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  • EELS (Ethical Economic Legal and Social) Article
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EELS Paper

Management and return of incidental genomic findings in clinical trials

The Pharmacogenomics Journal volume 15, pages 1–5 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Whole-genome/exome sequencing used in clinical trials (CTs) to identify ‘druggable’ mutations and targets uncovers incidental findings unrelated to the trial objectives but of value for participants, although ethically challenging. To be disclosed to trial participants, the analytical validity, clinical validity, clinical utility, clinical relevance and actionability of incidental genomic findings (IGFs) must be established. Special considerations should be taken with minors to disclose only those findings related to early-onset conditions or diseases and in cases where early implementation of measures is necessary to prevent the occurrence of diseases. A plan for disclosing incidental findings that classifies the types that can be found, and who, when and how these findings will be disclosed to participants, should be included in the trial protocol to be approved by the relevant institutional review board. IGFs in CTs raise new ethical challenges that must be discussed by CT stakeholders, professional associations and patient advocates.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Oliver Shaw for his editorial assistance.

Author information

Author notes

  1. C Ayuso and R Dal-Re: These two authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, Health Research Institute—Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS—FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain

    C Ayuso

  2. Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases CIBERER ISCIII, Madrid, Spain

    C Ayuso & J M Millan

  3. Genetics Unit, La Fe University Hospital (IIS-La Fe), Valencia, Spain

    J M Millan

  4. Clinical Research, BUC (Biosciences UAM+CSIC) Program, International Campus of Excellence, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    R Dal-Re

Authors
  1. C Ayuso
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Correspondence to C Ayuso.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Ayuso, C., Millan, J. & Dal-Re, R. Management and return of incidental genomic findings in clinical trials. Pharmacogenomics J 15, 1–5 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/tpj.2014.62

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