Atypical risk variants in oncology and rare disease: Findings from a review of laboratory case studies and over 6000 ClinVar submissions

Date:
Saturday, Nov 8, 2025 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Conference:
NSGC 2025
Authors:
Ashley PL Marsh, Audrey O’Neill, B. Monica Bowen, Claire Watson, Colin C. Young, Emily Kudalkar, Erica Smith, Marcy Richardson, Noriko N. Yokoyama, Wendy Alcaraz

Presenting Author: B. Monica Bowen, PhD

Take home points: 

  1. We review select variants in oncology and rare disease that highlight the nuances involved in assessing pathogenic variants that may warrant special language when reported.
  2. We also highlight variable usage of the terms hypomorph, pathogenic low penetrance, and atypical risk in the ClinVar database and call for improved guidance and terminology for these variant types.