Hereditary cancer genes

This application is a continuation of and claims the priority benefit of Patent Cooperation Treaty International Application Number PCT/US2013/044494 (filed Jun. 6, 2013, published as WO2013184905), which in turn claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/656,333 (filed on Jun. 6, 2012) and 61/814,068 (filed on Apr. 19, 2013), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The invention generally relates to a molecular classification of disease predisposition and particularly to molecular markers for cancer predisposition and methods of use thereof.

The instant application was filed with a formal Sequence Listing submitted electronically as a text file. This text file, which is named “1500-01-4U-2017-10-12-SEQ-LIST-TXT-BGJ_ST25.txt”, was created on Oct. 12, 2017 and is 1,760,800 bytes in size. Its contents are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Cancer is a major public health problem, accounting for roughly 25% of all deaths in the United States. American Cancer Society , F ACTS AND F IGURES 2010. For many types of cancer, up to 10% of cases can be hereditary. Knowing that a patient has an increased risk of cancer due to hereditary factors can help such a patient to take preventive actions to reduce that risk. Thus, there is a significant need for accurate ways of determining whether a particular patient has an increased risk of cancer.

The inventors have discovered panels of genes, wherein a deficiency in any of these genes in a patient's germline confers an increased risk of specific cancers. Generally speaking, these genes may be sequenced in patients to determine predisposition to these cancers.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a method for sequencing DNA. Generally, the method includes at least the following steps: (1) isolating from a patient sample a plurality of DNA molecules, each DNA molecule consisting of between 50 and 75,000 nucleotides in length, said plurality of DNA molecules comprising one or more exons of a plurality of genes consisting of between 10 and 200 genes, and said plurality of genes comprising APC, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, PALB2, and PMS2; and (2) determining the sequence of said plurality of DNA molecules. In some embodiments, the method further comprises comparing the sequences determined in (2) with one or more reference sequences. In some embodiments, the method further comprises correlating a difference between the sequences determined in (2) and the one or more reference sequences to a mutation in one or more of the genes in the plurality of genes. In some embodiments the plurality of DNA molecule comprises at least some certain length of intron adjacent to exon (e.g., at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or more base pairs of the intron).

In another aspect the present invention provides a method for determining whether a patient has an increased risk of cancer, which comprises: (1) determining whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any of a plurality of genes comprising APC, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, PALB2, and PMS2; and either (2) correlating a germline deficiency in any of said plurality of genes to an increased risk (e.g., increased hereditary risk) of cancer, or (3) correlating the absence of a germline deficiency in all of said plurality of genes to no increased risk (e.g., no increased hereditary risk) of cancer (or to no identified increased risk due to the tested genes). In some embodiments, the method comprises correlating a germline deficiency in any particular gene in the plurality of genes to an increased risk of a particular cancer as shown in Table 4.

In another aspect the present invention provides a kit comprising: reagents for sequencing DNA molecules comprising one or more exons of a plurality of genes comprising APC, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, PALB2, and PMS2; and instructions for using said reagents. In some embodiments the kit comprises reagents for sequencing a plurality of genes consisting of between 11 and 200 genes, and said plurality of genes comprises APC, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, PALB2, and PMS2. In some embodiments the reagents are PCR primers specific for the plurality of genes. In some embodiments, the reagents are PCR primers specific for the exons (and optionally some certain amount of adjacent intron) of the plurality of genes.

In some embodiments of the above aspects of the invention, the plurality of genes further comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 genes chosen from the group consisting of ATM, BARD1, BMPR1A, CDH1, CDK4, CHEK2, TP53, PTEN, RAD51D, SMAD4, and STK11. In some embodiments the plurality of genes further comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 genes chosen from the group consisting of BLM, CEBPA, FLCN, MEN1, PTCH, RET, SDH5, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, TMEM127, and VHL. In some embodiments the plurality of genes further comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 genes chosen from the group consisting of BRAF, BRIP1, FANCA, FANCB, FANCC, FANCD2, FANCE, FANCF, FANCG, FANCI, FANCL, FANCM, KRAS, MLH3, MRE11, NBS1, PIK3CA, PMS1, RAD50, and RAD51C. In some embodiments the plurality of genes further comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, or 54 genes chosen from the group consisting of APC, ATM, BARD1, BLM, BMPR1A, BRAF, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDH1, CDK4, CDKN2A, CEBPA, CHEK2, FANCA, FANCB, FANCC, FANCD2, FANCE, FANCF, FANCG, FANCI, FANCL, FANCM, FLCN, KRAS, MEN1, MLH1, MLH3, MRE11, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, NBS1, PALB2, PIK3CA, PMS1, PMS2, PTCH1, PTEN, RAD50, RAD51C, RAD51D, RET, SDHAF2, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SMAD4, STK11, EPCAM, TMEM127, TP53, VHL. In some embodiments the plurality of genes further comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, or 54 genes of any of Panels A-Q.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description, and from the Claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates how a plurality of DNA molecules can comprise a particular DNA sequence with no single molecule comprising all of such sequence.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example of a system useful in certain aspects and embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a computer-implemented method of the invention.

The present invention is based in part on the discovery that hereditary cancer genes, and germline deficiencies in these genes, are responsible for increases in cancer risk attributable to heredity. “Hereditary cancer gene” and “HCG” herein refer to a gene wherein germline deficiency in the gene confers an increased risk for cancer. The inventors have discovered specific panels (e.g., pluralities) of HCGs that may be tested in a patient to give a comprehensive understanding of the patient's hereditary cancer risk. All of the HCGs in Table 1 below form a panel of HCGs (“Panel A”) useful in the invention.

As will be shown in detail throughout this document, subsets of Panel A can also be used in the invention. Examples of subsets useful in the present invention are shown in Tables 2A to 2D below:

Aspects of the Invention

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a method for sequencing nucleic acids. Generally, the method includes at least the following steps: (1) isolating a plurality of nucleic acid molecules from a sample taken from a patient, each nucleic acid molecule comprising (or consisting of or consisting essentially of) between A and B nucleotides in length, said plurality of nucleic acid molecules comprising (e.g., having nucleotide sequences that together comprise) one or more exons of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, and said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; and (2) determining the sequence of said plurality of nucleic acid molecules.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method for determining whether a patient has an increased risk of cancer, which comprises: (1) determining whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; and either (2)(a) correlating a germline deficiency in any of said plurality of genes to an increased risk (e.g., increased hereditary risk) of cancer, or (2)(b) correlating the absence of a germline deficiency in all of said plurality of genes to no increased risk (e.g., no increased hereditary risk) of cancer. In some embodiments of this aspect, the method also comprises (a) isolating a plurality of nucleic acid molecules from a sample taken from a patient, each nucleic acid molecule comprising (or consisting of or consisting essentially of) between A and B nucleotides in length, and said plurality of nucleic acid molecules comprising (e.g., having nucleotide sequences that together comprise) one or more exons of said plurality of genes and (b) determining the sequence of said plurality of nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments, the method comprises detecting a germline deficiency in a gene by comparing the sequence determined in (b) with one or more reference sequences, as discussed in more detail below.

Thus, the invention provides a method treating a patient comprising (1) determining whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; and (2)(a) correlating a germline deficiency in any of said plurality of genes to an increased risk (e.g., increased hereditary risk) of cancer (e.g., a particular cancer), or (2)(b) correlating the absence of a germline deficiency in all of said plurality of genes to no increased risk (e.g., no increased hereditary risk) of cancer; and (3) recommending, prescribing, or administering a treatment to reduce the patient's risk of cancer. In some embodiments, the treatment comprises removing all or part of the organ in which the patient has an increased risk of cancer (e.g., mastectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, colectomy, prostatectomy, etc.). In some embodiments the treatment comprises preventive drug treatments (e.g., tamoxifen treatment in patients with increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer).

Another aspect of the present invention provides computer program products comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable program codes or instructions embodied thereon for enabling a processor to carry out the methods of the invention. A related aspect of the present invention provides a system for determining whether a patient has increased likelihood of response to a particular treatment regimen. Generally speaking, the system comprises (1) computer program for receiving, storing, and/or retrieving a patient's sequence data for a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; (2) computer program for querying this patient data; (3) optionally a computer program for comparing the patient's sequence data to one or more reference sequences to determine whether there is a mutation; (4) computer program for concluding whether there is an increased likelihood of cancer based on the presence or absence of a mutation; and optionally (4) computer program for outputting/displaying this conclusion. In some embodiments this program for outputting the conclusion may comprise a computer program for informing a health care professional of the conclusion.

