High prevalence of founder mutations of the succinate dehydrogenase genes in the Netherlands.

Mutations in four genes encoding subunits or cofactors of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) cause hereditary paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma syndromes. Mutations in SDHB and SDHD are generally the most common, whereas mutations in SDHC and SDHAF2 are far less frequently observed. A total of 1045 DNA samples from Dutch paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma patients and their relatives were analyzed for mutations of SDHB, SDHC, SDHD or SDHAF2. Mutations in these genes were identified in 690 cases, 239 of which were index cases. The vast majority of mutation carriers had a mutation in SDHD (87.1%). The second most commonly affected gene was SDHAF2 (6.7%). Mutations in SDHB were found in only 5.9% of samples, whereas SDHC mutations were found in 0.3% of samples. Remarkably, 69.1% of all carriers of a mutation in an SDH gene in the Netherlands can be attributed to a single founder mutation in SDHD, c.274G>T and p.Asp92Tyr. Moreover, 88.8% of all SDH mutation carriers carry one of just six Dutch founder mutations in SDHB, SDHD and SDHAF2. The dominance of SDHD mutations is unique to the Netherlands, contrasting with the higher prevalence of SDHB mutations found elsewhere. In addition, we found that most SDH mutation-related paragangliomas-pheochromocytomas in the Netherlands can be explained by only six founder mutations in SDHAF2, SDHB and SDHD. The findings underline the regional differences in the SDH mutation spectrum, differences that should be taken into account in the development of effective screening protocols. The results show the crucial role that demographic factors play in the frequency of gene mutations.

Childhood brain tumours due to germline bi-allelic mismatch repair gene mutations.

Childhood brain tumours may be due to germline bi-allelic mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutations in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 or PMS2. These mutations can also lead to colorectal neoplasia and haematological malignancies. Here, we review this syndrome and present siblings with early-onset rectal adenoma and papillary glioneural brain tumour, respectively, due to novel germline bi-allelic PMS2 mutations. Identification of MMR protein defects can lead to early diagnosis of this condition. In addition, assays for these defects may help to classify brain tumours for research protocols aimed at targeted therapies.

Pitfalls in molecular analysis for mismatch repair deficiency in a family with biallelic pms2 germline mutations.

Heterozygous germline mutations in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 cause Lynch syndrome. Biallelic mutations in the MMR genes are associated with a childhood cancer syndrome [constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMR-D)]. This is predominantly characterized by hematological malignancies and tumors of the bowel and brain, often associated with signs of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Diagnostic strategies for selection of patients for MMR gene analysis include analysis of microsatellite instability (MSI) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of MMR proteins in tumor tissue. We report the clinical characterization and molecular analyses of tumor specimens from a family with biallelic PMS2 germline mutations. This illustrates the pitfalls of present molecular screening strategies. Tumor tissues of five family members were analyzed for MSI and IHC. MSI was observed in only one of the analyzed tissues. However, IHC analysis of brain tumor tissue of the index patient and his sister showed absence of PMS2 expression, and germline mutation analyses showed biallelic mutations in PMS2: p.Ser46IIe and p.Pro246fs. The same heterozygous mutations were confirmed in the father and mother, respectively. These data support the conclusion that in case of a clinical phenotype of CMMR-D, it is advisable to routinely combine MSI analysis with IHC analysis for the expression of MMR proteins. With inconclusive or conflicting results, germline mutation analysis of the MMR genes should be considered after thorough counselling of the patients and/or their relatives.

Mutations in SDHD are the major determinants of the clinical characteristics of Dutch head and neck paraganglioma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGL) are associated with mutations in genes encoding subunits of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). The aim of this study was to evaluate SDH mutations, family history and phenotypes of patients with HNPGL in the Netherlands. DESIGN: We evaluated the clinical data and the mutation status of 236 patients referred between 1950 and 2009 to Leiden University Medical Center. RESULTS: The large majority of the patients carried mutations in SDHD (83%), and the p.Asp92Tyr Dutch founder mutation in SDHD alone accounted for 72% of all patients with HNPGL. A mutation in SDHAF2 was found in 4%, mutations in SDHB in 3% and a mutation in SDHC was identified in a single patient (0·4%). Over 80% of patients presented with positive family history, of whom 99·5% carried a mutation in an SDH gene. SDH mutations were also found in 56% of isolated patients, chiefly in SDHD (46%), but also in SDHB (8%) and SDHC (2%). The clinical parameters of these different subgroups are discussed: including the age at diagnosis, associated pheochromocytomas, tumour multifocality and malignancy rate. CONCLUSION: The majority of Dutch patients with HNPGL present with a positive family history, in contrast to other European countries. The clinical characteristics of patients with HNPGL are chiefly determined by founder mutations in SDHD, the major causative gene in both familial and isolated patients with HNPGL. The high frequency of founder mutations in SDHD suggests a higher absolute prevalence of paraganglioma syndrome in the Netherlands.

