Subject:
Genetic Testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 for Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Syndrome and Other High-Risk Cancers
Description:
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
The purpose of this policy is to provide general information applicable to the administration of health benefits that Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Horizon Healthcare of New Jersey, Inc. (collectively “Horizon BCBSNJ”) insures or administers. If the member’s contract benefits differ from the medical policy, the contract prevails. Although a service, supply or procedure may be medically necessary, it may be subject to limitations and/or exclusions under a member’s benefit plan. If a service, supply or procedure is not covered and the member proceeds to obtain the service, supply or procedure, the member may be responsible for the cost. Decisions regarding treatment and treatment plans are the responsibility of the physician. This policy is not intended to direct the course of clinical care a physician provides to a member, and it does not replace a physician’s independent professional clinical judgment or duty to exercise special knowledge and skill in the treatment of Horizon BCBSNJ members. Horizon BCBSNJ is not responsible for, does not provide, and does not hold itself out as a provider of medical care. The physician remains responsible for the quality and type of health care services provided to a Horizon BCBSNJ member.
Horizon BCBSNJ medical policies do not constitute medical advice, authorization, certification, approval, explanation of benefits, offer of coverage, contract or guarantee of payment.
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Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome describe the familial cancer syndromes related to variants in the BRCA genes (BRCA1 located on chromosome 17q21, BRCA2 located on chromosome 13q12-13). Families with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome have an increased susceptibility to the following types of cancer: breast cancer occurring at a young age, bilateral breast cancer, male breast cancer, ovarian cancer (at any age), cancer of the fallopian tube, primary peritoneal cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, melanoma, and laryngeal cancer.
Populations | Interventions | Comparators | Outcomes |
Individuals:
- With cancer or personal or family cancer history and criteria suggesting risk of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome
| Interventions of interest are:
- Genetic testing for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant
| Comparators of interest are:
- Standard of care without genetic testing
| Relevant outcomes include:
- Overall survival
- Disease-specific survival
- Test validity
- Quality of life
|
Individuals:
- With other high-risk cancers (e.g., cancers of the fallopian tube, pancreas, prostate)
| Interventions of interest are:
- Genetic testing for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant
| Comparators of interest are:
- Standard of care without genetic testing
| Relevant outcomes include:
- Overall survival
- Disease-specific survival
- Test validity
- Quality of life
|
Background
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
Several genetic syndromes with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance that features breast cancer have been identified. Of these, HBOC and some cases of hereditary site-specific breast cancer have in common causative variants in BRCA (breast cancer susceptibility) genes. Families suspected of having HBOC syndrome are characterized by an increased susceptibility to breast cancer occurring at a young age, bilateral breast cancer, male breast cancer, ovarian cancer at any age, as well as cancer of the fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer. Other cancers, such as prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, melanoma, and laryngeal cancer, occur more frequently in HBOC families. Hereditary site-specific breast cancer families are characterized by early-onset breast cancer with or without male cases, but without ovarian cancer. For this policy, Horizon BCBSNJ refers collectively to both as hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer.
Germline variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are responsible for the cancer susceptibility in most HBOC families, especially if ovarian cancer or male breast cancer are features. However, in site-specific cancer, BRCA variants are responsible only for a proportion of affected families. BRCA gene variants are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion through maternal or paternal lineage. It is possible to test for abnormalities in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to identify the specific variant in cancer cases and to identify family members at increased cancer risk. Family members without existing cancer who are found to have BRCA variants can consider preventive interventions for reducing risk and mortality.
Clinical Features Suggestive of BRCA Variant
Young age of onset of breast cancer, even in the absence of family history, is a risk factor for BRCA1 variants. Winchester (1996) estimated that hereditary breast cancers account for 36% to 85% of patients diagnosed before age 30.1, In several studies, BRCA variants were independently predicted by early age at onset, being present in 6% to 10% of breast cancer cases diagnosed at ages younger than various premenopausal age cutoffs (age range, 35-50 years).1,2,3,4, In cancer-prone families, the mean age of breast cancer diagnosis among women carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants is in the 40s.5, In the Ashkenazi Jewish population, Frank et al (2002) reported that 13% of 248 cases with no known family history and diagnosed before 50 years of age had BRCA variants.2, In a similar study by Gershoni-Baruch et al (2000), 31% of Ashkenazi Jewish women, unselected for family history, diagnosed with breast cancer at younger than 42 years of age had BRCA variants.6, Other studies have indicated that early age of breast cancer diagnosis is a significant predictor of BRCA variants in the absence of family history in this population.7,8,9,
As in the general population, a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, particularly of early age onset, is a significant risk factor for a BRCA variant in ethnic populations characterized by founder mutations. For example, in unaffected individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, 12% to 31% will have a BRCA variant depending on the extent and nature of the family history.4, Several other studies have documented the significant influence of family history.6,7,8,9,10,
In patients with “triple-negative” breast cancer (i.e., negative for expression of estrogen, progesterone, and overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 receptors), there is an increased prevalence of BRCAv ariants. Pathophysiologic research has suggested that the physiologic pathway for the development of triple-negative breast cancer is similar to that for BRCA-associated breast cancer.11, In 200 randomly selected patients with triple-negative breast cancer from a tertiary care center, Kandel et al (2006) reported there was a greater than 3-fold increase in the expected rate of BRCA variants.12,BRCA1 variants were found in 39.1% of patients and BRCA2variants in 8.7%. Young et al (2009) studied 54 women with high-grade, triple-negative breast cancer with no family history of breast or ovarian cancer, representing a group that previously was not recommended for BRCA testing.13, Six BRCA variants (5 BRCA1, 1 BRCA2) were found, for a variant rate of 11%. Finally, Gonzalez-Angulo et al (2011) in a study of 77 patients with triple-negative breast cancer, reported that 15 patients (19.5%) had BRCA variants (12 in BRCA1, 3 in BRCA2).14,
Regulatory Status
Clinical laboratories may develop and validate tests in-house and market them as a laboratory service; laboratory-developed tests must meet the general regulatory standards of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. Laboratories that offer laboratory-developed tests must be licensed by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments for high-complexity testing.
Numerous BRCA tests are available as listed below. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has chosen not to require any regulatory review of these:
Myriad Genetic Laboratories offers the following tests:
- Comprehensive BRACAnalysis® test includes complete sequencing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 and gap polymerase chain reaction for five common rearrangements (deletions, duplications) in BRCA1
- BRACAnalysis® Large Rearrangement Test (BART™) is a reflex test for patients who test negative on the Comprehensive BRACAnalysis® test to detect uncommon large rearrangements in BRCA1 and BRCA2
- Integrated BRACAnalysis® test includes BART™ as part of BRCA1 or BRCA2 analysis
- BRACAnalysis CDxs® is intended to detect germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants to identify patients with breast or ovarian cancer who may be considered for treatment with olaparib, niraparib, or talazoparib.
