Pathogenic germline variants in patients with endometrial cancer of diverse ancestry
Authors: Liu Ying L. , Gordhandas Sushmita , Arora Kanika , Rios‐Doria Eric , Cadoo Karen A. , Catchings Amanda , Maio Anna , Kemel Yelena , Sheehan Margaret , Salo‐Mullen Erin , Zhou Qin , Iasonos Alexia , Carrot‐Zhang Jian , Manning‐Geist Beryl , Sia Tiffany Y. , Selenica Pier , Vanderbilt Chad , Misyura Maksym , Latham Alicia , Bandlamudi Chaitanya , Berger Michael F. , Hamilton Jada G. , Makker Vicky , Abu‐Rustum Nadeem R. , Ellenson Lora H. , Offit Kenneth , Mandelker Diana L. , Stadler Zsofia , Weigelt Britta , Aghajanian Carol , Brown Carol 
Published: October 2023

Background

Racial disparities in outcomes exist in endometrial cancer (EC). The contribution of ancestry‐based variations in germline pathogenic variants (gPVs) is unknown.

Methods

Germline assessment of ≥76 cancer predisposition genes was performed in patients with EC undergoing tumor‐normal Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets sequencing from January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2021. Self‐reported race/ethnicity and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry data classified patients into groups. Genetic ancestry was inferred from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets. Rates of gPV and genetic counseling were compared by ancestry.

Results

Among 1625 patients with EC, 216 (13%) had gPVs; 15 had >1 gPV. Rates of gPV varied by self‐reported ancestry (Ashkenazi Jewish, 40/202 [20%]; Asian, 15/124 [12%]; Black/African American (AA), 12/171 [7.0%]; Hispanic, 15/124 [12%]; non‐Hispanic (NH) White, 129/927 [14%]; missing, 5/77 [6.5%]; p = .009], with similar findings by genetic ancestry (p < .001). We observed a lower likelihood of gPVs in patients of Black/AA (odds ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22–0.81) and African (AFR) ancestry (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.18–0.85) and a higher likelihood in patients of Ashkenazi Jewish genetic ancestry (OR, 1.62; 95% CI; 1.11–2.34) compared with patients of non‐Hispanic White/European ancestry, even after adjustment for age and molecular subtype. Somatic landscape influenced gPVs with lower rates of microsatellite instability‐high tumors in patients of Black/AA and AFR ancestry. Among those with newly identified gPVs (n = 114), 102 (89%) were seen for genetic counseling, with lowest rates among Black/AA (75%) and AFR patients (67%).

Conclusions

In those with EC, gPV and genetic counseling varied by ancestry, with lowest rates among Black/AA and AFR patients, potentially contributing to disparities in outcomes given implications for treatment and cancer prevention.

Plain Language Summary

Black women with endometrial cancer do worse than White women, and there are many reasons for this disparity.

Certain genetic changes from birth (mutations) can increase the risk of cancer, and it is unknown if rates of these changes are different between different ancestry groups.

Genetic mutations in 1625 diverse women with endometrial cancer were studied and the lowest rates of mutations and genetic counseling were found in Black and African ancestry women. This could affect their treatment options as well as their families and may make disparities worse.