Alpha to Omicron: Disease Severity and Clinical Outcomes of Major SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

BACKGROUND: Four severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants predominated in the United States since 2021. Understanding disease severity related to different SARS-CoV-2 variants remains limited. METHOD: Viral genome analysis was performed on SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolates circulating March 2021 through March 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. Major variants were correlated with disease severity and patient outcomes. RESULTS: In total 2779 patients identified with either Alpha (n 1153), Gamma (n 122), Delta (n 808), or Omicron variants (n 696) were selected for analysis. No difference in frequency of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death were found among Alpha, Gamma, and Delta variants. However, patients with Omicron infection were significantly less likely to be admitted to the hospital, require oxygen, or admission to the ICU (2 12.8, P .001; 2 21.6, P .002; 2 9.6, P .01, respectively). In patients whose vaccination status was known, a substantial number had breakthrough infections with Delta or Omicron variants (218/808 [26.9] and 513/696 [73.7], respectively). In breakthrough infections, hospitalization rate was similar regardless of variant by multivariate analysis. No difference in disease severity was identified between Omicron subvariants BA.1 and BA.2. CONCLUSIONS: Disease severity associated with Alpha, Gamma, and Delta variants is comparable while Omicron infections are significantly less severe. Breakthrough disease is significantly more common in patients with Omicron infection.

Circulating Tumor DNA Testing Supports Rapid Therapeutic Decision-Making in Metastatic Melanoma: A Case Report.

Treatment of metastatic melanoma includes the option of targeted therapy in patients with driver BRAF mutations. BRAF-MEK inhibitor drugs improve survival in the approximately 50% of patients with melanoma that harbor BRAF mutations. As BRAF mutation detection in tissue often takes days to weeks, it is not always possible or timely to obtain BRAF status in tissue using immunohistochemistry or next generation sequencing. Plasma-derived circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a potential alternative analyte in such treatment settings. We present a case of metastatic melanoma that was treated in an emergent setting using therapy supported by rapid PCR-based detection of ctDNA positive for a BRAF V600 mutation. In this rapidly deteriorating 53-year-old male with diffuse melanoma metastases and unknown BRAF mutation status requiring hospital admission, a plasma-based BRAF mutation detection supported treatment with targeted therapy, dabrafenib and trametinib. Same-day initiation of therapy resulted in swift amelioration allowing discharge within a week, followed by substantial clinical improvement over the following weeks. In cases requiring urgent clinical decision making, a plasma-based, near point-of-care detection system is useful in supporting targeted therapy decisions without the need for invasive and time-consuming biopsy.

Deep oncopanel sequencing reveals within block position-dependent quality degradation in FFPE processed samples.

BACKGROUND: Clinical laboratories routinely use formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue or cell block cytology samples in oncology panel sequencing to identify mutations that can predict patient response to targeted therapy. To understand the technical error due to FFPE processing, a robustly characterized diploid cell line was used to create FFPE samples with four different pre-tissue processing formalin fixation times. A total of 96 FFPE sections were then distributed to different laboratories for targeted sequencing analysis by four oncopanels, and variants resulting from technical error were identified. RESULTS: Tissue sections that fail more frequently show low cellularity, lower than recommended library preparation DNA input, or target sequencing depth. Importantly, sections from block surfaces are more likely to show FFPE-specific errors, akin to "edge effects" seen in histology, while the inner samples display no quality degradation related to fixation time. CONCLUSIONS: To assure reliable results, we recommend avoiding the block surface portion and restricting mutation detection to genomic regions of high confidence.

Most Frequently Cited Accreditation Inspection Deficiencies for Clinical Molecular Oncology Testing Laboratories and Opportunities for Improvement.

CONTEXT.­: The College of American Pathologists (CAP), a laboratory accreditation organization with deemed status under the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments of 1988 administers accreditation checklists. Checklists are used by laboratories to ensure regulatory compliance. Peer-level laboratory professionals audit laboratory records during inspections to assess compliance. OBJECTIVE.­: To identify the most frequently cited deficiencies for molecular oncology laboratories undergoing CAP accreditation inspections and describe laboratory improvement opportunities. DESIGN.­: The CAP Molecular Oncology Committee (MOC), which is involved in maintaining the Molecular Pathology checklist, reviewed data and inspector comments associated with the most frequently observed citations related to molecular oncology testing from laboratories inspected by the CAP during a 2-year period (2018-2020). RESULTS.­: Of 422 molecular oncology laboratories that underwent accreditation inspections, 159 (37.7%) were not cited for any molecular oncology-related deficiencies. For the All Common (COM) and Molecular Pathology checklists, there were 364 and 305 deficiencies, corresponding to compliance rates of 98.8% and 99.6%, respectively. The most frequently cited deficiencies are described. The COM checklist deficiencies were associated most often with the analytic testing phase; the MOL checklist deficiencies were more evenly distributed across the preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases of testing. CONCLUSIONS.­: Molecular oncology laboratories demonstrated excellent compliance with practices that support high-quality results for patients and the health care providers who use those test results in patient management. This review includes a critical assessment of opportunities for laboratories to improve compliance and molecular oncology testing quality.