Quest Diagnostics offers BRCAvantage™, which includes sequencing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 and a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay to detect both common and uncommon gene rearrangements.
LabCorp offers the BRCAssureSM suite of tests, which includes: targeted BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant analysis; a founder mutation panel for Ashkenazi Jewish patients (three variants); comprehensive BRCA1 and BRCA2 analysis (full gene sequencing plus analysis of common and uncommon large rearrangements); and deletion and duplication analysis of uncommon large rearrangements only (without sequencing) when comprehensive analysis is negative.
In addition to the various individual variant tests which are the focus of this policy, numerous other multigene panel tests exist that include BRCA1/2 among other genes. Although these multigene panel tests are outside of the scope of this policy, among them, it is worth noting that FoundationOne CDx™ (F1CDx) is an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for use of Lynparza® (olaparib) and Rubraca® (rucaparib) in accordance with their respective FDA labels in women with ovarian cancer. F1CDx is FDA-approved to assess BRCA1/2 and other homologous recombination pathway genes (e.g. ATM, BRIP1, CHEK2, FANCA, FANCL, FANCM, NBN, RAD51C, RAD51D, and RAD54L as well as MSI and DNA mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2). FoundationOne CDx is also FDA-approved for determining homologous recombination deficiency based on genomic loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and BRCA mutant status.
Related Policies
- Genetic Cancer Susceptibility Panels Using Next Generation Sequencing (Policy #084 in the Pathology Section)
- Moderate Penetrance Variants Associated with Breast Cancer in Individuals at High Breast Cancer Risk (Policy #118 in the Pathology Section)
- Risk-Reducing Mastectomy (Policy #005 in the Surgery Section)
Policy:
(NOTE: For services provided August 1, 2017 and after, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey collaborates with eviCore healthcare to conduct Medical Necessity Determination for certain molecular and genomic testing services for members enrolled in Horizon BCBSNJ fully insured products as well as Administrative Services Only (ASO) accounts that have elected to participate in the Molecular and Genomic Testing Program (“the Program”). Beginning August 1, 2017, the criteria and guidelines included in this policy apply to members enrolled in plans that have NOT elected to participate in the Program.
To access guidelines that apply for services provided August 1, 2017 and after to members enrolled in plans that HAVE elected to participate in the Program, please visit www.evicore.com/healthplan/Horizon_Lab.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA/HCR) requires provision of benefits for preventive care services with a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation grade of A or B. The USPSTF recommends with a "B" rating to "screen women who have family members with breast , ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer with one of several screening tools designed to identify a family history that may be associated with an increased risk for potentially harmful mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2). Women with positive screening results should receive genetic counseling and, if indicated after counseling, BRCA testing." This is applicable regardless of whether the woman has previously been diagnosed with cancer, as long as she is not currently symptomatic of or receiving active treatment for breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer.
For Medicare Advantage, please refer to the Medicare Coverage Section below for coverage guidance.)
I. Genetic testing should be accompanied by appropriate pre- and post-test counseling provided by suitably trained healthcare providers who have access to a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-licensed laboratory that offers comprehensive variant analysis. (See Policy Guidelines section: Comprehensive Variant Analysis.) II. Members with Cancer or with Personal History of Cancer
Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in cancer-affected individuals is considered medically necessary under any of the following circumstances:
A. Individual from a family with a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant.
B. Personal history of breast cancer and one or more of the following:
- Diagnosed at age ≤45 years
- Diagnosed 46 to 50 years with:
- An additional breast cancer primary at any age
- ≥1 close relative with breast cancer at any age
- ≥1 close relative with high grade (Gleason score ≥7) prostate cancer
- An unknown or limited family history
- Diagnosed ≤60 years with:
- Triple-negative breast cancer
- Diagnosed at any age with:
- ≥1 close blood relative with:
- Breast cancer diagnosed ≤50 years; or
- Ovarian carcinoma; or
- Male breast cancer; or
- Metastatic prostate cancer; or
- Pancreatic cancer
- ≥2 additional diagnoses of breast cancer at any age in patient and/or close blood relative
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
C. Personal history of ovarian carcinoma
D. Personal history of male breast cancer
E. Personal history of pancreatic cancer
F. Personal history of metastatic prostate cancer
G. Personal history of high-grade prostate cancer (Gleason score ≥7) at any age with:
- ≥1 close blood relative with ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer at any age or breast cancer <50 years; or
- ≥2 close blood relatives with breast or prostate cancer (any grade) at any age; or
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
H. BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant detected by tumor profiling on any tumor type in the absence of germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant analysis.
I. Regardless of family history, some individuals with an BRCA-related cancer may benefit from genetic testing to determine eligibility for targeted treatment.
J. An individual who does not meet the other criteria but with ≥1 first- or second-degree blood relatives meeting any of the above criteria.
III. Members without cancer or without History of Cancer (See Policy Guidelines section: Testing Unaffected Individuals.)
Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants of cancer-unaffected individuals is considered medically necessary under any of the following circumstances:
A. Individual from a family with a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant.
B. 1st- or 2nd-degree blood relative meeting any criterion listed above for Patients with Cancer.
C. 3rd-degree blood relative with breast cancer and/or ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer AND 2 or more 1st-, 2nd-, or 3rd-degree relativesa with breast cancer (≥1 at age ≤50 years) and/or ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.
(NOTE:
- For familial assessment, 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-degree relatives are blood relatives on the same side of the family (maternal or paternal).
- 1st-degree relatives are parents, siblings, and children.
- 2nd-degree relatives are grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and half-siblings.
- 3rd-degree relatives are great-grandparents, great-aunts, great-uncles, great-grandchildren, and first cousins. )
IV. Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in cancer-affected individuals or of cancer-unaffected individuals with a family history of cancer when criteria above are not met is considered investigational.
V. Genetic testing in minors (i.e., less than 18 years of age) for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants is considered investigational.
Policy Guidelines: (Information to guide medical necessity determination based on the criteria contained within the policy statements above.)
Current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend screening women with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer or who have an ancestry associated with BRCA1/2 gene mutation. Women with a positive result on the risk assessment tool should receive genetic counseling and, if indicated after counseling, genetic testing (B recommendation)
Recommended screening tools designed to identify a family history that may be associated with an increased risk for potentially harmful variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 are:
- Ontario Family History Assessment Tool (FHAT)
- Manchester Scoring System
- Referral Screening Tool (RST)
- Pedigree Assessment Tool (PAT)
- Family History Screen (FHS-7).
- International Breast Cancer Intervention Study instrument (Tyrer-Cuziak)
- brief versions of the BRCAPRO
Recommended Testing Strategies
Patients who meet criteria for genetic testing as outlined in the policy statements above should be tested for variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2. Recommended strategies are listed below.
