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BACKGROUND: Individuals with germline pathogenic variants (gPVs) in BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) are at a high risk of breast- and ovarian carcinomas (BOCs) with BRCA1/2-deficiency and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) that can be detected by analysis of genome-wide genomic instability features such as large-scale state transitions, telomeric allelic imbalances and genomic loss-of-heterozygosity. Malignancies with HRD are more sensitive to platinum-based therapies and PARP inhibitors. Here, we aim to investigate the fraction of non-BOC malignancies that have BRCA1/2-deficiency and genomic instability features. METHODS: The full tumor history of a large historical clinic-based consecutive cohort of 2,965 individuals with gPVs in BRCA1/2 was retrieved via the Dutch nationwide pathology databank (Palga). In total, 169 non-BOC malignancies were collected and analyzed with targeted next-generation sequencing and shallow whole-genome sequencing to determine somatic second hit alterations and genomic instabilities indicative of HRD, respectively. RESULTS: BRCA1/2-deficiency was detected in 27% (21/79) and 23% (21/90) of 20 different types of non-BOC malignancies of individuals with gPVs in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. These malignancies had a higher genomic instability score than BRCA1- or BRCA2-proficient malignancies (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: BRCA1/2-deficiency and genomic instability features were found in 27% and 23% of a broad spectrum of non-BOC malignancies in individuals with gPVs in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. Evaluation of the effectivity of PARP-inhibitors in these individuals should be focused on tumors with confirmed absence of a wild type allele.
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There are indications for immune dysregulation in PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome (PHTS), however information on the clinical immune phenotype is lacking. We aimed to assess the frequency of infections and autoimmune disease in PHTS patients. A retrospective cohort study including 81 paediatric and 109 adult PHTS patients and 73 female adult controls and self-reported data from yearly surveillance visits. Differences between adult patients and controls were assessed with odds ratios (OR). Of paediatric patients, 1% reported fungal infections, 23% tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, 36% bacterial infections requiring antibiotics, and 2% autoimmune disease. Of adult patients, up to 67% repeatedly reported fungal infections, and 73% was ever affected which was similar to controls. Compared to controls, adult patients more often reported (signs of) viral infections: tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy (78%; OR = 7.4 (95%CI: 3.7-15.8)), frequent infections during childhood (43%; OR = 2.5 (95%CI: 1.3-5.2)), and flu or cold infections more often than others (49%; OR = 3.9 (95%CI: 2.0-8.0)). Autoimmune disease was also more frequent (24%, OR = 2.7 (95%CI: 1.1-7.3)) in adult patients, and antibiotics use (38%, OR = 4.7 (95%CI: 1.3-23.0)) in female adult patients. PHTS patients experience a broad clinical phenotype of immune dysregulation. At adult age, this consists of more often viral and bacterial infections and autoimmune disease, and repetitive fungal infections.
Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Autoimmune Diseases/genetics , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/genetics , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/pathology , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/complications , Infections , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) has a broad clinical spectrum including various benign and malignant tumors at varying age of diagnosis. Many patients remain unrecognized, unaware of their increased cancer risk. We aimed to describe the cancer spectrum, age of onset and histopathological cancer characteristics to assess whether specific cancer characteristics could improve PHTS recognition. Genetic testing results and pathology reports were collected for patients tested for germline PTEN variants between 1997 and 2020 from the diagnostic laboratory and the Dutch nationwide pathology databank (Palga). The cancer spectrum and age of onset were assessed in patients with (PTENpos) and without (PTENneg) a germline PTEN variant. Histopathological cancer characteristics were assessed in a nested cohort. 341 PTENpos patients (56% females) and 2882 PTENneg patients (66% females) were included. PTENpos patients presented mostly with female breast (BC, 30%), endometrial (EC, 6%), thyroid (TC, 4%) or colorectal cancer (4%). PTENpos were significantly younger at cancer onset (43 vs. 47 years) and had more often (46% vs. 18%) a second BC than PTENneg. PTEN detection rates were highest for BC <40 years (9%), TC <20 years (15%) and EC <50 years (28%), and dropped to 6%, 4%, and 15% by age 60. Histopathological characteristics were similar between groups. No histopathological cancer characteristics were distinctive for PHTS. However, PTENpos were significantly younger at cancer onset. Therefore early-onset BC, EC, or TC warrants consideration of PHTS diagnostics either through a pre-screen for other PHTS features or direct germline testing.
