Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32312756›Full record

ArticleESMO open2020

Preferences to receive unsolicited findings of germline genome sequencing in a large population of patients with cancer.

Rhode Bijlsma, Roel Wouters, Hester Wessels, Stefan Sleijfer, Laurens Beerepoot, Daan Ten Bokkel Huinink, Hester Cruijsen, Joan Heijns, Martijn P Lolkema, Neeltje Steeghs and 7 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in ESMO open, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.2field-weighted citation impact, top 24% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 18 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  8. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors at 8 institutions in 1 country.

Rhode BijlsmaDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Cancer Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-0980-6652
Roel WoutersDepartment of Medical Humanities, University Medical Center Utrecht, Julius Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hester WesselsDepartment of Corporate Communications, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Stefan SleijferDepartment of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Laurens BeerepootDepartment of Medical Oncology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Daan Ten Bokkel HuininkDepartment of Medical Oncology, Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hester CruijsenDepartment of Medical Oncology, Antonius Hospital, Sneek, The Netherlands.
Joan HeijnsDepartment of Medical Oncology, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands.
Martijn P LolkemaDepartment of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Neeltje SteeghsDepartment of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Theo van VoorthuizenDepartment of Medical Oncology, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
Annelie VulinkDepartment of Medical Oncology, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Delft, The Netherlands.
Els WitteveenDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Cancer Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Margreet AusemsDepartment of Genetics, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Annelien BredenoordDepartment of Medical Humanities, University Medical Center Utrecht, Julius Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Anne M MayJulius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Emile VoestCenter for Personalized Cancer Treatment (CPCT), Rotterdam, The Netherlands e.voest@nki.nl.ORCID 0000-0001-8249-9586
University Medical Center Utrecht · NLThe Netherlands Cancer Institute · NLAmphia Ziekenhuis · NLDiakonessenhuis hospital · NLElisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis · NLReinier de Graaf Hospital · NLRijnstate Hospital · NLSt. Antonius Ziekenhuis · NL

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn precision medicine, somatic and germline DNA sequencing are essential to make genome-guided treatment decisions in patients with cancer. However, it can also uncover unsolicited findings (UFs) in germline DNA that could have a substantial impact on the lives of patients and their relatives. It is therefore critical to understand the preferences of patients with cancer concerning UFs derived from whole-exome (WES) or whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

methodsIn a quantitative multicentre study, adult patients with cancer (any stage and origin of disease) were surveyed through a digital questionnaire based on previous semi-structured interviews. Background knowledge was provided by showing two videos, introducing basic concepts of genetics and general information about different categories of UFs (actionable, non-actionable, reproductive significance, unknown significance).

resultsIn total 1072 patients were included of whom 701 participants completed the whole questionnaire. Overall, 686 (85.1%) participants wanted to be informed about UFs in general. After introduction of four UFs categories, 113 participants (14.8%) changed their answer: 718 (94.2%) participants opted for actionable variants, 537 (72.4%) for non-actionable variants, 635 (87.0%) participants for UFs of reproductive significance and 521 (71.8%) for UFs of unknown significance. Men were more interested in receiving certain UFs than women: non-actionable: OR 3.32; 95% CI 2.05 to 5.37, reproductive significance: OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.05 to 3.67 and unknown significance: OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.25 to 3.21. In total, 244 (33%) participants conceded family members to have access to their UFs while still alive. 603 (82%) participants agreed to information being shared with relatives, after they would pass away.

conclusionOur study showed that the vast majority of patients with cancer desires to receive all UFs of genome testing, although a substantial minority does not wish to receive non-actionable findings. Incorporation of categories in informed consent procedures supports patients in making informed decisions on UFs.

Indexed as

FemaleGerm-Line MutationHumansMaleNeoplasmsWhole Genome Sequencingcancer patientsethicsgenome sequencingpreferencesunsolicited finding

Identifiers

PMID32312756
PMCPMC7200077
OpenAlexW3017098684

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.