Genetic Risks for Childhood Cancer Complications in Switzerland

Background and rationale :

Around 300 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year in Switzerland. A wide range of acute and chronic complications have been linked to cancer and its treatments. Cancer treatments, though highly curative, have a high incidence of adverse events, not only acutely but also chronically. Depending on the type and dose of treatments, the complications vary. There are important inter-individual differences in the type and severity of complications associated with similar cancer treatments. Genetic variation was identified to affect some complications and is suspected to play an important role in many of these differences.

The GECCOS project on analysis of genetic risks for complications associated with childhood cancers fills the gap to analyze germline genetic data with clinical information on short- and long-term complications. This has not been done on a nationwide scale in Switzerland yet. The GECCOS project will improve knowledge on germline genetic risks for complications and further personalize care during acute treatment and follow-up of childhood cancer patients.

Objectives:

Primary objectives:

• Identify genetic variants associated with complications after childhood cancer leading to specific organ dysfunctions and second primary neoplasms.
• Evaluate the functional importance of genetic variants for complications after childhood cancer through in silico and in vitro studies.

Secondary objective:

Assess genetic variants and their impact on multiple outcomes as a result of specific treatment exposures.

Inclusion criteria

• Registered in the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR) since 1976; AND
• consented to the BaHOP (host biobank for the BISKIDS Biobanking project); AND
• diagnosed with cancer according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer, version 3, ICCC-3, or Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) before age 21 years.

Exclusion criteria

• Lacking written consent signed by participant and/ or their legal representative to participate in the BaHOP (where applicable); OR
• died after study participation and declined use of their samples and data after their death in the original consent for BaHOP (as indicated on the BaHOP consent).