy center, Chief of Hematology & Oncology, Cell Therapy center, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Bartow BB, Siegal GP, Yalniz C, Elkhanany AM, Huo L, Ding Q, Sahin AA, Guo H, Magi-Galluzzi C, Harada S, Huang X. Mutations in Homologous Recombination Genes and Loss of Heterozygosity Status in Advanced-Stage Breast Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092524. [PMID: 37173992 PMCID: PMC10177458 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) have demonstrated antitumor activity in cancers with a homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and have recently been approved by the FDA for the treatment of germline BRCA1/2-mutation-associated breast cancer. PARPis have also been found to be efficacious in BRCA wild-type (BRCAwt) lesions with high genomic loss of heterozygosity (LOH-high). The goal of this study was to retrospectively investigate the tumor mutations in homologous recombination (HRR) genes and the LOH score in advanced-stage breast carcinomas (BCs). Sixty-three patients were included in our study, 25% of whom had HRR gene mutations in their tumors, including 6% BRCA1/2 and 19% non-BRCA-containing gene mutations. An HRR gene mutation was associated with a triple-negative phenotype. Twenty-eight percent of the patients had an LOH-high score, which, in turn, was associated with a high histological grade, a triple-negative phenotype, and a high tumor mutational burden (TMB). Among the six patients who received PARPi therapy, one had a tumor with a PALB2 mutation other than BRCA and had a clinical partial response. Twenty-two percent of the LOH-low tumors had BRCAwt-HRR gene mutations, compared with 11% of the LOH-high tumors. Comprehensive genomic profiling revealed a subset of breast cancer patients with a BRCAwt-HRR gene mutation that would be missed by an LOH test. The necessity of next-generation sequencing coupled with HRR gene analysis for PARPi therapy requires further investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke B Bartow
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Gene P Siegal
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ceren Yalniz
- Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ahmed M Elkhanany
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Hematology & Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Lei Huo
- Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Qingqing Ding
- Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Aysegul A Sahin
- Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hua Guo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Cristina Magi-Galluzzi
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Shuko Harada
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Xiao Huang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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