Germline pathogenic SMARCA4 variants in neuroblastoma.

Heterozygous germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) in SMARCA4, the gene encoding the ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling protein SMARCA4 (previously known as BRG1), predispose to several rare tumour types, including small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type, atypical teratoid and malignant rhabdoid tumour, and uterine sarcoma. The increase in germline testing of SMARCA4 in recent years has revealed putative GPVs affecting SMARCA4 in patients with other cancer types. Here we describe 11 patients with neuroblastoma (NBL), including 4 previously unreported cases, all of whom were found to harbour heterozygous germline variants in SMARCA4 Median age at diagnosis was 5 years (range 2 months-26 years); nine were male; and eight of nine cases had tumour location information in the adrenal gland. Eight of the germline variants were expected to result in loss of function of SMARCA4 (large deletion, truncating and canonical splice variants), while the remaining four were missense variants. Loss of heterozygosity of the wild-type SMARCA4 allele was found in all eight cases where somatic testing was performed, supporting the notion that SMARCA4 functions as a classic tumour suppressor. Altogether, these findings strongly suggest that NBL should be included in the spectrum of SMARCA4-associated tumours.

Implementing gene curation for hereditary cancer susceptibility in Australia: achieving consensus on genes with clinical utility.

BACKGROUND: The strength of evidence supporting the validity of gene-disease relationships is variable. Hereditary cancer has the additional complexity of low or moderate penetrance for some confirmed disease-associated alleles. METHODS: To promote national consistency in interpretation of hereditary cancer/tumour gene test results, we requested opinions of representatives from Australian Family Cancer Clinics regarding the clinical utility of 157 genes initially collated for a national research project. Viewpoints were sought by initial survey, face-to-face workshop and follow-up survey. Subsequent review was undertaken by the eviQ Cancer Genetics Reference Committee, a national resource providing evidence-based and consensus-driven cancer treatment protocols. RESULTS: Genes were categorised by clinical actionability as: relevant for testing on presentation of common cancer/tumour types (n=45); relevant for testing in the context of specific rare phenotypes (n=74); insufficient clinical utility (n=34) or contentious clinical utility (n=3). Opinions for several genes altered during the study time frame, due to new information. CONCLUSION: Through an iterative process, consensus was achieved on genes with clinical utility for hereditary cancer/tumour conditions in the Australian setting. This study highlighted need for regular review of gene-disease lists, a role assumed in Australia for hereditary cancer/tumour predisposition genes by the eviQ Cancer Genetics Reference Committee.

Recurrent arginine substitutions in the ACTG2 gene are the primary driver of disease burden and severity in visceral myopathy.

Visceral myopathy with abnormal intestinal and bladder peristalsis includes a clinical spectrum with megacystis-microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The vast majority of cases are caused by dominant variants in ACTG2; however, the overall genetic architecture of visceral myopathy has not been well-characterized. We ascertained 53 families, with visceral myopathy based on megacystis, functional bladder/gastrointestinal obstruction, or microcolon. A combination of targeted ACTG2 sequencing and exome sequencing was used. We report a molecular diagnostic rate of 64% (34/53), of which 97% (33/34) is attributed to ACTG2. Strikingly, missense mutations in five conserved arginine residues involving CpG dinucleotides accounted for 49% (26/53) of disease in the cohort. As a group, the ACTG2-negative cases had a more favorable clinical outcome and more restricted disease. Within the ACTG2-positive group, poor outcomes (characterized by total parenteral nutrition dependence, death, or transplantation) were invariably due to one of the arginine missense alleles. Analysis of specific residues suggests a severity spectrum of p.Arg178>p.Arg257>p.Arg40 along with other less-frequently reported sites p.Arg63 and p.Arg211. These results provide genotype-phenotype correlation for ACTG2-related disease and demonstrate the importance of arginine missense changes in visceral myopathy.

Unrecognised actionability for breast cancer risk variants identified in a national-level review of Australian familial cancer centres.

Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge. In Australia, the adoption of publicly-funded multigene panel testing for eligible cancer patients has increased accessibility to personalised care, yet has also highlighted the increasing prevalence of variants of uncertain significance (VUS), complicating clinical decision-making. This project aimed to explore the spectrum and actionability of breast cancer VUS in Australian familial cancer centers (FCCs). Leveraging data from 11 FCCs participating in the Inherited Cancer Connect database, we retrieved VUS results from 1472 patients. Through ClinVar crosschecks and application of gene-specific ACMG/AMP guidelines, we showed the potential for reclassification of 4% of unique VUS as pathogenic or likely pathogenic, and 80% as benign or likely benign. Surveys conducted with FCCs and diagnostic laboratories described current practices and challenges in variant reclassifications, highlighting resource constraints preventing periodic VUS review and notifications from the laboratories to the FCCs. Our study suggests there are benefits to routine VUS review and reclassification, particularly in publicly-funded healthcare systems. Future research should focus on assessing the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of implementing routine variant review practices, alongside efforts to enhance communication between FCCs and laboratories.

DNA Mismatch Repair Gene Variant Classification: Evaluating the Utility of Somatic Mutations and Mismatch Repair Deficient Colonic Crypts and Endometrial Glands.

