Nationwide survey of the secondary findings in cancer genomic profiling: survey including liquid biopsy.

We surveyed the status of the secondary finding (SF) disclosure in comprehensive genome profiling (CGP) in 2020. The situation has changed: increase in the number of hospitals that provide CGP, an update to the Comprehensive Tumor Genomic Profiling: Materials for Review of Secondary Findings (CTGPMRSF), and the addition of a liquid biopsy test, FoundationOne® Liquid CDx (F1L). Moreover, the actual situation was unclear because the 2020 survey did not include all designated and cooperative hospitals. Herein, we conducted a questionnaire survey of all designated-core, designated, and cooperative hospitals to identify the current status and challenges concerning SF in the CGP in 2022. A total of 82.1% of the hospitals responded and 77.7% of the response was from cooperative hospitals. Approximately 80% of the hospitals used CTGPMRSF. SF disclosure, confirmatory test implementation, and SF confirmation rates were 12.4%, 31.6%, and 46.6% for FoundationOne® CDx (F1CDx), respectively, and 6.8%, 31.8%, and 70.7% for F1L, respectively. The implementation rate of the confirmatory test was substantially higher in hospitals with genetic experts and in hospitals that could conduct confirmatory tests on the same day. Our survey provides insight into how SF is handled in Japan. The percentage of cases leading to confirmatory tests has gradually increased, although challenges such as insurance coverage limitations and varied understanding of SF among patients and healthcare providers persist. With the increasing use of whole-genome analysis, our findings will provide valuable insights into establishing an effective SF disclosure system.

Two Japanese families with familial pancreatic cancer with suspected pathogenic variants of CDKN2A: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Germline mutations in CDKN2A result in Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome (FAMMM) (OMIM #155,601), which is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and melanoma. FAMMM has been reported globally, but it is quite rare in Japan. We report two families with familial pancreatic cancer with suspected pathogenic variants of CDKN2A that were incidentally identified through comprehensive genomic profiling. CASE PRESENTATION: The first case is a 74-year-old woman with a diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma with multiple liver metastases. She had family histories of pancreatic cancer, but no personal or family history of malignant melanoma. Whole exon sequencing detected a germline CDKN2A variant evaluated as likely pathogenic. The results were disclosed to her daughters after she died, and the same CDKN2A variant was detected in one of the daughter. The daughter was referred to a nearby hospital for her clinical management. The second case is a 65-year-old man with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. He had family histories of pancreatic cancer, but no personal or family history of malignant melanoma. He underwent a comprehensive genomic profiling test using pancreatic cancer tissue, and detected a presumed germline pathogenic variant of CDKN2A. Germline testing confirmed the same CDKN2A variant. Genetic analysis of his relatives produced negative results. Other blood relatives are scheduled for genetic analysis in the future. We report two families with familial pancreatic cancer with suspected pathogenic variants of CDKN2A that were incidentally identified through comprehensive genomic profiling. CONCLUSIONS: In current Japanese precision medicine, comprehensive genetic analysis can reveal rare genetic syndromes and offer us the opportunity to provide health management for patients and their relatives. However, gene-specific issues are raised in terms of the evaluation of a variant's pathogenicity and the extent of surveillance of the at-risk organs due to a lack of genetic and clinical data concerning CDKN2A variant carriers in Japan.

The response of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma to platinum and olaparib therapy in a germline BRCA2 variant carrier: case report and literature review.

A 73-year-old Japanese man with a history of distal biliary cancer treated by pancreatoduodenectomy developed pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC) treated by remnant pancreatectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Thirteen months after surgery, multiple liver metastases developed and FOLFOX chemotherapy was initiated. Based on the PACC diagnosis and a positive family history for breast and ovarian cancer genetic testing was performed which revealed a pathogenic germline BRCA2 variant (c.8629G > T, p.Glu2877Ter). Olaparib therapy was initiated and the metastases responded well (partial response). PACC is a BRCA2-associated cancer which may respond well to PARP inhibitors.

A Japanese case of ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma with germline double variants of MSH2 and BRCA2.

Germline double heterozygosity (GDH) is rarely reported in cases of inherited cancer syndromes, and GDH of a mismatch repair gene and BRCA has never been reported in Japan. Nonetheless, the current report demonstrates a case of ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma with initiated Lynch syndrome (LS)-related surveillance because of a known germline MSH2 variant. Six and a half years after oophorectomy, multiple tumors developed in the patient's lungs, bones, and lymph nodes, and histology results confirmed mucinous adenocarcinoma. Systemic chemotherapy including an anti-PD-L1 antibody was effective for >1 year, but brain metastases developed. Pathology of the brain tumors showed mucinous adenocarcinoma without expression of MSH2 and MSH6, while multi-gene panel testing demonstrated not only high microsatellite instability and a high tumor mutation burden, but also germline BRCA2 variants. Further, germline testing in relatives confirmed both variants were from the paternal line, from which many LS-related cancers develop, but not BRCA-related cancer.

