Developmental and behavioral phenotypes of pediatric patients with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome.

Our study characterized the neurodevelopmental spectrum of individuals with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS), a syndrome that predisposes to both neurodevelopmental phenotypes and cancer risk. We aim to better understand life-impacting neurodevelopmental features of PHTS. Our study recruited 20 children/adolescents with PHTS, who were then administered assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurocognitive measures, including assessment of IQ, executive and adaptive functioning, and health-related quality of life. Thirteen individuals (65%) were identified as having ASD, of which five were newly diagnosed during the study. Of those, ASD symptom severity was in the mild-moderate range for 77%. Overall, IQ was in the average range, with a mean of 92.61 (SD 24.45, p = 0.5), though there was a non-statistically significant trend toward individuals without ASD having a higher mean IQ (102.7 vs 82.3; p = 0.1). Subjects had significant impairment in processing speed (mean 75.38, SD 24.75, p < 0.05), decreased adaptive functioning skills across all domains, and a trend toward having more executive functioning problems. Individuals with PHTS are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and impaired executive and adaptive functioning. Although clear guidelines exist for cancer surveillance for individuals with PHTS, additional guidelines and screening for neurodevelopmental disorders are warranted.

Conservative management of gynecomastia in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: Case series and review of the literature.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a childhood-onset cancer predisposition syndrome that is associated with oral freckling and gastrointestinal polyposis. Male patients with PJS are at risk for large-cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumors in childhood. These tumors are estrogen-producing and can cause symptoms of precocious puberty, gynecomastia, and growth acceleration. Here we discuss our experience with spontaneous resolution or stabilization of breast enlargement without medical intervention in three patients with PJS and gynecomastia. These cases indicate that a watchful waiting approach can be considered in the management of gynecomastia in male children with PJS.

Expanding Genetic Counselor Roles: A Model for Global Research Development.

PURPOSE: Genetic counselors (GCs) increasingly play key roles in advancing genomic medicine through innovative research. Here, we examine one large cohort of GCs' evolving contributions to the literature, with the goal of facilitating worldwide professional development for GCs through scholarly activities. METHODS: Publications were cataloged by members of the Section of Genetic Counseling (Section), established at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania in 2014, including publication year, journal, impact factor, and author position. Data were organized using the "My Bibliography" tool on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website and a Research Electronic Data Capture database created to initially collect manuscripts published through 30 June 2020. A subsequent survey captured publications through 5 February 2024. RESULTS: An amount of 52 of 120 (43%) GCs shared their curriculum vitae/papers. 992 unique publications were identified from 1986 to 2024. Since 2013, no less than 32 papers were published annually by Section members and no less than 10 GCs contributed to publications yearly. Impact factors typically averaged >5.0 per year. Areas of foci diversified considerably since 2015. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we establish that GCs indeed contribute to scholarly work as evidenced by the number of publications alone. The establishment of an academic home may have contributed, given publications increased concurrent to launching the Section, providing a model for organizing GCs at institutions nationally and internationally. Highlighting such achievements will foster the expansion of GC roles in the era of precision genomic medicine and therapy. Considering ways to support GCs towards expanding these activities is equally important.

Rates of Intervention and Cancer Detection on Initial versus Subsequent Whole-body MRI Screening in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) is a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome with up to 90% lifetime cancer risk. Cancer screening, including annual whole-body MRI (WB-MRI), is recommended due to known survival advantage, with cancer detection rate of 7% on initial screening. Intervention and cancer detection rates on subsequent screenings are unknown. Clinical data for pediatric and adult patients with LFS (n = 182) were reviewed, including instances of WB-MRI screening and interventions based on screening results. For each WB-MRI screening, interventions including biopsy and secondary imaging, as well as rate of cancer diagnosis, were analyzed comparing initial versus subsequent WB-MRI. Of the total cohort (n = 182), we identified 68 adult patients and 50 pediatric patients who had undergone at least two WB-MRI screenings, with a mean of 3.8 ± 1.9 (adults) and 4.0 ± 2.1 (pediatric) screenings. Findings on initial screening led to an imaging or invasive intervention in 38% of adults and 20% of children. On follow up, overall intervention rates were lower for adults (19%, P = 0.0026) and stable for children (19%, P = NS). Thirteen cancers were detected overall (7% of adult and 14% of pediatric scans), on both initial (pediatric: 4%, adult: 3%) and subsequent (pediatric: 10%, adult: 6%) screenings. Rates of intervention after WB-MRI screening decreased significantly in adults between first and subsequent exams and remained stable in pediatric patients. Cancer detection rates were similar on screening (3%-4% initial, 6%-10% subsequent) for both children and adults. These findings provide important data for counseling patients with LFS about screening outcomes. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: The cancer detection rate, burden of recommended interventions, and rate of false-positive findings found on subsequent WB-MRI screenings in patients with LFS are not well understood. Our findings suggest that annual WB-MRI screening has clinical utility and likely does not result in an unnecessary invasive intervention burden for patients.

Childhood Cancer Predisposition: An Overview for the General Pediatrician.

Cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS), or genetic syndromes leading to increased cancer risk, are responsible for at least 10% of all childhood cancers. With advances in both tumor and germline sequencing, these syndromes have been uncovered both in patients with and without syndromic features and family history of cancer. Recognition of CPS in children and use of associated screening guidelines can improve morbidity and mortality from childhood cancer. Given the multidisciplinary approach needed for management of CPS, knowledge of clinical features and surveillance guidelines are essential for the general pediatrician. Pediatricians also play a vital role in anticipatory guidance regarding cancer prevention strategies and management of psychosocial stressors associated with ongoing screening. This article discusses 10 of the more common pediatric CPS, reasons to refer patients for CPS genetic testing and evaluation, and general cancer prevention strategies. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(1):e15-e21.].

A novel TP53 tandem duplication in a child with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is one of the most common cancer predisposition syndromes that affects both children and adults. Individuals with LFS are at an increased risk of developing various types of cancer over their lifetime including soft tissue sarcomas, osteosarcomas, breast cancer, leukemia, brain tumors, and adrenocortical carcinoma. Heterozygous germline pathogenic variants in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 are the known causal genetic defect for LFS. Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) including missense substitutions that occur in the highly conserved DNA binding domain of the protein are the most common alterations, followed by nonsense and splice site variants. Gross copy-number changes in TP53 are rare and account for <1% of all variants. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels, we identified a paternally inherited germline intragenic duplication of TP53 in a child with metastatic osteosarcoma who later developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) demonstrated the duplication was tandem, encompassing exons 2-6 and 28 nt of the untranslated region (UTR) upstream of the start codon in exon 2. The inclusion of the 28 nt is expected to result in a frameshift with a stop codon 18 codons downstream from the exon 6, leading to a loss-of-function allele. This case highlights the significance of simultaneous identification of both significant copy-number variants as well as SNVs/indels using NGS panels.