The clinical and molecular characteristics of patients with personal history of colorectal cancer evaluated by cancer genetics counseling services.

Abstract

46 Background: Genetic susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) include well-defined hereditary syndromes such as Lynch Syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis syndrome (FAP), MUTYH-Associated Polyposis syndrome (MAP) and other less common syndromes. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend that individuals meeting certain criteria have detailed risk assessment and potential genetic testing. Here, we describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of patients with personal history of CRC evaluated by cancer genetics counseling services. Methods: This is an IRB-approved retrospective chart-review study. Between 2016 and 2020, 1011 unique genetic counseling visits were conducted. Germline testing was recommended by a certified genetic counselor if medically necessary. All patients with a personal history of CRC were identified (N = 52) and their clinical and molecular characteristics were summarized. Results: The median age is 50 years-old (29-82). Thirty-five (67%) patients were females. Caucasians, African Americans and other ethnic backgrounds represented 75%, 19% and 6% respectively. The primary tumor location was in the right colon, left colon and rectum in 29%, 37% and 27% of our cohort respectively. In 7%, the primary location of the tumor was not available. In our cohort, 11 out of 52 (21%) patients had a pathogenic germline mutation and 9 patients (17%) had a germline variant of unknown significance (VUS). Among patients with pathogenic germline mutations (N = 11), 4 patients had MSH2 mutations (MSH2 c.1759+1G > A, MSH2 c. 1687dupT, MSH2 c.1861C > T and MSH2 c.811_814delTCTG), 1 patient had a MSH6 mutation (MSH6 c.1012A > T), 1 patient had a PMS2 mutation (PMS2 c.2182_2184delACTinsG), 3 patients had CHEK2 mutations (CHEK2 c.1100delC and CHEK2 c.470T > C (p.I157T)), 2 patients had MUTYH mutations (MUTYH c.1187G > A and MUTYH c.536A > G) and 1 patient had a BRCA2 mutation (BRCA2 c.2808_2811delACAA). One patient had a CHEK2 and a MUTYH mutation. The VUS mutations in our cohort were POLE c.1645T > C, POLE c.5480C > T, c.2999G > A, MLH1 c.1628A > G, CTNNA1 c.503G > A, MSH2 c.128A > G, NBN c.16C > T, ATM c.6537T > G and AXIN2, BRCA1, NTHL1 mutations. Conclusions: In our cohort of patients with personal history of CRC, the majority of patients (62%) had negative germline testing. An underlying pathogenic germline mutation and VUS were identified in 21% and 17% of the patients respectively. Lynch Syndrome was the most commonly diagnosed hereditary CRC syndrome with 6 out of 11 patients found to have MMR germline mutations. Other pathogenic mutations were identified in the CHEK2, MUTYH and BRCA2 genes.