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01-08-2014 | Epidemiology

Development and validation of a new algorithm for the reclassification of genetic variants identified in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes

Authors: Dmitry Pruss, Brian Morris, Elisha Hughes, Julie M. Eggington, Lisa Esterling, Brandon S. Robinson, Aric van Kan, Priscilla H. Fernandes, Benjamin B. Roa, Alexander Gutin, Richard J. Wenstrup, Karla R. Bowles

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

BRCA1 and BRCA2 sequencing analysis detects variants of uncertain clinical significance in approximately 2 % of patients undergoing clinical diagnostic testing in our laboratory. The reclassification of these variants into either a pathogenic or benign clinical interpretation is critical for improved patient management. We developed a statistical variant reclassification tool based on the premise that probands with disease-causing mutations are expected to have more severe personal and family histories than those having benign variants. The algorithm was validated using simulated variants based on approximately 145,000 probands, as well as 286 BRCA1 and 303 BRCA2 true variants. Positive and negative predictive values of ≥99 % were obtained for each gene. Although the history weighting algorithm was not designed to detect alleles of lower penetrance, analysis of the hypomorphic mutations c.5096G>A (p.Arg1699Gln; BRCA1) and c.7878G>C (p.Trp2626Cys; BRCA2) indicated that the history weighting algorithm is able to identify some lower penetrance alleles. The history weighting algorithm is a powerful tool that accurately assigns actionable clinical classifications to variants of uncertain clinical significance. While being developed for reclassification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants, the history weighting algorithm is expected to be applicable to other cancer- and non-cancer-related genes.

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Title: Development and validation of a new algorithm for the reclassification of genetic variants identified in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
Authors: Dmitry Pruss
Brian Morris
Elisha Hughes
Julie M. Eggington
Lisa Esterling
Brandon S. Robinson
Aric van Kan
Priscilla H. Fernandes
Benjamin B. Roa
Alexander Gutin
Richard J. Wenstrup
Karla R. Bowles
Publication date: 01-08-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-014-3065-9

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