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AIMS: Patients with PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS) have an increased risk of developing cancer due to a pathogenic germline variant in the PTEN tumour suppressor gene. Early recognition of PHTS facilitates initiation of cancer surveillance which is highly effective in preventing the development of advanced malignancies. PHTS is rare and due to its varied phenotype, even within families, oral abnormalities may be a valuable tool in the identification of these patients at an early stage before cancer development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 2020, phenotypic characteristics were evaluated in 81 paediatric (median age: 9 years) and 86 adult (median age: 40 years) PHTS patients by one of 2 medical experts during yearly surveillance visits at a Dutch PHTS expertise centre. Oral features evaluated included gingival hypertrophy, oral papillomas, and high palate (in adults). RESULTS: Within adults, gingival hypertrophy was present in 94%, oral papillomas in 88%, and a high palate in 89%. All adult patients had at least one of these oral features, and 99% showed at least 2 oral features. Oral features were less common in paediatric patients, especially under 11 years of age. Gingival hypertrophy was observed in 44% and oral papillomas in 54% of paediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of 2 or 3 oral features may indicate PHTS in adults or adolescents, especially if macrocephaly is present. Dental professionals are well-positioned to recognise these oral manifestations could be related to PHTS. They can initiate an overall clinical assessment of the patient by alerting the patient's medical practitioner of the findings and the possible need for genetic testing. This could significantly improve outcomes, including life expectancy, for patients and possibly for their relatives. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dental professionals are ideally placed to recognise oral features and initiate early assessment of PHTS which could significantly improve patient outcomes.
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Females with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS) have breast cancer risks up to 76%. This study assessed associations between breast cancer and lifestyle in European female adult PHTS patients. Data were collected via patient questionnaires (July 2020-March 2023) and genetic diagnoses from medical files. Associations between lifestyle and breast cancer were calculated using logistic regression corrected for age. Index patients with breast cancer before PHTS diagnosis (breast cancer index) were excluded for ascertainment bias correction. In total, 125 patients were included who completed the questionnaire at a mean age of 44 years (SD = 13). This included 21 breast cancer indexes (17%) and 39 females who developed breast cancer at 43 years (SD = 9). Breast cancer patients performed about 1.1 times less often 0-1 times/week physical activity than ≥2 times (ORtotal-adj = 0.9 (95%CI 0.3-2.6); consumed daily about 1.2-1.8 times more often ≥1 than 0-1 glasses of alcohol (ORtotal-adj = 1.2 (95%CI 0.4-4.0); ORnon-breastcancer-index-adj = 1.8 (95%CI 0.4-6.9); were about 1.04-1.3 times more often smokers than non-smokers (ORtotal-adj = 1.04 (95%CI 0.4-2.8); ORnon-breastcancer-index-adj = 1.3 (95%CI 0.4-4.2)); and overweight or obesity (72%) was about 1.02-1.3 times less common (ORtotal-adj = 0.98 (95%CI 0.4-2.6); ORnon-breastcancer-index-adj = 0.8 (95%CI 0.3-2.7)). Similar associations between lifestyle and breast cancer are suggested for PHTS and the general population. Despite not being statistically significant, results are clinically relevant and suggest that awareness of the effects of lifestyle on patients' breast cancer risk is important.
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PURPOSE: Females with biallelic CHEK2 germline pathogenic variants (gPVs) more often develop multiple breast cancers than individuals with monoallelic CHEK2 gPVs. This study is aimed at expanding the knowledge on the occurrence of other malignancies. METHODS: Exome sequencing of individuals who developed multiple primary malignancies identified 3 individuals with the CHEK2 (NM_007194.4) c.1100del p.(Thr367MetfsTer15) loss-of-function gPV in a biallelic state. We collected the phenotypes of an additional cohort of individuals with CHEK2 biallelic gPVs (n = 291). RESULTS: In total, 157 individuals (53.4%; 157/294 individuals) developed ≥1 (pre)malignancy. The most common (pre)malignancies next to breast cancer were colorectal- (n = 19), thyroid- (n = 19), and prostate (pre)malignancies (n = 12). Females with biallelic CHEK2 loss-of-function gPVs more frequently developed ≥2 (pre)malignancies and at an earlier age compared with females biallelic for the CHEK2 c.470T>C p.(Ile157Thr) missense variant. Furthermore, 26 males (31%; 26/84 males) with CHEK2 biallelic gPVs developed ≥1 (pre)malignancies of 15 origins. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that CHEK2 biallelic gPVs likely increase the susceptibility to develop multiple malignancies in various tissues, both in females and males. However, it is possible that a substantial proportion of individuals with CHEK2 biallelic gPVs is missed as diagnostic testing for CHEK2 often is limited to individuals who developed breast cancer.