Somatic APC mosaicism: an underestimated cause of polyposis coli.

BACKGROUND: The patient with 10 or more adenomas in the colon poses a diagnostic challenge. Beside germline mutations in the APC and MUTYH genes, only four cases of mosaic APC mutations have been reported. AIM: Given the relatively high frequency of de novo APC mutations in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an investigation was carried out into whether the proportion of somatic mosaic APC mutations is currently underestimated. METHODS: Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2005 germline mutation analysis was performed in 599 consecutive index patients with polyposis coli referred for diagnostic APC scanning using a combination of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and protein truncation test (PTT). Variants were analysed by direct sequencing with primers flanking those used for DGGE and PTT, and quantified using pyrosequencing. RESULTS: Scrutinizing the molecular genetic results and family data of 242 index patients with pathogenic APC mutations led to the identification of 10 mosaic cases (4%). C>T transitions were observed in CGA sites in four of the 10 cases with somatic mosaicism, which is significantly more than 26 of the 232 non-mosaic cases (p = 0.02). Phenotypes of patients with somatic mosaicism ranged from an attenuated form of polyposis coli to florid polyposis with major extracolonic manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: Mosaicism occurs in a significant number of APC mutations and it is estimated that one-fifth of the de novo cases of FAP are mosaic. Clinically, the severity of manifestations in offspring and the recurrence risk for siblings of apparently sporadic polyposis patients may be underestimated due to parental APC mosaicism.

Multiplicity in polyp count and extracolonic manifestations in 40 Dutch patients with MYH associated polyposis coli (MAP).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contribution of MYH associated polyposis coli (MAP) among polyposis families in the Netherlands, and the prevalence of colonic and extracolonic manifestations in MAP patients. METHODS: 170 patients with polyposis coli, who previously tested negative for APC mutations, were screened by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and direct sequencing to identify MYH germline mutations. RESULTS: Homozygous and compound heterozygous MYH mutations were identified in 40 patients (24%). No difference was found in the percentage of biallelic mutation carriers between patients with 10-99 polyps or 100-1000 polyps (29% in both groups). Colorectal cancer was found in 26 of the 40 patients with MAP (65%) within the age range 21 to 67 years (median 45). Complete endoscopic reports were available for 16 MAP patients and revealed five cases with gastro-duodenal polyps (31%), one of whom also presented with a duodenal carcinoma. Breast cancer occurred in 18% of female MAP patients, significantly more than expected from national statistics (standardised morbidity ratio = 3.75). CONCLUSIONS: Polyp numbers in MAP patients were equally associated with the attenuated and classical polyposis coli phenotypes. Two thirds of the MAP patients had colorectal cancer, 95% of whom were older than 35 years, and one third of a subset of patients had upper gastrointestinal lesions. Endoscopic screening of the whole intestine should be carried out every two years for all MAP patients, starting from age 25-30 years. The frequent occurrence of additional extraintestinal manifestations, such as breast cancer among female MAP patients, should be thoroughly investigated.

Contribution of bi-allelic germline MUTYH mutations to early-onset and familial colorectal cancer and to low number of adenomatous polyps: case-series and literature review.

In the absence of a polyposis phenotype, colorectal cancer (CRC) patients referred for genetic testing because of early-onset disease and/or a positive family history, typically undergo testing for molecular signs of Lynch syndrome in their tumors. In the absence of these signs, DNA testing for germline mutations associated with other known tumor syndromes is usually not performed. However, a few studies in large series of CRC patients suggest that in a small percentage of CRC cases, bi-allelic MUTYH germline mutations can be found in the absence of the MUTYH-associated polyposis phenotype. This has not been studied in the Dutch population. Therefore, we analyzed the MUTYH gene for mutations in 89 patients with microsatellite-low or stable CRC cancer diagnosed before the age of 40 years or otherwise meeting the Bethesda criteria, all of them without a polyposis phenotype. In addition, we studied a series of 693 non-CRC patients with 1-13 adenomatous colorectal polyps for the MUTYH hotspot mutations Y179C, G396D and P405L. No bi-allelic MUTYH mutations were observed. Our data suggest that the contribution of bi-allelic MUTYH mutations to the development of CRC in Dutch non-polyposis patients that meet clinical genetic referral criteria, and to the development of low number of colorectal adenomas in non-CRC patients, is likely to be low.