In another aspect the invention provides a system for sequencing genes in a sample (e.g., tumor sample), comprising: (1) a sample analyzer for sequencing a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q, wherein the sample analyzer contains (a) the sample which is from a patient, (b) genomic DNA from the sample, (c) transcript RNA from the sample, or (d) DNA synthesized from said genomic DNA; (2) a first computer program for receiving test sequence data on the plurality of genes; and (3) a second computer program for comparing the sequence data to one or more reference sequences. In some embodiments the system comprises a computer program for determining (including quantifying) the patient's degree of risk of cancer based at least in part on the comparison of the test sequence with said one or more reference sequences. Such program may also compare the patient's determined probability of a particular cancer with a reference probability to determine whether the patient has an increased risk of such cancer.

In another aspect the invention provides methods combining the genetic analysis as described above with analysis of other cancer risk factors, e.g., a patient's family and/or personal history of cancer. In some embodiments the invention provides a method for determining a patient's risk of cancer, which comprises: (1)(a) determining whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q and (1)(b) assigning a first risk level of cancer (e.g., percentage probability of developing cancer (any cancer or a specific cancer or set of cancers) by a certain age) for the patient based on the presence or absence of such germline deficiency; (2)(a) evaluating the patient's personal and family history risk factors for cancer and (2)(b) assigning a second risk level of cancer for the patient based on the risk factors identified in (2)(a); and either (3)(a) assigning (optionally communicating and/or recording) the higher of the first and second risk levels determined in (1)(b) and (2)(b) to the patient, or (3)(b) assigning (optionally communicating and/or recording) a third risk level of cancer to the patient, wherein the third risk level is a combination of the first and second risk levels determined in (1)(b) and (2)(b). In some embodiments, the first and second risk levels are given approximately the same weight (e.g., within 5% or 10%) in assigning the third risk level. In some embodiments the ratio of the weight given to the first level to the weight given to the second risk level is approximately 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5, 5:6, 6:7, 7:8, 8:9, 9:10, 10:11, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 6:5, 7:6, 8:7, 9:8, 10:9, 11:10, 3:5, 5:7, 7:9, 9:11, 11:9, 9:7, 7:5, or 5:3. In some embodiments, both the first risk level and the second risk level are communicated (e.g., to the healthcare provider, to the patient, etc.). Personal risk factors may include cancer diagnosis (including age at diagnosis), multiple primary cancers, triple negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, smoking, age of menopause, age of menarche, positive biopsy, positive pap smear, male breast cancer, enlarged prostate, colon polyps, etc. Family risk factors can include a relative (e.g., first or second degree) with early onset (e.g., before 40, 50, or 60 years of age) cancer, particular ancestries (e.g., Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry), relative with multiple primary cancers, relative with male breast cancer, relative with ovarian cancer, relative with triple negative breast cancer, etc.

In another aspect the invention provides compositions for use in the above methods. Such compositions include, but are not limited to: (a) nucleic acid probes hybridizing to a plurality of nucleic acid molecules comprising (e.g., having nucleotide sequences that together comprise) one or more exons of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, and said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; (b) nucleic acid primers and primer pairs suitable for selectively amplifying nucleic acids of (a); (c) antibodies binding immunologically to polypeptides encoded by a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, and said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; (d) a probe set comprising (a), (b) and/or (c); (e) a microarray comprising (a), (b), (c), and/or (d).

In another aspect the present invention provides a kit comprising: reagents for sequencing nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more exons of a plurality of genes comprising a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; and instructions for using said reagents. In some embodiments the kit comprises (a), (b), (c), (d), and/or (e) in the preceding paragraph. In some embodiments the reagents are PCR primers specific for the plurality of genes. In some embodiments, the reagents are PCR primers specific for the exons (and optionally some certain amount of adjacent intron) of the plurality of genes (optionally also including polymerase enzyme, deoxynucleotides, buffers, etc.). In some embodiments, the reagents are oligonucleotide probes specific for the exons (and optionally some certain amount of adjacent intron) of the plurality of genes. In some embodiments the reagents (e.g., the primers and/or probes) are packaged into an array (e.g., affixed to a solid support, contained within a reaction volume, etc.).

Several aspects of the invention described herein involve a step of correlating a particular assay or analysis result or output (e.g., presence or absence of a germline deficiency in one or more genes of Panel B) to some likelihood (e.g., increased, not increased, decreased, etc.) of some clinical feature (e.g., increased risk (e.g., increased hereditary risk) of cancer). Throughout this document, wherever such an aspect is described, an alternative aspect of the invention may involve, in addition to or instead of a correlating step, one or both of the following steps: (a) concluding that the patient has or does not have the clinical feature based at least in part on the assay or analysis result; or (b) communicating that the patient has or does not have the clinical feature based at least in part on the assay or analysis result.

By way of illustration, but not limitation, one aspect described in this document is a method for determining whether a patient has an increased risk of cancer, which comprises: (1) determining whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; and either (2)(a) correlating a germline deficiency in any of said plurality of genes to an increased risk (e.g., increased hereditary risk) of cancer, or (2)(b) correlating the absence of a germline deficiency in all of said plurality of genes to no increased risk (e.g., no increased hereditary risk) of cancer (or to no identified increased risk due to the tested genes). According to the preceding paragraph, this description of this aspect is understood to include a description of two alternative related aspects. One such embodiment provides a method for determining whether a patient has an increased risk of cancer, which comprises: (1) determining whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two test genes in any of Panels A-Q; and either (2)(a) concluding the patient an increased risk (e.g., increased hereditary risk) of cancer based at least in part on the presence of a germline deficiency in any of said plurality of genes (or in any of said test genes); or (2)(b) concluding the patient does not have an increased risk (e.g., no increased hereditary risk) of cancer based at least in part on the absence of a germline deficiency in each of said plurality of genes (or in each of said test genes) (or alternatively concluding the patient has no identified increased risk due to the tested genes). Another such embodiment provides a method for determining whether a patient has an increased risk of cancer, which comprises: (1) determining whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two test genes in any of Panels A-Q; and either (2)(a) communicating (e.g., reporting) that the patient an increased risk (e.g., increased hereditary risk) of cancer based at least in part on the presence of a germline deficiency in any of said plurality of genes (or in any of said test genes); or (2)(b) communicating (e.g., reporting) that the patient does not have an increased risk (e.g., no increased hereditary risk) of cancer based at least in part on the absence of a germline deficiency in each of said plurality of genes (or in each of said test genes) (or alternatively communicating that the patient has no identified increased risk due to the tested genes).

In each embodiment described in this document involving correlating a particular assay or analysis result or output (e.g., presence or absence of a germline deficiency in one or more genes of Panel B) to some likelihood (e.g., increased, not increased, decreased, etc.) of some clinical feature (e.g., increased risk (e.g., increased hereditary risk) of cancer), or additionally or alternatively concluding or communicating such clinical feature based at least in part on such particular assay or analysis result, such correlating, concluding or communicating may comprise assigning a risk or likelihood of the clinical feature occurring based at least in part on the particular assay or analysis result. In some embodiments, such risk is a percentage probability of the event or outcome occurring. In some embodiments, the patient is assigned to a risk group (e.g., low risk, intermediate risk, high risk, etc.). In some embodiments “low risk” is any percentage probability below 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. In some embodiments “intermediate risk” is any percentage probability above 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% and below 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75%. In some embodiments “high risk” is any percentage probability above 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99%.

As used herein, “communicating” a particular piece of information means to make such information known to another person or transfer such information to a thing (e.g., a computer). In some methods of the invention, a patient's qualitative or quantitative risk of cancer (e.g., a specific cancer or syndrome listed in Table 4) is communicated. In some embodiments, the information used to arrive at such a risk prediction (e.g., presence or absence of germline deficiency in one or more genes in Panel B) is communicated. This communication may be auditory (e.g., verbal), visual (e.g., written), electronic (e.g., data transferred from one computer system to another), etc. In some embodiments, communicating a cancer risk (e.g., “increased”, “not increased”, “up to X %”, etc.) comprises generating a report that communicates the risk. In some embodiments the report is a paper report, an auditory report, or an electronic record. In some embodiments the report is displayed and/or stored on a computing device (e.g., handheld device, desktop computer, smart device, website, etc.). In some embodiments the cancer risk is communicated to a physician (e.g., a report communicating the risk is provided to the physician). In some embodiments the cancer risk is communicated to a patient (e.g., a report communicating the risk is provided to the patient). Communicating a cancer risk can also be accomplished by transferring information (e.g., data) embodying the risk to a server computer and allowing an intermediary or end-user to access such information (e.g., by viewing the information as displayed from the server, by downloading the information in the form of one or more files transferred from the server to the intermediary or end-user's device, etc.).

Wherever an embodiment of the invention comprises concluding some clinical feature (e.g., increased risk of cancer, etc.), this may include in some embodiments a computer program concluding such feature, typically after performing an algorithm that applies information on germline deficiency in HCGs according to the present invention.