Subject(s)
Checkpoint Kinase 2 , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Germ-Line Mutation , Neoplasms , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Alleles , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Checkpoint Kinase 2/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Exome Sequencing/methods , Germ-Line Mutation/genetics , Neoplasms/genetics , Phenotype , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
Thyroid cancer surveillance (TCS) with ultrasound (US) is advised for PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS) patients due to increased thyroid cancer (TC) risk. However, data supporting TCS guidelines are scarce. We aimed to assess the detection and yield of annual TCS with US in adult PHTS patients without a TC history and to evaluate the impact of a reduced US interval on the TCS yield. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including adult PHTS patients and medical record data between 2005 and 2021. The yield from annual TCS was compared with hypothetical biennial and triennial TCS after two initial US with annual interval by counting delayed detection of nodular growth, thyroid adenoma, and TC. During 279 follow-up years, 84 patients (median age 40 years) underwent 349 US. Thyroidectomy was performed in 6/84 (7%) patients, revealing a minimally invasive follicular TC in one patient aged 22 and a thyroid adenoma in two patients aged 21 and 53. Multiple thyroid nodules were diagnosed in 73/84 (87%) patients (median age 36 years). Nodular growth was detected in 9/56 (16%) patients, and its detection would have been delayed in 4-7% US rounds with biennial TCS, and in 2-6% US rounds with triennial TCS. US-based thyroiditis and indeterminate non-malignant lymph nodes were found in 8/74 (11%) and 7/72 (10%) patients, respectively. Following our findings combined with the literature, we propose starting TCS before age 18 and reducing the follow-up frequency after the initial two US from annual to biennial if no suspicious findings are detected.
Subject(s)
Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple , Thyroid Neoplasms , Thyroid Nodule , Humans , Adult , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Thyroidectomy , Thyroid Nodule/pathology , Ultrasonography , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Genetic testing in epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) is essential to identify a hereditary cause like a germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant (PV). An efficient strategy for genetic testing in OC is highly desired. We evaluated costs and effects of two strategies; (i) Tumor-First strategy, using a tumor DNA test as prescreen to germline testing, and (ii) Germline-First strategy, referring all patients to the clinical geneticist for germline testing. METHODS: Tumor-First and Germline-First were compared in two scenarios; using real-world uptake of testing and setting implementation to 100%. Decision analytic models were built to analyze genetic testing costs (including counseling) per OC patient and per family as well as BRCA1/2 detection probabilities. With a Markov model, the life years gained among female relatives with a germline BRCA1/2 PV was investigated. RESULTS: Focusing on real-world uptake, with the Tumor-First strategy more OC patients and relatives with a germline BRCA1/2 PV are detected (70% versus 49%), at lower genetic testing costs (1898 versus 2502 per patient, and 2511 versus 2930 per family). Thereby, female relatives with a germline BRCA1/2 PV can live on average 0.54 life years longer with Tumor-First compared to Germline-First. Focusing on 100% uptake, the genetic testing costs per OC patient are substantially lower in the Tumor-First strategy (2257 versus 4986). CONCLUSIONS: The Tumor-First strategy in OC patients is more effective in identifying germline BRCA1/2 PV at lower genetic testing costs per patient and per family. Optimal implementation of Tumor-First can further improve detection of heredity in OC patients.
