Meyer, Margaret

ImportanceIncreased cancer risk in first-degree relatives of probands with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC probands) who carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in cancer syndrome–associated genes encourages cascade genetic testing. To date, unbiased risk estimates for the development of cancers on a gene-specific basis have not been assessed.ObjectiveTo quantify the risk of development of PDAC and extra-PDAC among first-degree relatives of PDAC probands who carry a PGV in 1 of 9 cancer syndrome–associated genes—ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and CDKN2A.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis case series focused on first-degree relatives of PDAC probands carrying PGVs in specific cancer syndrome–associated genes. The cohort comprised clinic-ascertained patients enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Biospecimen Resource for Pancreas Research registry with germline genetic testing. In total, 234 PDAC probands carrying PGVs were drawn from the prospective research registry of 4562 participants who had undergone genetic testing of cancer syndrome–associated genes. Demographic and cancer-related family histories were obtained by questionnaire. The data were collected from October 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021.Main Outcomes and MeasuresFor the PDAC probands, the genetic test results of the presence of PGVs in 9 cancer syndrome–associated genes were obtained by clinical testing. Cancers (ovary, breast, uterus or endometrial, colon, malignant melanoma, and pancreas) among first-degree relatives were reported by the probands. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to estimate cancer risks among first-degree relatives of PDAC probands carrying a PGV.ResultsIn total, 1670 first-degree relatives (mean [SD] age, 58.1 [17.8] years; 853 male [51.1%]) of 234 PDAC probands (mean [SD] age, 62.5 [10.1] years; 124 male [53.0%]; 219 [94.4%] White; 225 [98.7%] non-Hispanic or non-Latino]) were included in the study. There was a significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer in female first-degree relatives of probands who had variants in BRCA1 (SIR, 9.49; 95% CI, 3.06-22.14) and BRCA2 (SIR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.36-8.11). Breast cancer risks were higher with BRCA2 variants (SIR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.89-3.54). The risks of uterine or endometrial cancer (SIR, 6.53; 95% CI, 2.81-12.86) and colon cancer (SIR, 5.83; 95% CI, 3.70-8.75) were increased in first-degree relatives of probands who carried Lynch syndrome mismatch repair variants. Risk of PDAC was also increased for variants in ATM (SIR, 4.53; 95% CI, 2.69-7.16), BRCA2 (SIR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.72-6.17), CDKN2A (SIR, 7.38; 95% CI, 3.18-14.54), and PALB2 (SIR, 5.39; 95% CI, 1.45-13.79). Melanoma risk was elevated for first-degree relatives of probands with CDKN2A variants (SIR, 7.47; 95% CI, 3.97-12.77).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this case series, the presence of PGVs in 9 cancer syndrome–associated genes in PDAC probands was found to be associated with increased risk of 6 types of cancers in first-degree relatives. These gene-specific PDAC and extra-PDAC cancer risks may provide justification for clinicians to counsel first-degree relatives about the relevance and importance of genetic cascade testing, with the goal of higher uptake of testing.

Abstract Increased pancreatic cancer (PC) risk in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of PC patients with germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PLPV) is a motivator for cascade genetic testing. To date, unbiased FDR risk estimates for gene-specific risks of genetic cancer syndrome-associated cancers are unknown. These estimates would enhance genetic counseling of at-risk FDRs in families where the PC proband has been found to carry a PLPV. Study Aim: To objectively quantify gene-specific risks of six relevant cancers among FDRs of PC patients with germline PLPV in ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, and PMS2. Methods: In the prospective, clinic-based Mayo Clinic Biospecimen Resource for Pancreas Research registry, 4,562 PC patients had previously undergone germline genetic testing for pancreatic cancer-associated genes through either research studies or clinical testing. Of these, 234 PC probands were found to carry PLPV among 9 genes of interest and had provided detailed demographic and cancer data on their FDRs by questionnaire. We focused on six cancer types (ovary, breast, uterus, pancreas, colon, and malignant melanoma) in FDRs as reported by the probands. Standardized incidence ratios estimated risk by gene of six cancers among FDRs of PC patients carrying PLPV. Results: 1,670 FDRs (mean age 58.1+17.8SD; 48.9% female) were included in the study. We found significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer in female FDRs of PC probands who carry PLPV in BRCA1 (SIR 9.49, 95%CI:3.06-22.14) or BRCA2 (3.72, 95%CI:1.36-8.11), and breast cancer risks were higher with BRCA2 (2.62, 95%CI:1.89-3.54). Uterine cancer risk was increased in FDRs of PC probands who carry PLPV for Lynch Syndrome mismatch repair (MMR) (6.53, 95%CI:2.81-12.86). PC risk was also increased (ATM 4.53, 95% CI:2.69-7.16; BRCA2 3.45, 95%CI:1.72-6.17; CDKN2A 7.38, 95%CI:3.18-14.54; PALB2 5.39, 95%CI:1.45-13.79). Increased colon cancer risk was observed in FDRs of probands who carried MMR PLPV (5.83, 95%CI:3.70-8.75), while melanoma risk was elevated for FDRs of probands with CDKN2A PLPV (7.47, 95%CI:3.97-12.77). Conclusion: PLPV in nine syndrome-associated genes in PC probands are associated with increased risk of six cancers in FDRs in PC families. The findings underscore the importance of risk estimation of various other cancers in PC families for screening, early detection, and intervention. The gene-specific quantified cancer risks for FDRs of PC patients with syndrome-associated germline PLPV can inform counseling regarding extra-PC risks when considering cascade genetic testing. Citation Format: Xuan Chen, Kari Rabe, Margaret Meyer, Jennnifer Kemppainen, Masayasu Horibe, Shruti Chandra, Shounak Majumder, Gloria Petersen. Gene-specific risk of syndrome-associated cancers in first-degree relatives of pancreatic cancer patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2022 Sep 13-16; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(22 Suppl):Abstract nr A033.