Introducing the latest insights in BRCA testing for pancreatic cancer
BRCA testing for pancreatic cancer is vital as these hereditary genetic mutations have ramifications; on both treatment and the future of the patient and their family.
Who needs early BRCA testing?
Testing patients’ BRCA mutation status based on their age, disease subtype, and family history can help inform treatment strategies.3
Numerous factors impact eligibility for BRCA testing
Why do I need to perform early BRCA testing?
BRCA mutation testing can reveal important information about familial risk and help to inform potential options for patients with BRCA mutated cancers.13
Test routinely to inform treatment decisions
How do I conduct BRCA testing?
In pancreatic cancer, genetic testing may involve testing for germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, or germline mutations in other genes (for example, MLH1, MLH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM) associated with hereditary cancer syndromes.4–6
Appropriately testing and quickly returning results can give patients the opportunity to receive the most appropriate treatments based on their BRCA mutation status.4
How do I interpret the results of a BRCA test and what does it mean for patients?
Genetic test results can be challenging to interpret due to the large number of genetic variations in tumour DNA, which are unique to any given patient. Proper understanding and communication of test results are critical to patient care.7–9
BRCA test results can impact prognosis and treatment options
How can genetic counselling be streamlined by the multidisciplinary team?
Test turnaround times and availability of genetic counselling can influence the timing of BRCA testing. A dedicated oncogenetic pathway can provide patients earlier access to counselling.10
Involving the multidisciplinary team in the testing pathway can streamline testing10
Expert video: BRCA testing in pancreatic cancer
See Professor Michael Pishvaian discuss the prevalence and the prognostic relevance of BRCA and other DDR mutations in pancreatic cancer – See More
DDR=DNA damage response
References:
- Mersch J, et al. Cancer. 2015;121(2):269–275.
- Golan T, et al. Br J Cancer. 2014;111:1132–1138.
- Hoogerbrugge N and Jongmans M. Eur J Hum Genet. 2016;24(Suppl 1):S19–S26.
- Referenced with permission from the NCCN Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Pancreatic Cancer V2.2021.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. All rights reserved. [Accessed April 2021].
To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.
NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content,
use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way. - Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast,
Ovarian and Pancreatic V2.2021. National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. All rights reserved. [Accessed April 2021].
To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties
of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility
for their application or use in any way. - Stjepanovic N, et al. Ann Oncol. 2019;30(10):1558–1571.
- Li M, et al. J Mol Diagn. 2017;19(1):4–23.
- National Cancer Institute. BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet. [Accessed April 2021].
- Katsanis S and Katsanis N. Nat Rev Genet. 2013;14(6):415–426.
- George A, et al. Sci Rep. 2016;6:29506.