Abstract PO1-09-02: Universal genetic testing for women with newly diagnosed breast cancer identified many mutations, impacted clinical management and caused no psychological distress to patients
Authors: Dilanka De Silva, Lesley Stafford, Anita Skandarajah, Michelle Sinclair, Lisa Devereux, Kirsten Hogg, Maira Kentwell, Allan Park, luxi Lal, Magnus Zethoven, Madawa Jayawardena, Fiona Chan, Paul James, Geoffrey Lindeman, Ian Campbell, Bruce Mann
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Background: For newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients, identification of pathogenic germline mutations in hereditary breast cancer (HBC) genes can inform clinical management and risk mitigation strategies and identify patients who would benefit from targeted therapy and clinical trials. Offering germline testing based on NCCN or other guidelines fails to identify all patients with germline HBC gene mutations, potentially with adverse consequences for patients and their families. As an integral part of the study, we have explored the acceptance of universal testing among patients and clinicians. Methods: This is the largest Australian multi-centre prospective study exploring the prevalence of hereditary pathogenic variants in the Australian BC population. 650 newly diagnosed consecutive, consented patients with non-metastatic breast cancer or high-grade DCIS were recruited from May 2020 to March 2023 in 2 phases. Phase 1 (n=157) offered a combination of germline and somatic sequencing. Germline testing was performed by whole genome sequencing on DNA from blood or saliva, and the data analyzed for actionable HBC gene mutations, including large genomic rearrangements. Germline variants were interrogated for pathogenic variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, CHEK2, BARD1, BRIP1, RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, CDH1, PTEN, STK11, TP53 and NTHL1.Tumour sequencing will be reported separately. Phase 2 (n=493) included germline exome sequencing with no somatic sequencing. The objectives were to assess the additional actionable HBC gene mutations identified by universal testing compared to algorithmic based (MANCHESTER and BOADICEA scores) and NCCN guidelines, the clinical impact of this identification and the prevalence of germline mutations in the general BC population. A 3-generation pedigree was constructed for every patient for accurate estimation of NCCN, MANCHESTER, and BOADICEA scores. Phase 1 patients completed surveys of perceptions of universal testing, psychological distress and cancer-specific worry pre- and post-testing. Results: 50 carriers of actionable germline mutations were identified: (7.7%). BRCA1 (n=10), BRCA2 (n=12), PALB2 (n=7), CHEK2 (n=10), ATM (n=4), PMS2 (n=2), MSH6 (n=1), RAD51C (n=2), and BARD1 (n=3). One carrier had both PALB2 and CHEK2 mutations. Updated NCCN guidelines (2023 version) identified 44/50 pathogenic germline variant carriers (88%). The BOADICEA and MANCHESTER scores only identified 22 carriers (44%). Immediate clinical management changed due to the discovery of HBC gene in 40/50 (80%). Among 105 participants, cancer-specific distress declined from pre- to post-testing. Anxiety, stress and depression did not change. 90/103 participants agreed that genetic testing should be routine, 100/104 reported their decision to undergo testing as correct. All (n=25) BC clinicians reported that genetic test results were helpful for important treatment decisions and none that testing was distressing to patients. Conclusion: HBC gene mutation prevalence was 7.7%. Universal germline HBC gene testing is the best method for detecting carriers. Current testing guidelines would have missed HBC genes which would have impacted clinical management. Updated NCCN guidelines were sensitive in the detection of HBC gene mutation, but more than half of HBC gene mutations were missed by Australian standards. Discovery of HBC gene mutations led to changed management in most cases. Universal testing is highly acceptable to clinicians and patients who reported no adverse impact on psychological distress or cancer-specific worry and no decision regret. Germline mutations identified and their impact on management Citation Format: Dilanka De Silva, Lesley Stafford, Anita Skandarajah, Michelle Sinclair, Lisa Devereux, Kirsten Hogg, Maira Kentwell, Allan Park, luxi Lal, Magnus Zethoven, Madawa Jayawardena, Fiona Chan, Paul James, Geoffrey Lindeman, Ian Campbell, Bruce Mann. Universal genetic testing for women with newly diagnosed breast cancer identified many mutations, impacted clinical management and caused no psychological distress to patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-09-02.