A Model for Design and Implementation of a Laboratory Information-Management System Specific for Molecular Pathology Laboratory Operations.

The Molecular Pathology Section, Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH), has undergone enhancement of its testing portfolio and processes. An Excel 2013- and paper-based data-management system was replaced with a commercially available laboratory information-management system (LIMS) software application, a separate bioinformatics platform, customized test-interpretation applications, a dedicated sample-accessioning service, and a results-releasing software application. The customized LIMS solution manages complex workflows, large-scale data packets, and process automation. A customized approach was required because, in a survey of commercially available off-the-shelf software products, none met the diverse and complex needs of this molecular diagnostics service. The project utilized the expertise of clinical laboratorians, pathologists, genetics counselors, bioinformaticians, and systems analysts in partnering with software-engineering consultants to design and implement a solution. Concurrently, Agile software-building best practices were formulated, which may be emulated for scalable and cost-effective laboratory-authored software.

Does histological assessment accurately distinguish separate primary lung adenocarcinomas from intrapulmonary metastases? A study of paired resected lung nodules in 32 patients using a routine next-generation sequencing panel for driver mutations.

AIM: Various approaches have been reported for distinguishing separate primary lung adenocarcinomas from intrapulmonary metastases in patients with two lung nodules. The aim of this study was to determine whether histological assessment is reliable and accurate in distinguishing separate primary lung adenocarcinomas from intrapulmonary metastases using routine molecular findings as an adjunct. METHODS: We studied resected tumour pairs from 32 patients with lung adenocarcinomas in different lobes. In 15 of 32 tumour pairs, next-generation sequencing (NGS) for common driver mutations was performed on both nodules. The remainder of tumour pairs underwent limited NGS, or EGFR genotyping. Tumour pairs with different drivers (or one driver/one wild-type) were classified as molecularly unrelated, while those with identical low-frequency drivers were classified as related. Three pathologists independently and blinded to the molecular results categorised tumour pairs as related or unrelated based on histological assessment. RESULTS: Of 32 pairs, 15 were classified as related by histological assessment, and 17 as unrelated. Of 15 classified as related by histology, 6 were classified as related by molecular analysis, 4 were unrelated and 5 were indeterminate. Of 17 classified as unrelated by histology, 14 were classified as unrelated by molecular analysis, none was related and 3 were indeterminate. Histological assessment of relatedness was inaccurate in 4/32 (12.5%) tumour pairs. CONCLUSIONS: A small but significant subset of two-nodule adenocarcinoma pairs is inaccurately judged as related by histological assessment, and can be proven to be unrelated by molecular analysis (driver gene mutations), leading to significant downstaging.

A comprehensive analysis of cytopenias and bone marrow morphology in patients with a history of bariatric and metabolic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Following bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS), patients may develop persistent cytopenia(s) despite adequate micronutrient levels. A comprehensive analysis of laboratory and hematopathologic findings in BMS patients with unexplained cytopenia(s) has not been previously described. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and laboratory data, bone marrow histology, and used ancillary testing to characterize patients with a history of BMS who had subsequent bone marrow biopsies due to unexplained cytopenia(s). RESULTS: All patients had anemia and 59% (23/39) had additional cytopenias. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and clonal cytopenia of unknown significance (CCUS) were diagnosed in 8% (3/39) and 10% (4/39), respectively. Remaining cases were classified as idiopathic cytopenia of unknown significance (ICUS) with anemia alone (ICUS-A) in 47% (15/32) or multiple cytopenias (ICUS-PAN) in 53% (17/32). Time since surgery, age, or amount of weight loss was not associated with a specific diagnosis. No patient was vitamin B12 or folate deficient. However, vitamin B6 and zinc were decreased in 47% (5/11) and 29% (9/29), respectively. Examination of bone marrow aspirates revealed slight erythroid dyspoiesis affecting <10% of precursors in 60% (9/15) ICUS-A and 59% (10/17) ICUS-PAN. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow findings in patients with unexplained cytopenia(s) after BMS are not specific in the majority of cases, and caution is advised when interpreting dyserythropoiesis. Levels of micronutrients and vitamins other than iron, folate and vitamin B12 are frequently disturbed in this patient cohort and warrant correction and close clinical follow-up.

Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the Initial Pandemic Wave and Association With Disease Severity.

Importance: Understanding of SARS-CoV-2 variants that alter disease outcomes are important for clinical risk stratification and may provide important clues to the complex virus-host relationship. Objective: To examine the association of identified SARS-CoV-2 variants, virus clades, and clade groups with disease severity and patient outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cross-sectional study, viral genome analysis of clinical specimens obtained from patients at the Cleveland Clinic infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the initial wave of infection (March 11 to April 22, 2020) was performed. Identified variants were matched with clinical outcomes. Data analysis was performed from April to July 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: Hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mortality, and laboratory outcomes were matched with SARS-CoV-2 variants. Results: Specimens sent for viral genome sequencing originated from 302 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (median [interquartile range] age, 52.6 [22.8 to 82.5] years), of whom 126 (41.7%) were male, 195 (64.6%) were White, 91 (30.1%) required hospitalization, 35 (11.6%) needed ICU admission, and 17 (5.6%) died. From these specimens, 2531 variants (484 of which were unique) were identified. Six different SARS-CoV-2 clades initially circulated followed by a rapid reduction in clade diversity. Several variants were associated with lower hospitalization rate, and those containing 23403A>G (D614G Spike) were associated with increased survival when the patient was hospitalized (64 of 74 patients [86.5%] vs 10 of 17 patients [58.8%]; χ21 = 6.907; P = .009). Hospitalization and ICU admission were similar regardless of clade. Infection with Clade V variants demonstrated higher creatinine levels (median [interquartile range], 2.6 [-0.4 to 5.5] mg/dL vs 1.0 [0.2 to 2.2] mg/dL; mean creatinine difference, 2.9 mg/dL [95% CI, 0.8 to 5.0 mg/dL]; Kruskal-Wallis P = .005) and higher overall mortality rates (3 of 14 patients [21.4%] vs 17 of 302 patients [5.6%]; χ21 = 5.640; P = .02) compared with other variants. Infection by strains lacking the 23403A>G variant showed higher mortality in multivariable analysis (odds ratio [OR], 22.4; 95% CI, 0.6 to 5.6; P = .01). Increased variants of open reading frame (ORF) 3a were associated with decreased hospitalization frequency (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.96; P = .04), whereas increased variants of Spike (OR, 0.01; 95% CI, <0.01 to 0.3; P = .01) and ORF8 (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, <0.01 to 0.6; P = .03) were associated with increased survival. Conclusions and Relevance: Within weeks of SARS-CoV-2 circulation, a profound shift toward 23403A>G (D614G) specific genotypes occurred. Replaced clades were associated with worse clinical outcomes, including mortality. These findings help explain persistent hospitalization yet decreasing mortality as the pandemic progresses. SARS-CoV-2 clade assignment is an important factor that may aid in estimating patient outcomes.

Gene Fusion Identification Using Anchor-Based Multiplex PCR and Next-Generation Sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Methods for identifying gene fusion events, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and transcriptome analysis, are either single gene approaches or require bioinformatics expertise not generally available in clinical laboratories. We analytically validated a customized next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel targeting fusion events in 34 genes involving soft-tissue sarcomas. METHODS: Specimens included 87 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues with known gene fusion status. Isolated total nucleic acid was used to identify fusion events at the RNA level. The potential fusions were targeted by gene-specific primers, followed by primer extension and nested PCR to enrich for fusion candidates with subsequent bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: The study generated results using the following quality metrics for fusion detection: (a) ≥100 ng total nucleic acid, (b) RNA average unique start sites per gene-specific primer control ≥10, (c) quantitative PCR assessing input RNA quality had a crossing point <30, (d) total RNA percentage ≥30%, and (e) total sequencing fragments ≥500 000. CONCLUSIONS: The test validation study demonstrated analytical sensitivity of 98.7% and analytical specificity of 90.0%. The NGS-based panel generated highly concordant results compared to alternative testing methods.

EWSR1-SMAD3 rearranged fibroblastic tumor: Case series and review.

