Klint, Margaret

Purpose: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are increasingly recognized to have a hereditary predilection, yet the prevalence and clinical relevance of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in unselected patients with NEN remain poorly defined. This prospective, multicenter study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical utility of PGVs through universal multigene panel testing in a diverse cohort of patients with NENs. Patients and Methods: Between 2018 and 2024, we enrolled unselected patients with NENs from 3 Mayo Clinic Cancer Centers. Germline genetic testing was performed using a next-generation sequencing panel of up to 84 cancer predisposition genes. Patients were not selected based on age, disease stage, ethnicity, or family history. Variants were classified as PGVs, variants of uncertain significance (VUS), or negative. Clinical and demographic data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Among 88 patients, PGVs were identified in 15.9% (n=14), most frequently in high- or moderate-penetrance genes including MEN1 , CHEK2 , MITF , and MUTYH . PGVs were most commonly found in pancreatic NENs [n=12/55 (21.8%)], followed by small bowel NENs [n=2/20 (10%)], with no PGVs detected in lung NENs. Mismatch repair (MMR) gene alterations were identified in 5.7% of patients, including 1 MLH1 PGV and 4 MSH2/MSH6 VUS, 2 of which demonstrated MMR deficiency by protein testing. VUS were reported in 34.1% of patients. Notably, 35.7% of PGV-positive patients did not meet current NCCN or ACMG testing criteria, and 53.9% had PGVs in genes outside of cancer-specific guideline recommendations. Conclusions: Universal germline testing in unselected patients with NEN identified clinically relevant PGVs in over 15% of cases. These findings support broader genetic testing approaches to guide treatment, enhance familial risk assessment, and inform cascade testing—regardless of traditional clinical selection criteria.

Sarcomas are rare heterogenous mesenchymal tumors with over seventy-five different subtypes, with varying biology and outcomes, with no clear inciting factor in the vast majority. To determine the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGV) in patients with sarcomas, we undertook a prospective multi-site study of germline sequencing using an 84-gene next-generation sequencing panel among patients receiving care at the four Mayo Clinic Cancer Centers. Of 115 patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma, the median age was 60 years, 49.6% were female, 82.6% were White. The anatomical location of the primary tumor included extremities (34.8%), retroperitoneum (19.1%), trunk (13.0%), and head and neck (7.8%). Family history of cancer was present in 62.6% of the study population. Ten patients (8.7%) had a pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant (PGV). Of these, three had stage IV sarcoma, and seven had earlier-stage sarcoma (stages I–III). Among the 55 (48.7%) patients who had variant of uncertain significance (VUS), 41.1% (22/55) had stage IV sarcoma and 58.9% (33/55) had earlier-stage disease. Of the ten patients with PGV, high-to-moderate penetrance gene abnormalities were identified in eight patients (80%) involving TP53 (3), BRCA1 (1), SDHA (1), ATM (2), and NBN (1) genes. The vast majority of the PGVs (70%) would not have been detected using the current guidelines. Because of the paucity of sarcomas and lack of effective treatment options for advanced disease, germline testing in sarcomas represents a potentially impactful strategy to assess therapeutic options and for assessment of familial risk.

PURPOSE The autosomal dominant cancer predisposition disorders hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome (LS) are genetic conditions for which early identification and intervention have a positive effect on the individual and public health. The goals of this study were to determine whether germline genetic screening using exome sequencing could be used to efficiently identify carriers of HBOC and LS. METHODS Participants were recruited from three geographically and racially diverse sites in the United States (Rochester, MN; Phoenix, AZ; Jacksonville, FL). Participants underwent Exome+ sequencing (Helix Inc, San Mateo, CA) and return of results for specific genetic findings: HBOC ( BRCA1 and BRCA1) and LS ( MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM). Chart review was performed to collect demographics and personal and family cancer history. RESULTS To date, 44,306 participants have enrolled in Tapestry. Annotation and interpretation of all variants in genes for HBOC and LS resulted in the identification of 550 carriers (prevalence, 1.24%), which included 387 with HBOC (27.2% BRCA1, 42.8% BRCA2) and 163 with LS (12.3% MSH6, 8.8% PMS2, 4.5% MLH1, 3.8% MSH2, and 0.2% EPCAM). More than half of these participants (52.1%) were newly diagnosed carriers with HBOC and LS. In all, 39.2% of HBOC/LS carriers did not satisfy National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria for genetic evaluation. NCCN criteria were less commonly met in underrepresented minority populations versus self-reported White race (51.5% v 37.5%, P = .028). CONCLUSION Our results emphasize the need for wider utilization of germline genetic sequencing for enhanced screening and detection of individuals who have LS and HBOC cancer predisposition syndromes.

