Journal Article

A functional assay–based procedure to classify mismatch repair gene variants in Lynch syndrome

Boucher, Kenneth M., Sijmons, Rolf H., Spurdle, Amanda B., Osinga, Jan, Thompson, Bryony A., Wallace, Susan S., Tiersma, Yvonne, Zonneveld, José B., Tavtigian, Sean V., Molenkamp, Siska, van Asperen, Christi J., Keijzers, Guido, Westers, Helga, Drost, Mark, Greenblatt, Marc S., Frederiksen, Jane H., Goldgar, David E., Rasmussen, Lene J., Glubb, Dylan, Pappas, Lisa, Kathe, Scott, de Wind, Niels

2019

Overview

To enhance classification of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes in the cancer predisposition Lynch syndrome, we developed the cell-free in vitro MMR activity (CIMRA) assay. Here, we calibrate and validate the assay, enabling its integration with in silico and clinical data. Two sets of previously classified MLH1 and MSH2 variants were selected from a curated MMR gene database, and their biochemical activity determined by the CIMRA assay. The assay was calibrated by regression analysis followed by symmetric cross-validation and Bayesian integration with in silico predictions of pathogenicity. CIMRA assay reproducibility was assessed in four laboratories. Concordance between the training runs met our prespecified validation criterion. The CIMRA assay alone correctly classified 65% of variants, with only 3% discordant classification. Bayesian integration with in silico predictions of pathogenicity increased the proportion of correctly classified variants to 87%, without changing the discordance rate. Interlaboratory results were highly reproducible. The CIMRA assay accurately predicts pathogenic and benign MMR gene variants. Quantitative combination of assay results with in silico analysis correctly classified the majority of variants. Using this calibration, CIMRA assay results can be integrated into the diagnostic algorithm for MMR gene variants.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc,Nature Publishing Group US,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: 3T3 Cells / Animals / assay calibration / Bayes Theorem / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Breast cancer / Calibration / Classification / Colorectal cancer / Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis - genetics / Computer Simulation / Deoxyribonucleic acid / DNA / DNA Mismatch Repair - genetics / Epidemiology / functional assay / Gastroenterology / Genes / Genetic disorders / Genetic Techniques / Genetics / Genomics / Human Genetics / Humans / In Vitro Techniques / Laboratory Medicine / Lynch syndrome / Medicine / Mice / Mutation / MutL Protein Homolog 1 - genetics / MutS Homolog 2 Protein - genetics / Probability / Reproducibility of Results / Sensitivity and Specificity / Tumors / variant classification / variants of uncertain significance / Yeast