Embodiments of these Aspects

Various embodiments of the preceding aspects of the invention are provided. Unless otherwise stated, the invention may apply each of these embodiments to each of the preceding aspects.

In some embodiments, the method or system comprises comparing the sequences determined in an earlier step or other computer program with one or more reference sequences. In some embodiments, the method comprises correlating a difference between the determined sequences and the one or more reference sequences to a mutation in one or more of the genes in the plurality of genes. In some embodiments the system comprises a computer program for determining whether the patient has a mutation in one or more of the genes in the plurality of genes by determining whether there is a difference between the determined sequences and the one or more reference sequences. In some embodiments the reference sequence for any given gene in the panel is any of the sequences corresponding to that gene as shown in Table 3 below:

Table 3 shows how sequence identifiers (i.e., SEQ ID NOs) correspond to different reference sequences useful for the various HCGs in various aspects of the invention. As used in Table 3, “transcript variant” refers to differently spliced transcripts expressed from some genes. In cases where no transcript variant is indicated, this is because NCBI lists only one transcript for the relevant gene. The exon coordinates given in Table 3 indicate where in each relevant sequence the exons are found. The first 500 and last 500 nucleotides of each such sequence are intronic. As used herein, “exon/intron boundary” in one of these sequences means a certain number of nucleotides (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100 or more) on each side of the transition (e.g., phosphodiester bond) from exon to intron (or from intron to exon) or a portion of the nucleotide sequence of at least a certain length (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100 or more) comprising the two nucleotides on each side of the transition from exon to intron (or from intron to exon).

In some embodiments of various aspects of the invention, a nucleic acid of the invention (e.g., in a primer set, in an array, in a kit, etc.) comprises at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 or more nucleotides on each side of such transition. Thus, an oligonucleotide (e.g., primer) according to the invention targeting Exon 3 of the APC gene “comprising 10 nucleotides on each side of the 5′ exon/intron boundary of Exon 3 of the APC gene” would comprise nucleotides 491-510 of SEQ ID NO:7, or the following sequence: 5′-ttttatttagAGCTTAACTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:724; with lower case letters indicating intronic sequence and capitalized letters indicating exonic sequence). In some embodiments of various aspects of the invention, a nucleic acid of the invention comprises at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 or more consecutive nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence in a SEQ ID NO including the two nucleotides on each side of such transition. Thus, an oligonucleotide (e.g., primer) according to the invention targeting Exon 3 of the APC gene “comprising 18 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:7 including the 5′ exon/intron boundary of Exon 3 of the APC gene” would comprise any 18 consecutive nucleotides between (and including) positions 484 and 517 of SEQ ID NO:7, or any 18 consecutive nucleotides of the following sequence: 5′-gtttctattttatttagAGCTTAACTTAGATAGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:725; with lower case letters indicating intronic sequence and capitalized letters indicating exonic sequence). At various places in this document Exon 3 of the APC gene is used as an example to illustrate various embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art, based on the knowledge in the art and the present disclosure (especially Table 3), can readily and unambiguously apply each example to any gene, exon, or sequence disclosed herein.

Germline deficiencies in the genes in Panels A-Q correlate to increased risk of cancer, including particular cancers as summarized in Table 4. Thus, in some embodiments the method of the invention comprises correlating a germline deficiency in any particular gene in the plurality of genes to an increased risk of a particular cancer as shown in Table 4. In some embodiments the method comprises diagnosing the patient with an increased risk of a particular cancer (or a particular syndrome) as shown in Table 4 based at least in part on a germline deficiency in any particular gene in the plurality of genes. In some embodiments the method comprises correlating no germline deficiency in any gene in the plurality of genes to no increased risk of any cancer (or to no identified increased risk due to the tested genes). In some embodiments the system of the invention comprises a computer program for determining (including quantifying) the patient's degree of risk of cancer (e.g., any particular cancer as shown in Table 4) based at least in part on the comparison of the test sequence with said one or more reference sequences.

In some embodiments the panel of the invention to be assessed in a particular patient depends on the specific cancer(s) or syndrome(s) for which the patient is apparently at risk. For example, as shown in Example 2 below, a patient presenting with indicators of HBOC may be tested for a panel of test genes comprising Panel D (or Panel P) or any subpanel comprising the top 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 genes of Panel D (or Panel P). Thus, in some embodiments of the methods and systems described above the patient is identified as having one or more indicators of a syndrome listed in Table 4, or otherwise having one or more indicators of an increased predisposition to one or more of the cancers listed in Table 4, and the patient is tested for a panel comprising genes whose mutations are associated with that syndrome or cancer. In some embodiments an indicator of a particular syndrome listed in Table 4 is present when the patient has one or more of the corresponding cancers listed in Table 4 (e.g., an indicator of Lynch syndrome may be endometrial cancer in the patient).

In some embodiments the genes of Panel P may be added iteratively to BRCA1 and BRCA2, which may include reflex testing later genes upon determining the patient is negative for earlier genes. In some embodiments the panel of test genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2 and CHEK2. In some embodiments, the panel of test genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2; and any one, two or three of ATM, NBN and/or PALB2. In some embodiments, the panel of test genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2; any one, two or three of ATM, NBN and/or PALB2; and any one or two of BARD1 and/or BRIP1. In some embodiments, the panel of test genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2; any one, two or three of ATM, NBN and/or PALB2; any one or two of BARD1 and/or BRIP1; and PMS2. In some embodiments, the panel of test genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2; any one, two or three of ATM, NBN and/or PALB2; any one or two of BARD1 and/or BRIP1; PMS2; and any one, two or three of MSH2, MSH6 and/or TP53. In some embodiments, the panel of test genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2; any one, two or three of ATM, NBN and/or PALB2; any one or two of BARD1 and/or BRIP1; PMS2; any one, two or three of MSH2, MSH6 and/or TP53; and MUTYH.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of diagnosing increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer comprising (1) identifying the patient as having at least one indicator of a genetic predisposition to breast or ovarian cancer; (2) assaying a sample from the patient to detect one or more mutations in a plurality of test genes comprising at least 3 (e.g., the top 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) genes in Panel D; and (3)(a) diagnosing the patient as having an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer if a mutation is detected in step (2) or (3)(b) diagnosing the patient as not having an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer if no mutation is detected in step (2).

In some embodiments, an indicator of genetic predisposition to breast or ovarian cancer is any of the following:

Personal and/or family history of ovarian cancer; Personal and/or family history of breast cancer (e.g., diagnosed before a certain age (e.g., 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70)); Personal and/or family history of two primary breast cancers; Personal and/or family history of male breast cancer; Personal and/or family history of triple negative breast cancer; Ashkenazi Jewish descent with personal and/or family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score of >7); Personal and/or family history of three or more cancers chosen from breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score of >7); or A previously identified mutation in any close blood relative in any of the at least 3 genes from Panel D.

As used above, “breast cancer” includes both invasive cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and “ovarian cancer” includes epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer. As used above, “personal history” of any of these indicators means patient has been identified as having the indicator (e.g., the patient has been diagnosed as having triple negative breast cancer). As used above, “family history” of any of these indicators means a close blood relative having such indicator and “close blood relative” means a 1 st , 2 nd , or 3 rd degree relative in either the maternal or paternal lineage.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of diagnosing increased risk of a Lynch syndrome cancer comprising (1) identifying the patient as having at least one indicator of a genetic predisposition to a Lynch syndrome cancer; (2) assaying a sample from the patient to detect one or more mutations in a plurality of test genes comprising at least 3 (e.g., the top 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) genes in Panel E; and (3)(a) diagnosing the patient as having an increased risk of the cancer if a mutation is detected in step (2) or (3)(b) diagnosing the patient as not having an increased risk of the cancer if no mutation is detected in step (2). As described in Example 3 below, the inventors have made the surprising discovery that mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 make a significant contribution to patients having Lynch syndrome. Thus in some embodiments the plurality of test genes comprises (a) MLH1, BRCA1, BRCA2; (b) MLH1, MSH2, BRCA1, BRCA2; (c) MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, BRCA1, BRCA2; (d) MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, BRCA1, BRCA2; (e) MLH1, MSH2, MUTYH, BRCA1, BRCA2; (f) MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, BRCA1, BRCA2; (g) MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, MUTYH, BRCA1, BRCA2; or (g) MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, MUTYH, EPCAM, BRCA1, BRCA2.

In some embodiments, an indicator of genetic predisposition to a Lynch syndrome cancer is any of the following:

Personal and/or family history of colorectal or endometrial cancer (e.g., before a certain age (e.g., 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70)); Personal and/or family history of colorectal cancer with MSI High histology (e.g., before a certain age (e.g., 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70)), with examples of MSI high histology including any of the following:

Mucinous Signet ring Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes Crohn's-like lymphocytic reaction Medullary growth pattern;

Personal and/or family history of colorectal or endometrial cancer with abnormal MSI/IHC tumor test result; Personal and/or family history of two or more Lynch syndrome cancers, including cases where at least one is before a certain age (e.g., 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70); Personal history of Lynch syndrome cancer with family history of a Lynch syndrome cancer; Three or more close blood relatives with a Lynch syndrome cancer; or A previously identified mutation in any close blood relative in any of the at least 3 genes from Panel E.