- In patients with a known familial BRCA variant, targeted testing for the specific variant is recommended.
- In patients with unknown familial BRCA variant:
- Non-Ashkenazi Jewish descent
- To identify clinically significant variants, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) advises testing a relative who has breast or ovarian cancer-especially with early-onset disease, bilateral disease, multiple primaries, or ovarian cancer - because that individual has the highest likelihood of obtaining a positive test result.
- If no living family member with breast or ovarian cancer exists, NCCN suggests testing first- or second-degree family members affected with cancer thought to be related to deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants (e.g., prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma).
- If no familial variant can be identified, 2 possible testing strategies are:
- Full sequencing followed by testing for common large genomic rearrangements (deletions, duplications) only if sequencing detects no variant (negative result).
- More than 90% of BRCA variants will be detected by full sequencing.
- Alternatively, simultaneous full sequencing and testing for common large genomic rearrangements (also known as comprehensive BRCA testing; see Comprehensive Variant Analysis below) may be performed as is recommended by NCCN
- Comprehensive testing can detect 92.5% of BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants.
- If comprehensive BRCA testing is negative, testing for uncommon large genomic rearrangements (e.g., BART) may be done.
- Testing for uncommon large rearrangements should not be done unless both sequencing and testing for common large rearrangements have been performed and are negative.
- Among patients with negative comprehensive testing, BART identified a deleterious variant (positive result) in less than 1%.
- Ashkenazi Jewish descent
- In patients of known Ashkenazi Jewish descent, NCCN recommends testing for the 3 known founder mutations (185delAG and 5182insC in BRCA1; 6174delT in BRCA2) first.
- If testing is negative for founder mutations, comprehensive genetic testing may be considered (see Comprehensive Variant Analysis).
Comprehensive Variant Analysis
Comprehensive variant analysis currently includes sequencing the coding regions and intron and exon splice sites, as well as testing to detect common large deletions and rearrangements that can be missed with sequence analysis alone. In addition, before August 2006, testing for large deletions and rearrangements was not performed, thus some patients with familial breast cancer who had negative BRCA testing before this time may consider repeat testing for the rearrangements (see Policy section for criteria).
High-Risk Ethnic Groups
Testing of eligible individuals who belong to ethnic populations in which there are well-characterized founder mutations should begin with tests specifically for these variants. For example, founder mutations account for approximately three-quarters of the BRCA variants found in Ashkenazi Jewish populations (see Rationale section). When testing for founder mutations is negative, comprehensive variant analysis should then be performed.
Testing Unaffected Individuals
In unaffected family members of potential BRCA variant families, most test results will be negative and uninformative. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that an affected family member be tested first whenever possible to adequately interpret the test. Should a BRCA variant be found in an affected family member(s), DNA from an unaffected family member can be tested specifically for the same variant of the affected family member without having to sequence the entire gene. Interpreting test results for an unaffected family member without knowing the genetic status of the family may be possible in the case of a positive result for an established disease-associated variant but leads to difficulties in interpreting negative test results (uninformative negative) or variants of uncertain significance because the possibility of a causative BRCA variant is not ruled out.
Testing Minors
The use of genetic testing for BRCA variants has limited or no clinical utility in minors, because there is no change in management for minors as a result of knowledge of the presence or absence of a deleterious variant. In addition, there are potential harms related to stigmatization and discrimination.
Prostate Cancer
Patients with BRCA variants have an increased risk of prostate cancer, and patients with known BRCA variants may, therefore, consider more aggressive screening approaches for prostate cancer. However, the presence of prostate cancer in an individual, or in a family, is not itself considered sufficient justification for BRCA testing.
Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling is primarily aimed at patients who are at risk for inherited disorders, and experts recommend formal genetic counseling in most cases when genetic testing for an inherited condition is considered. The interpretation of the results of genetic tests and the understanding of risk factors can be very difficult and complex. Therefore, genetic counseling will assist individuals in understanding the possible benefits and harms of genetic testing, including the possible impact of the information on the individual’s family. Genetic counseling may alter the utilization of genetic testing substantially and may reduce inappropriate testing. Genetic counseling should be performed by an individual with experience and expertise in genetic medicine and genetic testing methods.
Medicare Coverage:
There is no National Coverage Determination (NCD). In the absence of an NCD, coverage decisions are left to the discretion of local Medicare carriers. Novitas Solutions, Inc, the Local Medicare Carrier for jurisdiction JL, has determined that this service is covered for limited indications. For additional information and eligibility, refer to Local Coverage Determination (LCD): BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genetic Testing (L36715). Available at: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/lcd-details.aspx?LCDId=36715&ContrId=331&ver=18&ContrVer=1&CntrctrSelected=331*1&Cntrctr=331&LCntrctr=331*1%7c335*1%7c332*1%7c336*1%7c333*1%7c337*1%7c334*1%7c338*1%7c339*1%7c327*1%7c325*1%7c328*1%7c326*1%7c329*1%7c330*1%7c314*1%7c319*1%7c315*1%7c320*1%7c316*1%7c321*1%7c317*1%7c322*1%7c318*1%7c323*1%7c324*1&DocType=Active&bc=AgACAAQAAAAAAA%3d%3d&.
Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genetic Testing (A56542). Available at: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/lcd-details.aspx?LCDId=35396&ver=118&name=331*1&UpdatePeriod=754&bc=AAAAEAAAAAAAAA%3d%3d&
[RATIONALE: This policy was created in July 1997 and has been updated regularly with searches of the MEDLINE database. The most recent literature update was performed through September 21, 2019.
This policy was informed by a BCBSA TEC Assessment (1997).15,
Evidence reviews assess whether a medical test is clinically useful. A useful test provides information to make a clinical management decision that improves the net health outcome. That is, the balance of benefits and harms is better when the test is used to manage the condition than when another test or no test is used to manage the condition.
The first step in assessing a medical test is to formulate the clinical context and purpose of the test. The test must be technically reliable, clinically valid, and clinically useful for that purpose. policys assess the evidence on whether a test is clinically valid and clinically useful. Technical reliability is outside the scope of these reviews, and credible information on technical reliability is available from other sources.
Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Variants in Individuals at Risk for Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Syndrome or Other High-Risk Cancers
Clinical Context and Test Purpose
The purpose of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in individuals at high-risk for HBOC syndrome is to evaluate whether variants are present and if so, to determine the appropriate surveillance and treatment to decrease the risk of mortality from breast and/or ovarian cancer.
The question addressed in this policy is: Does testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants improve the net health outcome in individuals with or suspected of having HBOC syndrome or other high-risk cancers?
The following PICOs were used to select literature to inform this policy.
Patients
The relevant population of interest are patients with cancer (i.e., breast cancer, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, primary peritoneal cancer), or patients with a personal or family history of cancer and criteria that might suggest they are at risk of HBOC syndrome.