Abstract Two inherited autosomal dominant cancer predisposition conditions - BRCA related hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome (LS) - are termed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tier 1 (CDCT1) genetic conditions, for which early identification and intervention have a positive impact on public health. Selection of individuals for genetic testing for these conditions is based on personal and family history. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether screening in a tertiary medical center using exome sequencing could efficiently identify carriers of HBOC and LS and to determine the frequency of incremental carriers identified outside of traditional clinical practice guidelines. Participants from three geographically diverse Mayo Clinic practices in the USA (Rochester MN, Phoenix AZ, Jacksonville FL) consented to clinical “Exome+” sequencing (Helix, San Mateo, CA; Mayo GeneGuide, Rochester, MN) in the TAPESTRY study (NCT05212428), which links sequencing data with electronic health records and the return of CDCT1 genetic findings. For this study we focused on two inherited cancer predisposition conditions: BRCA-related HBOC (BRCA1 and BRCA2) and LS (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM). Detailed chart review to collect demographic information, personal and family history, and assessment of clinical practice guidelines for genetic evaluation (National Cancer Control Network 2021). To date, 44,306 patients have enrolled and sequenced in TAPESTRY. Annotation and interpretation of all variants in 7 genes for HBOC and LS resulted in identification of 550 carriers (prevalence 1.24%) which included 387 with HBOC (27.2% BRCA1, 42.8% BRCA2) and 163 with LS (12.3% MSH6, 8.8% PMS2, 4.5% MLH1, 3.8% MSH2 and 0.2% EPCAM). Demographics of the cohort included: 62.7% female, mean age 55.2 years, non-white race 9.6% and 3.8% Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. A personal history of cancer was present in 46.4% of test positive patients, including 22.5% of HBOC patients with breast or ovarian cancer and 20.9% of LS patients with colorectal or uterine cancer. More than half of the patients (52.1%) were newly diagnosed with HBOC and LS based on the results of this study. Overall, 39.2% of HBOC/LS carriers identified through Exome+ sequencing did not satisfy NCCN criteria for genetic evaluation, this was higher for LS (56.2%) compared to HBOC (32%). Amongst those newly diagnosed with HBOC/LS (n=286), NCCN criteria were not satisfied in 60% of cases (78% for LS and 51% for HBOC). Of the pathogenic germline variant carriers who met NCCN guidelines for testing, 34.2% were not aware of their diagnosis prior to participation in this study. Our results emphasize the need for wide genomic screening for CDCT1 cancer predisposition syndromes. Such screening could identify at-risk carriers of HBOC and LS, who would not otherwise be identified through clinical practice guidelines. Citation Format: Emily Gay, Niloy Jewel Samadder, Michelle L. Bublitz, Melanie M. Peterson, Tammy A. Wilson, Lorelei A. Bandel, Sebastian M. Armasu, Robert A. Vierkant, Matthew J. Ferber, Eric W. Klee, Nicholas B. Larson, Teresa M. Kruisselbrink, Timothy B. Curry, Jan B. Egan, Jennifer L. Kemppainen, Jessa S. Bidwell, Jennifer L. Anderson, Tammy M. McAllister, T'Nita S. Walker, Katie L. Kunze, Vanda Lindpere, Michael A. Golafshar, Margaret Klint, Richard J. Presutti, William V. Bobo, Aleksander Sekulic, Jolene M. Summer Bolster, Cheryl L. Willman, Konstantinos N. Lazaridis. Genetic screening in a tertiary medical center identifies carriers of cancer predisposition diseases that would be missed by clinical guidelines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5768.

ObjectiveThis study describes the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in head and neck cancer patients, the incremental yield compared to a guideline‐based approach to genetic evaluation, and the uptake of family variant testing.Study DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThree tertiary academic medical centers.MethodsGermline sequencing using an 84‐gene screening platform among unselected head and neck cancer patients who received care at Mayo Clinic Cancer Centers between April 2018 and March 2020.ResultsAmongst 200 patients, the median age was 62.0 years (Q1, Q3: 55, 71), 23.0% were female, 89.0% white/non‐Hispanic, 5.0% Hispanic/Latinx, 6% of another race, and 42.0% had prognostic stage IV disease. The most common subsites were the oropharyngeal (45.0%) and salivary glands (12.0%). The most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (74.5%). Twenty‐one patients (10.5%) had a total of 22 PGVs; 20 of the 21 patients (95.2%) did not meet criteria for testing by current guidelines. Regarding penetrance of the 22 PGVs, 11 were high or moderate (most commonPMS2orHOXB13), and 11 were low or recessive (most commonMUTYH,WNR, orRECQL4). One patient had a change in care based on an identified PGV. Family variant testing was completed at a rate of 4.8%.ConclusionsUniversal gene panel testing identified a PGV in 10.5% of head and neck cancer patients; almost all would have been missed by current guideline‐based testing. One of 21 patients had a treatment change due to their PGV, indicating that head and neck cancer treatment decisions are not yet widely informed by germline alterations.Level of Evidence3Laryngoscope, 133:3378–3388, 2023

Abstract Hereditary factors play a role in the development of several cancers. Identification of germline predisposition can have implications for treatment and cancer prevention. While previous studies have found that universal multigene panel testing in patients with cancer yields increased detection of actionable heritable variants compared to targeted testing, patients belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups have been underrepresented in these studies. We undertook a prospective multi-site study of germline alternations among solid tumor cancer patients from under-represented minority (URM) populations receiving care at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Centers between January 2020 and November 2022. Patients with a new or active cancer diagnosis (all stages) not selected for family history of cancer were tested with a >80-gene next generation sequencing panel. Of 532 patients (mean [SD] age, 57.2 [12.7] years; 320 (60.2%) female), 247 (46.4%) were Hispanic/Latino, 130 (24.4%) Black/African American, 80 (15.0%) Asian, 66 (12.4%) American Indian/Alaskan Native, 2 (0.4%) Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 7 (1.3%) other. PGV were found in 43 patients (8.1%), including 29 moderate- or high- penetrance cancer susceptibility genes. Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were found in 272 patients (51.1%). Of those with a PGV, 29 (67.4%) had incremental clinically actionable findings that would not have been detected by established testing criteria, of which 16 were moderate- or high-penetrance variants. Younger age of diagnosis, gender, race, ethnicity, and stage of disease were not predictive of PGV. In this study of under-represented minority cancer patients, universal genetic testing found that 1 in 12 patients harbor a PGV, more than two-thirds of whom would remain undetected using current guidelines. The paucity of genomic data in URM populations also results in a large proportion of VUS which may lead to under-estimation of disease associated variants. Table 1. Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Included Patients Positive Negative VUS Total N (%) 43 217 272 532 (8.1%) (40.8%) (51.1%) Age - mean (SD) 53.7 57.0 57.8 57.2 (12.7) (12.6) (12.8) (12.7) Gender - Female 26 132 162 320 (60.5%) (60.8%) (59.6%) (60.2%) Race/Ethnicity Hispanic/Latino 24 110 113 247 (55.8%) (50.7%) (41.5%) (46.4%) Black/African 5 56 69 130 American (11.6%) (25.8%) (25.4%) (24.4%) Asian 10 (23.3%) 23 (10.6%) 47 (17.3%) 80 (15.0%) American Indian/Alaskan Native 4 (9.3%) 26 (12.0%) 36 (13.2%) 66 (12.4%) Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.7%) 2 (0.4%) Other 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.9%) 5 (1.8%) 7 (1.3%) Tumor Types Breast 19 (44.2%) 80 (36.9%) 110 (40.4%) 209 (39.3%) CNS 1 (2.3%) 2 (0.9%) 1 (0.4%) 4 (0.8%) GI 7 (16.3%) 46 (21.2%) 58 (21.3%) 111 (20.9%) GU 8 (18.6%) 57 (26.3%) 62 (22.8%) 127 (23.9%) GYN 0 (0.0%) 8 (3.7%) 10 (3.7%) 18 (3.4%) Head/Neck 5 (11.6%) 8 (3.7%) 6 (2.2%) 19 (3.6%) Lung 0 (0.0%) 6 (2.8%) 11 (4.0%) 17 (3.2%) Melanoma 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.9%) 1 (0.4%) 3 (0.6%) Sarcoma 2 (4.7%) 4 (1.8%) 4 (1.5%) 10 (1.9%) Other 1 (2.3%) 4 (1.8%) 9 (3.3%) 14 (2.6%) Citation Format: Kevork A. Khadarian, Sailaja Pisipati, Jeremy C. Jones, Gerardo Colon-Otero, Donald W. Northfelt, Lindsey Gary, Idara U. Ekpoh, Giovanna G. Moreno, Edward D. Esplin, Robert Nussbaum, Brandie Heald, Margaret A. Klint, Kathleen A. Barrus, Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, Aleksandar Sekulic, Michael A. Golafshar, Katie L. Kunze, Cheryl L. Willman, Konstantinos N. Lazaridis, Niloy Jewel Samadder. Universal genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes in an under-represented minority population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1921.

Abstract Sarcomas are rare heterogenous mesenchymal tumors with over 75 different subtypes, with varying biology and outcomes, with no clear inciting factor in the vast majority. The germline genetic susceptibility to sarcoma is not very well characterized. Identification of any underlying germline predisposition can have important implications for treatment of patients and screening recommendations for family members. To determine the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGV) in patients with sarcomas, we undertook the Interrogating Cancer Etiology Using Proactive Genetic Testing (INTERCEPT) study, a prospective multi-site study of germline sequencing using a >80-gene next-generation sequencing platform. The study was done at the three Mayo Clinic Cancer Centers between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020. Patients were not selected based on stage, family cancer history, ethnicity, or age. Family cascade testing was offered at no charge. Results: 115 adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma were included in the study. The median age was 60 years, 58.5% were male, 81% were White. The anatomical location of the primary tumor included extremities (33.0%), retroperitoneum (18.2%), trunk (12.2%), head and neck (7.8%). Family history of cancer was present in 63% of the study population. Ten patients (8.7%) had a PGV. Thirty percent of the patients with PGV had stage IV sarcoma (3/10), and 70% (7/10) had earlier stage sarcoma (stages I-III). Among patients who were found to have a variant of uncertain significance (VUS), 40% (22/55) had stage IV sarcoma and 60% (33/55) had earlier stage disease. Of the 10 patients with PGV, high to medium penetrance gene abnormalities were identified in 8 patients (80%) involving TP53 (3), BRCA1 (1), SDHA (1), ATM (2) and heterozygous deletion of NBN (1) genes. Of these PGV, gene deletions were observed in 6/10 while missense variants comprised the remaining 4. The vast majority of the PGV (70%) would not have been identified using the current guidelines utilizing the 2018 or 2020 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) or American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Conclusion: In this prospective, multi-site study comprising over 100 patients with diverse sarcomas, unselected germline testing identified a PGV in 1 in 11 patients (8.7%) with the majority of these not being detected using current standard of care guidelines for genetic testing. Because of the rarity of sarcomas, in addition to limited effective treatment options for advanced disease, large scale germline testing in sarcomas represents a potentially impactful strategy to assess therapeutic options and for assessment of familial risk. Citation Format: Isaak Ailts, Michael A. Golafshar, Katie L. Kunze, Margaret Klint, Kathleen Barrus, Samuel Nussbaum, Edward Esplin, Brandie Leach, Sarah Young, Niloy Jewel Samadder, Mahesh Seetharam. Germline cancer susceptibility gene testing in unselected patients with soft tissue sarcoma: a multi-center prospective study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Precision Prevention, Early Detection, and Interception of Cancer; 2022 Nov 17-19; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2023;16(1 Suppl): Abstract nr P056.

10588 Background: Detection of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) has implications for cancer screening, prognostication, treatment selection, clinical trial enrollment and family testing. Published guidelines provide indications for PGV testing, determined by clinical and demographic factors, but these leave a significant number of cases missed by guideline-directed testing (incremental PGV). We have previously shown that 50% of patients with PVGs would not have been detected with guideline-based testing alone. In this project, we aimed to determine the feasibility and generalizability of this approach within a more racially/ethnically diverse cohort from a community cancer practice. Methods: We completed a prospective study of proactive germline genetic sequencing among patients with solid tumor malignancies at a community-based oncology practice in downtown Jacksonville, FL between June 2020, and September 2021. The patients were unselected for cancer type, stage, family history, race/ethnicity, and age. PGVs identified using an 84-gene NGS platform were stratified by penetrance. National Comprehensive Cancer Networks (NCCN) guidelines were used to determine incremental PGV rates. Results: 221 patients were enrolled, median age 63.0 years, 21.7% male. 56.6% of patients were white (non-Hispanic), 32.6% were black/African American, 5.4% were Hispanic. 39.8% of patients were commercially insured, 52.4% insured by Medicare/Medicaid and 2.7% uninsured. The cohort was comprised predominantly of breast cancer (61.5%), lung cancer (10.4%) and colon cancer (7.2%) patients. A total of 27 PGVs were identified in 23 patients. We found no significant difference in the rate of PGVs based on race/ethnicity. The overall rate of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) was numerically higher in black/African American patients (61.1%) compared with other ancestry (45%). 13 of 23 (56.5%) patients with detected PGVs did not meet NCCN guidelines for germline genetic screening (incremental PGVs). Conclusions: This prospective study found that universal multi-gene panel testing among patients from a racially/ethnically diverse cohort from a community cancer practice was associated with an increased detection of heritable variants with treatment implications over the predicted yield of targeted testing based on guidelines. This study is the first to evaluate this approach in an exclusively community-based practice. Clinical trial information: NCT04456140.