A Cross-sectional Study of Regret in Cancer Patients After Sharing Test Results for Pathogenic Germline Variants of Hereditary Cancers With Relatives.

BACKGROUND: Research on whole genome/exome sequencing is increasing worldwide. However, challenges are emerging in relation to receiving germline pathogenic variant results and sharing them with relatives. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of and reasoning related to regret among patients with cancer who shared single-gene testing results and whole exome sequencing with family members. METHODS: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study. The Decision Regret Scale was administered, and descriptive questionnaires were used with 21 patients with cancer. RESULTS: Eight patients were classified as having no regret, 9 patients were classified as having mild regret, and 4 patients were classified as having moderate to strong regret. Reasons patients felt that sharing was the right decision included the following: to allow relatives and children to take preventive measures, the need for both parties to be aware of and ready for the hereditary transmission of cancer, and the need to be able to discuss the situation with others. On the other hand, some patients did not think it was a good decision to share the information because of the associated anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Regret over sharing test results for pathogenic germline variants of hereditary cancers with relatives tended to be low. The main reason was that patients believed that they were able to benefit others by sharing. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals need to understand the postsharing perceptions and experiences of patients and support them throughout the sharing process.

Discordance of microsatellite instability and mismatch repair immunochemistry occurs depending on the cancer type.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) and deficiency of mismatch repair (dMMR) are key markers for predicting the response of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and screening for Lynch syndrome (LS). This study examined the incidences of and factors associated with the concordance of MSI and MMR in human cancers. A total of 518 formalin-fixed cancer tissues were analyzed for MSI and MMR immunohistochemistry (IHC). MSI was analyzed by a PCR-based method using Promega markers. Concordance with MMR expression and factors associated with concordance were analyzed. In 2 colorectal cancer samples, MMR IHC failed due to inadequate staining conditions. In the remaining 516 cancers, a high level of MSI (MSI-H) was identified in 113 cases, and dMMR was identified in 112. The concordance of MSI and MMR IHC was 98.3%. Only 9 cases (4 pancreatobiliary, 3 colorectal, and 2 endometrial cancers) were discordant. Of the 113 MSI-H cases, 4 (3.5%) were proficient MMR (pMMR); of the 403 microsatellite stability (MSS) cases, 5 (1.2%) were dMMR. The independent factors associated with MSI-H/dMMR included meeting Amsterdam II criteria, assay purpose, and sampling method. Multivariate analysis revealed that cancer type (gastrointestinal cancers or others) was associated with concordance of MSI and MMR IHC. Three LS cases with pancreatic or endometrial cancer demonstrated MSS and dMMR, and one biliary cancer showed MSI-H and pMMR. Discordance between MSI and MMR IHC occasionally occurs in pancreaticobiliary and endometrial cancers. When suspected, both MSI and MMR IHC should be done to judge the ICI indication and screen for LS.

A Japanese case of familial malignant melanoma with germline CDK4 variant incidentally diagnosed by cancer genome profiling.

Familial malignant melanoma (FMM) is a hereditary tumor that is quite rare in Japan; to date, the germline CDK4 variant has scarcely been reported around the world. Thus, we report on a woman with FMM who developed salivary gland cancer, for which a germline pathogenic variant of CDK4 was incidentally identified through comprehensive genomic profiling. She had a history of multiple atypical nevi and a facial melanoma since her 30 s and multiple family histories of melanoma; however, none of her relatives were aware of its heredity. Genetic counseling and skin surveillance were performed. Precision medicine for cancer can discover this rare genetic syndrome and provides us with the opportunity to manage the health of patients and their relatives.

Genetic medicine in companion diagnostics of germline BRCA testing of Japanese pancreatic cancer patients.

In 2021, Japan's national health insurance made germline BRCA (g.BRCA) testing available to unresectable pancreatic cancer (PC) patients as a companion diagnostic (CD) of the PARP inhibitor. This study investigated the incidence of the g.BRCA variant (g.BRCAv.) and the status of the genetic medicine associated with its testing. A total of 110 PC patients underwent the testing, five of whom (4.5%) had a deleterious g.BRCA2v. (all truncations) but no g.BRCA1v. The turnaround time (TAT) to the doctors was 13 days, and to the patients, 17 days. A higher incidence of a BRCA-related family history and a shorter TAT were seen in the g.BRCAv. patients, but they were insignificant (p = 0.085 and p = 0.059, respectively). Genetic counseling was not performed for three g.BRCA2v. patients because two of them had no accessible relatives and one died of the cancer before the genetic report was completed. Two families underwent generic counseling and testing based on the patient's genetic data. g.BRCAv. is recognized in a small fraction of PC cases, and the following genetic counseling is done more for the relatives than for the patients. TAT was constant and did not affect much on the genetic counseling, but the earlier testing is expected for patients with a deadly cancer.

