Background:
Hereditary cancer syndromes account for approximately 10% of cancers (Jahn et al. 2022). Understanding the molecular etiology of such cancer incidence in an individual can help guide proper surveillance, treatment and management strategies and determine risk for other family members. Our next-generation sequencing test is designed to detect variants in the coding region of 58 genes associated with cancer, or increasing the risk for cancer onset. This panel includes genes associated with: breast/ovarian/endometrial cancers; GI cancers, such as Lynch syndrome; renal and pancreatic cancers; melanoma; endocrine tumors, including multiple endocrine neoplasia; and syndromes associated with single gene defects, such as Birt-Hogg-Dube, Gorlin, Li-Fraumeni and Von-Hippel-Lindau, among others. It is recommended that this testing be accompanied by a complete family history and genetic counseling.
Reasons for Referral:
- Confirmation of a clinical diagnosis of an inherited cancer.
- Testing for individuals with a positive family history for inherited cancer (targeted testing is available if familial mutation is known)
Methodology:
Genomic DNA is analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina NextSeq 2000 platform, with target enrichment performed using hybridization-based probes to capture exonic (coding) regions of the gene(s). Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions or deletions (INDELs) are identified using the Illumina DRAGEN Enrichment Workflow, executed onboard the NextSeq2000. This pipeline combines software and hardware acceleration to generate high-confidence germline haplotype calls. Clinical and analytical validation of DRAGEN was performed in our laboratory. Based on validation study results, for SNVs, this assay achieves >96% analytical sensitivity and >99% positive predictive value (PPV). For INDELs 87% and the PPV is >97%. INDELs >50 bp may be detected but the sensitivity for these is reduced.
Exon-level copy number variants (CNVs) are detected using the Germline Copy Number Variation Best Practices pipeline from GATK. A Bayesian model, clinically validated in our laboratory, enables detection of deletions and duplications involving three or more contiguous exons in genes with adequate probe coverage and without complicating factors (e.g. pseudogene homology, short tandem repeats, segmental duplications). Please note that exon-centric microarray remains the gold standard for exonic copy number variant calling. If exon-centric microarray is of interest, please contact the laboratory for additional information.
This test is not designed to detect polynucleotide repeats, low-level mosaicism, structural rearrangements or balanced alterations (e.g. inversions, gene conversion events, translocations, etc.) or variants in difficult regions. Additionally, variants located in regions of insufficient coverage, including introns and promoter regions; pseudogenes; where the reference genome is inaccurate or contains gaps and insertions; and of high GC content may not be detected. This test does not provide complete coverage of all exons and noncoding regions may have limited information and ability to interpret. Variants in introns that are greater than 10 bp from the intron-exon junction may be analyzed. Please contact the laboratory if interrogation of intronic sequence greater than 10 bp from the intron-exon boundary is desired.
The 58 inherited cancer-associated genes are listed below:
Comprehensive Inherited Cancer (58 genes)
APC, ATM, AXIN2, BAP1, BARD1, BMPR1A, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDH1, CDK4, CDKN1B, CDKN2A, CHEK2, CTNNA1, DICER1, EPCAM, FH, FLCN, GREM1,HOXB13, KIT, MAX, MBD4, MEN1, MET, MLH1, MLH3, MRE11A, MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, MUTYH, NF1, NTHL1, PALB2, PMS2, PRKAR1A, POLD1, POLE, PTCH1, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, RET, SDHA, SDHAF2, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SMAD4, SMARCA4, STK11, TMEM127, TP53, TSC1, TSC2, VHL
The following regions have low-quality and/or limited coverage which may affect variant calling: PTCH1 (NM_000264.5): chr9:98270589-98270643
Specimen Requirements:
Blood: EDTA or ACD (Solution A or B):
- Adult: 5 mL
- Child: 5 mL
- Infant: 2-3 mL
Saliva: 2 ORAgene™ Saliva Collection Kit(s) (OGR-500) used according to manufacturer instructions. Please contact KDL Client Services for a Saliva Collection Kit for patients that cannot provide a blood sample.
Assisted Saliva: 4 ORAgene™ Assisted Saliva Collection Kits (OGR-575) used according to manufacturer instructions. Please contact KDL Client Services for an Assisted Saliva Collection Kit for patients that cannot provide a blood sample.
Buccal Cells: 4 CytoSoft™ Cytology Brush (Medical Packaging CYB-1) used according to manufacturer instructions. Please contact KDL Client Services for a Buccal Collection Kit for patients that cannot provide a blood sample.
Skin Fibroblast: Punch Biopsy (Cell cultures will be prepared at KDL and used for testing), or 2 T-25 confluent flasks.
DNA: 5-10µg at a minimum of 60-100ng/µL (DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory or a laboratory meeting equivalent requirements as determined by the CAP and/or CMS).
For routine testing of blood, saliva and buccal swabs, KDL does NOT accept samples from patients within two (2) weeks of a packed cell/platelet transfusion or within four (4) weeks of a whole blood transfusion. For extraordinary circumstances, where testing must be performed within the above windows, please contact our lab.
A REQUISITION FORM MUST ACCOMPANY ALL SAMPLES. Please include detailed clinical information, including ethnicity, clinical history, and family history.
Test Performed (Days):
Weekly
Turn Around Time:
5 weeks
Shipment Sensitivity Requirements:
- Package and ship specimen to remain cold, but not frozen.
- Ship via overnight express, using the FedEx priority overnight label provided.
- Contact Client Services for shipping kits and instructions at (855) 535-1522.
References:
- Jahn A, Rump A, Widmann TJ, et al. Comprehensive cancer predisposition testing within the prospective MASTER trial identifies hereditary cancer patients and supports treatment decisions for rare cancers. Ann Oncol. 2022;33(11):1186-1199. PMID: 35988656
Additional Info: