Overview
- Background
Genes are the instructions a person s body uses to function. Genome sequencing reads through all of a person s genes. Everyone has many gene variants, and most do not cause disease. Some gene variants called secondary findings may be important for a person s health even if they are not related to the reason why a person had genome sequencing done. Researchers want to learn more about what it means to have a secondary finding.
- Objectives
To learn about how gene variants may affect a person s health.
To learn about how people understand their genetic test results.
- Eligibility
People with secondary findings from genetic testing done as part of a research study, clinical care, or other methods.
- Design
Participants may be asked to do an online survey and phone interview to ask what they think about their results, their healthcare, and if they talk with their family about the result.
Eligible participants may be offered a visit to the NIH Clinical Center where they will be evaluated for health problems related to the secondary finding.
DNA samples that were already collected may be studied.
Participants may be asked to send in a second DNA sample (blood or saliva). These will be used to verify any findings.
Participants who have a secondary finding can get genetic counseling.
Description
The implementation of genome and exome sequencing creates challenges and opportunities, particularly with respect to the return of medically-actionable secondary findings (SF). This study seeks to investigate the utility and effectiveness of returning SF generated via research or clinical sequencing by studying individuals who have received such findings. Our objectives with this protocol have evolved over time and have been substantially informed by our experiences in returning SF through sequencing initiatives such as the ClinSeq(R) study, the Clinical Center Genomics Opportunity (CCGO), and the Secondary Genomic Findings Service (SGFS). Our work with these studies/initiatives suggests that much remains unknown about how recipients of SF understand these findings, communicate them to their health professionals and families, and whether they adhere to recommended health-preserving actions in both the short and long-term. As well, recipients of SF are an unselected population in which to investigate penetrance of disorders associated with SF genes. Thus, this protocol aims to explore important questions of clinical utility associated with SF return and penetrance of SF-related disorders. Healthcare actions and family communication (clinical utility) are assessed by interviews and surveys with SF recipients. This protocol also includes a pilot program in which selected participants will be invited to the NIH for bespoke phenotyping to uncover the presence of disease and explore avenues to develop interventions to enhance outcomes.
Eligibility
- ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
We employ a referral form through SurveyMonkey to receive referrals from recruitment partners or self-referrals. This serves as an intake form and self-reported eligibility review. This form asks for contact information, key information about the prospective participant s SF,
and subjective understanding of their result.
If we conclude, based on a review of the SF and available personal and/or family history, that the pathogenicity of the SF is not at least likely pathogenic, that participant may be eligible for the survey, interview, and/or re-contact for future follow-up, but will not complete any other protocol procedures (such as cascade testing). If a participant is consented and information arises during the social and behavioral study procedures that lead study staff to believe the genetic result does not qualify as an SF, the participant will be
considered a screen failure and will not continue with study procedures.
We plan to offer enrollment in this protocol to English- or Spanish-speaking recipients of SF. We do not have trained staff who can conduct the interviews in languages other than English and Spanish.
If a caregiver of a minor or adult who is unable to consent is enrolled as an index participant to complete the survey and interview on behalf of the SF recipient, they may also be eligible for cascade testing to relate presence of an SF-related phenotype in a family member with presence or absence of SF genotype.
-We may enroll a child in this protocol if he/she is the only person in his/her family who has the SF, is symptomatic of the disease, or is in the age range to receive screening for the disease (e.g., Wilson disease and familial hypercholesterolemia have childhood onset).
We will not enroll neonates (less than one month old).
- We may enroll adults who are unable to consent (i.e., an individual who is impaired at the time of consent) in this protocol if he/she is the only person in his/her family who has the SF, is symptomatic of the disease, or is in the age range to receive screening for the disease.
- We may enroll women who are pregnant in this protocol and women who become pregnant during the study can continue their participation. We will not perform prenatal genetic testing.
- NIH staff members are not prohibited from enrollment if they meet the study s eligibility criteria. The study team will make every effort to protect the confidentiality of the NIH staff member s health information, to minimize any pressure on or discomfort of the NIH staff
member and provide a copy of the NIH Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff Who are Considering Participation in NIH Research , before consent is obtained.