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Cascade Genetic Testing of Relatives for Hereditary Cancer Risk: Results of an Online Initiative.

ABSTRACT: In cascade testing, genetic testing for an identified familial pathogenic variant extends to disease-free relatives to allow genetically targeted disease prevention. We evaluated the results of an online initiative in which carriers of 1 of 30 cancer-associated genes, or their first-degree relatives, could offer low-cost testing to at-risk first-degree relatives. In the first year, 1101 applicants invited 2280 first-degree relatives to undergo genetic testing. Of invited relatives, 47.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]?=?45.5 to 49.6%) underwent genetic testing, and 12.0% (95% CI?=?9.2 to 14.8%) who tested positive continued the cascade by inviting additional relatives to test. Of tested relatives, 4.9% (95% CI?=?3.8 to 6.1%) had a pathogenic variant in a different gene from the known familial one, and 16.8% (95% CI?=?14.7 to 18.8%) had a variant of uncertain significance. These results suggest that an online, low-cost program is an effective approach to implementing cascade testing, and that up to 5% of the general population may carry a pathogenic variant in 1 of 30 cancer-associated genes.

SUBMITTER: Caswell-Jin JL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6335111 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Cascade Genetic Testing of Relatives for Hereditary Cancer Risk: Results of an Online Initiative.

Caswell-Jin Jennifer L JL Zimmer Anjali D AD Stedden Will W Kingham Kerry E KE Zhou Alicia Y AY Kurian Allison W AW

Journal of the National Cancer Institute 20190101 1

In cascade testing, genetic testing for an identified familial pathogenic variant extends to disease-free relatives to allow genetically targeted disease prevention. We evaluated the results of an online initiative in which carriers of 1 of 30 cancer-associated genes, or their first-degree relatives, could offer low-cost testing to at-risk first-degree relatives. In the first year, 1101 applicants invited 2280 first-degree relatives to undergo genetic testing. Of invited relatives, 47.5% (95% co ...[more]

PMID: 30239769

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Studies have consistently indicated that the majority of individuals meeting the US Prevention Services Task Force guidelines for genetic testing have not had genetic counseling or testing. Despite increased availability and lower costs of multiplex cancer gene panels, there remains a gap in genetics services that has not been addressed by the current care delivery models. Lower cost of DNA sequencing with online patient-initiated ordering could increase test availability, but the ideal quantity and delivery method of patient education is not known. We hypothesized that online genetic education and testing with access to board certified genetic counselors could improve access to genetic testing while maintaining test quality and clinical utility. The MAGENTA (MAking GENetic Testing Accessible) trial is a nationwide randomized study designed to compare the effectiveness of online genetic education with pre- and post-test telephone genetic counseling to three potentially more accessible alternative approaches: online genetic education with optional telephone counseling, online genetic education with required pre-test telephone genetic counseling, and online genetic education with required post-test telephone genetic counseling. METHODS:3000 women nationwide will undergo genetic testing for 19 hereditary cancer genes. This is a randomized four-arm non-inferiority study with equal randomization. The four study arms were selected to independently assess the delivery of genetic information both before and after genetic testing (pre-test and post-test) by either requiring telephone genetic counseling or providing only online education with optional telephone counseling. Patients have post-test telephone counseling when testing positive for a pathogenic inherited mutation in all four arms. Surveys measuring psychological, behavioral and cognitive state are completed online at baseline, 3 months, 12 months and 24 months post-results disclosure. The primary study outcome is cancer-risk distress at 3 months post-result disclosure. DISCUSSION:This trial will assess the use of a genetic service model using online access and electronic education, while evaluating the need for personal pre- and post-test genetic counseling. Data from this study may lead to increased options for delivery of genetic testing and possibly increase access to genetic testing. Identifying more individuals with inherited cancer susceptibility will allow targeted cancer prevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02993068 (registered December 14, 2016).

Project description:Although multiple factors can influence the uptake of cascade genetic testing, the impact of proband indication has not been studied. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study comparing cascade genetic testing rates among relatives of probands who received either diagnostic germline testing or non-indication-based proactive screening via next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based multigene panels for hereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) and/or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The proportion of probands with a medically actionable (positive) finding were calculated based on genes associated with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tier 1 conditions, HCS genes, and FH genes. Among probands with a positive finding, cascade testing rates and influencing factors were assessed. A total of 270,715 probands were eligible for inclusion in the study (diagnostic n = 254,281,93.9%; proactive n = 16,434, 6.1%). A positive result in a gene associated with a CDC Tier 1 condition was identified in 10,520 diagnostic probands (4.1%) and 337 proactive probands (2.1%), leading to cascade testing among families of 3,305 diagnostic probands (31.4%) and 36 proactive probands (10.7%) (p < 0.0001). A positive result in an HCS gene was returned to 23,272 diagnostic probands (9.4%) and 970 proactive probands (6.1%), leading to cascade testing among families of 6,611 diagnostic probands (28.4%) and 89 proactive probands (9.2%) (p < 0.0001). Cascade testing due to a positive result in an HCS gene was more commonly pursued when the diagnostic proband was White, had a finding in a gene associated with a CDC Tier 1 condition, or had a personal history of cancer, or when the proactive proband was female. A positive result in an FH gene was returned to 1,647 diagnostic probands (25.3%) and 67 proactive probands (0.62%), leading to cascade testing among families of 360 diagnostic probands (21.9%) and 4 proactive probands (6.0%) (p < 0.01). Consistently higher rates of cascade testing among families of diagnostic probands may be due to a perceived urgency because of personal or family history of disease. Due to the proven clinical benefit of cascade testing, further research on obstacles to systematic implementation and uptake of testing for relatives of any proband with a medically actionable variant is warranted.

