Excessive transcription-replication conflicts are a vulnerability of BRCA1-mutant cancers.

BRCA1 mutations are associated with increased breast and ovarian cancer risk. BRCA1-mutant tumors are high-grade, recurrent, and often become resistant to standard therapies. Herein, we performed a targeted CRISPR-Cas9 screen and identified MEPCE, a methylphosphate capping enzyme, as a synthetic lethal interactor of BRCA1. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that depletion of MEPCE in a BRCA1-deficient setting led to dysregulated RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) promoter-proximal pausing, R-loop accumulation, and replication stress, contributing to transcription-replication collisions. These collisions compromise genomic integrity resulting in loss of viability of BRCA1-deficient cells. We also extend these findings to another RNAPII-regulating factor, PAF1. This study identifies a new class of synthetic lethal partners of BRCA1 that exploit the RNAPII pausing regulation and highlight the untapped potential of transcription-replication collision-inducing factors as unique potential therapeutic targets for treating cancers associated with BRCA1 mutations.

Fine mapping of RNA isoform diversity using an innovative targeted long-read RNA sequencing protocol with novel dedicated bioinformatics pipeline.

BACKGROUND: Solving the structure of mRNA transcripts is a major challenge for both research and molecular diagnostic purposes. Current approaches based on short-read RNA sequencing and RT-PCR techniques cannot fully explore the complexity of transcript structure. The emergence of third-generation long-read sequencing addresses this problem by solving this sequence directly. However, genes with low expression levels are difficult to study with the whole transcriptome sequencing approach. To fix this technical limitation, we propose a novel method to capture transcripts of a gene panel using a targeted enrichment approach suitable for Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore Technologies platforms. RESULTS: We designed a set of probes to capture transcripts of a panel of genes involved in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. We present SOSTAR (iSofOrmS annoTAtoR), a versatile pipeline to assemble, quantify and annotate isoforms from long read sequencing using a new tool specially designed for this application. The significant enrichment of transcripts by our capture protocol, together with the SOSTAR annotation, allowed the identification of 1,231 unique transcripts within the gene panel from the eight patients sequenced. The structure of these transcripts was annotated with a resolution of one base relative to a reference transcript. All major alternative splicing events of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes described in the literature were found. Complex splicing events such as pseudoexons were correctly annotated. SOSTAR enabled the identification of abnormal transcripts in the positive controls. In addition, a case of unexplained inheritance in a family with a history of breast and ovarian cancer was solved by identifying an SVA retrotransposon in intron 13 of the BRCA1 gene. CONCLUSIONS: We have validated a new protocol for the enrichment of transcripts of interest using probes adapted to the ONT and PacBio platforms. This protocol allows a complete description of the alternative structures of transcripts, the estimation of their expression and the identification of aberrant transcripts in a single experiment. This proof-of-concept opens new possibilities for RNA structure exploration in both research and molecular diagnostics.

Spectrum of germline pathogenic variants in Brazilian hereditary breast/ovarian cancer cases.

PURPOSE: To define the spectrum of germline pathogenic variants (PVs) and copy number variant (CNV) in cancer susceptibility genes to the burden of breast and ovarian cancer (BC, OvC) in high-risk Brazilians in Minas Gerais with health insurance, southeast Brazil, undergoing multigene panel testing (MGPT). METHODS: Genotyping eligible individuals with health insurance in the Brazilian healthcare system for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome to undergo molecular testing for 44 or 141-gene panels, a decision that was insurance driven. RESULTS: Overall, 701 individuals clinically defined as high BC/OvC risk, underwent MGPT from 1/2021 to 10/2022, with ~ 50% genotyped with a 44-gene panel and the rest with a 141-gene panel. Overall, 16.4% and 22.6% of genotyped individuals harbored PVs using 44-gene and the 141 gene panel, respectively. The most frequently mutated genes were: BRCA2 (3.7%); BRCA1 (3.6%) and monoallelic MUTYH (3.1%). CONCLUSION: The rate of PVs detected in high-risk individuals in this study was twice the 10% threshold used in Brazilian health guidelines. MGPT doubled the detection rate of PVs in cancer susceptibility genes in high-risk individuals compared with BRCA1/BRCA2 genotyping alone. The spectrum of PVs in Southern Brazil is diverse, with few recurring variants such as TP53 (0.6%), suggesting regional founder effects. The use of MGPT in hereditary cancer in Minas Gerais significantly increased the detection rate of P/LPVs compared to existing guidelines and should be considered as the primary genotyping modality in assessing hereditary cancer risk in Brazil.

