Fetal Genome Profiling After Non-Invasive Isolation of Trophoblast Cells

The primary purpose of the study is to validate trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) as a means of reliable non invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis (for both chromosomal abnormalities, as well as single gene defects).

The study population will be recruited from women, age 18 to 45, presenting to the Center for Reproductive Medicine (CRM) for medical care with the desire to become pregnant. Patients that achieve pregnancy will be invited by a physician to participate in the study. If prospective subjects agree to participate, they will meet with a co-investigator to go through the informed consent process.

Subjects will undergo a one-time non-invasive collection of trophoblast cells (trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix, TRIC) at approximately 5-6 weeks of pregnancy as the experimental procedure for the study. TRIC is performed with ThinPrep kits using a cytobrush, the same method of Pap smear collection which is a routine part of prenatal care. The fetal trophoblast cells will then be isolated using immunomagnetic isolation. Once isolated, DNA fragmentation, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and single-cell PCR methods will be utilized to analyze the fetal genome at single nucleotide resolution. Any abnormal results identified by TRIC will be communicated to the subjects' by their physician in the office who will counsel them on the potential meaning of the results and recommend follow up testing to be ordered by their obstetrician to confirm results.

The cellular analysis from TRIC will then be compared to results obtained from CVS, amniocentesis, preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) and/or preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of the transferred embryo(s), or cytogenetic testing of fetal tissue in the event of miscarriage or pregnancy termination for validation. In the event that a patient does not undergo any of the aforementioned testing, TRIC results will be compared to birth outcomes.

Subjects will be followed via medical records through the final outcome of the pregnancy, whether termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, or live birth. If the pregnancy results in termination of pregnancy or miscarriage, cytogenetic testing of the fetus will be completed as standard care with the results compared to those obtained through TRIC testing. If the pregnancy results in live birth, basic neonatal information will be obtained via medical records, specifically whether the neonate is diagnosed with a disorder that can be identified through single gene testing (see attached table).