Intervention
The intervention of interest is BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant testing.
For patients without a cancer diagnosis who are assessing cancer risk, results may guide potential prophylactic measures such as surveillance, chemoprevention, or prophylactic mastectomy, and/or oophorectomy.
For patients with a cancer diagnosis, results may guide treatment decisions.
Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants is conducted in adults when appropriate treatment and/or prophylactic treatment options are available. Variant testing is offered in a primary care setting (e.g., for people without cancer) or the specialty setting (e.g., multidisciplinary oncology care) through various test manufacturers and institutions.
Comparator
The following practice is currently being used to manage HBOC syndrome or other high-risk cancers: standard of care without genetic testing.
Outcomes
The outcomes of interest are overall survival (OS), disease-specific (breast and ovarian cancer) survival, test validity, and quality of life (QOL; e.g., anxiety).
Study Selection Criteria
For the evaluation of clinical validity, studies of variant prevalence and cancer risk were included. For the evaluation of clinical utility, studies that represent the intended clinical use of the technology in the intended population were included. The quality and credibility of the evidence depend on study design and conduct, minimizing bias and confounding that can generate incorrect findings.
Evidence for the two indications is presented together because there is overlap in the evidence base for the two populations: (1) patients at risk of HBOC syndrome, and (2) patients with other high-risk cancers such as cancers of the fallopian tube, pancreas, and prostate.
Technically Reliable
Assessment of technical reliability focuses on specific tests and operators and requires a review of unpublished and often proprietary information. Review of specific tests, operators, and unpublished data are outside the scope of this policy and alternative sources exist. This policy focuses on the clinical validity and clinical utility.
Clinically Valid
A test must detect the presence or absence of a condition, the risk of developing a condition in the future, or treatment response (beneficial or adverse).
Prevalence of BRCA Variants and Risks of Cancer and Survival
The prevalence of BRCA variants is approximately 0.1% to 0.2% in the general population. The prevalence may be much higher for particular ethnic groups with characterized founder mutations (e.g., 2.5% [1/40] in the Ashkenazi Jewish population). Family history of breast and ovarian cancer is an important risk factor for the BRCA variant; additionally, age and ethnicity could be independent risk factors.
Systematic Reviews
A systematic review published by Zhu et al (2016) found a significantly lower risk of OS in breast cancer patients with BRCA1 (pooled hazard ratio [HR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35 to 2.12) and with BRCA2 (pooled HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.09; p=0.034).16, However, in patients with breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2 were not associated with a lower breast cancer-specific survival.
Nelson et al (2013) conducted a systematic review that included meta-analytic estimates of the prevalence and penetrance of BRCA variants; this review was used to update the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation for risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer.17,In high-risk women with positive test results, cumulative risks for developing breast cancer by age 70 were 46% for BRCA1 and 50% for BRCA2 when a single family member was tested, and 70% for BRCA1 and 71% for BRCA2 when multiple family members were tested; cumulative risks for developing ovarian cancer by age 70 were 41% for BRCA1 and 17% for BRCA2 when a single family member was tested; and 46% for BRCA1 and 23% for BRCA2 when multiple family members were tested. For Ashkenazi Jewish women with positive test results, cumulative risks for developing breast or ovarian cancer by age 75 were 34% and 21%, respectively. Nelson et al(2013) included meta-analytic estimates of BRCA prevalence in their review for USPSTF. In unselected women, BRCA variant prevalence estimates were 0.2% to 0.3%; in women with breast cancer, 1.8% for BRCA1 and 1.3% for BRCA2; in women with breast cancer onset at age 40 years or younger, 6%; in women from high-risk families, 13.6% for BRCA1, 7.9% for BRCA2, and 19.8% for BRCA1 or BRCA2; in unselected Ashkenazi Jewish women, 2.1%; and in Ashkenazi Jewish women from high-risk families, 10.2%.
Estimates of lifetime risk of cancer for BRCA variant carriers (penetrance), based on studies of families with an extensive history of the disease, have been as high as 85%. For example, Kuchenbaecker et al (2017) found that the cumulative risk of breast cancer up to age 80 was 72% in BRCA1 carriers and 69% in BRCA2 carriers.18,Because other factors that influence risk may be present in families with extensive breast and ovarian cancer histories, early penetrance estimates may have been biased upward.19, Studies of founder mutations in ethnic populations (e.g., Ashkenazi Jewish, Polish, Icelandic populations) unselected for family history have indicated lower penetrance estimates, in the range of 40% to 60% for BRCA1 and 25% to 40% for BRCA2.7,10,20,21,However, a genotyping study of Ashkenazi Jewish women with incident invasive breast cancer, selected regardless of family history of cancer and their family members, resulted in an 82% lifetime risk of breast cancer for carriers of any of 3 BRCA founder mutations (185delAG, 5382insC, 6174delT).21, Importantly, the risk of cancer in variant carriers from families with little history of cancer (»50% of all carriers) did not differ significantly. Lifetime risk estimates of ovarian cancer were 54% for BRCA1 and 23% for BRCA2 variant carriers.
Prospective Studies
Women with a history of breast cancer and a BRCA variant have a significant risk of contralateral breast cancer. In a prospective study by Metcalfe et al (2004), the 10-year risk was 29.5% for women with initial stage I or II diseases.22, In a prospective study, Epidemiological Study of Familial Breast Cancer, Mavaddat et al (2013) reported that the cumulative risk of contralateral breast cancer by age 70 years was 83% in the BRCA1 variant carriers, and 62% for BRCA2 variant carriers.23, These investigators also reported cumulative risks of breast cancer by age 70 in women without previous cancer (60% in BRCA1 carriers, 55% in BRCA2 carriers). Similarly, the cumulative risk estimates of ovarian cancer by age 70 years in women without previous ovarian cancer were 59% for BRCA1 carriers and 17% for BRCA2 carriers.