Present status of germline findings in precision medicine for Japanese cancer patients: issues in the current system.

OBJECTIVE: Since 2019, precision cancer medicine has been covered by national insurance in Japan; however, to date, germline findings have not been fully reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current status and raise a problem of germline finding analysis and disclosure in Japanese precision cancer medicine. METHODS: Germline findings of 52 genes were examined in 296 cases with advanced cancer by a case series study. RESULTS: Six (2.0%) cases were examined by the Oncoguide™ NCC Oncopanel with germline testing, but no germline findings were reported. The remaining 290 (98.0%) cases were analyzed by FoundationOne® CDx (tumor-only testing), which recognized 404 pathogenic variants; those of BRCA1/2 were recognized in 16 (5.5%) tumors. Our institutional algorithm suggested 39 candidate germline findings in 34 cases, while the public algorithm listed at least 91 candidate germline findings. Four germline findings had been previously identified (BRCA1: 3 and ATM: 1). Nine of 30 cases with candidate germline findings excluding these known germline findings refused or deferred germline testing. Only 4 of 16 cases that received counseling underwent germline testing, and those 4 revealed 3 germline findings (BRCA2, CDK4 and RAD51C); in total, 8 (2.7%) germline findings were revealed. Reasons for refusing genetic counseling and/or germline testing included extra hospital visits, added expense for germline testing due to limited national insurance coverage, poor patient physical condition and no known family members associated with the possible germline finding. CONCLUSIONS: In current Japanese precision cancer medicine, only a small fraction of the patients undergoes germline testing and demonstrated germline finding. The current results suggested a need for earlier indications for precision cancer medicine, broader insurance coverage and more efficient germline finding prediction algorithms, to increase the number of germline testings and to improve the following managements.

Current status and issues related to secondary findings in the first public insurance covered tumor genomic profiling in Japan: multi-site questionnaire survey.

In June 2019, the Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) system introduced coverage for two types of tumor genomic profiling (TGP): FoundationOneⓇ CDx (F1) and OncoGuide™ NCC OncoPanel System (NCCOP). TGP sometimes reveals germline variants that are potentially pathogenic as secondary findings (SFs). We conducted a questionnaire-based survey to find out the operational statuses of F1 and NCCOP at institutions where TGP was performed to elucidate issues related to SFs. Responses were received from 97 of 112 institutions (86.6%). As of May 31, 2020, 88 (90.7%) and 78 (80.4%) institutions started performing F1 and NCCOP, respectively. Since F1 only examines tumor samples, germline confirmatory testing is necessary to determine whether they are actually germline pathogenic variants (GPVs). When physicians are obtaining informed consent all but 2.3% of the patients requested SF disclosure. Conversely, when presumed germline pathogenic variants (PGPVs) were detected, 46.2% were not willing to receive confirmatory tests as they wanted to prioritize cancer treatment over SFs investigation, while only 23.3% underwent confirmatory tests. Problems in cancer genomic medicine reported by clinical genetics departments included short-staffing (n = 10), insufficient interdepartmental cooperation (n = 9), inconsistent understanding of genetics among healthcare professionals (n = 8), and low utilization rate of SFs due to lack of insurance coverage for confirmatory tests and post-test health checkups (n = 8). Solutions include; determining the appropriate timing to confirm patient intent on SF disclosure, covering confirmatory tests for PGPVs by the NHI, and establishing cooperation between the oncology and clinical genetics departments.

Microsatellite instability is biased in Amsterdam II-defined Lynch-related cancer cases with family history but is rare in other cancers: a summary of 1000 analyses.