We report the largest series to date (N = 6) of EWSR1-SMAD3 rearranged fibroblastic tumor. Initially described in 2018, the tumor features a marked female predominance (F:M, 5:1, mean age 44-years, median age 45.5 years; range 27-57), with most cases (5/6, 83%) arising in acral locations (4 on foot/toe, 1 on hand). One case presented on the lower extremity. The lesions presented as nodules and were composed of short, variably cellular, intersecting fascicles of uniform spindled cells in a collagenous to myxoid stroma. In four cases, the tumor abutted the epidermis without a grenz zone. In one case, there was an abrupt transition to a central, acellular hyalinized area. Two other cases had admixed smaller collagenous areas, reminiscent of collagen rosettes. One had a concentric arrangement of tumor cells around blood vessels. Mitotic activity was low (<1/10 HPFs). All were positive for ERG by immunohistochemistry and negative for CD34 (6/6). An EWSR1-SMAD3 fusion was identified in three cases tested by next-generation sequencing (3/3). Rearrangement of EWSR1 by fluorescence in situ hybridization was showed in 1/1 case. Our series reaffirms prior findings and expands the known histopathologic spectrum of this emerging entity.

Inflammatory Pseudotumor-Like Follicular/Fibroblastic Dendritic Cell Sarcomas of the Spleen Are EBV-Associated and Lack Other Commonly Identifiable Molecular Alterations.

Inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular/fibroblastic dendritic cell sarcoma (IPT-like FFDCS) is a rare, indolent neoplasm that occurs in the spleen or liver and harbors Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) integrated into the host genome. The molecular genetic characteristics of IPT-like FFDCS have not been well studied and there are no established and actionable molecular features to guide treatment decisions or diagnosis beyond the recognition of viral genome integration. We subjected two cases of IPT-like FFDCS to a comprehensive next-generation sequencing analysis. Several variants of uncertain clinical significance were detected in both tumors. No variants of potential or strong clinical significance were detected within the targeted regions of the evaluated genes. Additionally, no fusion events were detected involving the genes in either tumor. The performed molecular analysis identified no genetic aberrations in IPT-like FFDCS and its genomic landscape remains, with the exception of a monoclonal EBV gene, largely undefined.

Diagnostic Utility of a Custom 34-Gene Anchored Multiplex PCR-Based Next-Generation Sequencing Fusion Panel for the Diagnosis of Bone and Soft Tissue Neoplasms With Identification of Novel USP6 Fusion Partners in Aneurysmal Bone Cysts.

CONTEXT.­: Bone and soft tissue tumors are heterogeneous, diagnostically challenging, and often defined by gene fusions. OBJECTIVE.­: To present our experience using a custom 34-gene targeted sequencing fusion panel. DESIGN.­: Total nucleic acid extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens was subjected to open-ended, nested anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction and enrichment of 34 gene targets, thus enabling detection of known and novel fusion partners. RESULTS.­: During a 12-month period, 147 patients were tested as part of routine clinical care. Tumor percentage ranged from 10% to 100% and turnaround time ranged from 3 to 15 (median, 7.9) days. The most common diagnostic groups were small round blue cell tumors, tumors of uncertain differentiation, fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumors, and adipocytic tumors. In-frame fusion transcripts were identified in 64 of 142 cases sequenced (45%): in 62 cases, the detection of a disease-defining fusion confirmed the morphologic impression; in 2 cases, a germline TFG-GPR128 polymorphic fusion variant was detected. Several genes in the panel partnered with multiple fusion partners specific for different diagnoses, for example, EWSR1, NR4A3, FUS, NCOA2, and TFE3. Interesting examples are presented to highlight how fusion detection or lack thereof was instrumental in establishing accurate diagnoses. Novel fusion partners were detected for 2 cases of solid aneurysmal bone cysts (PTBP1-USP6, SLC38A2-USP6). CONCLUSIONS.­: Multiplex detection of fusions in total nucleic acid purified from FFPE specimens facilitates diagnosis of bone and soft tissue tumors. This technology is particularly useful for morphologically challenging entities and in the absence of prior knowledge of fusion partners, and has the potential to discover novel fusion partners.

Targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) to classify melanocytic neoplasms.

