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

  • Epidemiology
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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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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Kirstin Roundy for assistance with manuscript editing and submission.

Conflict of interest

All authors are employees of Myriad Genetics, Inc. and Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. and receive salaries and stock options as compensation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Myriad Genetics, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Dmitry Pruss, Brian Morris, Elisha Hughes & Alexander Gutin

  2. Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc., 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, 84108, UT, USA

    Julie M. Eggington, Lisa Esterling, Brandon S. Robinson, Aric van Kan, Priscilla H. Fernandes, Benjamin B. Roa, Richard J. Wenstrup & Karla R. Bowles

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  1. Dmitry Pruss
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  2. Brian Morris
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  3. Elisha Hughes
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Correspondence to Karla R. Bowles.

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Pruss, D., Morris, B., Hughes, E. et al. Development and validation of a new algorithm for the reclassification of genetic variants identified in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Breast Cancer Res Treat 147, 119–132 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-014-3065-9

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