Assigning evidence to actionability: An introduction to variant interpretation in precision cancer medicine.

Modern concepts in precision cancer medicine are based on increasingly complex genomic analyses and require standardized criteria for the functional evaluation and reporting of detected genomic alterations in order to assess their clinical relevance. In this article, we propose and address the necessary steps in systematic variant evaluation consisting of bioinformatic analysis, functional annotation and clinical interpretation, focusing on the latter two aspects. We discuss the role and clinical application of current variant classification systems and point out their scope and limitations. Finally, we highlight the significance of the molecular tumor board as a platform for clinical decision-making based on genomic analyses.

Genomic architecture of FGFR2 fusions in cholangiocarcinoma and its implication for molecular testing.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a primary malignancy of the biliary tract with a dismal prognosis. Recently, several actionable genetic aberrations were identified with significant enrichment in intrahepatic CCA, including FGFR2 gene fusions with a prevalence of 10-15%. Recent clinical data demonstrate that these fusions are druggable in a second-line setting in advanced/metastatic disease and the efficacy in earlier lines of therapy is being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials. This scenario warrants standardised molecular profiling of these tumours. METHODS: A detailed analysis of the original genetic data from the FIGHT-202 trial, on which the approval of Pemigatinib was based, was conducted. RESULTS: Comparing different detection approaches and displaying representative cases, we described the genetic landscape and architecture of FGFR2 fusions in iCCA and show biological and technical aspects to be considered for their detection. We elaborated parameters, including a suggestion for annotation, that should be stated in a molecular diagnostic FGFR2 report to allow a complete understanding of the analysis performed and the information provided. CONCLUSION: This study provides a detailed presentation and dissection of the technical and biological aspects regarding FGFR2 fusion detection, which aims to support molecular pathologists, pathologists and clinicians in diagnostics, reporting of the results and decision-making.

Leveraging Off-Target Reads in Panel Sequencing for Homologous Recombination Repair Deficiency Screening in Tumor.

Targeted tumor only sequencing has become a standard practice in cancer diagnostics. This study aims to develop an approach for robust copy number variant calling in tumor samples using only off-target region (OTR) reads. We also established a clinical use case for homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) score estimation (HRDest) using the sum of telomeric-allelic imbalance and large-scale state transition scores without the need for loss of heterozygosity information. A strong correlation was found between HRD score and the sum of telomeric-allelic imbalance + large-scale state transition in The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort (ρ = 0.99, P < 2.2 × 10-16) and in a clinical in-house cohort of 34 tumors (ρ = 0.9, P = 5.1 × 10-13) comparing whole-exome sequencing and targeted sequencing data. HRDest scores from 1086 clinical cases were compared with The Cancer Genome Atlas data set. There were no significant differences in HRD score distribution within the analyzed tumor types. As a control, commercially available HRD standards were also sequenced, and the HRDest scores obtained from the OTR reads were well within the HRD reference range provided by the manufacturer. In conclusion, OTR reads of tumor-only panel sequencing can be used to determine genome-wide copy number variant profiles and to approximate HRD scores.

Genomic heterogeneity at baseline is associated with T790M resistance mutations in EGFR-mutated lung cancer treated with the first-/second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

This study analyzed whether extended molecular profiling can predict the development of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene T790M mutation, which is the most frequent resistance alteration in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after treatment with the first-/second-generation (1G/2G) EGFR inhibitors (tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs]), but only weakly associated with clinical characteristics. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on pretreatment tumor tissue with matched normal samples from NSCLC patients with (n = 25, detected in tissue or blood rebiopsies) or without (n = 14, negative tissue rebiopsies only) subsequent EGFR p.T790M mutation after treatment with 1G/2G EGFR TKI. Several complex genetic biomarkers were assessed using bioinformatic methods. After treatment with first-line afatinib (44%) or erlotinib/gefitinib (56%), median progression-free survival and overall survival were 12.1 and 33.7 months, respectively. Clinical and tumor genetic characteristics, including age (median, 66 years), sex (74% female), smoking (69% never/light smokers), EGFR mutation type (72% exon 19 deletions), and TP53 mutations (41%) were not significantly associated with T790M mutation (p > 0.05). By contrast, complex biomarkers including tumor mutational burden, the clock-like mutation signature SBS1 + 5, tumor ploidy, and markers of subclonality including mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity, subclonal copy number changes, and median tumor-adjusted variant allele frequency were significantly higher at baseline in tumors with subsequent T790M mutation (all p < 0.05). Each marker alone could predict subsequent development of T790M with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72-0.77, but the small number of cases did not allow confirmation of better performance for biomarker combinations in leave-one-out cross-validated logistic regression (AUC 0.69, 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.87). Extended molecular profiling with WES at initial diagnosis reveals several complex biomarkers associated with subsequent development of T790M resistance mutation in NSCLC patients receiving first-/second-generation TKIs as the first-line therapy. Larger prospective studies will be necessary to define a forecasting model.