This study piloted a pan-solid-tumor next generation sequence (NGS)-based laboratory developed test as a diagnostic aid in melanocytic tumors. 31 cases (4 "epithelioid" nevi, 5 blue nevi variants, 7 Spitz tumors [3 benign and 4 malignant] and 15 melanomas) were evaluated. All tumors [median diameter 7 mm (range 4-15 mm); median thickness 2.25 mm (range 0.25-12 mm)] yielded satisfactory results. The number of small nucleotide variants/tumor was significantly different between melanoma (median 18/tumor, range 4-71) and all other lesions (median 8/tumor, range 3-17) (P < 0.004) and malignant (median 16/tumor, range 4-71) vs benign lesions (median 7/tumor, range 3-14) (P = 0.01). BRAF, MET, NTRK1, and ROS fusions only occurred in benign Spitz tumors; EML4 fusion, BRAF, MAP2K1 and TERT mutations occurred in malignant Spitz tumors and/or melanoma. Amplifications and NRAS and NF1 mutations only occurred in melanoma. Most melanomas contained >1 pathogenic alteration. Developed NGS-based criteria correctly classified all malignant lesions in this series. 10/12 cases showed concordance with FISH; consensus diagnosis agreed with NGS classification in FISH-non-concordant cases. This pilot study suggests that NGS may be an effective diagnostic adjunct comparable to FISH, but further studies with larger numbers of cases are needed.

Superficial sarcomas with CIC rearrangement are aggressive neoplasms: A series of eight cases.

CIC rearranged sarcomas have significant overlap with Ewing sarcoma, are aggressive, and typically present in deep soft tissue. They most commonly have a t(4;19)(q35;q13) with CIC-DUX4 fusion. Superficial presentation is rare. We report eight (6F, 2M; median 45-years-old, range 14-65) superficial CIC-rearranged sarcomas, involving the extremities (n = 4), vulva (n = 2), and trunk (n = 2). The tumors were composed of nodules/sheets of round cells with necrosis and hemorrhage separated by dense hyaline bands. Tumor cells had vesicular chromatin, prominent nucleoli and frequent mitotic figures. One showed pagetoid spread. Targeted next-generation sequencing was positive for CIC-DUX4 fusion (6/6); fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was positive for CIC rearrangement (2/3). Eight of eight had evidence of CIC-DUX4 fusion/rearrangement by molecular techniques. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD99+ (8/8) and DUX4+ (4/4). FISH for EWSR1 rearrangement was negative (5/5). Of five patients with at least 6 months follow-up, three of five died of disease, all within 2 years of presentation. One is alive with disease at 48 months. One is disease free at 3 months. Superficial CIC-rearranged sarcomas should be considered in cases exhibiting features reminiscent of Ewing sarcoma, but with increased pleomorphism and/or geographic necrosis. In contrast to superficial Ewing sarcomas, superficial CIC-rearranged sarcomas are aggressive.

"Renal Cell Carcinoma With Leiomyomatous Stroma" Harbor Somatic Mutations of TSC1, TSC2, MTOR, and/or ELOC (TCEB1): Clinicopathologic and Molecular Characterization of 18 Sporadic Tumors Supports a Distinct Entity.