Uptake of screening and risk-reducing recommendations among women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome due to pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants evaluated at a large urban comprehensive cancer center.

PURPOSE: Carriers of pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 have an elevated lifetime cancer risk warranting high-risk screening and risk-reducing procedures for early detection and prevention. We report on prevention practices among women with pathogenic BRCA variants in order to document follow through with NCCN recommendations and to identify barriers to guideline-recommended care. METHODS: Our cohort included women who had genetic testing through a cancer genetic clinic and completed a 54-item questionnaire to measure socio-demographics, medical history, rates of cancer screening and risk-reducing surgery, disclosure of test results, and cancer worry. Outcomes included rates of completion of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM), and NCCN risk-reducing and age-dependent screening guidelines (version 3.2019). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate potential predictors of these outcomes. RESULTS: Of 129 evaluable women with pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants, 95 (74%) underwent RRSO and 77 (60%) had RRM, respectively, and 107 (83%) were considered adherent to NCCN guidelines. Women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer were more likely to have RRM (OR = 4.38; 95% CI 1.80-11.51; p = 0.002). Increasing age was associated with an increased likelihood of RRSO (OR = 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.09; p = 0.019) and decreased likelihood for RRM (OR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.92-0.99; p = 0.013). Women who had RRM were 3 times more likely to undergo RRSO (OR = 2.81; 95% CI 1.10-7.44; p = 0.025). Women who had genetic testing after June 2013 were less likely to have RRM than those tested before June 2013 (OR = 0.42; 95% CI 0.18-0.95; p = 0.040. None of the other measured factors were associated with rates of RRSO, RRM or follow through with NCCN recommendations. There was near universal (127/129) reported disclosure of genetic test results to family members, resulting in the discovery of a median of 1 relative with a pathogenic variant (range = 0-8). CONCLUSION: An evaluation of follow up practice in a cohort of women with pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 revealed high rates of reported completion of screening and surgical risk-reducing recommendations. Educational efforts should continue to reinforce the importance of follow-through with guideline recommended care among this high-risk group.

The frequency and pathogenicity of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in the general Japanese population.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) resulting from pathogenic variants of BRCA1 or BRCA2 is the most common and well-documented hereditary tumor. Although founder variants have been identified in population-based surveys in various countries, the types of variants are not uniform across races and regions. Recently, the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMo) released whole-genome sequence data including approximately 54,000 individuals from the general population of the Tohoku area in Japan. We analyzed these data and comprehensively identified the prevalence of BRCA1/2 pathogenic and truncating variants. We believe that an accurate understanding of the unique distribution and characteristics of pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants in Japan through this analysis will enable better surveillance and intervention for HBOC patients, not only in Japan but also worldwide.

Walking the tightrope: Fertility preservation among hereditary breast and ovarian Cancer syndrome Previvors.

