Use of multigene-panel identifies pathogenic variants in several CRC-predisposing genes in patients previously tested for Lynch Syndrome.

Hansen MF1,2, Johansen J3, Sylvander AE2, Bjørnevoll I2, Talseth-Palmer BA1,4,5, Lavik LA2, Xavier A4, Engebretsen LF2, Scott RJ4,6, Drabløs F3, Sjursen W1,2.

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Abstract

Many families with a high burden of colorectal cancer fulfil the clinical criteria for Lynch Syndrome. However, in about half of these families, no germline mutation in the mismatch repair genes known to be associated with this disease can be identified. The aim of this study was to find the genetic cause for the increased colorectal cancer risk in these unsolved cases. Therefore, we designed a gene panel targeting 112 previously known or candidate colorectal cancer susceptibility genes to screen 274 patient samples for mutations. Mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing and, where possible, segregation analysis was performed. We identified 73 interesting variants, of whom 17 were pathogenic and 19 were variants of unknown clinical significance in well-established cancer susceptibility genes. In addition, 37 potentially pathogenic variants in candidate colorectal cancer susceptibility genes were detected. In conclusion, we found a promising DNA variant in more than 25 % of the patients, which shows that gene panel testing is a more effective method to identify germline variants in CRC patients compared to a single gene approach.