Custom Germline & Somatic Variant Classification

The Germline and Somatic Variant Classifications allow users to modify the set of triggered rules if they do not agree with the verdict. Once you have modified the set of rules, you click on the "Save as manual classification" icon.

This will be saved as a custom classification attached to the variant. If you hover over with the mouse you will be able to see the manual classification with the set of rules used and the user who made the classification (in brackets).

Potential artifacts

This can help you to identify potential artifacts by comparing the number of times a variant is observed within the samples of the group. The system will label the variants as “Automatically Tagged Likely Artefact (VarSome)” if:

  • The group has more than 20 samples analyzed
  • The variant has a population frequency lower than 1% (according to gnomAD)
  • The variant is found in more than 10% of the samples. 

Comment on variants

You can attach comments to variants by clicking on the "Comments" icon:


A pop-up window will be shown where you can add your comment. The comment will be attached to the variant and it will be shown in other samples of your group where the same variant is found. The comments are also private for your group by default.

  • Share comment outside your group: if you click this option the comment will be shared with the VarSome community of users.
  • The comment is specific to this sample only: if you choose this comment, the comment will be attached only to that sample and it won't be shown in other samples even if the same variant is found.
All custom classifications, along with other users' actions can be monitored by the group's supervisor via the audit trail tab.