INTRODUCTION: Fertility-related concerns cause significant anxiety among patients with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC). The Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommend patients diagnosed with HBOC receive early referral to a reproductive endocrinologist. However, evidence about fertility trends in this patient population are limited and guidelines are scarce. The aim of this study is to compare fertility preservation among patients with HBOC to control patients undergoing fertility treatment without a diagnosis of infertility. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who presented to a single academic institution for fertility preservation in the setting of diagnosis of HBOC. In this study, HBOC patients are referred to as those who had tested positive for pathogenic mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2 or were at high-risk for HBOC based on a strong family history (defined as >3 family members diagnosed with HBOC) without a genetic mutation. HBOC patients were matched in a 1:1 fashion to a control group undergoing fertility preservation without a diagnosis of infertility or HBOC. All analysis was done using SPSS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). RESULTS: Between August 1st, 2016 and August 1st, 2022, 81 patients presented to the study center for consultation in the setting of HBOC. Of those who presented, 48 (59.2%) ultimately underwent oocyte cryopreservation and 33 (40.7%) underwent embryo cryopreservation. Patients who underwent oocyte cryopreservation due to BRCA1 status were more likely to present for fertility consultation at a younger age compared to control patients (32.6 vs. 34.7 years, p = 0.03) and were more likely to undergo oocyte cryopreservation at a younger age (32.1 vs. 34.6 years, p = 0.007). There was no difference in age at initial consultation or age at procedure for patients with BRCA2 or patients with a strong family history compared to control patients (p > 0.05). There was no difference in the mean age of patients with HBOC at presentation for consultation for embryo cryopreservation or the mean age the patient with HBOC underwent embryo cryopreservation compared to control patients (p > 0.05). Patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 did not have expedited time from consultation to first cycle start (p > 0.05). After adjusting for factors including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and age, patients considered in the HBOC group due to family history had less time between consultation and oocyte cryopreservation cycle compared to control patients. (179 vs. 317 days, p = 0.045). There was no difference in time from consultation to starting cycle for embryo cryopreservation for patients with HBOC compared to controls (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with HBOC did not undergo expedited fertility treatment compared to control patients undergoing oocyte and embryo cryopreservation for non-infertility reasons. Patients diagnosed with BRCA1 had more oocytes retrieved compared to the control population which is possibly due to earlier age of presentation in the setting of recommended age of risk reducing surgery being age 35-40. When age matched, cycle outcomes did not differ between HBOC and control patients. Given the known cancer prevention benefit and recommendations for risk-reducing surgery, future studies should focus on guidelines for fertility preservation for patients with HBOC.

Accurate classification of BRCA1 variants with saturation genome editing.

Variants of uncertain significance fundamentally limit the clinical utility of genetic information. The challenge they pose is epitomized by BRCA1, a tumour suppressor gene in which germline loss-of-function variants predispose women to breast and ovarian cancer. Although BRCA1 has been sequenced in millions of women, the risk associated with most newly observed variants cannot be definitively assigned. Here we use saturation genome editing to assay 96.5% of all possible single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in 13 exons that encode functionally critical domains of BRCA1. Functional effects for nearly 4,000 SNVs are bimodally distributed and almost perfectly concordant with established assessments of pathogenicity. Over 400 non-functional missense SNVs are identified, as well as around 300 SNVs that disrupt expression. We predict that these results will be immediately useful for the clinical interpretation of BRCA1 variants, and that this approach can be extended to overcome the challenge of variants of uncertain significance in additional clinically actionable genes.

Multi-gene panel analysis in BRCA1/2-negative patients suspected of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome: Real-world data from a single institution.

AIM: Although BRCA1/2 is most frequently associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), many other related genes have been implicated. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of non-BRCA1/2 genes associated with hereditary cancer predisposition in BRCA1/2-negative patients from the Department of Genetic Medicine and Services with breast and ovarian cancer using a multi-gene panel (MGP) analysis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective MGP analysis (National Cancer Center Onco-Panel for Familial Cancer; NOP_FC) in BRCA1/2-negative patients with breast, ovarian, and overlapping breast/ovarian cancers who visited our genetic counseling between April 2004 and October 2022. RESULTS: NOP_FC was performed in 128 of the 390 BRCA test-negative cases (117 breast cancer, 9 ovarian cancer, and 2 overlapping breast/ovarian cancer cases). Among the BRCA1/2-negative patients, nine (7.7%) with breast cancer and one (11%) with ovarian cancer had pathogenic variants (PVs) in non-BRCA1/2 genes associated with breast and ovarian cancers, respectively. Five patients had PVs in RAD51D, two in PALB2, one in BARD1, one in ATM, and one in RAD51C. CONCLUSIONS: Additional MGP testing of germline genes associated with hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome in BRCA1/2-negative breast and ovarian cancer patients revealed PVs in non-BRCA1/2 breast cancer- and ovarian cancer-related genes in 7.7% of breast cancer and 11% of ovarian cancer. Therefore, additional testing may provide useful information for subsequent risk-reducing surgery and surveillance in BRCA1/2-negative patients.