BACKGROUND: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a key marker for predicting the response of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and for screening Lynch syndrome (LS). AIM: This study aimed to see the characteristics of cancers with high level of MSI (MSI-H) in genetic medicine and precision medicine. METHODS: This study analyzed the incidence of MSI-H in 1000 cancers and compared according to several clinical and demographic factors. RESULTS: The incidence of MSI-H was highest in endometrial cancers (26.7%, 20/75), followed by small intestine (20%, 3/15) and colorectal cancers (CRCs)(13.7%, 64/466); the sum of these three cancers (15.6%) was significantly higher than that of other types (2.5%)(P < 0.0001). MSI-H was associated with LS-related cancers (P < 0.0001), younger age (P = 0.009), and family history, but not with smoking, drinking, or serum hepatitis virus markers. In CRC cases, MSI-H was significantly associated with a family history of LS-related cancer (P < 0.0001), Amsterdam II criteria [odds ratio (OR): 5.96], right side CRCs (OR: 4.89), and multiplicity (OR: 3.31). However, MSI-H was very rare in pancreatic (0.6%, 1/162) and biliary cancers (1.6%, 1/64) and was null in 25 familial pancreatic cancers. MSI-H was more recognized in cancers analyzed for genetic counseling (33.3%) than in those for ICI companion diagnostics (3.1%)(P < 0.0001). Even in CRCs, MSI-H was limited to 3.3% when analyzed for drug use. CONCLUSIONS: MSI-H was predominantly recognized in LS-related cancer cases with specific family histories and younger age. MSI-H was limited to a small proportion in precision medicine especially for non-LS-related cancer cases.

Sharing genetic test results of germline pathogenic variants of hereditary cancer with relatives: A single-center cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether Japanese cancer patients share test results of germline pathogenic variants of hereditary cancer with their relatives. METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional study enrolled 21 Japanese patients who received results of germline pathogenic variants of hereditary cancer at least 6 months prior. RESULTS: All patients shared their test results with at least one relative, with the following sharing rates: 85.7% for first-degree relatives, 10% for second-degree relatives and 8.3% for third-degree relatives. Patients most commonly shared the information with their children aged >18 years (86.7%), followed by their siblings (73.6%), spouses (64.7%) and parents (54.5%). Three categories were extracted from qualitative analysis: 'characteristics of my cancer', 'knowledge and caution about inheritability' and 'utilization of medical care.' CONCLUSIONS: The rate of test result sharing with first-degree relatives was comparable with those in Europe and the USA. Patients with germline pathogenic variants also tended to share their test results more with their children and siblings than with their parents. Informing their relatives of the results was suggestive of the motivation to influence their relatives' health outcome and contribute to the well-being of their children and siblings.

Role of Tumor Mutation Burden Analysis in Detecting Lynch Syndrome in Precision Medicine: Analysis of 2,501 Japanese Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Tumor mutation burden (TMB) is the total exonic mutation count per megabase of tumor DNA. Recent advances in precision medicine occasionally detect Lynch syndrome (LS) by germline sequencing for mismatch-repair (g.MMR) genes but not using TMB. The current study analyzes the utility of TMB in detecting LS. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing (ion-semiconductor sequencing) was performed for somatic and germline DNA from 2,501 various cancer patients to detect TMB and g.MMR sequencing. MMR IHC was conducted when high TMB (≥10) was detected in LS-related cancers with an additional condition of wild-type BRAF in colorectal cancers. Target sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were further performed for g.MMR genes in MMR-deficient cancers (TMB-based g.MMR target sequencing). We compared universal sequencing and TMB-based target sequencing in their sensitivity for detecting LS. RESULTS: LS was detected in 16 (0.6%) of the 2,501 patients: 1.1% (9/826) of colorectal cancer patients, 16.2% (6/37) of endometrial cancer patients, and 14.3% (1/7) of small intestine cancer patients. TMB-based g.MMR target sequencing (81.3%) showed superior sensitivity for detecting LS than universal g.MMR sequencing (56.3%; P = 0.127) but missed 3 LS patients (1 with a low-TMB cancer, 1 with a BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer, and 1 with an MMR-proficient cancer). Ion-semiconductor sequencing could detect single-nucleotide substitutions but not large deletions. POL-mutated cancers showed extremely high TMBs (48.4-749.2). CONCLUSIONS: g.MMR target sequencing, combined with TMB, somatic BRAF mutation, and MMR IHC is an effective strategy for detecting LS. IMPACT: TMB can be a biomarker for detecting LS in precision medicine.

Disclosure of secondary findings in exome sequencing of 2480 Japanese cancer patients.

