Breast cancer germline multigene panel testing in mainstream oncology based on clinical-public health utility: ESMO Precision Oncology Working Group recommendations.

BACKGROUND

With widening therapeutic indications, germline genetic testing is offered to an increasing proportion of patients with breast cancer (BC) via mainstream oncology services. However, the gene set tested varies widely from just BRCA1/BRCA2 through to 'pan-cancer' panels of nearly 100 genes. If a germline pathogenic variant (GPV) is detected, the BC proband and other family GPV-carriers may be offered interventions such as risk-reducing surgery and intensive surveillance over decades for the various cancers linked to that gene.

METHODS

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Precision Oncology Working Group established an international expert working group (EWG) in BC germline genetics. This EWG firstly established a framework of criteria by which to evaluate each breast cancer susceptibility gene (BCSG) for potential inclusion on a breast cancer multigene panel test (BC-MGPT) for universal mainstream testing for BC cases. Next, the EWG scored BCSGs for impact regarding (i) BC risk estimation, (ii) clinical actionability and (iii) cancer-related mortality.

RESULTS

The group agreed that they would constitute a BC-MGPT based on net clinical-public health utility, as quantified by likelihood of impact on cancer-related mortality. Judged as of high or moderate impact on this basis were six BCSGs: BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, RAD51C, RAD51D and TP53 (for BC diagnosed <40 years of age), with possible addition of BRIP1. While potentially informative for BC risk estimation, CHEK2 and ATM were judged to offer insufficient evidence for improving cancer-related mortality. The EWG recommended strongly against inclusion of 'syndromic' genes such as STK11, PTEN, NF1 and CDH1.

CONCLUSIONS

With expanded germline testing in patients with BC (and cascade testing into families), the number and nature of resultant GPV-carriers identified will be dictated by the genes included on the upfront BC-MGPT. The potential harms, opportunity and economic costs of decades of surveillance of multiple organs and risk-reducing surgeries for GPV-carriers should be justified by strong evidence of meaningful improvement in cancer-related mortality (or health-related quality of life).