Germline pathogenic variants in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes (Lynch syndrome) predispose to colorectal (CRC) and endometrial (EC) cancer. Lynch syndrome specific tumor features were evaluated for their ability to support the ACMG/InSiGHT framework in classifying variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUS) in the MMR genes. Twenty-eight CRC or EC tumors from 25 VUS carriers (6xMLH1, 9xMSH2, 6xMSH6, 4xPMS2), underwent targeted tumor sequencing for the presence of microsatellite instability/MMR-deficiency (MSI-H/dMMR) status and identification of a somatic MMR mutation (second hit). Immunohistochemical testing for the presence of dMMR crypts/glands in normal tissue was also performed. The ACMG/InSiGHT framework reclassified 7/25 (28%) VUS to likely pathogenic (LP), three (12%) to benign/likely benign, and 15 (60%) VUS remained unchanged. For the seven re-classified LP variants comprising nine tumors, tumor sequencing confirmed MSI-H/dMMR (8/9, 88.9%) and a second hit (7/9, 77.8%). Of these LP reclassified variants where normal tissue was available, the presence of a dMMR crypt/gland was found in 2/4 (50%). Furthermore, a dMMR endometrial gland in a carrier of an MSH2 exon 1-6 duplication provides further support for an upgrade of this VUS to LP. Our study confirmed that identifying these Lynch syndrome features can improve MMR variant classification, enabling optimal clinical care.

The clinical utility and costs of whole-genome sequencing to detect cancer susceptibility variants-a multi-site prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Many families and individuals do not meet criteria for a known hereditary cancer syndrome but display unusual clusters of cancers. These families may carry pathogenic variants in cancer predisposition genes and be at higher risk for developing cancer. METHODS: This multi-centre prospective study recruited 195 cancer-affected participants suspected to have a hereditary cancer syndrome for whom previous clinical targeted genetic testing was either not informative or not available. To identify pathogenic disease-causing variants explaining participant presentation, germline whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and a comprehensive cancer virtual gene panel analysis were undertaken. RESULTS: Pathogenic variants consistent with the presenting cancer(s) were identified in 5.1% (10/195) of participants and pathogenic variants considered secondary findings with potential risk management implications were identified in another 9.7% (19/195) of participants. Health economic analysis estimated the marginal cost per case with an actionable variant was significantly lower for upfront WGS with virtual panel ($8744AUD) compared to standard testing followed by WGS ($24,894AUD). Financial analysis suggests that national adoption of diagnostic WGS testing would require a ninefold increase in government annual expenditure compared to conventional testing. CONCLUSIONS: These findings make a case for replacing conventional testing with WGS to deliver clinically important benefits for cancer patients and families. The uptake of such an approach will depend on the perspectives of different payers on affordability.

Single institution retrospective review of perioperative chemotherapy in adult and adolescent patients with operable osteosarcoma.

AIMS: Perioperative chemotherapy has improved the prognosis for patients with operable osteosarcoma. The literature is conflicting about which regimen is optimal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival outcomes of two cohorts of patients with operable osteosarcoma treated with different perioperative chemotherapy regimens. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with operable osteosarcoma treated at the Princess Alexandra Hospital from 1986 to 2009. The standard perioperative chemotherapy regimen changed from the modified T10 Rosen protocol to cisplatin/doxorubicin in 1997. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) curves were generated for the cisplatin/doxorubicin and the modified T10 Rosen cohorts. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were identified of whom 63 had potentially curable disease. Of these, 24 received the modified T10 Rosen regimen and 39 received cisplatin/doxorubicin. There was a non-significant trend toward better OS and DFS in the patients who received the modified T10 Rosen protocol. CONCLUSION: The trend toward poorer survival in the cisplatin/doxorubicin cohort, in combination with current evidence, has prompted our institution to change its practice.

A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of the effects of d-methylphenidate on fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Women who receive adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer develop fatigue, and a subset reports cognitive impairment. Methylphenidate is reported to improve fatigue and to decrease cognitive impairment in other populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women were randomised early during their chemotherapy to receive d-methylphenidate (d-MPH), a form of methylphenidate, or an identical appearing placebo. All participants took placebo for one cycle to ensure compliance and then study medication until completion of chemotherapy. Subjects were assessed at baseline, end of chemotherapy and at approximately 6 months follow-up with the High Sensitivity Cognitive Screen (HSCS) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R). They also completed the self-report Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and FACT-F (F = fatigue) questionnaires, evaluating quality of life and fatigue. RESULTS: A total of 57 evaluable women were randomised: 29 to d-MPH and 28 to placebo; the study did not meet its accrual goal of 170 patients, mainly because women were reluctant to take additional medication in general and methylphenidate in particular. Groups were well matched for age (median, 50 years) and education. d-MPH and placebo were well tolerated. There were no significant differences between the randomised groups in classification of cognitive function by HSCS or in summed FACT-F fatigue scores (the primary endpoints of the study) at any of the assessments. There were also no differences in HLTV-R scores or quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: This study is underpowered, but there are no trends to suggest that d-MPH, taken concurrently with adjuvant chemotherapy, improves quality of life or fatigue.

Cognitive function, fatigue, and menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: evaluation with patient interview after formal assessment.

BACKGROUND: Women who receive adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer report fatigue, menopausal symptoms and cognitive problems. Here we compare assessment of these symptoms using self-report questionnaires and a researcher-administered screen of cognitive function with the experience of women as revealed in a semi-structured interview. METHODS: Twenty-one women who were receiving adjuvant chemotherapy completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General (FACT-G) self-report questionnaire, and sub-scales for fatigue (FACT-F) and endocrine symptoms (FACT-ES). They were evaluated for cognitive dysfunction using the High Sensitivity Cognitive Screen (HSCS). They then completed a semi-structured interview, which explored the nature and severity of these symptoms and their impact on daily function. RESULTS: All patients experienced fatigue and most had menopausal symptoms. There was reasonable correlation of findings in the interview with FACT-F and FACT-ES scores. The HSCS revealed fewer problems than were reported by patients, and correlated with patient experience only for the domain of memory. Most patients noted adverse changes in other cognitive domains, especially concentration, with substantial effects on every-day function. CONCLUSIONS: Women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer have substantial problems with fatigue, menopausal symptoms and cognitive changes. Formal tests such as the HSCS may fail to adequately capture the perceived impact of symptoms.