Ovarian surveillance including endometrial cytology for patients with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer before risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy: A retrospective analysis.

AIM: Ovarian surveillance in women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer who do not undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy has been controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the clinical features of ovarian surveillance at our institution using a technique that combines serum cancer antigen 125 measurements, transvaginal ultrasonography, and uterine endometrial cytology. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 65 women, who had not undergone risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy diagnosed with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer between 2000 and 2021 at our hospital. Clinical information was obtained and analyzed through a chart review. The details of the treatment course were reviewed for patients who had developed ovarian cancer. RESULTS: Overall, 5 of the 65 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer based on abnormal findings during periodic surveillance. All patients who developed ovarian cancer were asymptomatic, even if the cancer was at an advanced stage. Two of the 65 patients had endometrial cytology abnormalities, both of whom had ovarian cancer. All patients who developed ovarian cancer underwent primary debulking surgery, and complete gross resection was achieved. None of the patients experienced ovarian cancer recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The ovarian surveillance strategy at our institution for women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer who do not undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy can identify asymptomatic ovarian cancer and contribute to achieving complete gross resection during primary surgery. Ovarian surveillance may contribute to a reduction in ovarian cancer mortality.

A Molecular Characterization of the Allelic Expression of the BRCA1 Founder Δ9-12 Pathogenic Variant and Its Potential Clinical Relevance in Hereditary Cancer.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is a genetic condition that increases the risk of breast cancer by 80% and that of ovarian cancer by 40%. The most common pathogenic variants (PVs) causing HBOC occur in the BRCA1 gene, with more than 3850 reported mutations in the gene sequence. The prevalence of specific PVs in BRCA1 has increased across populations due to the effect of founder mutations. Therefore, when a founder mutation is identified, it becomes key to improving cancer risk characterization and effective screening protocols. The only founder mutation described in the Mexican population is the deletion of exons 9 to 12 of BRCA1 (BRCA1Δ9-12), and its description focuses on the gene sequence, but no transcription profiles have been generated for individuals who carry this gene. In this study, we describe the transcription profiles of cancer patients and healthy individuals who were heterozygous for PV BRCA1Δ9-12 by analyzing the differential expression of both alleles compared with the homozygous BRCA1 control group using RT-qPCR, and we describe the isoforms produced by the BRCA1 wild-type and BRCA1Δ9-12 alleles using nanopore long-sequencing. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test, our results showed a similar transcript expression of the wild-type allele between the healthy heterozygous group and the homozygous BRCA1 control group. An association between the recurrence and increased expression of both alleles in HBOC patients was also observed. An analysis of the sequences indicated four wild-type isoforms with diagnostic potential for discerning individuals who carry the PV BRCA1Δ9-12 and identifying which of them has developed cancer.

Extended genetic analysis and tumor characteristics in over 4600 women with suspected hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Genetic screening for pathogenic variants (PVs) in cancer predisposition genes can affect treatment strategies, risk prediction and preventive measures for patients and families. For decades, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) has been attributed to PVs in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, and more recently other rare alleles have been firmly established as associated with a high or moderate increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. Here, we assess the genetic variation and tumor characteristics in a large cohort of women with suspected HBOC in a clinical oncogenetic setting. METHODS: Women with suspected HBOC referred from all oncogenetic clinics in Sweden over a six-year inclusion period were screened for PVs in 13 clinically relevant genes. The genetic outcome was compared with tumor characteristics and other clinical data collected from national cancer registries and hospital records. RESULTS: In 4622 women with breast and/or ovarian cancer the overall diagnostic yield (the proportion of women carrying at least one PV) was 16.6%. BRCA1/2 PVs were found in 8.9% of women (BRCA1 5.95% and BRCA2 2.94%) and PVs in the other breast and ovarian cancer predisposition genes in 8.2%: ATM (1.58%), BARD1 (0.45%), BRIP1 (0.43%), CDH1 (0.11%), CHEK2 (3.46%), PALB2 (0.84%), PTEN (0.02%), RAD51C (0.54%), RAD51D (0.15%), STK11 (0) and TP53 (0.56%). Thus, inclusion of the 11 genes in addition to BRCA1/2 increased diagnostic yield by 7.7%. The yield was, as expected, significantly higher in certain subgroups such as younger patients, medullary breast cancer, higher Nottingham Histologic Grade, ER-negative breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and high grade serous ovarian cancer. Age and tumor subtype distributions differed substantially depending on genetic finding. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to understanding the clinical and genetic landscape of breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility. Extending clinical genetic screening from BRCA1 and BRCA2 to 13 established cancer predisposition genes almost doubles the diagnostic yield, which has implications for genetic counseling and clinical guidelines. The very low yield in the syndrome genes CDH1, PTEN and STK11 questions the usefulness of including these genes on routine gene panels.