First proficiency testing for NGS-based and combined NGS- and FISH-based detection of FGFR2 fusions in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma harbours druggable genetic lesions including FGFR2 gene fusions. Reliable and accurate detection of these fusions is becoming a critical component of the molecular work-up, but real-world data on the performance of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and targeted RNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) are very limited. Bridging this gap, we report results of the first round robin test for FGFR2 fusions in cholangiocarcinoma and contextualise test data with genomic architecture. A cohort of 10 cholangiocarcinoma (4 fusion positive and 6 fusion negative) was tested by the Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany. Data were validated by four academic pathology departments in Germany. Fusion-positive cases comprised FGFR2::BICC1, FGFR2::DBP, FGFR2::TRIM8, and FGFR2::ATE1 fusions. In a second step, a round robin test involving 21 academic and non-academic centres testing with RNA-based NGS approaches was carried out; five participants performed FISH testing in addition. Thirteen of 16 (81%) centres successfully passed the NGS only and 3 of 5 (60%) centres passed the combined NGS + FISH round robin test. Identified obstacles were bioinformatic pipelines not optimised for the detection of FGFR2 fusions and assays not capable of detecting unknown fusion partners. This study shows the benefit of targeted RNA-NGS for the detection of FGFR2 gene fusions. Due to the marked heterogeneity of the genomic architecture of these fusions, fusion partner agnostic (i.e. open) methodological approaches that are capable of identifying yet unknown fusion partners are superior. Furthermore, we highlight pitfalls in subsequent bioinformatic analysis and limitations of FISH-based tests.

Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR): practical implementation of annex I in pathology.

BACKGROUND: Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) imposes several conditions on pathology departments that develop and use in-house in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IH-IVDs). However, not all of these conditions need to be implemented immediately after the IVDR entered into force on 26 May 2022. Based on an amending regulation of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, the requirements for IH-IVDs will be phased in. Conformity with the essential safety and performance requirements of annex I must be ensured from May 2022. OBJECTIVES: With this article, we would like to present the practical implementation of the currently valid conditions for IH-IVDs at the Institute of Pathology at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, in order to provide possible assistance to other institutions. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the intensive work on the requirements for IH-IVDs, several guidance documents and handouts provide orientation for the implementation and harmonisation of the requirements for healthcare institutions mentioned in Article 5 (5). Exchange in academic network structures is also of great importance for the interpretation and practical implementation of the IVDR. For university and nonuniversity institutions, ensuring conformity with the IVDR represents a further challenge in terms of personnel and time, in addition to the essential tasks of patient care, teaching and research and the further development of methods for optimal and targeted diagnostics, as well as the maintenance of the constantly evolving quality management system.

[Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR): practical implementation of annex I in pathology]. / Die Verordnung (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR) in der Praxis: Umsetzung von Anhang I in der Pathologie.

BACKGROUND: Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) imposes several conditions on pathology institutes that develop and use in-house in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IH-IVDs). However, not all of these conditions need to be implemented immediately after the IVDR entered into force on 26 May 2022. Based on an amending regulation of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, the requirements for IH-IVDs will be phased in. Conformity with the essential safety and performance requirements of annex I must be ensured from May 2022. OBJECTIVES: With this article, we would like to present the practical implementation of the currently valid conditions for IH-IVDs at the Institute of Pathology at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, in order to provide possible assistance to other institutions. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the intensive work on the requirements for IH-IVDs, several guidance documents and handouts provide orientation for the implementation and harmonisation of the requirements for healthcare institutions mentioned in Article 5 (5). Exchange in academic network structures is also of great importance for the interpretation and practical implementation of the IVDR. For university and nonuniversity institutions, ensuring conformity with the IVDR represents a further challenge in terms of personnel and time, in addition to the essential tasks of patient care, teaching and research and the further development of methods for optimal and targeted diagnostics, as well as the maintenance of the constantly evolving quality management system.

