Knowledge, acceptability and personal attitude toward pre-implantation 1 genetic testing (PGT) and pre-natal diagnosis (PND) for females carrying BRCA pathogenic variant according to fertility preservation experience

Abstract

Purpose: Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-M) and prenatal diagnosis (PND) followed by medical termination of pregnancy when the fetus is affected are two procedures developed to avoid the transmission of a severe hereditary disease which can be proposed to females that carried BRCA pathogenic variants. These females can also be offered fertility preservation (FP) when diagnosed with cancer or even before a malignancy occurs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acceptability and personal attitude of women carrying a BRCA mutation toward techniques that can prevent BRCA transmission to their progeny.

Methods: Female mutated for BRCA1 or BRCA2 were invited to complete an online survey of 49 queries anonymously between June and August 2022.

Results: A total of 87 participants responded to the online survey. Overall, 86.2% of women considered that PGT-M should be proposed to all BRCA mutation carriers regardless of the severity of the family history, and 47.1% considered or would consider PGT-M for themselves. For PND, these percentages were lower reaching 66.7% and 29.9%, respectively. Females with personal history of breast cancer or FP achievement were more prone to undergo PND for themselves despite the overall acceptability of this procedure. Among the subgroup who had undergone FP (n = 58), there was no significant difference in acceptance of principle and personal attitude toward PGT-M and PND compared to the group without FP.

Conclusion: BRCA pathogenic variants female carriers do need information about reproductive issues, even if they are not prone to undergo PGT-M nor PND for themselves.

Trial registration number: N/A.

Keywords: BRCA mutation; Fertility preservation; Preimplantation genetic testing; Prenatal diagnosis; Survey.