Background:

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most deadly cancer in women. The Inherited Ovarian Cancer Panel offers a multi-gene panel that analyses genes associated with increased risk for ovarian cancer. Formal studies of families (linkage analysis) have proven the existence of autosomal dominant predispositions to breast and ovarian cancer and have led to the identification of several highly penetrant genes as the cause of inherited cancer risk in many families.

Understanding the molecular etiology of such cancer incidence can help guide treatment and proper surveillance.  Our next-generation sequencing test is designed to detect mutations in the coding region of 7 genes associated with inherited ovarian cancer, or increasing the risk for cancer onset.  Our microarray test is designed to identify single exon deletions and duplications in the same 7 inherited ovarian cancer-associated genes.  Combining deletion/duplication data analyzed by microarray with next generation sequencing data will allow KDL to improve diagnostic yield and deliver more comprehensive results.

The results from genetic tests can facilitate assessment of levels of risk for patients and lead to more efficient and appropriate medical management. 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 ovarian cancer.
  • Testing for individuals with a positive family history for inherited ovarian cancer (targeted testing is available if familial mutation is known).

Methodology:

Next generation sequencing will analyze the exons or coding regions of 7 inherited ovarian cancer-associated genes using Illumina NextSeq 500 technology and preparing samples using hybridization probes to enrich exonic regions.  This assay does not assess regions of insufficient coverage, introns and promoter regions; pseudogenes; where the reference genome is inaccurate or contains gaps and insertions; and regions of high GC or polynucleotide repeats, but may contain variants that impact gene function.

Exon-level deletion/duplication analysis is performed by running the NGS data through the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) Germline Copy Number Variation best practices pipeline from GATK, version 4.1.4.1. A Bayesian model was validated clinically in our lab. The model can detect copy changes at a resolution of three (3) or more probe targets (exons) for deletions and duplications in genes that do not have pseudogenes, and is not designed to detect low-level mosaicism or balanced alterations. 

The 7 inherited ovarian cancer-associated genes are listed below:
BRCA1, BRCA2, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2

Specimen Requirements:

Blood: EDTA or ACD (Solution A or B):

  • Adult: 5 mL
  • Child: 2-3mL
  • Infant: 1-2mL

Saliva: 2 ORAgene™ Saliva Collection Kits (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.

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)

 

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:

3 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:

Additional Info:

The Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University is a pioneer in the field of precision cancer medicine. The institute's director, Brian Druker, M.D., helped prove it was possible to shut down just the cells that enable cancer to grow. This breakthrough has made once-fatal forms of the disease manageable and transformed how cancer is treated. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center between Sacramento and Seattle – an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers. It is headquarters for one of the National Cancer Institute's largest research collaboratives, SWOG, in addition to offering the latest treatments and technologies as well as hundreds of research studies and clinical trials.

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