BRCAShare-Assessment of an animated digital message for intrafamilial communication of pathogenic variant positive test results: A feasibility study.

While genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) is well-established in the field of medicine, family members' uptake of cascade genetic testing for known familial pathogenic variants remains low. Probands often become responsible for initiating familial communication about their testing results, and barriers to communication may include difficulty in conveying information to relatives and a lack of communication resources for probands' use. In this study, we tested a two-minute animated digital message (ADM) intervention guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM) in an unselected sample to determine hypothetical individual perceptions of susceptibility and severity and behavioral intention to act on the information provided in the ADM. We recruited genetic testing naïve adults from the United States with no personal history of cancer through Amazon Mechanical Turk to participate in this study. Participants were presented a hypothetical scenario describing a relative's recent HBOC diagnosis, viewed the ADM, and answered a questionnaire assessing participants' perception of the HBM constructs in relation to the hypothetical scenario and participants' intentions to pursue cascade genetic testing, talk to a healthcare professional, or talk to family members after ADM viewing. Participants (n = 373) largely perceived HBOC as serious and believed that they could benefit from the information provided by genetic testing; 76% hypothetically intended to pursue genetic testing at a cost of $100 or less, and 90% intended to either pursue testing or talk to a healthcare provider or family members. This feasibility study in an unaffected population could mimic the experience of distant/less-engaged relatives in HBOC families after receiving unexpected information about cascade genetic testing. Most participants demonstrated behavioral intention toward cascade testing, at a rate higher than literature would suggest is typical in high-risk families, indicating that a theory-supported, simple to use intervention may be useful in clinical practice.

Interdisciplinary risk counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: real-world data from a specialized center.

PURPOSE: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer has long been established to affect a considerable number of patients and their families. By identifying those at risk ideally before they have been diagnosed with breast and/or ovarian cancer, access to preventive measures, intensified screening and special therapeutic options can be obtained, and thus, prognosis can be altered beneficially. Therefore, a standardized screening and counseling process has been established in Germany under the aegis of the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (GC-HBOC). As one of these specialized clinics, the HBOC-Center at Charité offers genetic counseling as well as genetic analysis based on the GC-HBOC standards. This analysis aims first at depicting this process from screening through counseling to genetic analysis as well as the patient collective and second at correlating the results of genetic analysis performed. Thus, real-world data from an HBOC-Center with a substantial patient collective and a high frequency of pathogenic variants in various genes shall be presented. METHODS: The data of 2531 people having been counseled at the HBOC-Center at Charité in 2016 and 2017 were analyzed in terms of patient and family history as well as pathogenic variants detected during genetic analysis with the TruRisk® gene panel when genetic analysis was conducted. This standardized analysis is compiled and regularly adjusted by the GC-HBOC. The following genes were included at time of research: BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CDH1, CHEK2, PALB2, RAD51C, RAD51D, NBN, and TP53. RESULTS: Genetic analysis was conducted in 59.8% of all cases meeting the criteria for genetic analysis and 286 pathogenic variants were detected among 278 (30.3%) counselees tested using the TruRisk® gene panel. These were primarily found in the genes BRCA1 (44.8%) and BRCA2 (28.3%) but also in CHEK2 (12.2%), ATM (5.6%) and PALB2 (3.5%). The highest prevalence of pathogenic variants was seen among the families with both ovarian and breast cancer (50.5%), followed by families with ovarian cancer only (43.2%) and families with breast cancer only (35.6%)-these differences are statistically significant (p < 0.001). Considering breast cancer subtypes, the highest rate of pathogenic variants was detected among patients with triple-negative breast cancer (40.7%) and among patients who had had been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer before the age of 40 (53.4%)-both observations proved to be statistically significant (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Genetic counseling and analysis provide the foundation in the prevention and therapy of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The rate of pathogenic variants detected is associated with family history as well as breast cancer subtype and age at diagnosis, and can reach considerable dimensions. Therefore, a standardized process of identification, genetic counseling and genetic analysis deems mandatory.