Structure and content of the EU-IVDR : Current status and implications for pathology.

BACKGROUND: Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) was passed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on 5 April 2017 and came into force on 26 May 2017. A new amending regulation, which introduces a phased implementation of the IVDR with new transitional provisions for certain in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) and a later date of application of some requirements for in-house devices for healthcare facilities, was adopted on 15 December 2021. The combined use of CE-certified IVDs (CE-IVDs), in-house IVDs (IH-IVDs), and research use only (RUO) devices are a cornerstone of diagnostics in pathology departments and crucial for optimal patient care. The IVDR not only regulates the manufacture and placement on the market of industrially manufactured IVDs, but also imposes conditions on the manufacture and use of IH-IVDs for internal use by healthcare facilities. OBJECTIVES: Our work provides an overview of the background and structure of the IVDR and identifies core areas that need to be interpreted and fleshed out in the context of the legal framework as well as expert knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The gaps and ambiguities in the IVDR crucially require the expertise of professional societies, alliances, and individual stakeholders to successfully facilitate the implementation and use of the IVDR in pathology departments and to avoid aberrant developments.

Spatial profiling of the microenvironment reveals low intratumoral heterogeneity and STK11-associated immune evasion in therapy-naïve lung adenocarcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: Intratumoral heterogeneity was found to be a significant factor causing resistance to lung cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint blockade. Lesser is known about spatial heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its association with genetic properties of the tumor, which is of particular interest in the therapy-naïve setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed multi-region sampling (2-4 samples per tumor; total of 55 samples) from a cohort of 19 untreated stage IA-IIIB lung adenocarcinomas (n = 11 KRAS mutant, n = 1 ERBB2 mutant, n = 7 KRAS wildtype). For each sample the expression of 770 immunooncology-related genes was analyzed using the nCounter platform, while the mutational status was determined by hybrid capture-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) using a large panel covering more than 500 genes. RESULTS: Global unsupervised analyses revealed clustering of the samples into two groups corresponding to a 'hot' or 'cold' immunologic tumor contexture based on the abundance of immune cell infiltrates. All analyzed specific immune cell signatures (ICsig) showed a significantly higher intertumoral than intratumoral heterogeneity (p < 0.02), as most of the analyzed cases (14/19) showed a very homogenous spatial immune cell profile. PD-L1 exhibited a significantly higher intertumoral than intratumoral heterogeneity (p = 1.03e-13). We found a specific association with 'cold' TME for STK11 (11/14, p < 0.07), but not KRAS, TP53, LRP1B, MTOR, U2AF1 co-mutations, and validated this finding using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. CONCLUSION: Early-stage lung adenocarcinomas show considerable intertumoral, but limited intratumoral heterogeneity, which is clinically highly relevant as assessment before neoadjuvant treatment is based on small biopsies. STK11 mutations are specifically associated with a 'cold' TME, which could affect the efficacy of perioperative immunotherapy.

Multicentric pilot study to standardize clinical whole exome sequencing (WES) for cancer patients.

A growing number of druggable targets and national initiatives for precision oncology necessitate broad genomic profiling for many cancer patients. Whole exome sequencing (WES) offers unbiased analysis of the entire coding sequence, segmentation-based detection of copy number alterations (CNAs), and accurate determination of complex biomarkers including tumor mutational burden (TMB), homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD), and microsatellite instability (MSI). To assess the inter-institution variability of clinical WES, we performed a comparative pilot study between German Centers of Personalized Medicine (ZPMs) from five participating institutions. Tumor and matched normal DNA from 30 patients were analyzed using custom sequencing protocols and bioinformatic pipelines. Calling of somatic variants was highly concordant with a positive percentage agreement (PPA) between 91 and 95% and a positive predictive value (PPV) between 82 and 95% compared with a three-institution consensus and full agreement for 16 of 17 druggable targets. Explanations for deviations included low VAF or coverage, differing annotations, and different filter protocols. CNAs showed overall agreement in 76% for the genomic sequence with high wet-lab variability. Complex biomarkers correlated strongly between institutions (HRD: 0.79-1, TMB: 0.97-0.99) and all institutions agreed on microsatellite instability. This study will contribute to the development of quality control frameworks for comprehensive genomic profiling and sheds light onto parameters that require stringent standardization.

