Phenotypes of carriers of two mutated alleles in major cancer susceptibility genes

Abstract

Abstract Purpose While cancer phenotypes in carriers of a single mutant allele in most major cancer susceptibility genes are well-established, there is a paucity of data on the phenotype of carriers of two pathogenic variants—double heterozygotes (DH) or homozygous carriers. Here, we describe the phenotype of carriers of homozygous and DH pathogenic sequence variants (PSVs) in major cancer susceptibility genes. Methods Individuals referred for multigene panel testing at Blueprint Genetics laboratory were included. Ethically approved comparison of cancer type and age at diagnosis between DH, homozygous, and single PSV carriers was performed per gene. Results Of 6,685 eligible participants, 928 (13.9%) were single heterozygous PSV carriers, 6 (0.09%) were homozygous PSV carriers, and 17 (0.25%) were DH PSV carriers. Mean age at diagnosis of any cancer among single PSV age was 46.8 ± 14.9 years and among DH PSV carriers 37.6 ± 13.0 years (P < 0.0001). Notably, age at diagnosis for breast cancer among single BRCA1 PSV carriers (n = 59) was 43.8 ± 8.7 years (p = 0.7606), among single BRCA2 PSV carriers (n = 52)—47.9 ± 13.0 years (p = 0.2274) compared with 42.3 ± 13.0 years among DH PSV carriers (n = 10- 9 of whom were carriers of either BRCA1 or BRCA2). Conclusion DH for PSV in two cancer susceptibility genes is a rare event, and the mean age at cancer diagnosis is younger in DH PSV carriers compared with single PSV carriers.