Increasing referral of at-risk women for genetic counseling and BRCA testing using a screening tool in a community breast imaging center.

BACKGROUND: Genetic evaluation and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) remain suboptimal. The authors evaluated the feasibility of using a screening tool at a breast imaging center to increase HBOC assessment referrals. METHODS: A brief questionnaire based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network HBOC genetic counseling referral guidelines was developed and added to the standard intake forms of patients undergoing mammography at a community breast imaging center from 2012 through 2015. Patients who met the criteria in the guidelines were referred for genetic counseling. RESULTS: A total of 34,851 patients were screened during the study period, and 1246 (4%) patients were found to be eligible for referral; 245 of these patients made a genetic counseling appointment, and 142 patients received genetic counseling. Forty patients (28%) had a personal history of breast cancer but were not previously tested. Following counseling, 105 patients were tested for BRCA1/2. Eight patients (8%) tested positive for a pathogenic mutation and nine (9%) had a variant of unknown significance. Although they tested negative, many patients met the criteria to add breast magnetic resonance imaging to their screening due to greater than 20% lifetime breast cancer risk based on their family cancer history. This study led to improved clinical risk management in 67% of the patients who underwent genetic counseling. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that large-scale screening of patients for HBOC syndromes at time of breast imaging is practical and highly feasible. The screening tool identified women with actionable BRCA1/2 mutations and mutation-negative but high-risk women, leading to significant changes in their risk management; these women would otherwise have been missed. LAY SUMMARY: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) caused by pathogenic mutations in breast cancer genes (BRCA1/BRCA2) increase an individual's lifetime risk of getting HBOC. Identifying these high-risk individuals and using proven preventive clinical risk management strategies can significantly reduce their lifetime risk of HBOC. Using an innovative family cancer history questionnaire, 34,000 women were screened at a community breast imaging center, and genetic counseling and testing were provided to eligible women from the screening. Several women at high risk for HBOC were identified and this led to positive clinical risk management changes. These women would have been missed if not for intervention.

Increased incidence of pathogenic variants in ATM in the context of testing for breast and ovarian cancer predisposition.

Pathogenic Variants (PV) in major cancer predisposition genes are only identified in approximately 10% of patients with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) leads to the characterization of incidental variants in genes other than those known to be associated with HBOC syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine if such incidental PV were specific to a phenotype. The detection rates of HBOC-associated and incidental PV in 1812 patients who underwent genetic testing were compared with rates in control groups FLOSSIES and ExAC. The rates of incidental PV in the PALB2, ATM and CHEK2 genes were significantly increased in the HBOC group compared to controls with, respective odds ratios of 15.2 (95% CI = 5.6-47.6), 9.6 (95% CI = 4.8-19.6) and 2.7 (95% CI = 1.3-5.5). Unsupervised Hierarchical Clustering on Principle Components characterized 3 clusters: by HBOC (P = 0.01); by ExAC and FLOSSIES (P = 0.01 and 0.02 respectively); and by HBOC, ExAC and FLOSSIES (P = 0.01, 0.04 and 0.04 respectively). Interestingly, PALB2 and ATM were grouped in the same statistical cluster defined by the HBOC group, whereas CHEK2 was in a different cluster. We identified co-occurrences of PV in ATM and BRCA genes and confirmed the Manchester Scoring System as a reliable PV predictor tool for BRCA genes but not for ATM or PALB2. This study demonstrates that ATM PV, and to a lesser extent CHEK2 PV, are associated with HBOC syndrome. The co-occurrence of ATM PV with BRCA PV suggests that such ATM variants are not sufficient alone to induce cancer, supporting a multigenism hypothesis.

Factors influencing genetic counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome in a large US health care system.

