Molecular Classification of Endometrial Cancers Using an Integrative DNA Sequencing Panel.

Background And Objectives: Adoption of molecular classification in endometrial cancer (EC) into clinical practice remains challenging due to complexity in coordination of multiple assays. We aimed to develop a simple molecular technique to classify ECs into four subgroups using our custom-designed targeted sequencing panel.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed ECs were prospectively recruited from three cancer centres in Ontario, Canada.

OPTimising MEDicine information handover after Discharge (OPTMED-D): protocol for development of a multifaceted intervention and stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: General practitioners (GP) and community pharmacists need information about hospital discharge patients' medicines to continue their management in the community. This necessitates effective communication, collaboration, and reliable information-sharing. However, such handover is inconsistent, and whilst digital systems are in place to transfer information at transitions of care, these systems are passive and clinicians are not prompted about patients' transitions.

Cell-free DNA from germline TP53 mutation carriers reflect cancer-like fragmentation patterns.

Germline pathogenic TP53 variants predispose individuals to a high lifetime risk of developing multiple cancers and are the hallmark feature of Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). Our group has previously shown that LFS patients harbor shorter plasma cell-free DNA fragmentation; independent of cancer status. To understand the functional underpinning of cfDNA fragmentation in LFS, we conducted a fragmentomic analysis of 199 cfDNA samples from 82 TP53 mutation carriers and 30 healthy TP53-wildtype controls.

"I just wanted more": Hereditary cancer syndromes patients' perspectives on the utility of circulating tumour DNA testing for cancer screening.

Hereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) predispose individuals to a higher risk of developing multiple cancers. However, current screening strategies have limited ability to screen for all cancer risks. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) detects DNA fragments shed by tumour cells in the bloodstream and can potentially detect cancers early.

Identifying Mechanisms of Resistance by Circulating Tumor DNA in EVOLVE, a Phase II Trial of Cediranib Plus Olaparib for Ovarian Cancer at Time of PARP Inhibitor Progression.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of blood cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to identify emerging mechanisms of resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).

Experimental Design: We used targeted sequencing (TS) to analyze 78 longitudinal cfDNA samples collected from 30 patients with HGSOC enrolled in a phase II clinical trial evaluating cediranib (VEGF inhibitor) plus olaparib (PARPi) after progression on PARPi alone. cfDNA was collected at baseline, before treatment cycle 2, and at end of treatment.

Synthesis of Existent Oncology Curricula for Primary Care Providers: A Scoping Review With a Global Equity Lens.

Purpose: Global increases in cancer, coupled with a shortage of cancer specialists, has led to an increasing role for primary care providers (PCP) in cancer care. This review aimed to examine all extant cancer curricula for PCPs and to analyze the motivations for curriculum development.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from inception to October 13, 2021, with no language restrictions.

"Game Changer": Health Professionals' Views on the Clinical Utility of Circulating Tumor DNA Testing in Hereditary Cancer Syndrome Management.

Background: We explored health professionals' views on the utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing in hereditary cancer syndrome (HCS) management.

Materials And Methods: A qualitative interpretive description study was conducted, using semi-structured interviews with professionals across Canada. Thematic analysis employing constant comparison was used for analysis.

VHL mosaicism: the added value of multi-tissue analysis.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is an autosomal dominant, inherited syndrome with variants in the VHL gene causing predisposition to multi-organ benign and malignant neoplasms. A germline VHL variant is identified in 95-100% of individuals with a clinical diagnosis of VHL. Here, we present the case of an individual with a clinical diagnosis of VHL disease where peripheral blood DNA analysis did not detect a VHL variant.

Brief family history questionnaire to screen for Lynch syndrome in women with newly diagnosed non-serous, non-mucinous ovarian cancers.

Objectives: While ovarian cancer is the third most common Lynch syndrome-associated cancer in women, there is no established screening strategy to identify Lynch syndrome in this population. The objective of this study was to assess whether the 4-item brief Family History Questionnaire can be used as a screening tool to identify women with ovarian cancer at risk of Lynch syndrome.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, participants with newly diagnosed non-serous, non-mucinous ovarian cancer completed the brief Family History Questionnaire, extended Family History Questionnaire, and had tumors assessed with immunohistochemistry for mismatch repair proteins, methylation, and microsatellite instability testing.

Identifying Core Domains to Assess the "Quality of Death": A Scoping Review.

Context: There is growing recognition of the value to patients, families, society, and health systems in providing healthcare, including end-of-life care, that is consistent with both patient preferences and clinical guidelines.

