Work

Implementation of comprehensive genome analysis in clinical sequencing at an academic institution

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Given the increasing number of diseases for which causative genes have been identified, we are facing the need for implementing comprehensive genome sequence analysis as a molecular diagnostic system for patients with hereditary diseases in daily clinical practice. We established a laboratory-developed test (LDT) with the implementation of whole-exome sequence analysis (WES) as the clinical sequencing system at an academic institution. WES was conducted on 81 patients with suspected hereditary disorders referred from clinical departments in our hospital from 2021 to 2024. Target genes were selected on the basis of the clinical presentations of the patients and expanded when necessary. Additional analyses, including copy number and zygosity analyses, further improved the diagnostic accuracy. The overall diagnostic yield was 42.0%, excluding four patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis confirmed as wild-type ATTR Amyloidosis (ATTRwt). High diagnostic yields were associated with the presence of family histories. Secondary findings were searched in 73 patients, and pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were disclosed to three patients, leading to their subsequent clinical follow-up. Internal and external quality controls ensured analytical reliability. This study demonstrates that the implementation of LDT-based comprehensive genome analysis is highly useful in daily clinical practice, achieving a high diagnostic yield comparable to those in previous large-scale studies; furthermore, the clinical sequencing seamlessly harmonizes the research-level investigations, providing highly valuable results. Broader insurance coverage will be essential for expanding equitable access to the genetic tests based on comprehensive genome sequence analysis.

Source: Journal of Human Genetics

DOI: 10.1038/s10038-026-01482-x

Authors: Naoko Saito-Sato, Masaki Tanaka, Junko Nomoto, Kanako Koike Fukushima, Masakazu Nishigaki, Shoji Tsuji

Institutions: International University of Health and Welfare Narita Hospital, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, International University of Health and Welfare

Language: English

Topic: Genomics and Rare Diseases

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,490