BRCA Variant Rates Associated With Ovarian Cancer
Women with a personal history of ovarian cancer have an increased rate of BRCA variants. In a systematic review of 23 studies, Trainer et al (2010) estimated the rate of BRCA variants among women with ovarian cancer to be 3% to 15%.24, In this review, 3 U.S. studies tested for both BRCA1 and BRCA2; incidences of BRCA variants were 11.3%, 15.3%, and 9.5%. In the systematic review for USPSTF by Nelson et al (2013), meta-analytic estimates of BRCA prevalence among women with ovarian cancer were 4.4% for BRCA1 and 5.6% for BRCA2.17, Table 1 lists the results from several additional studies measuring the presence of BRCA variants among patients with ovarian cancer.25,26,27,28,29,One study noted that variant prevalence was higher for women in their 40s (24%) and for women with serous ovarian cancer (18%).25, Ethnicity was another risk factor for BRCA, with higher rates seen in women of Italian (43.5%), Jewish (30%), and Indo-Pakistani (29.4%) origin.25,
Table 1. BRCA Variant Rates in Patients With Ovarian Cancer
Study | Population | N | BRCA Variant, n (%) |
 |  |  | BRCA1 | BRCA2 |
Harter et al
(2017)29, | Patients with invasive ovarian cancer across 20 medical centers | 523 | 81 (15.5) | 29 (5.5) |
Kurian et al
(2017)26, | Patients with invasive ovarian cancer tested for hereditary cancer risk from a commercial laboratory database | 5020a | 255 (15.5) | 199 (5.5) |
Langer et al
(2016)27, | Patients with ovarian cancer tested for hereditary cancer risk from a commercial laboratory database | 3088 | 153 (4.9) | 124 (4.0) |
Norquist et al
(2016)28, | Patients with invasive ovarian cancer, from 2 phase 3 clinical trials and a gynecologic oncology tissue bank | 1915 | 182 (9.5) | 98 (5.1) |
Zhang et al
(2011)25, | Patients with invasive ovarian cancer | 1342 | 107 (8.0) | 67 (5.0) |
a Total N was reported as 5020, however, the percentage of BRCA variants as reported in article is inconsistent with 5020 as the denominator.
BRCA Variant Rates Associated With Fallopian Tube Cancer
A study by Hirst et al (2009) described the high rate of occult fallopian tube cancers in at-risk women having prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.30, In this prospective series of 45 women, 4 (9%) had fallopian tube malignancies. Reviewers noted that these findings supported other studies that have demonstrated the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube as an important site of cancer in those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants.
A long-term study by Powell et al (2013; median follow-up, 7 years; range, 3-14 years) followed 32 BRCA variant carriers with occult malignancy (4 ovarian, 23 fallopian tube, 5 ovarian and fallopian tube) diagnosed of prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy.31, Among 15 women with invasive carcinoma (median age, 50 years), 7 (47%) experienced recurrence at a median of 33 months, and OS was 73%. Among 17 women with noninvasive neoplasia (median age, 53 years), 4 (24%) received chemotherapy, none of whom experienced recurrence. One (6%) patient who did not receive chemotherapy experienced recurrence at 43 months. OS was 100%. The authors concluded that, in BRCA variant carriers, unsuspected invasive carcinoma has a relatively high rate of recurrence, but noninvasive neoplasms rarely recur and may not require adjuvant chemotherapy.
BRCA Variant Rates Associated With Pancreatic Cancer
Unaffected individuals also may be at high-risk due to other patterns of non-breast-cancer malignancies. A personal history of pancreatic cancer is estimated to raise the risk of a BRCA variant by 3.5- to 10-fold over the general population.32, Table 2 lists the results from several studies measuring the presence of BRCA variants among patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.33,34,35,36,37,38, Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma of Jewish descent appear to have a higher prevalence of BRCA variants compared with the general population of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Table 2. BRCA Variant Rates in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer
Study | Population | N | BRCA Variant, n (%) |
 |  |  | BRCA1 | BRCA2 |
Hu et al(2018)38,,a | Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma from a prospective pancreatic cancer registry | 3030 | 18 (0.6) | 59 (1.9) |
Yurgelun et al(2018)37, | Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 3 medical centers | 289 | 3 (1.0) | 4 (1.4) |
Shindoet al (2017)36, | Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 1 medical center | 854 | 3 (0.3) | 12 (1.4) |
Holter et al(2015)35, | Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma from a large academic health care complex | 306 | 3 (1.0) | 11 (3.6) |
Ferrone et al(2009)34, | Jewish patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 1 hospital | 145 | 2 (1.3) | 6 (4.1) |
Couch et al (2007)33, | Probands from high-risk families identified through pancreatic cancer clinics and a pancreatic tumor registry | 180 |  | 10 (5.5) |
a Case-control study; rates for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in controls were 0.2 and 0.3, respectively.
BRCA Variant Rates Associated With Prostate Cancer
Table 3 lists the results from several studies measuring the presence of BRCA variants among patients with prostate cancer.39,40,41,
Table 3. BRCA Variant Rates in Patients With Prostate Cancer
Study | Population | N | BRCA Variant, n (%) |
 |  |  | BRCA1 | BRCA2 |
Abida et al (2017)41, | Patients with prostate cancer from 1 clinical practice | 221 | 2 (1) | 20 (9) |
Pritchard et al (2016)40, | Patients with metastatic prostate cancer from 7 case series across multiple centers | 692 | 6 (0.9) | 37 (5.3) |
Edwards et al (2003)39, | Patients with prostate cancer diagnosed before age 56 from 2 cancer study groups | 263 |  | 6 (2.3) |
Testing for Large BRCA Rearrangements
A number of studies have shown that a significant percentage of women with a strong family history of breast cancer and negative tests for BRCA variants have large genomic rearrangements (including deletions or duplications) in one of these genes. For example, Walsh et al (2006) reported on probands from 300 U.S. families with 4 or more cases of breast or ovarian cancer but with negative (wild-type) commercial genetic tests for BRCA1 and BRCA2.42, These patients underwent screening with additional multiple DNA-based and RNA-based methods. Of these 300 patients, 17% carried previously undetected variants, including 35 (12%) with genomic rearrangement of BRCA1 or BRCA2.
A study by Palma et al (2008) evaluated 251 patients with an estimated BRCA variant prevalence using the Myriad II model of at least 10%.43, In 136 non-Ashkenazi Jewish probands, 36 (26%) had BRCA point mutations and 8 (6%) had genomic rearrangements (7 in BRCA1, 1 in BRCA2). Genomic rearrangements comprised 18% of all identified BRCA variants. No genomic rearrangements were identified in the 115 Ashkenazi Jewish probands, but 47 (40%) had point mutations. The authors indicated that the estimated prevalence of a variant did not predict the presence of a genomic rearrangement.
Clinically Useful
A test is clinically useful if the use of the results informs management decisions that improve the net health outcome of care. The net health outcome can be improved if patients receive correct therapy, or more effective therapy, or avoid unnecessary therapy, or avoid unnecessary testing.