As used above, “Lynch syndrome cancer” may include any of the following: colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, ureter/renal pelvic cancer, biliary tract cancer, small bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, or sebaceous adenomas. As used above, “personal history” of any of these indicators means patient has been identified as having the indicator (e.g., the patient has been diagnosed as having endometrial cancer). As used above, “family history” of any of these indicators means a close blood relative having such indicator and “close blood relative” means a 1 st , 2 nd , or 3 rd degree relative in either the maternal or paternal lineage.

The nucleic acids to be analyzed in the methods and systems of the invention may vary in size. Thus, in some embodiments A=10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, or 90,000, or more and B=15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, or 100,000 or more. These embodiments include every combination of A and B as set forth in the preceding sentence, where B>A. For example, the nucleic acids to be analyzed may comprise (or consist of or consist essentially of) a range of nucleotides in length from any A to any B (e.g., from 10 to 15, 10 to 20, [ . . . ] 100 to 125, 100 to 150, etc.).

In some embodiments the plurality of DNA molecules comprises at least some length of intronic sequence adjacent to some (or all) of said one or more exons. In some embodiments, the plurality of DNA molecules comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or more base pairs of the intronic sequence on one or both sides of the exon(s). This may comprise some portion of the sequences disclosed herein, using Table 3 as reference for where exons and introns begin and end. For example, in one embodiment the plurality of DNA molecules comprises the exons of, e.g., the APC gene plus at least 20 intronic nucleotides upstream and 10 intronic nucleotides downstream of each exon. For Exon 3 of APC, for example, this would mean the plurality of DNA molecules comprises Exon 3 (nucleotides 501-702 of SEQ ID NO:7) and further comprises the first 20 nucleotides of the intron upstream of Exon 3 (nucleotides 481-500 of SEQ ID NO:7) and the first 10 nucleotides of the intron downstream of Exon 3 (nucleotides 703-712 of SEQ ID NO:7). Those skilled in the art can apply this to the other genes, exons, and sequences referenced in Table 3.

As mentioned above, the nucleic acids to be analyzed in the methods and systems of the invention comprise one or more exons of a plurality of genes. As used herein, a plurality of nucleic acid molecules comprises a sequence or group of sequences if such plurality of molecules together comprises the sequence or group of sequences. Multiple molecules together comprise a single sequence when the non-redundant sequences of the multiple molecules comprise such sequence. For example, a plurality of molecules may comprise the sequence of Exon 3 of the APC gene, which is just over 200 nucleotides long, despite each molecule being no more than 60 nucleotides long. This is true if the non-redundant sequences from the plurality of molecules, when considered end to end, comprise the full sequence of Exon 3. This example is illustrated in FIG. 1 , which shows how a plurality of DNA molecules can comprise Exon 3 of the APC gene plus 10 upstream and 10 downstream intronic nucleotides. No single molecule comprises all of Exon 3. When they are aligned, however, the non-redundant sequences of these molecules (underlined nucleotides in Read1 (SEQ ID NO:717) to Read6 (SEQ ID NO:722)) “together” make up a sequence (Composite (SEQ ID NO:723)) that comprises Exon 3 of the APC gene plus 10 upstream and 10 downstream intronic nucleotides (underlined nucleotides of Composite (SEQ ID NO:723)). As illustrated in FIG. 1 (Read1 (SEQ ID NO:717) and Read2 (SEQ ID NO:718)), the molecules to be analyzed may comprise additional moieties that may include additional nucleotides and nucleotide sequences, fluorescent labels, conjugated antibodies or other proteins. Such molecules may still “together” comprise sequence of interest if the non-redundant nucleotide sequences of the molecules end-to-end comprise that sequence.

The total number of genes analyzed in the methods, systems and kits of the invention may vary depending on resource and technical constraints. Thus, in some embodiments W=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69 or more and X=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, or 20,000 or more. These embodiments include every combination of W and X as set forth in the preceding sentence, where X>W. For example, the plurality of genes to be analyzed may comprise (or consist of or consist essentially of) a range of genes in number from any W to any X (e.g., from 10 to 15, 10 to 20, [ . . . ] 100 to 125, 100 to 150, etc.).

The plurality of genes analyzed in the methods, systems and kits of the invention will comprise at least some of the genes listed in Panels A-Q. Thus, in some embodiments the plurality of genes comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69 genes listed in Panels A-Q. In some embodiments the plurality of genes comprises gene numbers between Y and Z of any of Panels A-Q. In some such embodiments, Y=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 or 68 and Z=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69. In some embodiments, said plurality of genes comprises gene numbers 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 3 & 4, 4 & 5, 5 & 6, 6 & 7, 7 & 8, 8 & 9, 9 & 10, 10 & 11, 11 & 12, 12 & 13, 13 & 14, 14 & 15, 15 & 16, 16 & 17, 17 & 18, 18 & 19, 19 & 20, 20 & 21, 21 & 22, 22 & 23, 23 & 24, 24 & 25, 25 & 26, 26 & 27, 27 & 28, 28 & 29, 29 & 30, 30 & 31, 31 & 32, 32 & 33, 33 & 34, 34 & 35, 35 & 36, 36 & 37, 37 & 38, 38 & 39, 39 & 40, 40 & 41, 41 & 42, 42 & 43, 43 & 44, 44 & 45, 45 & 46, 46 & 47, 47 & 48, 48 & 49, 49 & 50, 50 & 51, 51 & 52, 52 & 53, 53 & 54, 54 & 55, 55 & 56, 56 & 57, 57 & 58, 58 & 59, 59 & 60, 60 & 61, 61 & 62, 62 & 63, 63 & 64, 64 & 65, 65 & 66, 66 & 67, 67 & 68, or 68 & 69 from any of Panels A-Q. These embodiments include every combination of Y and Z as set forth in the preceding sentences, where Y>Z. For example, the plurality of genes to be analyzed may comprise (or consist of or consist essentially of) a range of genes with a number from any Y to any Z in any of Panels A-Q (e.g., from 1 to 2, 1 to 3, 1 to 4, [ . . . ] 1 to 55, 2 to 3, 2 to 4, 2 to 5, [ . . . ] 2 to 55, etc.). In some embodiments the genes chosen from Panels A-Q comprise at least some percentage, e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, of the plurality of genes to be analyzed.

In some embodiments the plurality of DNA molecules comprises at least some length of intronic sequence adjacent to some (or all) of said one or more exons. In some embodiments, the plurality of DNA molecules comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or more base pairs of the intronic sequence.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of BRCA1, BRCA2, PTEN, PALB2, CHEK2, BRIP1, BARD1, CDH1, ATM, RAD50, MRE11A, NBN, RAD51C, TP53, or STK11. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2, PTEN, PALB2, CHEK2, BRIP1, BARD1, CDH1, ATM, RAD50, MRE11A, NBN, RAD51C, TP53, and STK11 together with at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additional gene(s) (including gene number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) from any of Panels A-Q.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM, APC or MUTYH. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM, APC and MUTYH together with at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additional gene(s) (including gene number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) from any of Panels A-Q.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, BARD1, CHEK2, MRE11A, NBN, RAD50, RAD51C, PALB2, TP53, PTEN, STK11, CDH1, ATM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS1, PMS2 or MUTYH. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, BARD1, CHEK2, MRE11A, NBN, RAD50, RAD51C, PALB2, TP53, PTEN, STK11, CDH1, ATM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS1, PMS2 and MUTYH together with at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additional gene(s) (including gene number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) from any of Panels A-Q.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of PTEN, PALB2, STK11, CHEK2, ATM or TP53. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises PTEN, PALB2, STK11, CHEK2, ATM and TP53 together with at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additional gene(s) (including gene number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) from any of Panels A-Q.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 or EPCAM. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM together with at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additional gene(s) (including gene number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) from any of Panels A-Q.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, or PMS2. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 together with at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additional gene(s) (including gene number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) from any of Panels A-Q.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of ACCA, COMT, CYP11B2, CYP19, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, EPHX, ERA, FASL, IGF2, INS, KLK10, MSH6, RAD51L3, SOD2, VDR, XPG, or XRCC2. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises ACCA, COMT, CYP11B2, CYP19, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, EPHX, ERA, FASL, IGF2, INS, KLK10, MSH6, RAD51L3, SOD2, VDR, XPG, and XRCC2 together with at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additional gene(s) (including gene number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) from any of Panels A-Q.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, RAD51, or NBN. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, RAD51, and NBN together with at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additional gene(s) (including gene number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) from any of Panels A-Q.

