BRCAplus

The BRCAplus app is aimed at doctors who would like to find out more about the rationale, indications and implementation of BRCA1/2 or HRD diagnostics. The concept and implementation of the app take two important requirements into account:

- Quick access to practical topics.
- Links to important resources for education and testing.

The BRCAplus app offers well-structured information based on current evidence, recommendations, guidelines and laws.

For a better overview you can find:

• Prefixed summaries.
• Highlights for better reception.
• Numerous illustrative graphics that you can share with your colleagues directly via the app.

The requirements of BRCA diagnostics for therapy planning in comparison to family risk assessment as well as the procedure for molecular genetic analysis are presented step by step from the choice of sample material to the findings. This includes information:

• to initiate diagnostics for therapy planning,
• to the sample material,
• for genetic analysis using NGS,
• for bioinformatics and data interpretation,
• for the classification of BRCA1/2 variants,
• on molecular genetic findings,
• for genetic clarification.


More and more tumor diseases can be characterized genetically and treated in a targeted manner. The number of identified cancer-relevant genes is constantly increasing. The BRCA1/2 genes are particularly important for therapy planning with PARP inhibitors, as is the detection of HRD (homologous recombination deficiency), which includes BRCA1/2m and/or genomic instability, in advanced ovarian cancer [1–3] .

The app informs about:

- what functions BRCA1/2 genes have,
- how homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) occurs,
- what therapeutic starting points result from this.

If you would like to find out how germline mutated or somatically mutated BRCA1/2 genes differ and impact, click directly on the relevant category.

The detection of pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants is established for risk assessment and therapy planning. But what is meant by a BRCAness phenotype? How is HRD proven? The BRCAplus app offers answers.

Another section is dedicated to the mechanism of action of PARP inhibition. Keywords: synthetic lethality and PARP trapping.

The topic of therapy planning. The app explains:

- what current recommendations are available,
- in which situations PARP inhibitors can be used in the respective indications,
- the registration studies with the PARP inhibitor olaparib.
- where quality-assured BRCA1/2 or HRD diagnostics can be carried out anywhere in Germany.


The content in this app was created by AstraZeneca and MSD with the support of experts in their respective fields.

References
1. The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) – NCI. On the Internet: https://www.cancer.gov/ccg/research/genome-sequencing/tcga; As of: July 2, 2024
2. Guideline program oncology (German Cancer Society, German Cancer Aid, AWMF): S3 guidelines for diagnostics, therapy and aftercare of malignant ovarian tumors, long version 5.1, 2024, AWMF registration number: 032/035OL. On the Internet: https://www.leitlinienprogramm-onkologie.de/leitlinien/ovarialkrebs/; As of: July 22, 2024
3. Lynparza® technical information; Current status. On the Internet: https://www.fachinfo.de/pdf/021996; As of: August 8, 2024