Abstract
Aim: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, and it is well known that Breast Cancer Susceptibility gene (BRCA1 and BRCA2) mutations are responsible for a substantial portion of the breast and ovarian cancers. Individuals carrying a mutation in one of these genes have an increased substantially lifelong risk of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and other types of cancers. Identifying individuals with BRCA1/2 gene mutations is vital for increasing screening of family members via genetic counselling, and using potentially life-saving preventive measures. The aim of this study is preparation of next generation sequencing (NGS) libraries of BRCA1/2 genes using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and determination of bioinformatic workflow suitable for NGS analysis.
Methods: Using blood samples previously analyzed with Multiplicom BRCA MASTR™ Dx kit that is widely utilized in routine practice; DNA isolation was consequently followed by preparation of NGS libraries with RT-PCR, marking each sample with 2 different tag sequences, and determination of bioinformatic workflow for NGS analysis.
Results: Compared with the reference method, test limits were: 100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 100% validity. The confidence interval was calculated to be between 86 and 100% using the Wilson method.
Conclusion: This study resulted in the successful development and analytic validation of a low-cost NGS test kit capable of accurately determining pathogenic mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.