In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises the genes in any of Panels A-Q, with the proviso that the genes do not include one or more of ABL1, AKT1, ALK, APC, ATM, BRAF, CDH1, CDKN2A, CSF1R, CTNNB1, EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB4, FBXW7, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FLT3, GNAS, HNF1A, HRAS, IDH1, JAK2, JAK3, KDR, KIT, KRAS, MET, MLH1, MPL, NOTCH1, NPM1, NRAS, PDGFRA, PIK3CA, PTEN, PTPN11, RB1, RET, SMAD4, SMARCB1, SMO, SRC, STK11, TP53, or VHL. In some embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises ABL1, AKT1, ALK, APC, ATM, BRAF, CDH1, CDKN2A, CSF1R, CTNNB1, EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB4, FBXW7, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FLT3, GNAS, HNF1A, HRAS, IDH1, JAK2, JAK3, KDR, KIT, KRAS, MET, MLH1, MPL, NOTCH1, NPM1, NRAS, PDGFRA, PIK3CA, PTEN, PTPN11, RB1, RET, SMAD4, SMARCB1, SMO, SRC, STK11, TP53, and VHL together with at least one additional gene from any of Panels A-Q.

As used herein, a “deficiency” in a gene means the presence of some sequence, copy number, expression or epigenetic variation from wild-type in the gene that leads to a deleterious change in function. Sequence variations include point mutations, small (e.g., less than 1,000 nucleotides) deletions and insertions (including frameshift mutations), large (e.g., greater than 1,000 nucleotides) deletions and insertions, and transversions (e.g., reversal of direction in a region of the gene). Copy number variations include amplifications and deletions of substantially an entire gene. Epigenetic variations include variations in methylation, acetylation, etc. In the case of tumor suppressors, a deleterious change in function will generally be attenuated function. Examples include lowered or abolished transcription, lowered or abolished protein expression, and lowered or abolished protein function. Many variations that will lead to such changes may be recognized by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure, including frameshift or nonsense (premature stop) mutations; deletions, amplifications or transversions in large regions of the gene; missense mutations in critical interaction, structural or enzymatic regions; etc. In the case of oncogenes, a deleterious change in function will generally be heightened function. Examples include heightened transcription, heightened protein expression, and heightened protein function. Many variations that will lead to such changes may be recognized by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure, including amplification of the gene and activating mutations in enzymatic regions.

As used herein, a “germline” deficiency is any deficiency that is found in the germline of the individual as opposed to deficiencies found only in somatic tissues. For example, a deficiency found in a tumor tissue may either have originated in the germline or arisen somatically. Germline deficiencies may be detected by analyzing various types of samples. Generally, these samples will contain or be derived from cells expected to represent the germline. Examples include white blood cells, germ cells, etc. In some embodiments the nucleic acid analyzed is genomic DNA from such a cell (or DNA (e.g., PCR amplified DNA) derived therefrom). In other embodiments, the nucleic acid analyzed is transcript RNA (or complementary DNA transcribed therefrom) from such a cell. In some embodiments, protein derived from such a cell is analyzed for structural (e.g., amino acid sequence) and functional deficiencies.

Those skilled in the art are familiar with various techniques for sequencing nucleic acids in a sample. Useful techniques include, but are not limited to, Sanger sequencing, sequencing by synthesis (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,828,100, 7,276,720, and 7,283,337 and U.S. application publication nos. US20110212437, US20110229877, US20110177498, US20120064599, and US20120058468), single-molecule sequencing (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,148,516 and 8,137,569 and U.S. application publication nos. US20110212437, US20110229877, US20110177498, US20120064599, and US20120058468), etc. Examples include techniques developed by Applied Biosystems™ (SOLiD™), Illumina™ (HiSeq™), 454™, Pacific Biosciences™ (SMRT™), and Oxford Nanopore™ (GridION™ and MinION™), each of which is well-known to those skilled in the art.

As discussed above, the methods of the invention generally involve sequencing a panel of genes described herein. With modern techniques, it is often possible to sequence tens, hundreds or thousands of genes. Indeed, it is possible to sequence the entire genome. Once such a global assay has been performed, one may then informatically analyze one or more subsets of genes (i.e., panels or, as often used herein, pluralities of test genes). After sequencing hundreds or thousands of genes in a sample, for example, one may analyze (e.g., informatically) the sequences of a panel or plurality of test genes comprising primarily genes in any of Panels A-Q according to the present invention (e.g., to determine whether a patient has an increased risk of a particular cancer).

As used herein, a patient has an “increased risk” of a particular cancer if the probability of the patient developing that cancer (e.g., over the patient's lifetime, over some defined period of time (e.g., within 10 years), etc.) exceeds some reference probability or value. The reference probability may be the probability (i.e., prevalence) of the cancer across the general relevant patient population (e.g., all patients; all patients of a particular age, gender, ethnicity; patients having a particular cancer (and thus looking at the risk of a different cancer or an independent second primary of the same type as the first cancer); etc.). For example, if the lifetime probability of a particular cancer in the general population (or some specific subpopulation) is X % and a particular patient has been determined by the methods, systems or kits of the present invention to have a lifetime probability of that cancer of Y %, and if Y>X, then the patient has an “increased risk” of that cancer. Alternatively, the tested patient's probability may only be considered “increased” when it exceeds the reference probability by some threshold amount (e.g., at least 0.5, 0.75, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more fold or standard deviations greater than the reference probability; at least 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% greater than the reference probability).

The results of any analyses according to the invention will often be communicated to physicians, genetic counselors and/or patients (or other interested parties such as researchers) in a transmittable form that can be communicated or transmitted to any of the above parties. Such a form can vary and can be tangible or intangible. The results can be embodied in descriptive statements, diagrams, photographs, charts, images or any other visual forms. For example, graphs showing expression or activity level or sequence variation information for various genes can be used in explaining the results. Diagrams showing such information for additional target gene(s) are also useful in indicating some testing results. The statements and visual forms can be recorded on a tangible medium such as papers, computer readable media such as floppy disks, compact disks, etc., or on an intangible medium, e.g., an electronic medium in the form of email or website on internet or intranet. In addition, results can also be recorded in a sound form and transmitted through any suitable medium, e.g., analog or digital cable lines, fiber optic cables, etc., via telephone, facsimile, wireless mobile phone, internet phone and the like.

Thus, the information and data on a test result can be produced anywhere in the world and transmitted to a different location. As an illustrative example, when a sequencing (or genotyping) assay is conducted outside the United States, the information and data on a test result may be generated, cast in a transmittable form as described above, and then imported into the United States. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses methods and systems for producing a transmittable form of sequence information for at least one patient sample. The method comprises the steps of (1) sequencing nucleic acids in a sample according to methods of the present invention; and (2) embodying the result of the sequencing step in a transmittable form. The transmittable form is a product of such a method.

Techniques for analyzing sequence data (indeed any data obtained according to the invention) will often be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof in one or more computer systems or other processing systems capable of effectuating such analysis.

The sample analyzer in the systems of the invention can be any instrument useful in sequencing nucleic acids, including but not limited to, Illumina HiSeg™, Ion Torrent PGM, ABI SOLiD™ sequencer, PacBio RS, Helicos Heliscope™, or any instrument utilizing a sequencing system discussed above.

The computer-based analysis function can be implemented in any suitable language and/or browsers. For example, it may be implemented with C language and preferably using object-oriented high-level programming languages such as Visual Basic, SmallTalk, C++, and the like. The application can be written to suit environments such as the Microsoft Windows™ environment including Windows™ 98, Windows™ 2000, Windows™ NT, and the like. In addition, the application can also be written for the Macintosh™, SUN™, UNIX or LINUX environment. In addition, the functional steps can also be implemented using a universal or platform-independent programming language. Examples of such multi-platform programming languages include, but are not limited to, hypertext markup language (HTML), JAVA™, JavaScript™, Flash programming language, common gateway interface/structured query language (CGI/SQL), practical extraction report language (PERL), AppleScript™ and other system script languages, programming language/structured query language (PL/SQL), and the like. Java™—or JavaScript™-enabled browsers such as HotJava™, Microsoft™ Explorer™, or Netscape™ can be used. When active content web pages are used, they may include Java™ applets or ActiveX™ controls or other active content technologies.

The analysis function can also be embodied in computer program products and used in the systems described above or other computer- or internet-based systems. Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable program codes or instructions embodied thereon for enabling a processor to carry out gene status analysis. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus create means for implementing the functions or steps described above. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory or medium that can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory or medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the analysis. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions or steps described above.