INTRODUCTION: To report the prevalence and outcomes of unselected pancreatic cancer (PC) patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) detected using a universal testing approach. METHODS: We undertook a prospective, multisite study of germline sequencing using a >80 gene next-generation sequencing platform among 250 patients with PC (not selected for age or family history of cancer) between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020. Demographic, tumor characteristics, and clinical outcomes were compared between PGV carriers and noncarriers. RESULTS: Of 250 patients, the mean age was 65 years (SD 8.7), 56% was male, 83.6% was White, and 65.6% had advanced disease (stages III and IV). PGVs were found in 15.2% (N = 38) of patients, and 2 patients had more than 1 PGV. Variants of uncertain significance were found in 44.4% (N = 111). Family history of cancer (odds ratio: 2.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–5.19, P = 0.025) was associated with a higher risk of PGV. In a median follow-up of 16.5 months, the median overall survival was 16.8 months in PGV carriers compared with 16.5 months in noncarriers (hazard ratio: 0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.25–1.01, P = 0.05). Higher levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and advanced disease stages (III and IV) were associated with worse outcomes in both groups. Overall, 68% of PGV carriers had mutations in homologous recombination repair genes, including BRCA1 , BRCA2 , PALB2 , ATM , CHEK2 , NBN , and RAD51C . DISCUSSION: Universal multigene panel testing in PC reveals that 1 in 6 patients are carriers of PGV. Multigene germline testing should be used to aid in treatment selection, prognostication, and familial cancer counseling.

Abstract Background: Hereditary factors play a key role in the risk of developing breast cancers. Identification of a germline predisposition can have important implications for treatment decisions, risk-reducing interventions, cancer screening, and testing for family members. Aim: To determine the prevalence of pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline mutations (P/LP) using a “universal” testing approach and uptake of no-cost cascade family testing in patients with breast cancer. Methods: We undertook a prospective multi-site study of germline genetic alterations among breast cancer patients receiving care at Mayo Clinic cancer centers in Rochester, MN; Eau Claire, WI; Jacksonville, FL and Phoenix, AZ between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2020. Patients with a new or active breast cancer diagnosis (all stages) irrespective of cancer family history were tested with a >80-gene next generation sequencing panel.Results: Of 390 patients, the median age was 58 years (SD 12.3), 1% were male, 85% were white and 28% had advanced (stage 3-4) disease. P/LP were found in 12.1% (n=47) of patients, including 29 in moderate and high penetrance cancer susceptibility genes. 13 (3.3%) patients had mutations in BRCA1 or 2, while 33 (8.4%) had mutations in BRCAness (ATM, BAP1, BARD1, BLM, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CHEK2, NBN, PALB2, RAD50, RAD51C, RAD51D, WRN) associated genes. Of the P/LP findings the most frequent aberrations were in BRCA2 (13.5%), BRCA1 (11.5%), CHEK2 (11.5%), MUTYH (11.5%), and WRN (9.6%). Variants of uncertain significance were found in 209 (53.6%) including 26 (6.6%) with concurrent P/LP and VUS. 37 (9.4%) patients had mutations associated with published management recommendations, precision therapies and/or clinical trial eligibility. 10 (2.6%) patients had P/LP that would not have met current screening guidelines, including 4 with moderate or high penetrance mutations. Patients with younger age of diagnosis were less likely than patients with older age of diagnosis to have a P/LP mutation (OR= 0.47, 95%CI: 0.25-0.90 p = 0.020). Only 10 (21%) patients with P/LP had family members undergo familial site- specific testing at no cost.Conclusions: In this prospective multi-center study of unselected breast cancer patients, universal multi-gene panel testing found that 1 in 8 patients harbor P/LP germline variants. Current guidelines were able to identify the majority of patients with P/LP mutations. Familial site specific testing is greatly under-utilized even when cost is not a barrier. Multigene panels impact cancer patient care by identifying precision medicine treatment interventions, and guiding long-term medical management and preventive surveillance. Citation Format: Brenda Ernst, Natalie Ertz-Archambault, Deborah J Rhodes, Donald W Northfelt, Myra Wick, Douglas L Riegert-Johnson, Scott Okuno, Katie Kunze, Michael Golafshar, Cindy M Azevedo, PLS Uson Junior, ED Esplin, Robert Nussbaum, Margaret Klint, Sarah Mantia, Megan Hager, Keith Stewart, Niloy Jewel Samadder. Universal genetic testing in breast cancer patients: A multi-center prospective study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD10-05.