Direct Evidence
Direct evidence of clinical utility is provided by studies that have compared health outcomes for patients managed with and without the test. Because these are intervention studies, the preferred evidence would be from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In their systematic review for the USPSTF, Nelson et al (2019) confirmed that they identified no studies that compared health outcomes for patients managed with and without BRCA variant testing.44,
Knowledge of variant status in individuals at potentially increased risk of a BRCA variant may impact health care decisions to reduce risk.45,46,47,48,49,50,51, Risk-reducing options include intensive surveillance, chemoprevention, prophylactic mastectomy, or prophylactic oophorectomy. Among patients already diagnosed with cancer, BRCA variant status may guide treatment decisions.52,
Prophylactic mastectomy reduces the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women (based on family history) by 90%.46, Prophylactic oophorectomy significantly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by 80% or more49,50,53, and reduces the risk of breast cancer by approximately 50%.50, In women who have already had breast cancer, prophylactic oophorectomy reduces the risk of cancer relapse.36, Prophylactic oophorectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 reduced the risk of all-cause mortality by 60% to 77%.53,54, For patients at risk for both breast and ovarian cancer, a study by Elmi et al (2018), drawing on data from the American College of Surgeon’s National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset, found that prophylactic mastectomy with concurrent salpingo-oophorectomy was not associated with significant additional morbidity compared with prophylactic mastectomy alone.55,
Systematic reviews of observational studies comparing prophylactic surgeries with observation in women who had BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants have demonstrated that contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in women with breast cancer is associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality while bilateral prophylactic mastectomy was not associated with all-cause mortality.44,56,57, Studies have indicated that the results of genotyping significantly influenced treatment choices.47,58,51,
In a systematic review for the USPSTF, Nelson et al (2019) assessed the efficacy of risk-reducing surgery in BRCA-positive women.44, The literature search was conducted through March 2019. A total of 13 observational studies (n=9938) provided consistent and moderate-strength evidence of the benefits of risk-reducing surgery. For high-risk women and variant carriers, bilateral mastectomy reduced breast cancer incidence by 90% to 100% and breast cancer mortality by 81% to 100%; oophorectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy reduced breast cancer incidence by 37% to 83%, ovarian cancer incidence by 69% to 100%. Some women experienced reduced anxiety. Limitations of the studies of benefits included lack of comparison groups, variations in methodology and enrollment criteria, and heterogeneous outcome measures. Additionally, a total of 14 observational studies (n=3073) provided low-strength evidence of the harms of risk-reducing surgery. Adverse events included physical complications of the surgery, postsurgical symptoms, and changes in body image. Studies of harms shared the same limitations as the studies of benefits as noted above, with the addition that their findings were inconsistent and the sample sizes were smaller. As reviewers observed, it is still currently unknown whether BRCA variant testing reduces cause-specific or all-cause mortality, or if it improves the QOL. Harms associated with false-negative results or variants of uncertain significance also are unknown.
OlympiAD is a phase 3 RCT in which patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer and a germline BRCA variant were randomized to olaparib (n=205) or standard therapy (n=97).52,In its initial publication, Robson et al (2017)reported that after a median follow-up of 14.5 months, patients receiving olaparib experienced significantly longer progression-free survival compared with patients receiving standard therapy (HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.8). The rate of grade 3 or higher adverse events was lower in the group receiving olaparib (37%) compared with the group receiving standard therapy (51%). However, regarding OS, in their subsequent publication, Robson et al (2019) further reported that although improvement with olaparib was not significant overall (19.3 vs 17.1 months; HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.23) there may be a benefit in the subgroup of patients who had not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease (HR, 0.51; 95% CI 0.29-0.90).56,
Other studies have looked at the results of prostate cancer screening in men with BRCA variants. The Immunotherapy for Prostate Adenocarcinoma Treatment study (2011) evaluated the results of screening in 205 men 40 to 69 years of age who were BRCA variant carriers and 95 control patients.59, At the baseline screen, biopsies were performed in 7.0% of men with a prostate-specific antigen level greater than 3.0 ng/mL, and prostate cancer was identified in 3.3%. This resulted in a positive predictive value of 47.6%, which is considerably higher than that estimated for men at normal risk. Moreover, the grade of tumor identified was intermediate in 67% of cancers and high in 11%. This differs from the expected distribution of cancer grade in average-risk men, with more than 60% expected to have low-grade cancer.
Section Summary: Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Variants in Individuals at Risk for HBOC Syndrome or Other High-Risk Cancers
Evidence for the clinical validity of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant testing consists of multiple studies that calculated BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant prevalence among samples of patients with HBOC syndrome, fallopian tube cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.
Regarding clinical utility of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant testing, current evidence has not directly evaluated management with and without genetic testing. In terms of prophylactic measures (mastectomy and oophorectomy), RCTs would be difficult to conduct. However, retrospective analyses have shown that prophylactic mastectomy and/or oophorectomy greatly reduced the risk of breast cancer (90-100%) and ovarian cancer (69%-100%). An RCT was conducted on women with breast cancer and a BRCA variant in which patients received a targeted therapy or standard chemotherapy. Although women treated with the targeted therapy did not experience significantly improved OS, they experienced significantly longer progression-free survival and fewer high-level adverse events.
Summary of evidence
For individuals who have cancer or a personal or family cancer history and meet criteria suggesting a risk of HBOC syndrome who receive genetic testing for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant, the evidence includes a TEC Assessment and studies of variant prevalence and cancer risk. The relevant outcomes are OS, disease-specific survival, test validity, and QOL. The accuracy of variant testing has been shown to be high. Studies of lifetime risk of cancer for carriers of a BRCA variant have shown a risk as high as 85%. Knowledge of BRCA variant status in individuals at risk of a BRCA variant may impact health care decisions to reduce risk, including intensive surveillance, chemoprevention, and/or prophylactic intervention. In individuals with BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants, prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy have been found to significantly increase disease-specific survival and OS. Knowledge of BRCA variant status in individuals diagnosed with breast cancer may impact treatment decisions. An RCT has reported that patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer and a BRCA variant experienced significantly longer progression-free survival but not OS with a targeted therapy vs standard therapy. The evidence is sufficient to determine that the technology results in a meaningful improvement in the net health outcome.
For individuals who have other high-risk cancers (e.g., cancers of the fallopian tube, pancreas, prostate) who receive genetic testing for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant, the evidence includes studies of variant prevalence and cancer risk. The relevant outcomes are OS, disease-specific survival, test validity, and QOL. The accuracy of variant testing has been shown to be high. Knowledge of BRCA variant status in individuals with other high-risk cancers can inform decisions regarding genetic counseling, chemotherapy, and enrollment in clinical trials. The evidence is sufficient to determine that the technology results in a meaningful improvement in the net health outcome.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Clinical Input From Physician Specialty Societies and Academic Medical Centers
While the various physician specialty societies and academic medical centers may collaborate with and make recommendations during this process, through the provision of appropriate reviewers, input received does not represent an endorsement or position statement by the physician specialty societies or academic medical centers, unless otherwise noted.
In response to requests, input was received for 3 physician specialty societies (5 reviewers) and 3 academic medical centers (5 reviewers) while this policy was under review in 2010. Those providing input were in general agreement with the Policy statements considering testing for genomic rearrangements of BRCA1 and BRCA2 as medically necessary and with adding fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer as BRCA-associated malignancies to assess when obtaining the family history.
