Advancing the Landscape of Clinical Actionability in Von Hippel–Lindau Syndrome: An Evidence-Based Framework from the INT2GRATE Oncology Consortium

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> An accurate evaluation of variant actionability is essential in cancer management. In Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (VHL), the interpretation of the germline variants is confounded by the presence of non-syndromic component tumors, such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), hemangioblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. These tumors frequently occur sporadically, without any association with VHL syndrome. The presence of these tumors in a patient with a germline <i>VHL</i> variant could lead to inaccurate attribution of these tumors to the germline variant and VHL syndrome. In our previous INT<sup>2</sup>GRATE (INTegrated INTerpretation of GeRmline And Tumor gEnomes) programs, we demonstrated that integrating tumor-derived and germline evidence offers a comprehensive approach for the accurate assessment of the germline variants in cancer syndromes. <b>Methods/Results:</b> Here, we present a novel INT<sup>2</sup>GRATE variant evidence framework (VEF) for evaluating the clinical actionability of the germline variants in VHL syndrome, offering an integrated approach that incorporates both constitutional and tumor data. We analyzed 2672 variants in the <i>VHL</i> gene and their associated tumors and clinical evidence to effectively distinguish between constitutional, sporadic, VHL differentials, and <i>VHL</i> allelic genetic conditions. The germline INT<sup>2</sup>GRATE variants, along with their comprehensive associated evidence, were made accessible in the first open-access INT<sup>2</sup>GRATE Variant data Portal. <b>Conclusions:</b> This novel and integrated approach to variant assessment and data sharing in hereditary cancer syndromes is essential in the clinical evaluation of genomic variants, advancing precision oncology, and improving patient care.

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Journal
Cancers
Published
2025-06-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17132173
Primary Topic
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
Type
article
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article

Advancing the Landscape of Clinical Actionability in Von Hippel–Lindau Syndrome: An Evidence-Based Framework from the INT2GRATE Oncology Consortium

Monica Manam, Judy Ellen Garber, Arezou A. Ghazani, Nicholas A. Watkins et al.
1 links
Cancers
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
article

Advancing the Landscape of Clinical Actionability in Von Hippel–Lindau Syndrome: An Evidence-Based Framework from the INT2GRATE Oncology Consortium

Monica Manam, Judy Ellen Garber, Arezou A. Ghazani, Nicholas A. Watkins, Connor P. Hayes, Busra Unal, Anu Chittenden, Neal I. Lindeman, Jordan P. Lerner‐Ellis, Israel Gomy, Ryan M. Buehler, Nihat Buğra Ağaoğlu, Alison Schwartz, Danielle K. Manning, Wilson A. Silva, Justine A. Barletta, Selina Casalino, Jason L. Hornick, Diane R. Koeller, Huma Q. Rana, Lynette M. Sholl, McKenzie Walker, Radhika Mahajan, Paul C. Oramasionwu
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> An accurate evaluation of variant actionability is essential in cancer management. In Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (VHL), the interpretation of the germline variants is confounded by the presence of non-syndromic component tumors, such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), hemangioblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. These tumors frequently occur sporadically, without any association with VHL syndrome. The presence of these tumors in a patient with a germline <i>VHL</i> variant could lead to inaccurate attribution of these tumors to the germline variant and VHL syndrome. In our previous INT<sup>2</sup>GRATE (INTegrated INTerpretation of GeRmline And Tumor gEnomes) programs, we demonstrated that integrating tumor-derived and germline evidence offers a comprehensive approach for the accurate assessment of the germline variants in cancer syndromes. <b>Methods/Results:</b> Here, we present a novel INT<sup>2</sup>GRATE variant evidence framework (VEF) for evaluating the clinical actionability of the germline variants in VHL syndrome, offering an integrated approach that incorporates both constitutional and tumor data. We analyzed 2672 variants in the <i>VHL</i> gene and their associated tumors and clinical evidence to effectively distinguish between constitutional, sporadic, VHL differentials, and <i>VHL</i> allelic genetic conditions. The germline INT<sup>2</sup>GRATE variants, along with their comprehensive associated evidence, were made accessible in the first open-access INT<sup>2</sup>GRATE Variant data Portal. <b>Conclusions:</b> This novel and integrated approach to variant assessment and data sharing in hereditary cancer syndromes is essential in the clinical evaluation of genomic variants, advancing precision oncology, and improving patient care.

CancersVol. 17(13)
Brigham and Women's Hospital (US), Boston Children's Hospital (US), Mount Sinai Hospital (CA), Harvard University (US), Universidade de São Paulo (BR), Cornell University (US), Ümraniye Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi (TR), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (US), Cancer Genetics (United States) (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 79%
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
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