Prospective, multi-site study of healthcare utilization after actionable monogenic findings from clinical sequencing.

As large-scale genomic screening becomes increasingly prevalent, understanding the influence of actionable results on healthcare utilization is key to estimating the potential long-term clinical impact. The eMERGE network sequenced individuals for actionable genes in multiple genetic conditions and returned results to individuals, providers, and the electronic health record. Differences in recommended health services (laboratory, imaging, and procedural testing) delivered within 12 months of return were compared among individuals with pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) findings to matched individuals with negative findings before and after return of results. Of 16,218 adults, 477 unselected individuals were found to have a monogenic risk for arrhythmia (n = 95), breast cancer (n = 96), cardiomyopathy (n = 95), colorectal cancer (n = 105), or familial hypercholesterolemia (n = 86). Individuals with P/LP results more frequently received services after return (43.8%) compared to before return (25.6%) of results and compared to individuals with negative findings (24.9%; p < 0.0001). The annual cost of qualifying healthcare services increased from an average of $162 before return to $343 after return of results among the P/LP group (p < 0.0001); differences in the negative group were non-significant. The mean difference-in-differences was $149 (p < 0.0001), which describes the increased cost within the P/LP group corrected for cost changes in the negative group. When stratified by individual conditions, significant cost differences were observed for arrhythmia, breast cancer, and cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, less than half of individuals received billed health services after monogenic return, which modestly increased healthcare costs for payors in the year following return.

IL233, an IL-2-IL-33 hybrid cytokine induces prolonged remission of mouse lupus nephritis by targeting Treg cells as a single therapeutic agent.

Lupus glomerulonephritis (GN) is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune complex-deposition, complement activation and glomerular inflammation. In lupus-prone NZM2328 mice, the occurrence of lupus GN was accompanied by a decrease in Treg cells and an increase in proinflammatory cytokine-producing T cells. Because IL-33 in addition to IL-2 has been shown to be important for Treg cell proliferation and ST2 (IL-33 receptor) positive Treg cells are more potent in suppressor activity, a hybrid cytokine with active domains of IL-2 and IL-33 was generated to target the ST2+ Treg cells as a therapeutic agent to treat lupus GN. Three mouse models were used: spontaneous and Ad-IFNα- accelerated lupus GN in NZM2328 and the lymphoproliferative autoimmune GN in MRL/lpr mice. Daily injections of IL233 for 5 days prevented Ad-IFNα-induced lupus GN and induced remission of spontaneous lupus GN. The remission was permanent in that no relapses were detected. The remission was accompanied by persistent elevation of Treg cells in the renal lymph nodes. IL233 is more potent than IL-2 and IL-33 either singly or in combination in the treatment of lupus GN. The results of this study support the thesis that IL233 should be considered as a novel agent for treating lupus GN.

The Return of Actionable Variants Empirical (RAVE) Study, a Mayo Clinic Genomic Medicine Implementation Study: Design and Initial Results.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinically actionable genetic variants from targeted sequencing of 68 disease-related genes, estimate their penetrance, and assess the impact of disclosing results to participants and providers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Return of Actionable Variants Empirical (RAVE) Study investigates outcomes following the return of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in 68 disease-related genes. The study was initiated in December 2016 and is ongoing. Targeted sequencing was performed in 2533 individuals with hyperlipidemia or colon polyps. The electronic health records (EHRs) of participants carrying P/LP variants in 36 cardiovascular disease (CVD) genes were manually reviewed to ascertain the presence of relevant traits. Clinical outcomes, health care utilization, family communication, and ethical and psychosocial implications of disclosure of genomic results are being assessed by surveys, telephone interviews, and EHR review. RESULTS: Of 29,208 variants in the 68 genes, 1915 were rare (frequency <1%) and putatively functional, and 102 of these (60 in 36 CVD genes) were labeled P/LP based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics framework. Manual review of the EHRs of participants (n=73 with P/LP variants in CVD genes) revealed that 33 had the expected trait(s); however, only 6 of 45 participants with non-familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) P/LP variants had the expected traits. CONCLUSION: Expected traits were present in 13% of participants with P/LP variants in non-FH CVD genes, suggesting low penetrance; this estimate may change with additional testing performed as part of the clinical evaluation. Ongoing analyses of the RAVE Study will inform best practices for genomic medicine.

Nonhealing genital ulcer in AIDS: A diagnostic dilemma!

HIV/AIDS-related immune alteration poses many diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. HIV-positive 44-year-old male, on second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) presented with asymptomatic non healing, well-defined, erythematous ulcer over penis since 8 months with serosanguinous discharge. Inguinal lymph nodes were not palpable. Tzanck smear was negative. Biopsy was not done as the patient was not willing for the same. Acyclovir was given considering herpes infection to which there was no response, and hence azithromycin and metronidazole were given, without improvement. Minocycline was given to take care of possible atypical mycobacterial infection. Due to lack of response, corticosteroid was given for 2 weeks keeping in mind possibility of vasculitis, but there was no improvement. Although investigations to rule out tuberculous etiology were negative, empirical anti-Koch's therapy Category 2 was given without response even after 3 months. Finally, a biopsy was taken from lesion which was suggestive of donovanosis. Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole in higher dose was started to which he responded after 2 weeks, and therapy was continued till complete response. Patient is on second-line ART for last 7 years. He is clinically stable, but his CD4 count is hovering at around 250-300 suggestive of ART failure. Virological evaluation was not feasible. Diagnostic challenges posed include possibility of resistant bacterial, viral infection, vasculitis, or drug reaction in a setting of probable ART failure.

Erythema elevatum diutinum in acquired immune deficiency syndrome: Can it be an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome?

A 47-year-old male with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) presented with multiple hyperpigmented papules and nodules on both ankles, dorsum of bilateral feet and soles. It was associated with mild itching and pain. The patient was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2007. First-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) was started in 2009 to which he responded initially. He was shifted to second-line ART 11 months ago in March 2015 due to treatment failure as suggested by CD4 count of 50 cells/mm(3). The present skin lesions started 2 months after the initiation of second-line ART. Differential diagnoses considered were Kaposi's sarcoma and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) related infections, but biopsy was suggestive of erythema elevatum diutinum (EED). Patient was started on oral dapsone 100 mg/day and increased to 200 mg/day to which he is responding gradually. In the present case, appearance of the lesions after initiation of second-line ART coupled with increase in CD4 count and decrease of viral load below undetectable level suggest that EED could be an IRIS.