Practice Guidelines and Position Statements
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer
Current NCCN(v.3.2019) guidelines on the genetic and familial high-risk assessment of breast and ovarian cancers include criteria for identifying individuals who should be referred for further risk assessment and separate criteria for genetic testing.50, Patients who satisfy any of the testing criteria listed in Table 4 should undergo “further personalized risk assessment, genetic counseling, and often genetic testing and management.” For these criteria, both invasive and in situ breast cancers were included. Maternal and paternal sides of the family should be considered independently for familial patterns of cancer. Testing of unaffected individuals should be considered “only when an appropriate affected family member is unavailable for testing.”
BRCA1 and BRCA2 somatic variants are uncommon. The NCCN recommends if a somatic variant is identified through tumor profiling, then BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline testing is recommended.
Table 4. BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing Criteria for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
Recommendations |
1. Individual from a family with a known BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation |
2. Personal history of breast cancer and ≥1 of the following: |
a. Diagnosed age ≤45 years
|
b. Diagnosed age ≤ 46 to 50 years AND:
|
An additional breast cancer primary
|
≥1 close blood relative with breast cancer at any age
|
≥1 close relative with pancreatic cancer
|
≥1 close relative with prostate cancer (Gleason score ≥7), or
|
Unknown or limited family history
|
c. Diagnosed age ≤60 years with a triple-negative (ER-, PR-, HER2-) breast cancer
|
|
≥2 additional diagnoses of breast cancer at any age in patient and/or in close blood relatives
|
≥1 close blood relative with breast cancer diagnosed at age 50 or younger or ovarian carcinoma or male breast cancer or metastatic prostate cancer or pancreatic cancer
|
3. Personal history of ovarian carcinoma |
4. Personal history of male breast cancer |
5. Personal history of metastatic prostate cancer or high grade prostate cancer (Gleason score ≥7) at any age AND ≥1 close blood relative with ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer at any age or breast cancer at or before age 50 or >2 relatives with breast, pancreatic or prostate cancer (any grade) at any age. |
6. Personal history of pancreatic cancer |
7. BRCA1/2 mutation detected by tumor profiling in the absence of germline mutation analysis |
8. An individual who does not meet the other criteria but with ≥1 1st- or 2nd-degree blood relative meeting any of the above criteria |
9. Regardless of family history, some individuals with BRCA-related cancer may benefit from genetic testing to determine eligibility for targeted treatment |
ER: estrogen receptor; HER2: human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; PR: progesterone receptor.
Additionally, the NCCN Ovarian Cancer guidelines (v2.2019) recommend tumor molecular testing prior to initiation of therapy for persistent/recurrent disease (OV-6) and describe in multiple algorithms that testing should include at least BRCA1/2 and microsatellite instability or DNA mismatch repair, and evaluation of homologous recombination deficiency can be considered (OV-6, OV-7, OV-B Principles of Pathology, OV-C Principles of Systemic Therapy).60,
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Current NCCN guidelines for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (v.3.2019) refers to the NCCN guidelines on genetic/familial high-risk assessment of breast and ovarian detailed above, and state: “Consider germline testing for patients with a personal history of cancer, a family history of cancer, or if there is a clinical suspicion of inherited susceptibility.”61,
Prostate Cancer
The current NCCN guidelines for prostate cancer are (v.4.2019).59, For initial risk stratification and staging workup for clinically localized disease, footnote c states: "Family history for known germline variants and genetic testing for germline variants should include MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 (for Lynch Syndrome)and homologous recombination genes BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, PALB2, and CHEK2. Consider cancer predisposition NGS panel testing, which includes BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CHEK2, PALB2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2."
Also, in the "Genetic and Molecular Biomarker Analysis" section, germline testing is recommended and footnote ee states“Consider evaluating tumor for alterations in homologous recombination DNA repair such as: BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, PALB2, FANCA, RAD51D, and CHEK2.”“At present, this information may be used for genetic counseling, early use of platinum chemotherapy, or eligibility for clinical trials (e.g., PARP inhibitors). If mutations in BRCA2, BRCA1, ATM, CHEK2, or PALB2 are found and/or there is a strong family history of cancer, refer to genetic counseling to assess for the possibility of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC).”62,
American Society of Clinical Oncology
The American Society of Clinical Oncology has released statements on genetic and genomic testing for cancer susceptibility since 1996. The Society (2003) recommended that cancer predisposition testing be offered when 3 factors are at play: (1) there is a personal or family history suggesting genetic cancer susceptibility, (2) the test can be adequately interpreted, and (3) results will influence medical management of the patient or family member at hereditary risk of cancer.63, A 2010 update of this statement recommended that “genetic tests with uncertain clinical utility, including genomic risk assessment, be administered in the context of clinical trials.”64, A 2015 update affirmed that multigene panel testing “is sufficient for cancer risk assessment to evaluate genes of established clinical utility that are suggested by the patient’s personal and/or family history.”65,
Society of Gynecologic Oncology
The SGO (2015) published an evidence-based consensus statement on risk assessment for inherited gynecologic cancer.66, The statement included criteria for recommending genetic assessment (counseling with or without testing) to patients who may be genetically predisposed to breast or ovarian cancer. Overall, the SGO and the NCCN recommendations are very similar; the main differences are the exclusion of women with breast cancer onset at age 50 years or younger who have 1 or more first-, second-, or third-degree relatives with breast cancer at any age; women with breast cancer or history of breast cancer who have a first-, second-, or third-degree male relative with breast cancer; and men with a personal history of breast cancer. Additionally, SGO recommended genetic assessment for unaffected women who have a male relative with breast cancer. Moreover, SGO indicated that some patients who do not satisfy criteria may still benefit from genetic assessment (e.g., few female relatives, hysterectomy, or oophorectomy at a young age in multiple family members, or adoption in the lineage).
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2017, reaffirmed 2019) published a Practice Bulletin on hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome.67, The following recommendation was based primarily on consensus and expert opinion (level C): “Genetic testing is recommended when the results of a detailed risk assessment that is performed as part of genetic counseling suggest the presence of an inherited cancer syndrome for which specific genes have been identified and when the results of testing are likely to influence medical management.”
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Current USPSTF recommendations for genetic testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in women state:55,
"The USPSTF recommends that primary care clinicians assess women with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer or who have an ancestry associated with BRCA1/2 gene mutation with an appropriate brief familial risk assessment tool. Women with a positive result on the risk assessment tool should receive genetic counseling and, if indicated after counseling, genetic testing (B recommendation). The USPSTF recommends against routine risk assessment, genetic counseling, or genetic testing for women whose personal or family history or ancestry is not associated with potentially harmful BRCA1/2 gene mutations. (D recommendation)"
Recommended screening tools included the Ontario Family History Assessment Tool, Manchester Scoring System, Referral Screening Tool, Pedigree Assessment Tool,7-Question Family History Screening Tool, International Breast Cancer Intervention Study instrument (Tyrer-Cuziak), and brief versions of the BRCAPRO.