One example of a computer system of the invention is the computer system [ 200 ] illustrated in FIG. 2 . Computer system [ 200 ] may include at least one input module [ 230 ] for entering patient data into the computer system [ 200 ]. The computer system [ 200 ] may include at least one output module [ 224 ] for indicating whether a patient has an increased or decreased likelihood of response and/or indicating suggested treatments determined by the computer system [ 200 ]. Computer system [ 200 ] may include at least one memory module [ 206 ] in communication with the at least one input module [ 230 ] and the at least one output module [ 224 ].

The at least one memory module [ 206 ] may include, e.g., a removable storage drive [ 208 ], which can be in various forms, including but not limited to, a magnetic tape drive, a floppy disk drive, a VCD drive, a DVD drive, an optical disk drive, etc. The removable storage drive [ 208 ] may be compatible with a removable storage unit [ 210 ] such that it can read from and/or write to the removable storage unit [ 210 ]. Removable storage unit [ 210 ] may include a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer-readable program codes or instructions and/or computer readable data. For example, removable storage unit [ 210 ] may store patient data. Example of removable storage unit [ 210 ] are well known in the art, including, but not limited to, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, optical disks, and the like. The at least one memory module [ 206 ] may also include a hard disk drive [ 212 ], which can be used to store computer readable program codes or instructions, and/or computer readable data.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 , the at least one memory module [ 206 ] may further include an interface [ 214 ] and a removable storage unit [ 216 ] that is compatible with interface [ 214 ] such that software, computer readable codes or instructions can be transferred from the removable storage unit [ 216 ] into computer system [ 200 ]. Examples of interface [ 214 ] and removable storage unit [ 216 ] pairs include, e.g., removable memory chips (e.g., EPROMs or PROMs) and sockets associated therewith, program cartridges and cartridge interface, and the like. Computer system [ 200 ] may also include a secondary memory module [ 218 ], such as random access memory (RAM).

Computer system [ 200 ] may include at least one processor module [ 202 ]. It should be understood that the at least one processor module [ 202 ] may consist of any number of devices. The at least one processor module [ 202 ] may include a data processing device, such as a microprocessor or microcontroller or a central processing unit. The at least one processor module [ 202 ] may include another logic device such as a DMA (Direct Memory Access) processor, an integrated communication processor device, a custom VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) device or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) device. In addition, the at least one processor module [ 202 ] may include any other type of analog or digital circuitry that is designed to perform the processing functions described herein.

As shown in FIG. 2 , in computer system [ 200 ], the at least one memory module [ 204 ], the at least one processor module [ 202 ], and secondary memory module [ 218 ] are all operably linked together through communication infrastructure [ 220 ], which may be a communications bus, system board, cross-bar, etc.). Through the communication infrastructure [ 220 ], computer program codes or instructions or computer readable data can be transferred and exchanged. Input interface [ 226 ] may operably connect the at least one input module [ 226 ] to the communication infrastructure [ 220 ]. Likewise, output interface [ 222 ] may operably connect the at least one output module [ 224 ] to the communication infrastructure [ 220 ].

The at least one input module [ 230 ] may include, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, scanner, and other input devices known in the art. The at least one output module [ 224 ] may include, for example, a display screen, such as a computer monitor, TV monitor, or the touch screen of the at least one input module [ 230 ]; a printer; and audio speakers. Computer system [ 200 ] may also include, modems, communication ports, network cards such as Ethernet cards, and newly developed devices for accessing intranets or the internet.

The at least one memory module [ 206 ] may be configured for storing patient data entered via the at least one input module [ 230 ] and processed via the at least one processor module [ 202 ]. Patient data relevant to the present invention may include sequence information for one or more of the genes in any of Panels A-Q. Patient data relevant to the present invention may also include clinical parameters relevant to the patient (e.g., age, lifestyle and environmental risk factors for cancer, previously diagnosed diseases (including previously diagnosed cancers), tumor size, node status, tumor stage). Any patient data a physician might find useful in making treatment decisions/recommendations may also be entered into the system, including but not limited to age, gender, and race/ethnicity and lifestyle data such as diet information. Other possible types of patient data include symptoms currently or previously experienced, patient's history of illnesses, medications, and medical procedures.

The at least one memory module [ 206 ] may include a computer-implemented method stored therein. The at least one processor module [ 202 ] may be used to execute software or computer-readable instruction codes of the computer-implemented method. The computer-implemented method may be configured to, based upon the patient data, indicate whether the patient has an increased likelihood of recurrence, progression or response to any particular treatment, generate a list of possible treatments, etc.

In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented method may be configured to identify a patient as having or not having an increased risk of a particular cancer. For example, the computer-implemented method may be configured to inform a physician that a particular patient has an increased risk of a particular cancer. Alternatively or additionally, the computer-implemented method may be configured to actually suggest a particular course of treatment based on the answers to/results for various queries.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a computer-implemented method [ 300 ] of the invention that may be implemented with the computer system [ 200 ] of the invention. The method [ 300 ] begins with one of multiple queries ([ 310 ], [ 311 ], [ 312 ]), either sequentially or substantially simultaneously. If the answer to/result for any of these queries is “Yes” [ 320 ], the method concludes [ 330 ] that the patient has an increased risk of a particular cancer (e.g., breast cancer if there is a germline deficiency in BRCA1). If the answer to/result for all of these queries is “No” [ 321 ], the method concludes [ 331 ] that the patient does not have, at least based on germline status of the tested genes, an increased risk of cancer. The method [ 300 ] may then proceed with more queries, make a particular treatment recommendation ([ 340 ], [ 341 ]), or simply end.

When the queries are performed sequentially, they may be made in the order suggested by FIG. 3 or in any other order. Whether subsequent queries are made can also be dependent on the results/answers for preceding queries. In some embodiments of the method illustrated in FIG. 3 , for example, the method asks about BRCA1 [ 311 ] first and, if the patient has a germline deficiency then the method concludes [ 330 ] or optionally confirms by BRCA2 status [ 311 ], and/or other HCG status [ 312 ]. Optionally, the method may query clinical parameters (e.g., tumor size, age, tumor stage) before or after querying any of the molecular characteristics of HCGs as shown. As mentioned above, the preceding order of queries may be modified. In some embodiments an answer of “yes” to one query (e.g., [ 310 ]) prompts one or more of the remaining queries to confirm that the patient has, e.g., increased risk of recurrence.

In some embodiments, the computer-implemented method of the invention is open-ended. In other words, the apparent first step [ 310 ] in FIG. 3 may actually form part of a larger process and, within this larger process, need not be the first step/query. Additional steps may also be added onto the core methods discussed above. These additional steps include, but are not limited to, informing a health care professional (or the patient itself) of the conclusion reached; combining the conclusion reached by the illustrated method [ 300 ] with other facts or conclusions to reach some additional or refined conclusion regarding the patient's diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, etc.; making a recommendation for treatment (e.g., “patient should/should not undergo prophylactic mastectomy”); additional queries about additional biomarkers, clinical parameters (e.g., age, tumor size, node status, tumor stage), or other useful patient information (e.g., age at diagnosis, general patient health, etc.).

Regarding the above computer-implemented method [ 300 ], the answers to the queries may be determined by the method instituting a search of patient data for the answer. For example, to answer the respective queries ([ 310 ], [ 311 ], [ 312 ]), patient data may be searched for germline sequence data for the HCGs to be analyzed (e.g., the genes in Panel B). The queries may be performed in no particular order or according to some desired order (e.g., in order of gene number in Panel B). If such a comparison has not already been performed, the method may compare these data to some reference in order to determine if the patient has a germline deficiency in any of the HCGs being analyzed. Additionally or alternatively, the method may present one or more of the queries ([ 310 ], [ 311 ], [ 312 ]) to a user (e.g., a physician) of the computer system [ 200 ]. For example, the questions ([ 310 ], [ 311 ], [ 312 ]) may be presented via an output module [ 224 ]. The user may then answer “Yes” or “No” or provide some other value (e.g., numerical or qualitative value representing germline HCG status) via an input module [ 230 ]. The method may then proceed based upon the answer received. Likewise, the conclusions [ 330 , 331 ] may be presented to a user of the computer-implemented method via an output module [ 224 ].

The practice of the present invention may also employ conventional biology methods, software and systems. Computer software products of the invention typically include computer readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing the logic steps of the method of the invention. Suitable computer readable medium include floppy disk, CD-ROM/DVD/DVD-ROM, hard-disk drive, flash memory, ROM/RAM, magnetic tapes and etc. Basic computational biology methods are described in, for example, Setubal et al., I NTRODUCTION TO C OMPUTATIONAL B IOLOGY M ETHODS (PWS Publishing Company, Boston, 1997); Salzberg et al. (Ed.), C OMPUTATIONAL M ETHODS IN M OLECULAR B IOLOGY , (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1998); Rashidi & Buehler, B IOINFORMATICS B ASICS : A PPLICATION IN B IOLOGICAL S CIENCE AND M EDICINE (CRC Press, London, 2000); and Ouelette & Bzevanis, B IOINFORMATICS : A P RACTICAL G UIDE FOR A NALYSIS OF G ENE AND P ROTEINS (Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2 nd ed., 2001); see also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,108.