Subject(s)
BRCA1 Protein , Ovarian Neoplasms , Humans , Female , Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/genetics , Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/diagnosis , BRCA1 Protein/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , BRCA2 Protein/genetics , Genetic Testing , Germ-Line Mutation , Genetic Predisposition to DiseaseABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Expert-opinion based guidelines state that endometrial cancer surveillance (ECS) might be considered for patients with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS) based on an elevated lifetime risk of endometrial cancer. We aimed to evaluate the yield of ECS by annual transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and endometrial biopsy (EMB) in PHTS patients. METHODS: PHTS patients who visited our PHTS expert center between August 2012 and September 2020 and opted for annual ECS were included. Data on surveillance visits, diagnostics, reports of abnormal uterine bleeding and pathology results were retrospectively gathered and analyzed. RESULTS: Surveillance was initiated in 25 women with a total of 93 gynecological surveillance visits during 76 surveillance years. The median age at first visit was 39 years (range 31-60) with a median follow-up duration of 38 months (range 6-96). Hyperplasia with and without atypia was detected six and three times, respectively, in seven (28%) women. The median age at hyperplasia detection was 40 years (range 31-50). In six asymptomatic women hyperplasia was detected during annual surveillance visits, while in one patient hyperplasia with atypia was detected during an additional visit due to abnormal uterine bleeding. In seven out of nine hyperplasias detected with EMB, TVUS beforehand showed no abnormalities. No (interval) carcinomas occurred. CONCLUSIONS: ECS in women with PHTS enables detection of a substantial number of asymptomatic premalignancies, such as hyperplasia with and without atypia, suggesting that ECS may be beneficial with regard to cancer prevention. The addition of EMB to TVUS likely improves the detection of premalignancies.
Subject(s)
Endometrial Neoplasms , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Endometrial Neoplasms/genetics , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/complications , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/diagnosis , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/genetics , Hyperplasia , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics , Retrospective Studies , Uterine HemorrhageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Individuals with Lynch syndrome are at increased hereditary risk of colorectal and endometrial carcinomas with microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and mismatch repair-deficiency (dMMR), which make these tumors vulnerable to therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our aim is to assess how often other tumor types in these individuals share these characteristics. METHODS: We retrieved the full tumor history of a historical clinic-based cohort of 1745 individuals with Lynch syndrome and calculated the standardized incidence ratio for all tumor types. MSI status, somatic second hit alterations, and immunohistochemistry-based MMR status were analyzed in 236 noncolorectal and nonendometrial malignant tumors. RESULTS: In individuals with Lynch syndrome MSI-H/dMMR occurred both in Lynch-spectrum and in non-Lynch-spectrum malignancies (85% vs 37%, P < .01). MSI-H/dMMR malignancies were found in nearly all non-Lynch-spectrum tumor types. Almost all breast carcinomas had medullary features, and most of them were MSI-H/dMMR. Breast carcinoma with medullary features were shown to be associated with Lynch syndrome (standardized incidence ratio = 38.8, 95% confidence interval = 16.7 to 76.5). CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with Lynch syndrome, MSI-H/dMMR occurs in more than one-half of the malignancies other than colorectal and endometrial carcinomas, including tumor types without increased incidence. The Lynch-spectrum tumors should be expanded to breast carcinomas with medullary features. All malignancies in patients with Lynch syndrome, independent of subtype, should be tested for MSI-H/dMMR in case therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors is considered. Moreover, Lynch syndrome should be considered an underlying cause of all MSI-H/dMMR malignancies other than colorectal and endometrial carcinomas.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis , Colorectal Neoplasms , Endometrial Neoplasms , Humans , Female , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/genetics , Microsatellite Instability , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , DNA Mismatch Repair/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Endometrial Neoplasms/epidemiology , Endometrial Neoplasms/geneticsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS) is a rare syndrome with a broad phenotypic spectrum, including increased risks of breast (BC, 67%-78% at age 60 years), endometrial (EC, 19%-28%), and thyroid cancer (TC, 6%-38%). Current risks are likely overestimated due to ascertainment bias. We aimed to provide more accurate and personalized cancer risks. METHODS: This was a European, adult PHTS cohort study with data from medical files, registries, and/or questionnaires. Cancer risks and hazard ratios were assessed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses, and standardized incidence ratios were calculated. Bias correction consisted of excluding cancer index cases and incident case analyses. RESULTS: A total of 455 patients were included, including 50.5% index cases, 372 with prospective follow-up (median 6 years, interquartile range = 3-10 years), and 159 of 281 females and 39 of 174 males with cancer. By age 60 years, PHTS-related cancer risk was higher in females (68.4% to 86.3%) than males (16.4% to 20.8%). Female BC risks ranged from 54.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 43.0% to 66.4%) to 75.8% (95% CI = 60.7% to 88.4%), with two- to threefold increased risks for PTEN truncating and approximately twofold for phosphatase domain variants. EC risks ranged from 6.4% (95% CI = 2.1% to 18.6%) to 22.1% (95% CI = 11.6% to 39.6%) and TC risks from 8.9% (95% CI = 5.1% to 15.3%) to 20.5% (95% CI = 11.3% to 35.4%). Colorectal cancer, renal cancer, and melanoma risks were each less than 10.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Females have a different BC risk depending on their PTEN germline variant. PHTS patients are predominantly at risk of BC (females), EC, and TC. This should be the main focus of surveillance. These lower, more unbiased and personalized risks provide guidance for optimized cancer risk management.