High-throughput sequencing has greatly contributed to precision medicine. However, challenges remain in reporting secondary findings (SFs) of germline pathogenic variants and managing the affected patients. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of SFs in Japanese cancer patients using whole exome sequencing (WES) and to understand patient preferences regarding SF disclosure. WES was conducted for 2480 cancer patients. Genomic data were screened and classified for variants of 59 genes listed by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics SF v2.0 and for an additional 13 hereditary cancer-related genes. Majority of the participants (68.9%; 1709/2480) opted for disclosure of their SFs. Thirty-two pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, including BRCA1 (7 patients), BRCA2 (4), CHEK2 (4), PTEN (3), MLH1 (3), SDHB (2), MSH6 (1), NF1 (1), EXT2 (1), NF1 (1), NTRK1 (1), MYH7 (3), MYL2 (1), TNNT2 (1), LDLR (2), FBN1 (1), and KCNH2 (1) were recognized in 36 patients (1.5%). Twenty-eight (77.8%) patients underwent genetic counseling and received their SF results. Eighteen (64.3%) patients underwent clinical management for SFs. Genetic validation tests were administered significantly more frequently to patients with than without a SF-related personal history (P = 0.025). This was a first attempt at a large-scale systematic exome analysis in Japan; nevertheless, many cancer patients opted for disclosure of SFs and accepted or considered clinical management.

Metachronous ovarian endometrioid carcinomas in a patient with a PTEN variant: case report of incidentally detected Cowden syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Somatic PTEN mutation occurs in a proportion of ovarian endometrioid carcinomas. However, these cancers have seldom been reported in diseases associated with germline PTEN variants, such as Cowden syndrome (CS). CASE PRESENTATION: The present case was a 39-year-old woman with a left ovarian carcinoma who demonstrated a germline splice variant of PTEN (c.1026 + 1G > T) following genome-wide whole exome sequencing of her germline DNA. Histology of her resected tumor revealed endometrioid carcinoma of the same type as a right ovarian cancer resected eight years previously. These tumors showed null immunostaining for PTEN. She was genetically diagnosed with CS. Despite her clinical examinations had demonstrated several characteristic findings of CS, including mammary fibroma, esophageal and skin papilloma, colonic hamartoma, uterine myoma, and lipoma, the clinicians could not approach this diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Ovarian endometrioid carcinoma is generally thought to develop from endometrial tissue menstruated from the uterus and implanted on the ovary. To date, ovarian cancers have not been listed as CS-related cancers; however, ovarian endometrioid cancer can have a potential association with CS in endometriosis cases.

Germline mismatch repair gene variants analyzed by universal sequencing in Japanese cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Lynch syndrome (LS) is the commonest inherited cancer syndrome caused by pathogenic variants of germline DNA mismatch repair (g.MMR) genes. Genome-wide sequencing is now increasingly applied for tumor characterization, but not for g.MMR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and pathogenicity of g.MMR variants in Japanese cancer patients. METHODS: Four g.MMR genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) were analyzed by next generation sequencing in 1058 cancer patients (614 male, 444 female; mean age 65.6 years) without past diagnosis of LS. The g.MMR variant pathogenicity was classified based on the ClinVar 2015 database. Tumor MMR immunohistochemistry, microsatellite instability (MSI), and BRAF sequencing were also investigated in specific cases. RESULTS: Overall, 46 g.MMR variants were detected in 167 (15.8%) patients, 17 likely benign variants in 119 patients, 24 variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) in 68 patients, two likely pathogenic variants in two patients, and three pathogenic variants in three (0.3%) patients. The three pathogenic variants included two colorectal cancers with MLH1 loss and high MSI and one endometrial cancer with MSH6 loss and microsatellite stability. Two likely pathogenic variants were shifted to VUSs by ClinVar (2018). One colon cancer with a likely benign variant demonstrated MLH1 loss and BRAF mutation, but other nonpathogenic variants showed sustained MMR and microsatellite stability. CONCLUSIONS: Universal sequencing of g.MMR genes demonstrated sundry benign variants, but only a small proportion of cancer patients had pathogenic variants. Pathogenicity evaluation using the ClinVar database agreed with MSI, MMR immunohistochemistry, and BRAF sequencing.

Self-perceptions from people with Down syndrome in Japan.

Self-perception of people with Down Syndrome (DS) was originally studied in the United States in 2011; this study indicated that 99% of people with DS are happy with their lives. In this study, we investigated self-perceptions of people with DS in Japan and compared the results to the previous study made in the United States. The participants (n = 300) were 12 years old or older and members of Japan Down Syndrome Society (JDS). The questionnaire was collected between 30 October 2015 and 26 November 2015. Of 96(32%) responses, 76 (97%) agreed they are happy with their lives. We found that most people with DS in Japan also feel positive about themselves and their lives. Along with the start of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in Japan, DS draws an attention from Japanese people because maternal age has been increasing. This has resulted in the growth of the number of prenatal tests marketed in Japan. Therefore, we expect our results to be relevant to genetic counseling for the couples considering prenatal tests or parents raising their children with DS so that they have a clearer image about life with DS and can better visualize their life plans.