Objectives: Identify the core domains and subdomains that can be used to evaluate the performance of end-of-life care within and across health systems.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE (NCBI), PsycINFO (ProQuest), and CINAHL (EBSCO) databases were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles published prior to February 22, 2020.

Mutations in Noncoding -Regulatory Elements Reveal Cancer Driver Cistromes in Luminal Breast Cancer.

Whole-genome sequencing of primary breast tumors enabled the identification of cancer driver genes and noncoding cancer driver plexuses from somatic mutations. However, differentiating driver from passenger events among noncoding genetic variants remains a challenge. Herein, we reveal cancer-driver -regulatory elements linked to transcription factors previously shown to be involved in development of luminal breast cancers by defining a tumor-enriched catalogue of approximately 100,000 unique -regulatory elements from 26 primary luminal estrogen receptor (ER) progesterone receptor (PR) breast tumors.

Maximizing cancer prevention through genetic navigation for Lynch syndrome detection in women with newly diagnosed endometrial and nonserous/nonmucinous epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background: Despite recommendations for reflex immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins to identify Lynch syndrome (LS), the uptake of genetic assessment by those who meet referral criteria is low. The authors implemented a comprehensive genetic navigation program to increase the uptake of genetic testing for LS in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) or nonserous/nonmucinous ovarian cancer (OC).

Methods: Participants with newly diagnosed EC or OC were prospectively recruited from 3 cancer centers in Ontario, Canada.

Understanding the clinical implication of mismatch repair deficiency in endometrioid endometrial cancer through a prospective study.

Objectives: Findings on impact of mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) on patient outcomes in endometrial cancer (EC) have been inconsistent to date. The objective of this study was to compare the oncologic outcomes and recurrence patterns between MMRd and MMR-intact (MMRi) endometrioid EC (EEC).

Methods: Between 2015 and 2018, we prospectively recruited 492 EEC cases from three cancer centers in Ontario, Canada.

Effect of genetics clinical decision support tools on health-care providers' decision making: a mixed-methods systematic review.

Purpose: Patient care involving genetics is challenging for nongenetics health-care providers. Clinical decision support (CDS) tools are a potential solution because they provide patient-specific risk assessments and/or management recommendations. This systematic review synthesized evidence on whether using CDS tools resulted in appropriate changes in genetics-related patient management made by nongenetics health-care providers.

An Integrative DNA Sequencing and Methylation Panel to Assess Mismatch Repair Deficiency.

Clinical testing for mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency often entails serial testing of tumor and constitutional DNA using multiple assays. To minimize cost and specimen requirements of MMR testing, we developed an integrated targeted sequencing protocol (termed MultiMMR) that tests for promoter methylation, mutations, copy number alterations, copy neutral loss of heterozygosity, and microsatellite instability from a single aliquot of DNA. Hybrid capture of DNA-sequencing libraries constructed with methylated adapters was performed on 142 samples (60 tumors and 82 constitutional samples) from 82 patients with MMR-associated colorectal, endometrial, and brain cancers as well as a synthetic DNA mix with 11 known mutations.

Tumor site discordance in mismatch repair deficiency in synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Objectives: For synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancers, most centers rely on mismatch repair testing of the endometrial cancer to identify Lynch syndrome, and neglect the ovarian tumor site completely. We examined the mismatch repair immunohistochemistry and microsatellite instability results from the endometrium and ovary to assess discordance between the tumor sites and between tests.

Methods: 30 women with newly diagnosed synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancer were prospectively recruited from three cancer centers in Ontario, Canada.

Performance characteristics of screening strategies to identify Lynch syndrome in women with ovarian cancer.

Background: For women with ovarian cancer (OC), the optimal screening strategy to identify Lynch syndrome (LS) has not been determined. In the current study, the authors compared the performance characteristics of various strategies combining mismatch repair (MMR) immunohistochemistry (IHC), microsatellite instability testing (MSI), and family history for the detection of LS.

Methods: Women with nonserous and/or nonmucinous ovarian cancer were recruited prospectively from 3 cancer centers in Ontario, Canada.

Molecular Events in the Natural History of Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest epithelial malignancies. Improvements in our understanding of PDAC carcinogenesis will hopefully improve its detection, management, and outcomes, as has been achieved with other malignancies. Here we review the literature on the natural history of PDAC, including its cell of origin, the initiating somatic mutational events, pathways deranged in the mature tumor, its biological heterogeneity, and the relationship of the primary tumor with metastases.