Investigate whether disparities and other factors influence referral to genetic counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) in a large health care system. Examination of clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic factors from electronic health records associated with genetic referral and testing within 12 months after a new cancer diagnosed between August 1, 2013 and December 31, 2018. For patients meeting institutional criteria for HBOC testing, 60.6% were referred for genetic counseling, 88% of whom underwent germline testing; at least one pathogenic variant was found in 15.3%. Referral rates for patients with breast (69%) or ovarian cancer (65.7%) were much higher than for metastatic prostate (11.1%, p < 0.0001) or pancreatic cancer (22.3%, p < 0.0001); referral criteria were implemented more recently for the latter two cancers. Younger age, family history, and chemotherapy were associated with referral. Higher Elixhauser comorbidity score and prior cancer were associated with non-referral. No other factors were associated with genetic referral for all eligible cancers combined, although differences were seen in specific cancers. Race was a significant factor only for breast cancer, with fewer Asians than Whites referred. Health disparities in referral to genetics for HBOC cancers are mitigated in a comprehensive integrated health care system.

Efficacy of maintenance olaparib plus bevacizumab according to clinical risk in patients with newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer in the phase III PAOLA-1/ENGOT-ov25 trial.

OBJECTIVES: Adding maintenance olaparib to bevacizumab provided a significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in patients with newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer in the randomized, double-blind PAOLA-1/ENGOT-ov25 trial (NCT02477644). We analyzed PFS by clinical risk and biomarker status. METHODS: Patients received olaparib 300 mg twice daily for up to 24 months plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks for up to 15 months in total, or placebo plus bevacizumab. This post hoc exploratory analysis evaluated PFS in patients classified as higher risk (stage III with upfront surgery and residual disease or neoadjuvant chemotherapy; stage IV) or lower risk (stage III with upfront surgery and no residual disease), and by biomarker status. RESULTS: Of 806 randomized patients, 74% were higher risk and 26% were lower risk. After a median 22.9 months of follow-up, PFS favored olaparib plus bevacizumab versus placebo plus bevacizumab in higher-risk patients (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49-0.74) and lower-risk patients (0.46; 0.30-0.72). Olaparib plus bevacizumab provided a substantial PFS benefit versus bevacizumab alone in the homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive subgroup (higher risk: HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.28-0.54 and lower risk: 0.15; 0.07-0.30), with 24-month PFS rates in lower-risk patients of 90% versus 43%, respectively (Kaplan-Meier estimates). CONCLUSIONS: In PAOLA-1, maintenance olaparib plus bevacizumab provided a substantial PFS benefit in HRD-positive patients with a reduction of risk of progression or death of 61% in the higher-risk group and of 85% in the lower-risk group compared with bevacizumab alone.

Impact of veliparib, paclitaxel dosing regimen, and germline BRCA status on the primary treatment of serous ovarian cancer - an ancillary data analysis of the VELIA trial.

OBJECTIVE: In the Phase 3 VELIA trial (NCT02470585), veliparib added to carboplatin plus paclitaxel concomitantly and as maintenance for women with newly-diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus chemotherapy alone. Here we present exploratory analyses by paclitaxel dosing schedule and germline BRCA (gBRCA) status. METHODS: Women with untreated ovarian carcinoma were randomized (1:1:1) to: veliparib during chemotherapy and maintenance (veliparib-throughout), veliparib during chemotherapy followed by placebo maintenance (veliparib-combination only), or placebo during chemotherapy and maintenance (control). Chemotherapy included carboplatin plus dose-dense (DD; weekly) or every-3-week (Q3W) paclitaxel (a stratification factor at randomization), selected at the investigator's discretion pre-randomization. PFS was assessed by paclitaxel dosing schedule using a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted by treatment arm and stratification factors; safety was analyzed based on paclitaxel dosing schedule and gBRCA status. RESULTS: 1132 patients were analyzed by paclitaxel schedule. Pooled treatment arms demonstrated longer median PFS with DD (n = 586) versus Q3W (n = 546) paclitaxel (ITT: 20.5 vs 15.7 months, hazard ratio [HR] 0.77; homologous recombination proficient cancer: 15.1 vs 11.8 months, HR 0.64; BRCAwt: 18.0 vs 12.9 months, HR 0.70). Comparison between arms favored veliparib-throughout versus control in both DD (PFS, 24.2 vs 18.3 months, hazard ratio 0.67) and Q3W (19.3 vs 14.6, hazard ratio 0.69) subgroups. DD paclitaxel was associated with higher incidence of Grade 3/4 neutropenia, fatigue, and anemia versus Q3W. There were no differences in toxicity between gBRCAm (n = 211) and gBRCAwt (n = 902) subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: DD paclitaxel was tolerable and associated with longer PFS in the HR proficient and gBRCAwt groups, versus Q3W. gBRCA status did not impact safety.