Ongoing and Unpublished Clinical Trials
Some currently unpublished trials that might influence this policy are listed in Table 5.
Table 5. Summary of Key Trials
NCT No. | Trial Name | Planned Enrollment | Completion Date |
Ongoing |  |  |  |
NCT02154672 | Prostate Cancer Screening in Men With Germline BRCA2 Mutations | 100 | May 2018
(ongoing) |
NCT02225015 | Cancer Prevention in Women With a BRCA Mutation | 300 | Jun 2019 |
NCT03246841 | Investigation of Tumour Spectrum, Penetrance and Clinical Utility of Germline Mutations in New Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility Genes | 500 | Dec 2023 |
NCT02321228 | Early Salpingectomy (Tubectomy) With Delayed Oophorectomy in BRCA1/2 Gene Mutation Carriers (TUBA) | 510 | Jan 2035 |
NCT04090567 | Overcoming PARP Inhibitor Resistance in BRCA Germline Mutation Positive Advanced Breast Cancer | 60 | June 2021 |
NCT03740165 | A Randomized Phase 3, Double-Blind Study of Chemotherapy With or Without Pembrolizumab Followed by Maintenance With Olaparib or Placebo for the First-Line Treatment of BRCA Non-mutated Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) (KEYLYNK-001/ENGOT-ov43) | 1086 | August 2025 |
NCT: national clinical trial.]
________________________________________________________________________________________
Horizon BCBSNJ Medical Policy Development Process:
This Horizon BCBSNJ Medical Policy (the “Medical Policy”) has been developed by Horizon BCBSNJ’s Medical Policy Committee (the “Committee”) consistent with generally accepted standards of medical practice, and reflects Horizon BCBSNJ’s view of the subject health care services, supplies or procedures, and in what circumstances they are deemed to be medically necessary or experimental/ investigational in nature. This Medical Policy also considers whether and to what degree the subject health care services, supplies or procedures are clinically appropriate, in terms of type, frequency, extent, site and duration and if they are considered effective for the illnesses, injuries or diseases discussed. Where relevant, this Medical Policy considers whether the subject health care services, supplies or procedures are being requested primarily for the convenience of the covered person or the health care provider. It may also consider whether the services, supplies or procedures are more costly than an alternative service or sequence of services, supplies or procedures that are at least as likely to produce equivalent therapeutic or diagnostic results as to the diagnosis or treatment of the relevant illness, injury or disease. In reaching its conclusion regarding what it considers to be the generally accepted standards of medical practice, the Committee reviews and considers the following: all credible scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, physician and health care provider specialty society recommendations, the views of physicians and health care providers practicing in relevant clinical areas (including, but not limited to, the prevailing opinion within the appropriate specialty) and any other relevant factor as determined by applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Index:
Genetic Testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 for Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Syndrome and Other High-Risk Cancers
Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and/or Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (BRCA1/BRCA2)
Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and/or Ovarian Cancer
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Sequencing
Gene Sequencing for BRCA1 and BRCA2
Genetic Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2
Genomic Rearrangement of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes
BRACAnalysis Test
BRACAnalysis Rearrangement Test
BART
Large Rearrangement Test
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39. Edwards SM, Kote-Jarai Z, Meitz J, et al. Two percent of men with early-onset prostate cancer harbor germline mutations in the BRCA2 gene. Am J Hum Genet. Jan 2003;72(1):1-12. PMID 12474142.
40. Pritchard CC, Mateo J, Walsh MF, et al. Inherited DNA-Repair Gene Mutations in Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer. N Engl J Med. Aug 4 2016;375(5):443-453. PMID 27433846.
41. Abida W, Armenia J, Gopalan A, et al. Prospective genomic profiling of prostate cancer across disease states reveals germline and somatic alterations that may affect clinical decision making. JCO Precis Oncol. Jul 2017;2017. PMID 28825054.
42. Walsh T, Casadei S, Coats KH, et al. Spectrum of mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, and TP53 in families at high risk of breast cancer. JAMA. Mar 22 2006;295(12):1379-1388. PMID 16551709.
43. Palma MD, Domchek SM, Stopfer J, et al. The relative contribution of point mutations and genomic rearrangements in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in high-risk breast cancer families. Cancer Res. Sep 1 2008;68(17):7006- 7014. PMID 18703817.
44. Li X, You R, Wang X, et al. Effectiveness of prophylactic surgeries in BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Clin Cancer Res. Aug 1 2016;22(15):3971-3981. PMID 26979395.
45. Grann VR, Whang W, Jacobson JS, et al. Benefits and costs of screening Ashkenazi Jewish women for BRCA1 and BRCA2. J Clin Oncol. Feb 1999;17(2):494-500. PMID 10080590.
46. Hartmann LC, Schaid DJ, Woods JE, et al. Efficacy of bilateral prophylactic mastectomy in women with a family history of breast cancer. N Engl J Med. Jan 14 1999;340(2):77-84. PMID 9887158.
47. Menkiszak J, Rzepka-Gorska I, Gorski B, et al. Attitudes toward preventive oophorectomy among BRCA1 mutation carriers in Poland. Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. Apr 2004;25(1):93-95. PMID 15053071.
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50. Rebbeck TR, Lynch HT, Neuhausen SL, et al. Prophylactic oophorectomy in carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. N Engl J Med. May 23 2002;346(21):1616-1622. PMID 12023993.
51. Weitzel JN, McCaffrey SM, Nedelcu R, et al. Effect of genetic cancer risk assessment on surgical decisions at breast cancer diagnosis. Arch Surg. Dec 2003;138(12):1323-1328; discussion 1329. PMID 14662532.
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Codes:
(The list of codes is not intended to be all-inclusive and is included below for informational purposes only. Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis, drug or device code(s) does not constitute or imply authorization, certification, approval, offer of coverage or guarantee of payment.)
CPT*
81162
81163
81164
81165
81166
81167
81212
81215
81216
81217
81479
81432
81433
0102U
0103U
0129U
0131U
0132U
0134U
0138U
HCPCS
* CPT only copyright 2019 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
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Medical policies can be highly technical and are designed for use by the Horizon BCBSNJ professional staff in making coverage determinations. Members referring to this policy should discuss it with their treating physician, and should refer to their specific benefit plan for the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of their coverage.
The Horizon BCBSNJ Medical Policy Manual is proprietary. It is to be used only as authorized by Horizon BCBSNJ and its affiliates. The contents of this Medical Policy are not to be copied, reproduced or circulated to other parties without the express written consent of Horizon BCBSNJ. The contents of this Medical Policy may be updated or changed without notice, unless otherwise required by law and/or regulation. However, benefit determinations are made in the context of medical policies existing at the time of the decision and are not subject to later revision as the result of a change in medical policy
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