The present invention may also make use of various computer program products and software for a variety of purposes, such as probe design, management of data, analysis, and instrument operation. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,593,839; 5,795,716; 5,733,729; 5,974,164; 6,066,454; 6,090,555; 6,185,561; 6,188,783; 6,223,127; 6,229,911 and 6,308,170. Additionally, the present invention may have embodiments that include methods for providing genetic information over networks such as the Internet as shown in U.S. Ser. No. 10/197,621 (U.S. Pub. No. 20030097222); Ser. No. 10/063,559 (U.S. Pub. No. 20020183936), Ser. No. 10/065,856 (U.S. Pub. No. 20030100995); Ser. No. 10/065,868 (U.S. Pub. No. 20030120432); Ser. No. 10/423,403 (U.S. Pub. No. 20040049354).

The terms “probe” and “oligonucleotide” (also “oligo”), when used in the context of nucleic acids, interchangeably refer to a relatively short nucleic acid fragment or sequence. The invention also provides primers useful in the methods of the invention. “Primers” are oligonucleotides capable, under the right conditions and with the right companion reagents, of selectively amplifying a target nucleic acid (e.g., a target exon or gene). In the context of nucleic acids, “probe” is used herein to encompass “primer” since primers can generally also serve as probes.

The probe can generally be of any suitable size/length. In some embodiments the probe is between A and B nucleotides in length. In some embodiments A=10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, or 90,000, or more and B=15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, or 100,000 or more. These embodiments include every combination of A and B as set forth in the preceding sentence, where B>A. For example, the probe may comprise (or consist of or consist essentially of) a range of nucleotides in length from any A to any B (e.g., from 10 to 15, 10 to 20, [ . . . ] 100 to 125, 100 to 150, etc.). In some embodiments the probe has a length from about 8 to 200, 15 to 150, 15 to 100, 15 to 75, 15 to 60, or 20 to 55 bases in length. They can be labeled with detectable markers with any suitable detection marker including but not limited to, radioactive isotopes, fluorophores, biotin, enzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphatase), enzyme substrates, ligands and antibodies, etc. See Jablonski et al., N UCLEIC A CIDS R ES . (1986) 14:6115-6128; Nguyen et al., B IOTECHNIQUES (1992) 13:116-123; Rigby et al., J. M OL . B IOL . (1977) 113:237-251. Indeed, probes may be modified in any conventional manner for various molecular biological applications. Techniques for producing and using such oligonucleotide probes are conventional in the art.

Probes according to the invention can be used in the hybridization, amplification, detection or sequencing techniques discussed above. Thus, some embodiments of the invention comprise probe sets (including primer sets) suitable for use in detecting, amplifying, quantitating, and/or sequencing HCGs of the invention. In some embodiments the probe sets have a certain proportion of their probes directed to HCGs (e.g., HCGs in any of Panels A-Q)—e.g., a probe set consisting of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% probes specific for HCGs.

The total number of genes to which the probes in the probe set are directed may vary depending on resource and technical constraints. In some embodiments the probe set comprises (or consists of or consists essentially of) probes directed to between W and X genes, where W=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, or 55 or more and X=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, or 20,000 or more. These embodiments include every combination of W and X as set forth in the preceding sentence, where X>W. For example, the plurality of genes to which probes in the probes set are directed may comprise (or consist of or consist essentially of) a range of genes in number from any W to any X (e.g., from 10 to 15, 10 to 20, [ . . . ] 100 to 125, 100 to 150, etc.).

In some embodiments the genes to which probes in the probe set are directed will comprise at least some of the genes listed in Panels A-Q. Thus, in some embodiments the probe set comprises probes directed to at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, or 55 genes listed in Panels A-Q. In some embodiments the probe set comprises probes directed to between Y and Z gene of any of Panels A-Q, wherein Y=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, or 54 and Z=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55. In some embodiments, said plurality of genes comprises gene numbers 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 3 & 4, 4 & 5, 5 & 6, 6 & 7, 7 & 8, 8 & 9, 9 & 10, 10 & 11, 11 & 12, 12 & 13, 13 & 14, 14 & 15, 15 & 16, 16 & 17, 17 & 18, 18 & 19, 19 & 20, 20 & 21, 21 & 22, 22 & 23, 23 & 24, 24 & 25, 25 & 26, 26 & 27, 27 & 28, 28 & 29, 29 & 30, 30 & 31, 31 & 32, 32 & 33, 33 & 34, 34 & 35, 35 & 36, 36 & 37, 37 & 38, 38 & 39, 39 & 40, 40 & 41, 41 & 42, 42 & 43, 43 & 44, 44 & 45, 45 & 46, 46 & 47, 47 & 48, 48 & 49, 49 & 50, 50 & 51, 51 & 52, 52 & 53, 53 & 54, or 54 & 55 from any of Panels A-Q. These embodiments include every combination of Y and Z as set forth in the preceding sentences, where Y>Z. For example, the probe set comprises (or consists of or consists essentially of) probes directed to a range of genes with a number from any Y to any Z in any of Panels A-Q (e.g., from 1 to 2, 1 to 3, 1 to 4, [ . . . ] 1 to 55, 2 to 3, 2 to 4, 2 to 5, [ . . . ] 2 to 55, etc.).

As used herein, a probe (or primer) is “directed to” a gene when such probe hybridizes under some minimal stringency conditions (e.g., high stringency conditions) to a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence specific for such gene (e.g., in the genome essentially only found in that gene).

In another aspect of the present invention, a kit is provided for practicing the prognosis of the present invention. The kit may include a carrier for the various components of the kit. The carrier can be a container or support, in the form of, e.g., bag, box, tube, rack, and is optionally compartmentalized. The carrier may define an enclosed confinement for safety purposes during shipment and storage. The kit many include oligonucleotides directed to (e.g., specifically hybridizing under high stringency to) mRNA or cDNA of a plurality of genes in any of Panels A-Q. Such oligonucleotides can be used as PCR primers in RT-PCR reactions, or hybridization probes. In some embodiments the kit comprises reagents (e.g., probes, primers, and or antibodies) for determining the sequence of a panel of genes, where said panel comprises at least 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% HCGs (e.g., HCGs in any of Panels A-Q). In some embodiments the kit consists of reagents (e.g., probes, primers, and or antibodies) for determining the expression level of no more than 2500 genes, wherein at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150, 200, 250, or more of these genes are HCGs (e.g., HCGs in any of Panels A-Q).

The oligonucleotides in the detection kit can be labeled with any suitable detection marker including but not limited to, radioactive isotopes, fluorephores, biotin, enzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphatase), enzyme substrates, ligands and antibodies, etc. See Jablonski et al., N UCLEIC A CIDS R ES ., 14:6115-6128 (1986); Nguyen et al., B IOTECHNIQUES , 13:116-123 (1992); Rigby et al., J. M OL . B IOL ., 113:237-251 (1977). Alternatively, the oligonucleotides included in the kit are not labeled, and instead, one or more markers are provided in the kit so that users may label the oligonucleotides at the time of use.

Various other components useful in the detection techniques may also be included in the detection kit of this invention. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, Taq polymerase, deoxyribonucleotides, dideoxyribonucleotides, other primers suitable for the amplification of a target DNA sequence, RNase A, and the like. In addition, the detection kit preferably includes instructions on using the kit for practice the prognosis method of the present invention using human samples.

A method for sequencing nucleic acids comprising: (1) isolating a plurality of nucleic acid molecules from a sample taken from a patient, each nucleic acid molecule comprising between A and B nucleotides in length, said plurality of nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more exons of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, and said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; and (2) determining the sequence of said plurality of nucleic acid molecules.

A method for determining whether a patient has an increased risk of cancer, which comprises: (1) determining for a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q, whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any genes in said plurality of genes; and either (2) correlating a germline deficiency in any of said plurality of genes to an increased risk of cancer, or (3) correlating the absence of a germline deficiency in all of said plurality of genes to no increased risk of cancer.

The method of Embodiment 2 further comprising (a) isolating a plurality of nucleic acid molecules from a sample taken from a patient, each nucleic acid molecule comprising between A and B nucleotides in length, and said plurality of nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more exons of said plurality of genes and (b) determining the sequence of said plurality of nucleic acid molecules.

The method of Embodiment 3, further comprising detecting a germline deficiency in a gene by comparing the sequence determined in (b) with one or more reference sequences.

