Cancer Variant Interpretation Group UK (CanVIG-UK): updates on an exemplar national subspecialty multidisciplinary network
Garrett, Alice Allen, Sophie Rowlands, Charlie F Choi, Subin Durkie, Miranda Burghel, George J Robinson, Rachel Callaway, Alison Field, Joanne Frugtniet, Bethan
Garrett, Alice
Allen, Sophie
Rowlands, Charlie F
Choi, Subin
Durkie, Miranda
Burghel, George J
Robinson, Rachel
Callaway, Alison
Field, Joanne
Frugtniet, Bethan
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer Variant Interpretation Group UK (CanVIG-UK) was established in 2017 in response to the publication of the 2015 American College of Medical Genetics/Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) v3 guidance for the interpretation of sequence variants. Its initial purpose was to ensure consistency in the UK clinical-laboratory community implementation of ACMG/AMP v3 guidance for cancer susceptibility genes (CSGs). Still convening for monthly national meetings, the remit of CanVIG-UK now encompasses additional activities delivered under the following objectives: (1) creation of a national multidisciplinary professional network and regular forum, (2) delivery of training and education, (3) establishment of a consensus approach to the fundamentals of variant interpretation in CSGs, (4) development and ratification of gene-specific frameworks for variant interpretation for CSGs, (5) development and maintenance of an online platform to facilitate information sharing and variant interpretation within the UK clinical-laboratory community and (6) facilitation of UK contribution to international variant interpretation endeavours.
METHODS: A survey of CanVIG-UK members evaluating the impact of these activities conducted in November 2025 had 163 responses, including 113 clinical scientists/trainees and 27 Clinical Genetics consultants/trainees.
RESULTS: The utility of the CanVIG-UK consensus recommendations for variant interpretation in CSGs was highly rated, with 89/145 (61.4%) of survey respondents reporting using the guidance at least weekly (≥4 times/month) and 124/128 (96.9%) rating it as extremely/very useful. The usage frequency and perceived utility reported for the gene-specific guidance by survey respondents were similar.
CONCLUSION: Both qualitative and quantitative survey responses clearly demonstrate the value of the CanVIG-UK activities to the clinical-diagnostic community.
MIDER Authors
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Date
2026-07-15
Type
Article
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Citation
Garrett A, Allen S, Rowlands CF, Choi S, Durkie M, Burghel GJ, Robinson R, Callaway A, Field J, Frugtniet B, Palmer-Smith S, Grant J, Pagan J, McDevitt T, Hughes L, Johnston E, Yarram-Smith L, Logan P, Reed L, Snape K, Hanson H, McVeigh TP, Turnbull C; CanVIG-UK. Cancer Variant Interpretation Group UK (CanVIG-UK): updates on an exemplar national subspecialty multidisciplinary network. J Med Genet. 2026 Jul 15:jmg-2026-111625. doi: 10.1136/jmg-2026-111625. Epub ahead of print.