Subject(s)
Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple , Kidney Neoplasms , Thyroid Neoplasms , Adult , Male , Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/epidemiology , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/genetics , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/pathology , Cohort Studies , Prospective Studies , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics , Kidney Neoplasms/epidemiology , Germ-Line MutationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Women with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS) are offered breast cancer (BC) surveillance because of an increased BC lifetime risk. Surveillance guidelines are, however, expert opinion-based because of a lack of data. We aimed to assess the yield and effectiveness of BC surveillance and the prevalence and type of breast disease in women with PHTS. METHODS: Sixty-five women with PHTS who visited our center between 2001 and 2021 were included. Surveillance consisted of annual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammography from ages 25 and 30 years, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty-nine women enrolled in the BC surveillance program (median age at first examination, 38 years [range, 24-70]) and underwent 156 surveillance rounds. Surveillance led to detection of BC in 7/39 women (cancer detection rate [CDR], 45/1000 rounds) and benign breast lesions (BBLs) in 11/39 women. Overall sensitivity2 (which excludes prophylactic-mastectomy detected BCs) was 100%, whereas sensitivity2 of mammography and MRI alone was 50% and 100%, respectively. Overall specificity was higher in follow-up rounds (86%) versus first rounds (71%). Regardless of surveillance, 21/65 women developed 35 distinct BCs (median age at first diagnosis, 40 years [range, 24-59]) and 23/65 developed 89 BBLs (median age at first diagnosis, 38 years [range, 15-61]). Surveillance-detected BCs were all T1 and N0, whereas outside surveillance-detected BCs were more often ≥T2 (60%) and N+ (45%) (p < .005). CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that annual BC surveillance with MRI starting at age 25 years enables detection of early-stage BCs. Performance measures of surveillance and CDR were both high. BBLs were commonly present, underlining the importance of evaluation of all lesions independently. LAY SUMMARY: Breast cancer surveillance leads to decreased tumor stage and improved survival. Breast cancer surveillance with breast magnetic resonance imaging from age 25 years onward is recommended.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/diagnosis , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/genetics , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/pathology , Mastectomy , Mammography/methods , Breast/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/geneticsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pathogenic PTEN germline variants cause PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS), a rare disease with a variable genotype and phenotype. Knowledge about these spectra and genotype-phenotype associations could help diagnostics and potentially lead to personalized care. Therefore, we assessed the PHTS genotype and phenotype spectrum in a large cohort study. METHODS: Information was collected of 510 index patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic (LP/P) PTEN variants (n = 467) or variants of uncertain significance. Genotype-phenotype associations were assessed using logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex and age. RESULTS: At time of genetic testing, the majority of children (n = 229) had macrocephaly (81%) or developmental delay (DD, 61%), and about half of the adults (n = 238) had cancer (51%), macrocephaly (61%), or cutaneous pathology (49%). Across PTEN, 268 LP/P variants were identified, with exon 5 as hotspot. Missense variants (n = 161) were mainly located in the phosphatase domain (PD, 90%) and truncating variants (n = 306) across all domains. A trend towards 2 times more often truncating variants was observed in adults (OR = 2.3, 95%CI = 1.5-3.4) and patients with cutaneous pathology (OR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.1-2.5) or benign thyroid pathology (OR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.1-3.5), with trends up to 2-4 times more variants in PD. Whereas patients with DD (OR = 0.5, 95%CI = 0.3-0.9) or macrocephaly (OR = 0.6, 95%CI = 0.4-0.9) had about 2 times less often truncating variants compared to missense variants. In DD patients these missense variants were often located in domain C2. CONCLUSION: The PHTS phenotypic diversity may partly be explained by the PTEN variant coding effect and the combination of coding effect and domain. PHTS patients with early-onset disease often had missense variants, and those with later-onset disease often truncating variants.