[Structure and content of the EU-IVDR : Current status and implications for pathology]. / Struktur und Inhalt der EU-IVDR : Bestandsaufnahme und Implikationen für die Pathologie.

BACKGROUND: Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) was passed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on 5 April 2017 and came into force on 26 May 2017. A new amending regulation, which introduces a phased implementation of the IVDR with new transitional provisions for certain in vitro diagnostic medical devices and a later date of application of some requirements for in-house devices for healthcare facilities, was adopted on 15 December 2021. The combined use of CE-IVDs, in-house IVDs, and RUO products are a cornerstone of diagnostics in pathology departments and crucial for optimal patient care. The IVDR not only regulates the manufacture and placement on the market of industrially manufactured IVDs, but also imposes conditions on the manufacture and use of IH-IVDs for internal use by healthcare facilities. OBJECTIVES: Our work provides an overview of the background and structure of the IVDR and identifies core areas that need to be interpreted and fleshed out in the context of the legal framework as well as expert knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The gaps and ambiguities in the IVDR crucially require the expertise of professional societies, alliances, and individual stakeholders to successfully facilitate the implementation and use of the IVDR in pathology departments and to avoid aberrant developments.

Targeting rare and non-canonical driver variants in NSCLC - An uncharted clinical field.

OBJECTIVES: Implementation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and other targeted therapies was a main advance in thoracic oncology with survival gains ranging from several months to years for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. High-throughput comprehensive molecular profiling is of key importance to identify patients that can potentially benefit from these novel treatments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on 4500 consecutive formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of advanced NSCLC (n = 4172 patients) after automated extraction of DNA and RNA for parallel detection of mutations and gene fusions, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Besides the 24.9 % (n = 1040) of cases eligible for approved targeted therapies based on the presence of canonical alterations in EGFR exons 18-21, BRAF, ROS1, ALK, NTRK, and RET, an additional n = 1260 patients (30.2 %) displayed rare or non-canonical mutations in EGFR (n = 748), BRAF (n = 135), ERBB2 (n = 30), KIT (n = 32), PIK3CA (n = 221), and CTNNB1 (n = 94), for which targeted therapies could also be potentially effective. A systematic literature search in conjunction with in silico evaluation identified n = 232 (5.5 %) patients, for which a trial of targeted treatment would be warranted according to available evidence (NCT level 1, i.e. published data showing efficacy in the same tumor entity). In conclusion, a sizeable fraction of NSCLC patients harbors rare or non-canonical alterations that may be associated with clinical benefit from currently available targeted drugs. Systematic identification and individualized management of these cases can expand applicability of precision oncology in NSCLC and extend clinical gain from established molecular targets. These results can also inform clinical trials.

High fat feeding affects the number of GPR120 cells and enteroendocrine cells in the mouse stomach.

Long-term intake of dietary fat is supposed to be associated with adaptive reactions of the organism and it is assumptive that this is particularly true for fat responsive epithelial cells in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies suggest that epithelial cells expressing the receptor for medium and long chain fatty acids, GPR120 (FFAR4), may operate as fat sensors. Changes in expression level and/or cell density are supposed to be accompanied with a consumption of high fat (HF) diet. To assess whether feeding a HF diet might impact on the expression of fatty acid receptors or the number of lipid sensing cells as well as enteroendocrine cell populations, gastric tissue samples of non-obese and obese mice were compared using a real time PCR and immunohistochemical approach. In this study, we have identified GPR120 cells in the corpus region of the mouse stomach which appeared to be brush cells. Monitoring the effect of HF diet on the expression of GPR120 revealed that after 3 weeks and 6 months the level of mRNA for GPR120 in the tissue was significantly increased which coincided with and probably reflected a significant increase in the number of GPR120 positive cells in the corpus region; in contrast, within the antrum region, the number of GPR120 cells decreased. Furthermore, dietary fat intake also led to changes in the number of enteroendocrine cells producing either ghrelin or gastrin. After 3 weeks and even more pronounced after 6 months the number of ghrelin cells and gastrin cells was significantly increased. These results imply that a HF diet leads to significant changes in the cellular repertoire of the stomach mucosa. Whether these changes are a consequence of the direct exposure to HF in the luminal content or a physiological response to the high level of fat in the body remains elusive.