Piri L. Welcsh, PhD

Germline testing is a key issue for the constituents of Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), a nonprofit organization focused on hereditary cancer. Its mission is to improve the lives of the millions of men, women, and families facing increased risk of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, colorectal, and endometrial cancers. Our community includes people with a 

, or other inherited gene mutation and those facing Lynch syndrome. We accomplish this mission through education, support, advocacy, and research.

Germline mutations are associated with an increased risk of a variety of cancers. The most common mutations are among Lynch syndrome and 

 genes, affecting approximately 1 in 279 and 1 in 400 Americans, respectively.

, the risk of breast cancer by age 80 is 72% for 

 compared with 13% for the general population.

 Similarly, the risk of ovarian cancer rises from a lifetime risk of 1.3% in the general population

 For those with mutations in Lynch syndrome genes, lifetime risk of colorectal cancer is up to 68%

 Lynch syndrome is also associated with elevated risk of endometrial cancer (up to 60% lifetime risk versus 2.7% in the general population) and ovarian cancer (up to 24% lifetime risk) depending on which Lynch gene is mutated.

 Among those with pancreatic cancer, 5.5% have inherited mutations in a high-risk cancer gene.

 Up to 10% of men with advanced prostate cancer have a pathogenic mutation in a cancer-predisposing gene.

Evidence-based guidelines and recommendations from a broad range of professional societies support the use of germline genetic testing in certain patients. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) provides guidelines that outline how to best screen for, prevent, and treat cancer, including determining who should be offered genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk and how individuals should be followed after testing. The American Society of Clinical Oncology states that recognition and management of individuals with an inherited susceptibility to cancer are core elements of oncology care.

 The Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) recommends genetic testing for all women who received diagnoses of epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers, even in the absence of a family history.

Additionally, SGO guidelines indicate that all women who receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer should undergo systematic clinical screening for Lynch syndrome and/or molecular screening when resources are available.

 The American Society of Breast Surgeons recommends genetic testing for all patients with a personal history of breast cancer. This group also suggests updated testing for previously tested patients for whom no pathogenic variant was identified.

 The American College of Medical Genetics and National Society of Genetic Counselors offer guidelines on referral and testing for 28 of the most common hereditary cancer susceptibility syndromes.

CLINICAL UTILITY OF GERMLINE TESTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CANCER DIAGNOSES

For many hereditary cancers, knowledge of a pathogenic mutation prior to the onset of cancer can inform screening, result in earlier detection of cancer at more treatable stages, and allow prevention options such as prophylactic surgery. For those with cancer, germline testing informs choices for care and treatment. Importantly, knowledge of an inherited mutation can alert extended family members to their cancer risk.

Among those with cancer diagnoses, heritable mutations confer significant risk of increased morbidity and additional primary cancers. This information gives physicians more accurate assessments of cancer risk for other organs and allows tailoring of healthcare strategies that may reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these syndromes. 

The following are a few examples where knowledge of a pathogenic mutation conveys clinically actionable interventions for those who have cancer.

People with inherited mutations may respond differently to certain types of treatment regardless of the cancer site involved.

 germline mutations, a class of targeted therapies known as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors has shown benefit for treating multiple tumor types. PARP inhibitors are approved for treating breast and ovarian cancer in people with germline 

mutations; however, ongoing research suggests that these drugs also may offer benefits for patients with pancreatic and prostate cancers.

    »» People with Lynch syndrome are more likely to have cancers with a genetic feature called microsatellite instability—high (MSI-H). Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy with FDA approval to treat any MSI-H advanced cancers.

Response to treatment differs significantly based on mutation status. For instance, 

 mutation carriers with hormone-negative breast cancers show less sensitivity to taxane chemotherapy.

 mutations are positive selection criteria for use of platinum-based regimen and potentially PARP inhibitors.

 An estimated 20% of patient with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are 

 mutation carriers, and 70% of breast cancers that develop in 

 mutation carriers are triple-negative. A germline 

 mutation has been used to identify patients with TNBC who will best respond to carboplatin therapy. As such, the BRCA-mutated TNBC subgroup should receive platinum derivatives as part of their neoadjuvant (and/or adjuvant) treatment.

A germline mutation may also affect surgical decision making in breast cancer. Although someone without a germline mutation may opt for lumpectomy and radiation,

- mutation, for instance, would be advised to undergo a double mastectomy. Rates of contralateral breast cancer after either breast-conserving therapy or unilateral mastectomy are increased in women with 

mutations compared with patients who have sporadic breast cancer. Similarly, women with breast cancer who test positive for a 

 mutation are at significantly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Knowledge of this risk enables the patient and her healthcare team to be more aware and vigilant regarding additional primary cancers.

There is considerable stage-independent variability in colorectal cancer outcomes that may reflect variation in microsatellite instability (MSI) status. Many colorectal cancer patients benefit from MSI testing before the cancer is advanced or metastatic.

 Lynch syndrome patients account for 3% of colorectal cancer patients.

 Risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as gastric, urinary tract, and small bowel cancer, rises in Lynch syndrome patients. Knowledge of these risks leads to greater patient and provider awareness, which may result in earlier diagnosis of additional primary cancers. 

More than 1 in 5 ovarian carcinomas are associated with germline mutations, and approximately 15% are attributable to a 

mutation. An additional 5% to 6% are the result of a germline mutation in 

BRIP1, RAD51D, RAD51C, PALB2, BARD1,TP53,

    Studies confirm that women with germline 

 cancers often behave and respond to treatment differently than sporadic cancers.