Subject(s)
Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple , Megalencephaly , Humans , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/genetics , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/pathology , Cohort Studies , Genetic Association Studies , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics , Megalencephaly/genetics , PhenotypeABSTRACT
Colorectal cancer surveillance (CCS) with colonoscopy every five years is advised for PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome (PHTS) patients aged ≥40 due to an increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, data to support CCS guidelines are scarce and available CRC risks are low (0-5% at age 50) and likely overestimated. We aimed to assess the detection and yield of CCS for PHTS patients without a CRC history. A retrospective cohort study including PHTS patients aged ≥40 with CCS at a PHTS expertise centre between 2011 and 2022. Adenomas with a ≥10 mm size, (tubulo)villous histology, or high-grade dysplasia were considered advanced. During 67 follow-up years, 37 patients (median age 47 years) underwent 61 colonoscopies. CCS yielded no CRCs. Adenomas were diagnosed in 13/37 (35%) patients during 23/100 colonoscopies (95% CI: 14-36), including one advanced adenoma. Baseline adenoma detection rates were similar to follow-up and higher in patients aged above 50 (50/100, 95% CI: 24-76) vs. age 50 or below (11/100, 95% CI: 3-30; p = 0.021). The low CRC and advanced adenoma yield allow for a more personalised surveillance program. Following our findings combined with literature on CRC risk and progression, we suggest starting CCS at age 40 with variable follow-up intervals between 1 and 10 years depending on previous colonoscopy findings.
ABSTRACT
PTEN germline variants cause PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome (PHTS). Of individuals fulfilling diagnostic criteria, 41-88% test negative for PTEN germline variants, while mosaicism could be an explanation. Here we describe two individuals with PTEN mosaicism. First, a 21-year-old female presented with macrocephaly and a venous malformation. Next generation sequencing analysis on her venous malformation identified the mosaic pathogenic PTEN variant c.493-2A>G (23%). This variant was initially missed in blood due to low frequency (<1%), but detected in buccal swab (21%). Second, a 13-year-old male presented with macrocephaly, language developmental delay, behavioral problems, and an acral hyperkeratotic papule. Targeted PTEN analysis identified the mosaic pathogenic variant c.284C>T (11%) in blood, which was confirmed via buccal swab. These two cases suggest that PTEN mosaicism might be more common than currently reported. PTEN mosaicism awareness is important to enable diagnosis, which facilitates timely inclusion in cancer surveillance programs improving prognosis and life expectancy.
Subject(s)
Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple , Megalencephaly , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Developmental Disabilities , Female , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/diagnosis , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/genetics , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/pathology , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Humans , Male , Mosaicism , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Histology restricted genetic predisposition testing of ovarian carcinoma patients is a topic of debate as the prevalence of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs) in various histological subtypes is ambiguous. Our primary aim was to investigate the proportion of germline BRCA1/2 PVs per histological subtype. Additionally, we evaluated (i) proportion of somatic BRCA1/2 PVs and (ii) proportion of germline PVs in other ovarian carcinoma risk genes. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were systematically searched and we included all studies reporting germline BRCA1/2 PVs per histological subtype. Pooled proportions were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Subsets of studies were used for secondary analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies were identified. The overall estimated proportion of germline BRCA1/2 PVs was 16.8% (95% CI 14.6 to 19.2). Presence differed substantially among patients with varying histological subtypes of OC; proportions being highest in high-grade serous (22.2%, 95% CI 19.6 to 25.0) and lowest in clear cell (3.0%, 95% CI 1.6 to 5.6) and mucinous (2.5%, 95% CI 0.6 to 9.6) carcinomas. Somatic BRCA1/2 PVs were present with total estimated proportion of 6.0% (95% CI 5.0 to 7.3), based on a smaller subset of studies. Germline PVs in BRIP1, RAD51C, RAD51D, PALB2, and ATM were present in approximately 3%, based on a subset of nine studies. CONCLUSION: Germline BRCA1/2 PVs are most frequently identified in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma patients, but are also detected in patients having ovarian carcinomas of other histological subtypes. Limiting genetic predisposition testing to high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma patients will likely be insufficient to identify all patients with a germline PV.