Renal cell carcinoma with (angio) leiomyomatous stroma (RCCLMS) is included as a provisional entity in the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of renal epithelial neoplasia; however, debate remains whether it represents a distinct entity or a heterogenous group of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) with overlapping morphology. Also, its relationship to similar tumors occurring in the setting of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is not fully addressed. We analyzed the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics of 23 sporadic RCCs associated with smooth muscle stroma and classified them into 2 groups, independent of molecular results: (1) RCCLMS (n=18) and (2) clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) (n=5). The classification of a case as "RCCLMS" was based on morphologic comparison with 5 "index" RCCs from 3 patients with TSC showing similar features and the presence of diffuse CK7 expression. To investigate mutational and copy number alterations, a 170-gene solid tumor panel was utilized to sequence 14 RCCLMSs and control of 5 CCRCCs. Also, 4 RCCLMSs, suspicious for chromosome 8 monosomy, were further evaluated by a broader 479 gene sequencing panel that included ELOC (also referred to as TCEB1). Clinical information and follow-up data were obtained from electronic medical records. The mean age of patients with RCCLMS was 52 years (range, 33 to 69) with male:female ratio of 1:2. Macroscopically, all tumors were solitary and predominantly (82%) tan/red, circumscribed, and solid. The average tumor size was 2.3 cm (range, 1.1 to 4.5). Microscopically, the distinctive feature included tumor nodules of elongated and frequently branching tubules lined by cells with voluminous clear to mildly eosinophilic cytoplasm (100%), separated by focal to prominent smooth muscle stroma. Additional frequently identified features included: biphasic pattern of collapsed acini surrounding tubules with voluminous cytoplasm (50%), focal papillary architecture (39%), peritumoral lymphoid aggregates (39%), and hemosiderin-laden macrophages (33%). All 11 (100%) RCCLMSs with available staging information were pT1; 78% were WHO/International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) grade 2 and 22% grade 3. Immunophenotypically, RCCLMSs were characterized by diffuse CK7, CAM5.2 and CD10 reactivity (100%). All patients with available follow-up (n=10) were alive and without disease progression after a mean and median follow-up of 25.2 (range: 1 to 58) and 25 months, respectively. The molecular results showed recurrent mutations in all RCCLMS: TSC1 (4), TSC2 (4), MTOR (6), and/or ELOC (2). Five control CCRCCs demonstrated primary alterations in VHL gene, while all 14 RCCLMS cases tested had intact VHL gene. Of 2 RCCLMSs with confirmed monosomy 8, 1 showed a hotspot ELOC mutation without TSC/MTOR mutations, and 1 showed a previously undescribed 3-bp in-frame ELOC deletion, along with a truncating TSC1 mutation. In conclusion, RCCLMS, as defined herein, harbors recurrent mutations of TSC1/TSC2, MTOR, and/or ELOC, consistent with hyperactive MTOR complex. Our findings argue that these tumors represent the sporadic counterpart to morphologically identical tumors occurring in TSC patients. Finally, the data support that RCCLMS is a novel subtype of RCC with unique morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics that is distinct from CCRCC and clear cell-papillary RCC.

Perspectives on the Affordability of Precision Medicine.

This commentary highlights the article by Hsiao et al, who explore the recent migration of Current Procedural Terminology codes for reimbursement of genomic tests.

Incidental Detection of Maternal Neoplasia in Noninvasive Prenatal Testing.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) uses cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as an analyte to detect copy-number alterations in the fetal genome. Because maternal and fetal cfDNA contributions are comingled, changes in the maternal genome can manifest as abnormal NIPT results. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) present in cases of maternal neoplasia has the potential to distort the NIPT readout to a degree that prevents interpretation, resulting in a nonreportable test result for fetal aneuploidy. METHODS: NIPT cases that showed a distortion from normal euploid genomic representation were communicated to the caregiving physician as nonreportable for fetal aneuploidy. Follow-up information was subsequently collected for these cases. More than 450000 pregnant patients who submitted samples for clinical laboratory testing >3 years are summarized. Additionally, in-depth analysis was performed for >79000 research-consented samples. RESULTS: In total, 55 nonreportable NIPT cases with altered genomic profiles were cataloged. Of these, 43 had additional information available to enable follow-up. A maternal neoplasm was confirmed in 40 of these cases: 18 malignant, 20 benign uterine fibroids, and 2 with radiological confirmation but without pathological classification. CONCLUSIONS: In a population of pregnant women who submitted a blood sample for cfDNA testing, an abnormal genomic profile not consistent with fetal abnormalities was detected in about 10 out of 100000 cases. A subset of these observations (18 of 43; 41.9%) was attributed to maternal malignant neoplasms. These observational results suggest the need for a controlled trial to evaluate the potential of using cfDNA as an early biomarker of cancer.

Clinical Validity and Utility: Putting the Patient Front and Center.

This commentary highlights the article by Joseph et al that provides guidelines for ascribing patient-centric clinical utility and validity parameters.

The Evolving Role of the Laboratory Professional in the Age of Genome Sequencing: A Vision of the Association for Molecular Pathology.

In conclusion, to maximize the benefit of the genomic era, the molecular laboratory director will continue to be essential in the generation, analysis, and interpretation of patient results, which now include genomic data obtained through NGS approaches. That includes integrating this information as part of the complete care of the patient and communicating and interacting with professionals across disciplines. In addition, the molecular laboratory director must continue to provide training and education to current and future colleagues, within and outside of molecular pathology and molecular genetics. Professionalism includes volunteerism in professional organizations and education and advocacy to policy makers, health administrators, payers, and the public. It also includes efforts to increase visibility of the profession to our colleagues from other medical disciplines and the public at large. Thus, the role of the molecular laboratory professional is multifaceted, but, above all, it is to ensure the access to and quality of molecular pathology testing, the responsible implementation of expanded test modalities such as genome sequencing, and the interpretation thereof to aid the clinician in the medical management of the patient and ultimately to benefit the society by providing precision patient care.