 Specifically, ovarian cancer patients with with germline 

 cancers have a better response to platinum therapy compared with patients who do not have 

 Likewise, BRCA mutation carriers appear to be more sensitive to the benefits of intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Germline testing may have significant diagnostic and therapeutic utility for patients with prostate cancer, as demonstrated by the identification of pathogenic germline alterations in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer who respond to PARP inhibition as suggested by clinical trials.

-positive prostate cancers, particularly those with germline 

 mutations, is indicated. This includes a combination of early radical local treatment (eg, radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy) with adjuvant systemic therapy. A 2018 study confirmed that much like 

-related breast and ovarian cancers, men with 

-associated castration-resistant prostate cancers respond better to carboplatin-based chemotherapy than do men with non—

       There is growing evidence of the presence of germline mutations in men with prostate cancer and the clinical utility of these findings. A recent study reported in 

 by Nicolosi et al found that 17% of men with prostate cancer had germline genetic mutations. 

 variants accounted for more than 30% of the mutations, and a number of variants with known therapeutic implications (

Testing men with earlier-stage disease who meet family history criteria offers an opportunity to provide the appropriate treatment regimen and inform them about their increased risk of other cancers.

In addition to guiding optimal surgical and therapeutic decisions, germline testing identifies patients for whom there may be contraindications. For instance, patients with Lynch syndrome with stage II MSI-H tumors do not benefit from fluorouracil adjuvant therapy.

In the case of breast cancer, patients who are not carriers of a 

 mutation are suitable for accelerated partial breast irradiation.

HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF GENETIC TESTING

The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to pay for both genetic counseling and 

 testing as a preventive service for women who meet certain criteria. For these patients, insurance companies must cover the entire cost of genetic counseling and 

 testing with no out-of-pocket costs to the individual. This includes testing in women who have previously received a cancer diagnosis, provided they do not have active disease and are not in treatment.

Recently, there have been changes to the Medicare national coverage determinations (NCDs) 90.2 to more narrowly define coverage of next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing.

 Coverage has been interpreted to cover patients who meet these 3 criteria:

• They have recurrent, relapsed, refractory, metastatic, or advanced stage III or IV cancer

• They have not been previously tested using the same NGS test for the same primary diagnosis of cancer or had repeat testing using the same NGS

test but only when a new primary cancer diagnosis is made by the treating physician

• They have decided to seek further cancer treatment (eg, therapeutic chemotherapy)

These criteria are overly restrictive, because germline testing has significant value beyond identifying those who may benefit from current FDA-approved targeted treatments.

Prior to implementation of this policy, local coverage determinations (LCDs) provided for germline genetic testing of Medicare beneficiaries who met established, evidence-based criteria. The LCDs were designed to provide reasonable and necessary medical care. The NCD overrides these policies and significantly limits testing for germline mutations. Cancer is recognized as a disease of older adults, with more than 50% of new cases being diagnosed after age 65. Although hereditary cancers often occur at younger ages, older-onset cancers also can have a familial component.

 Germline testing should not be reserved only for those who have advanced or metastatic disease. The promise of personalized and precision medicine is the ability to detect cancer early—or prevent it altogether. This NCD fails to provide the standard of care to patients with cancer by limiting germline testing to those with recurrent, relapsed, refractory, metastatic, or advanced stage III or IV disease. An estimated 60% of cancers in the Medicare population are diagnosed at stage I or II. Although prevention is not Medicare’s mandate, stopping early stage disease from advancing is a valuable and viable end point.

 found that “a substantial number of Medicare patients with clinically actionable genetic variants are being missed by current testing criteria” and suggested the need for significant expansion and simplification of the testing criteria for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Many cancers related to germline mutations are treatable with therapies that are not specific to the mutation or disease—but the genetic variant affects treatment response and outcomes. A number of studies have shown that rates of genetic testing for hereditary cancer are well below what they should be, given current clinical guidelines&mdash;especially among minority populations.

NGS-based germline testing has demonstrated utility in earlier cancer settings. Testing individuals who meet evidence-based criteria before they experience

recurrence or have advanced stage disease serves the patient population by identifying the best treatment options regardless of disease stage. Restriction of patient access to potentially lifesaving tests raises significant concerns for FORCE. Knowledge of a germline mutation can benefit the individual, their family, and society in general. We hope that CMS will seriously consider the implications of this NCD and take steps to ensure that it does not have negative repercussions for the patient community in regard to access to care and the potential benefits of precision medicine.

 is the director of research and education at FORCE. She has more than 20 years of experience as an academic researcher working with Mary-Claire King, PhD, studying cancer risk in families with 

 mutations and later genetic and drug development for prevention of hearing loss. Owens has been a science educator and advocate throughout her career. Her position at FORCE allows her to meld her research acumen and passion for science education with a desire to give back to the community. She helps manage and writes for the eXamining the Relevance of Articles for Young Survivors (XRAYS) program, as well as other education and grant programs.

is the vice president of community affairs and public policy at FORCE. She manages strategic partnerships and collaborations for FORCE and spearheads the organization’s public policy efforts by tracking key issues, such as genetic privacy and access to care, ensuring that the needs of the high-risk cancer community are represented. Schlager developed the FORCE Research Advocate Training (FRAT) program, aimed at preparing consumers to become engaged in research advocacy on behalf of the hereditary cancer community, and is spearheading development of a comprehensive advocacy network for FORCE.

is the vice president of education at FORCE. She received her doctorate in molecular genetics at The Ohio State University. During her postdoctoral studies at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, she collaborated with Mary-Claire King, PhD, and Francis Collins, MD, PhD, on the positional cloning of 

 Following the cloning these genes, Welcsh spent more than 20 years working to identify other hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes, as well as studying how 

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Authors from Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), a nonprofit organization focused on hereditary cancer, discuss the importance of genetic testing, guidelines, and coverage considerations.

Piri L. Welcsh, PhD

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