Subject(s)
BRCA1 Protein/genetics , BRCA2 Protein/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Female , Genetic Testing , Germ-Line Mutation , HumansABSTRACT
Patients with PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome (PHTS) are at increased risk of developing cancer. Many adult PHTS patients are not recognized as such and do not receive the cancer surveillance they need. Our aim was to define phenotypic characteristics that can easily be assessed and manifest by early adulthood, and hence could serve as red flags (i.e. alerting signals) for early recognition of adult patients at high risk of PHTS. Phenotypic characteristics including macrocephaly, multinodular goitre (MNG), and oral features were examined in 81 paediatric and 86 adult PHTS patients by one of two medical experts during yearly surveillance visits at our Dutch PHTS expert centre between 1997 and 2020. MNG was defined as signs of thyroid nodules and/or goitre. Oral features included gingival hypertrophy, high palate (adults only) and oral papillomas. Based on the characteristics' prevalence in different age groups, combinations of phenotypic characteristics were defined and evaluated on their potential to recognize individuals with PHTS. Macrocephaly was present in 100% of paediatric and 67% of adult patients. The prevalence of MNG was â¼50% in paediatric and gradually increased to >90% in adult patients. Similar percentages were observed for any of the oral features. Scoring two out of three of these characteristics yielded a sensitivity of 100% (95%CI 94-100%) in adults. The presence of the combination macrocephaly, MNG, or multiple oral features could serve as a red flag for general practitioners, medical specialists, and dentists to consider further assessment of the diagnosis PHTS in adults. In this way, recognition of adult PHTS patients might be improved and cancer surveillance can be offered timely.
Subject(s)
Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/diagnosis , Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/metabolism , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Megalencephaly/diagnosis , Megalencephaly/metabolism , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
Patients with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS, comprising Cowden, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba, and Proteus-like syndromes) are at increased risk of developing cancer due to pathogenic PTEN germline variants. This review summarizes age-, sex-, and type-specific malignant cancer risks for PHTS patients, which is urgently needed for clinical management. A PubMed literature search for Standardized Incidence Ratios or Cumulative Lifetime cancer risks (CLTRs) resulted in nine cohort studies comprising four independent PHTS cohorts, including mainly index cases and prevalent cancer cases. The median age at diagnosis was 36 years. Reported CLTRs for any cancer varied from 81% to 90%. The tumor spectrum included female breast cancer (CLTRs including sex-specific estimates at age 60-70: 67% to 85%), endometrium cancer (19% to 28%), thyroid cancer (6% to 38%), renal cancer (2% to 24%), colorectal cancer (9% to 32%), and melanoma (0% to 6%). Although these estimates provide guidance for clinical care, discrepancies between studies, sample sizes, retrospective designs, strongly ascertained cases, and lack of pediatric research emphasizes that data should be interpreted with great caution. Therefore, more accurate and more personalized age-, sex-, and cancer-specific risk estimates are needed to enable counseling of all PHTS patients irrespective of ascertainment, and improvement of cancer surveillance guidelines.
Subject(s)
Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/complications , Neoplasms/etiology , Age Factors , Humans , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
Universal mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) testing of colorectal cancer (CRC) is promoted as routine diagnostics to prescreen for Lynch syndrome. We evaluated the yield and experience of age-related molecular investigation for heritable and nonheritable causes of dMMR in CRC below age 70 to identify Lynch Syndrome. In a prospective cohort of 3602 newly diagnosed CRCs below age 70 from 19 hospitals, dMMR, MLH1 promoter hypermethylation, germline MMR gene and somatic MMR gene testing was assessed in daily practice. Yield was evaluated using data from the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA) and two regional genetic centers. Experiences of clinicians were evaluated through questionnaires. Participating clinicians were overwhelmingly positive about the clinical workflow. Pathologists routinely applied dMMR-testing in 84% CRCs and determined 10% was dMMR, largely due to somatic MLH1 hypermethylation (66%). Of those, 69% with dMMR CRC below age 70 without hypermethylation were referred for genetic testing, of which 55% was due to Lynch syndrome (hereditary) and 43% to somatic biallelic pathogenic MMR (nonhereditary). The prevalence of Lynch syndrome was 18% in CRC < 40, 1.7% in CRC age 40-64 and 0.7% in CRC age 65-69. Age 65-69 represents most cases with dMMR, in which dMMR due to somatic causes (13%) is 20 times more prevalent than Lynch syndrome. In conclusion, up to age 65 routine diagnostics of (non-)heritable causes of dMMR CRCs effectively identifies Lynch syndrome and reduces Lynch-like diagnoses. Above age 64, the effort to detect one Lynch syndrome patient in dMMR CRC is high and germline testing rarely needed.