A novel nonsense B3GALTL mutation confirms Peters plus syndrome in a patient with multiple malformations and Peters anomaly.

Peters plus syndrome is an autosomal recessive rare congenital disorder defined by corneal Peters anomaly with short disproportionate stature, development delay and dysmorphic facial features. In addition, cardiac, genito-urinary and/or central nervous system malformations can be present. Mutations in the beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase-like glycosyltransferase gene (B3GALTL) have been reported in patients with Peters plus syndrome prompting phenotype-genotype studies because of the variable clinical spectrum related to the syndrome. A 20 month old boy presenting with bilateral Peters anomaly in association with multiple developmental anomalies including cerebral malformations was found to carry a novel homozygous B3GALTL nonsense mutation [p.Tyr366X]. This is the first stop mutation described in association with this gene. The present report confirms the wide clinical spectrum of Peters plus syndrome, underlines the major clinical criteria of the syndrome and the major implication of B3GALTL gene in this condition. Ophthalmologic examination in multiple developmental anomalies remains an important clinical issue that may lead to specific gene screening. In Peters plus syndrome B3GALTL molecular test provides diagnosis confirmation and improves dramatically genetic counselling for the families.

High frequency of copy-neutral LOH in MUTYH-associated polyposis carcinomas.

Genetic instability is known to drive colorectal carcinogenesis. Generally, a distinction is made between two types of genetic instability: chromosomal instability (CIN) and microsatellite instability (MIN or MSI). Most CIN tumours are aneuploid, whereas MSI tumours are considered near-diploid. However, for MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP) the genetic instability involved in the carcinogenesis remains unclear, as near-diploid adenomas, aneuploid adenomas and near-diploid carcinomas have been reported. Remarkably, our analysis of 26 MAP carcinomas, using SNP arrays and flow sorting, showed that these tumours are often near-diploid (52%) and mainly contain chromosomal regions of copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (LOH) (71%). This is in contrast to sporadic colon cancer, where physical loss is the main characteristic. The percentage of chromosomal gains (24%) is comparable to sporadic colorectal cancers with CIN. Furthermore, we verified our scoring of copy-neutral LOH versus physical loss in MAP carcinomas by two methods: fluorescence in situ hybridization, and LOH analysis using polymorphic markers on carcinoma fractions purified by flow sorting. The results presented in this study suggest that copy-neutral LOH is an important mechanism in the tumorigenesis of MAP.

The use of genetic testing in hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes: genetic testing in HNPCC, (A)FAP and MAP.

This study evaluated the use of genetic testing and time trends in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), (attenuated) familial adenomatous polyposis [(A)FAP] and human MutY homolog (MUTYH) associated polyposis (MAP) families. Eighty-seven families, who were diagnosed with disease-causing mutations between 1995 and 2006, were included in this study. The families consisted of 1547 individuals at risk. Data of these individuals were collected from medical records and family pedigrees. There was considerable interest in genetic testing with test rates of 41% in HNPCC families, 42% in (A)FAP families and 53% in MAP families. The use of genetic testing was associated with age and parenthood. Despite the interest in genetic testing, many risk carriers do not apply for testing. Moreover, time trend analysis showed a decline in test rate in HNPCC families. Studies evaluating the reasons for not testing are needed. Furthermore, a better implementation of genetic testing in clinical practice is desirable.

Germline mutations in APC and MUTYH are responsible for the majority of families with attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis.

A small fraction of families with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) display an attenuated form of FAP (AFAP). We aimed to assess the presence of germline mutations in the MUTYH and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) genes in AFAP families and to compare the clinical features between the two causative genes. Families with clinical AFAP were selected from the Dutch Polyposis Registry according to the following criteria: (a) at least two patients with 10-99 adenomas diagnosed at age >30 years or (b) one patient with 10-99 adenomas at age >30 years and a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer (CRC) with a few adenomas, and, applying for both criteria, no family members with more than 100 polyps before the age of 30 years. All probands were screened for germline mutations in the APC and MUTYH genes. Twenty-five of 315 Dutch families with FAP (8%) met our criteria for AFAP. These families included 146 patients with adenomas and/or CRC. Germline APC mutations were identified in nine families and biallelic MUTYH mutations in another nine families. CRC was identified at a mean age of 54 years (range 24-83 years) in families with APC and at 50 years (range 39-70 years) in families with MUTYH (p = 0.29). APC and biallelic MUTYH mutations are responsible for the majority of AFAP families. Based on our results and those reported in the literature, we recommend colonoscopy once every 2 years in AFAP families, starting surveillance from the late teens in APC mutation carriers and from age 20-25 years in biallelic MUTYH mutation carriers.