Project description:Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is frequently associated with constitutional mutations in a class of genes involved in DNA mismatch repair. We identified 32 kindreds, with germline mutations in one of three genes hMSH2, hMLH1 or hMSH6. In this study, we purposed to evaluate how many high-risk individuals in each family underwent genetic testing: moreover, we assessed how many mutation-positive unaffected individuals accepted colonoscopic surveillance and the main findings of the recommended follow-up. Families were identified through a population-based registry, or referred from other centres. Members of the families were invited for an education session with two members of the staff. When a kindred was consistent with HNPCC, neoplastic tissues were examined for microsatellite instability (MSI) and immunohistochemical expression of MSH2, MLH1 and MSH6 proteins. Moreover, constitutional mutations were searched by SSCP or direct sequencing of the whole genomic region. Of the 164 subjects assessed by genetic testing, 89 were gene carriers (66 affected - that is, with HNPCC-related cancer diagnosis - and 23 unaffected) and 75 tested negative. Among the 23 unaffected gene carriers, 18 (78.3%) underwent colonoscopy and four declined. On a total of 292 first degree at risk of cancer, 194 (66.4%) did not undergo genetic testing. The main reasons for this were: (a) difficulty to reach family members at risk, (b) lack of collaboration, (c) lack of interest in preventive medicine or 'fatalistic' attitude towards cancer occurrence. The number of colorectal lesions detected at endoscopy in gene carriers was significantly (P<0.01) higher than in controls (noncarriers). We conclude that a large fraction of high-risk individuals in mutation-positive HNPCC families does not undergo genetic testing, despite the benefits of molecular screening and endoscopic surveillance. This clearly indicates that there are still barriers to genetic testing in HNPCC, and that we are unable to provide adequate protection against cancer development in these families.

Project description:Breast, colorectal, ovarian, and endometrial cancers constitute approximately 30% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in Switzerland and affect more than 12,000 individuals annually. Several hundred of these patients are likely to carry known genetic mutations associated with HBOC or LS. Genetic testing for hereditary susceptibility to cancer can prevent many cancer deaths through early identification and engagement in high-risk management care that involves intensive surveillance, chemoprevention and/or prophylactic surgery. However, current rates of genetic testing indicate that many Swiss mutation carriers and their family members do not use cancer genetic services (counseling and/or testing), either due to lack of coordination of care or due to lack of communication about the mutation among family members. Cascade screening identifies and tests family members of a known mutation carrier. It determines whether asymptomatic family members are carriers of the identified mutation and proposes management options to reduce harmful outcomes. Robust evidence of basic science and descriptive population-based studies in Switzerland support the necessity of cascade screening for HBOC and LS. However, translation of this knowledge into public health interventions is lacking. Specific Aims of the CASCADE study are: 1. Survey Index Patients diagnosed with HBOC or LS from clinic-based genetic testing records and determine their cancer status and surveillance practices; needs for coordination of medical care; psychosocial needs; patient-provider and patient-family communication needs; quality of life; willingness to serve as advocates for cancer genetic services for blood relatives. 2. Survey first- and second-degree relatives, and first cousins identified from pedigrees and/or family history records of HBOC and LS Index Patients and determine their cancer and mutation status; cancer surveillance practices; needs for coordination of medical care; barriers and facilitators to using cancer genetic services; psychosocial needs; patient-provider and patient-family communication needs; quality of life; willingness to participate in a study designed to increase use of cancer genetic services. 3. Explore the influence of patient-provider communication about genetic cancer risk on patient-family communication and the acceptability of a family-based communication, coping, and decision support intervention with focus group(s) of mutation carriers and blood relatives.

Dataset Information

Cascade Genetic Testing of Relatives for Hereditary Cancer Risk: Results of an Online Initiative.

Publications

Cascade Genetic Testing of Relatives for Hereditary Cancer Risk: Results of an Online Initiative.

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