Cancer Researchers Find Genetic Risks That Could Affect Entire Families
Summary
A study of 2,674 people with solid tumors found inherited cancer-risk variants in about 10 percent of patients whose tumors underwent genetic analysis. The researchers estimated that standard testing pathways could miss about one-third of patients with a hereditary cancer-predisposition syndrome, and said confirmed findings could help patients’ relatives get testing and tailored screening.Key Facts
- The study appeared in the journal Genome Medicine.
- Researchers analyzed tumor samples collected through an Italian program from January 2022 to December 2023.
- The study used next-generation sequencing to examine more than 500 genes.
- About 16 percent of the identified inherited variants were in genes not usually linked to the patient’s cancer type.
- Another 20 percent involved genes associated with moderate cancer risk, which guidelines generally do not require clinicians to routinely test.
- Researchers said relatives could be offered cascade testing if a patient’s inherited variant is confirmed.
- An inherited cancer-risk variant raises risk but does not mean a person will necessarily develop cancer.
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