A method for treating a patient comprising (1) determining for a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q, whether the patient has a germline deficiency in any genes in said plurality of genes; and (2)(a) correlating a germline deficiency in any of said plurality of genes to an increased risk of cancer, or (2)(b) correlating the absence of a germline deficiency in all of said plurality of genes to no increased risk of cancer; and (3) recommending, prescribing, or administering a treatment to reduce the patient's risk of cancer.

The method of Embodiment 5, wherein said treatment comprises surgery to remove all or part of the organ in which the patient has an increased risk of cancer.

The method of Embodiment 6, wherein said surgery is chosen from the group consisting of mastectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, colectomy, and prostatectomy.

The method of Embodiment 5, wherein said treatment comprises preventive drug treatment.

The method of Embodiment 8, wherein said preventive drug treatment comprises tamoxifen treatment.

A system comprising (1) computer program for receiving, storing, and/or retrieving a patient's sequence data for a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; (2) computer program for querying this patient data; (3) optionally a computer program for comparing the patient's sequence data to one or more reference sequences to determine whether there is a mutation; (4) computer program for concluding whether there is an increased likelihood of cancer based on the presence or absence of a mutation; and optionally (4) computer program for outputting/displaying this conclusion.

A system for sequencing genes in a sample, comprising: (1) a sample analyzer for sequencing a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q, wherein the sample analyzer contains (a) the sample which is from a patient, (b) genomic DNA from the sample, (c) transcript RNA from the sample, or (d) DNA synthesized from said genomic DNA; (2) a first computer program for receiving test sequence data on the plurality of genes; and (3) a second computer program for comparing the sequence data to one or more reference sequences.

The system of Embodiment 11, comprising a computer program for determining the patient's degree of risk of cancer based at least in part on the comparison of the test sequence with said one or more reference sequences.

The system of Embodiment 12, wherein said computer program for determining the patient's degree of risk of cancer compares the patient's determined probability of a particular cancer with a reference probability to determine whether the patient has an increased risk of such cancer.

A composition comprising:

(a) nucleic acid probes hybridizing to a plurality of nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more exons of a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, and said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; (b) nucleic acid primers and primer pairs suitable for selectively amplifying nucleic acids of (a); (c) antibodies binding immunologically to polypeptides encoded by a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, and said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; (d) a probe set comprising (a), (b) and/or (c); or (e) a microarray comprising (a), (b), (c), and/or (d).

A kit comprising: reagents for sequencing nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more exons of a plurality of genes comprising a plurality of genes consisting of between W and X genes, said plurality of genes comprising at least two genes in any of Panels A-Q; and instructions for using said reagents.

The kit of Embodiment 15, comprising a composition of claim 14 .

The kit of Embodiment 15, wherein said reagents are PCR primers specific for the plurality of genes.

The kit of Embodiment 15, wherein said reagents are PCR primers specific for the exons of the plurality of genes.

The kit of Embodiment 15, wherein said reagents are oligonucleotide probes specific for the exons of the plurality of genes.

The kit of Embodiment 15, wherein said reagents are packaged into an array.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1, 3, or 4, comprising comparing the sequences determined in an earlier step with one or more reference sequences.

The method of Embodiment 21, comprising correlating a difference between the determined sequences and the one or more reference sequences to a mutation in one or more of the genes in the plurality of genes.

The method of Embodiment 21 or Embodiment 22, wherein the reference sequence for any given gene in the plurality is any of the sequences corresponding to that gene as shown in Table 3.

The system of any one of Embodiments 10-13, comprising a computer program for determining whether the patient has a mutation in one or more of the genes in the plurality of genes by determining whether there is a difference between the determined sequences and the one or more reference sequences.

The system of Embodiment 24, wherein the reference sequence for any given gene in the panel is any of the sequences corresponding to that gene as shown in Table 3.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-9, or 21-23, comprising correlating a germline deficiency in any particular gene in the plurality of genes to an increased risk of a particular cancer as shown in Table 4.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-9, 21-23, or 26, comprising diagnosing the patient with an increased risk of a particular cancer as shown in Table 4 based at least in part on a germline deficiency in any particular gene in the plurality of genes.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-9, 21-23, comprising correlating no germline deficiency in any gene in the plurality of genes with no increased risk of any cancer.

The system of any one of Embodiments 10-13, comprising a computer program for determining the patient's degree of risk of any particular cancer as shown in Table 4 based at least in part on the comparison of the test sequence with said one or more reference sequences.

The method of any of Embodiments 1, 3 or 4, wherein A=10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, or 90,000, or more; and B=15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, or 100,000 or more.

The method of any of Embodiments 1, 3 or 4, wherein said plurality of DNA molecules comprises at least some length of intronic sequence adjacent to at least one of said one or more exons.

The method of Embodiment 31, wherein said plurality of DNA molecules comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or more base pairs of the intronic sequence on one or both sides of the at least one exon.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-10, 21-23, 26-28, or 30-32, wherein W=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69 or more; and X=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, or 20,000 or more.

The system of any one of Embodiments 10-13, 24, 25, or 29, wherein W=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69 or more; and X=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, or 20,000 or more.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-10, 21-23, 26-28, or 30-33, wherein said plurality of genes comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69 genes listed in any of Panels A-Q.

The system of any one of Embodiments 10-13, 24, 25, 29, or 34, wherein said plurality of genes comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69 genes listed in any of Panels A-Q.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-10, 21-23, 26-28, 30-33, or 35, wherein the plurality of genes comprises gene numbers between Y and Z of any of Panels A-Q and Y=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 or 68 and Z=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-10, 21-23, 26-28, 30-33, 35, or 37, wherein said plurality of genes comprises gene numbers 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 3 & 4, 4 & 5, 5 & 6, 6 & 7, 7 & 8, 8 & 9, 9 & 10, 10 & 11, 11 & 12, 12 & 13, 13 & 14, 14 & 15, 15 & 16, 16 & 17, 17 & 18, 18 & 19, 19 & 20, 20 & 21, 21 & 22, 22 & 23, 23 & 24, 24 & 25, 25 & 26, 26 & 27, 27 & 28, 28 & 29, 29 & 30, 30 & 31, 31 & 32, 32 & 33, 33 & 34, 34 & 35, 35 & 36, 36 & 37, 37 & 38, 38 & 39, 39 & 40, 40 & 41, 41 & 42, 42 & 43, 43 & 44, 44 & 45, 45 & 46, 46 & 47, 47 & 48, 48 & 49, 49 & 50, 50 & 51, 51 & 52, 52 & 53, 53 & 54, 54 & 55, 55 & 56, 56 & 57, 57 & 58, 58 & 59, 59 & 60, 60 & 61, 61 & 62, 62 & 63, 63 & 64, 64 & 65, 65 & 66, 66 & 67, 67 & 68, or 68 & 69 of any of Panels A-Q.

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-10, 21-23, 26-28, 30-33, 35, or 37-38, wherein the genes chosen from Panels A-Q comprise at least 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, of the plurality of genes to be analyzed.

The system of any one of Embodiments 10-13, 24, 25, 29, 34, or 36, wherein said plurality of genes comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69 genes listed in any of Panels A-Q.

The system of any one of Embodiments 10-13, 24, 25, 29, 34, 36, or 40, wherein the plurality of genes comprises gene numbers between Y and Z of any of Panels A-Q and Y=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 or 68 and Z=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69.

The system of any one of Embodiments 10-13, 24, 25, 29, 34, 36, or 40-41, wherein said plurality of genes comprises gene numbers 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 3 & 4, 4 & 5, 5 & 6, 6 & 7, 7 & 8, 8 & 9, 9 & 10, 10 & 11, 11 & 12, 12 & 13, 13 & 14, 14 & 15, 15 & 16, 16 & 17, 17 & 18, 18 & 19, 19 & 20, 20 & 21, 21 & 22, 22 & 23, 23 & 24, 24 & 25, 25 & 26, 26 & 27, 27 & 28, 28 & 29, 29 & 30, 30 & 31, 31 & 32, 32 & 33, 33 & 34, 34 & 35, 35 & 36, 36 & 37, 37 & 38, 38 & 39, 39 & 40, 40 & 41, 41 & 42, 42 & 43, 43 & 44, 44 & 45, 45 & 46, 46 & 47, 47 & 48, 48 & 49, 49 & 50, 50 & 51, 51 & 52, 52 & 53, 53 & 54, 54 & 55, 55 & 56, 56 & 57, 57 & 58, 58 & 59, 59 & 60, 60 & 61, 61 & 62, 62 & 63, 63 & 64, 64 & 65, 65 & 66, 66 & 67, 67 & 68, or 68 & 69 of any of Panels A-Q.

The system of any one of Embodiments 10-13, 24, 25, 29, 34, 36, or 40-42, wherein the genes chosen from Panels A-Q comprise at least 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, of the plurality of genes to be analyzed.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The mere mentioning of the publications and patent applications does not necessarily constitute an admission that they are prior art to the instant application.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.