Patient reported outcomes after risk-reducing surgery in patients at increased risk of ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the quality of life of women at an increased risk of ovarian cancer undergoing risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO). METHODS: Patients evaluated in our gynecologic oncology ambulatory practice between January 2018-December 2019 for an increased risk of ovarian cancer were included. Patients received the EORTC QLQ-C30 and PROMIS emotional and instrumental support questionnaires along with a disease-specific measure (PROM). First and last and pre- and post-surgical PROM responses in each group were compared as were PROMs between at-risk patients and patients with other ovarian diseases. RESULTS: 195 patients with an increased risk of ovarian cancer were identified, 155 completed PROMs (79.5%). BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations were noted in 52.8%. Also included were 469 patients with benign ovarian disease and 455 with ovarian neoplasms. Seventy-two at-risk patients (46.5%) had surgery and 36 had both pre- and post-operative PROMs. Post-operatively, these patients reported significantly less tension (p = 0.011) and health-related worry (p = 0.021) but also decreased levels of health (p = 0.018) and quality of life <7d (0.001), less interest in sex (p = 0.014) and feeling less physically attractive (p = 0.046). No differences in body image or physical/sexual health were noted in at-risk patients who did not have surgery. When compared to patients with ovarian neoplasms, at-risk patients reported lower levels of disease-related life interference and treatment burden, less worry, and better overall health. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, RRBSO is associated with decreased health-related worry and tension, increased sexual dysfunction and poorer short-term quality of life. Patients with ovarian neoplasms suffer to a greater extent than at-risk patients and report higher levels of treatment burden and disease-related anxiety.

Impact of homologous recombination status and responses with veliparib combined with first-line chemotherapy in ovarian cancer in the Phase 3 VELIA/GOG-3005 study.

OBJECTIVE: In the Phase 3 VELIA trial (NCT02470585), PARP inhibitor (PARPi) veliparib was combined with first-line chemotherapy and continued as maintenance for patients with ovarian carcinoma enrolled regardless of chemotherapy response or biomarker status. Here, we report exploratory analyses of the impact of homologous recombination deficient (HRD) or proficient (HRP) status on progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rates during chemotherapy. METHODS: Women with Stage III-IV ovarian carcinoma were randomized to veliparib-throughout, veliparib-combination-only, or placebo. Stratification factors included timing of surgery and germline BRCA mutation status. HRD status was dichotomized at genomic instability score 33. During combination therapy, CA-125 levels were measured at baseline and each cycle; radiographic responses were assessed every 9 weeks. RESULTS: Of 1140 patients randomized, 742 had BRCA wild type (BRCAwt) tumors (HRP, n = 373; HRD/BRCAwt, n = 329). PFS hazard ratios between veliparib-throughout versus control were similar in both BRCAwt populations (HRD/BRCAwt: 22.9 vs 19.8 months; hazard ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-1.09; HRP: 15.0 vs 11.5 months; hazard ratio 0.765; 95% CI 0.56-1.04). By Cycle 3, the proportion with ≥90% CA-125 reduction from baseline was higher in those receiving veliparib (pooled arms) versus control (34% vs 23%; P = 0.0004); particularly in BRCAwt and HRP subgroups. Complete response rates among patients with measurable disease after surgery were 24% with veliparib (pooled arms) and 18% with control. CONCLUSIONS: These results potentially broaden opportunities for PARPi utilization among patients who would not qualify for frontline PARPi maintenance based on other trials.