Distinct rates of VUS reclassification are observed when subclassifying VUS by evidence level.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences
Authors
Abstract

PURPOSE: Genetic testing commonly yields a plethora of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) that can lead to ongoing uncertainty for patients and their caregivers. While all VUS hold uncertainty, some VUS have more evidence in support of pathogenicity while others have more evidence of a benign role. Sharing these nuances can help guide the investment in follow-up clinical and research investigations and may, at times, influence medical decision-making despite appreciated uncertainty.METHODS: Four clinical laboratories have been subclassifying VUS to help prioritize investigation and guide reporting decisions. Each laboratory developed a distinct approach for how these subclasses are used in their laboratories and, in some cases, displayed on reports. We examined the composition of each laboratory's VUS subclasses and the likelihood variants from each subclass were reclassified towards pathogenic or benign.CONCLUSION: Given that forthcoming professional guidance in variant classification will advise the use of VUS subclasses, the experience of our laboratories in using VUS subclasses can inform future practices.

Year of Publication
2024
Journal
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences
Date Published
11/2024
DOI
10.1101/2024.11.13.24317242
PubMed ID
39606344
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