Apc-mutant cells act as supercompetitors in intestinal tumour initiation.

A delicate equilibrium of WNT agonists and antagonists in the intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche is critical to maintaining the ISC compartment, as it accommodates the rapid renewal of the gut lining. Disruption of this balance by mutations in the tumour suppressor gene APC, which are found in approximately 80% of all human colon cancers, leads to unrestrained activation of the WNT pathway1,2. It has previously been established that Apc-mutant cells have a competitive advantage over wild-type ISCs3. Consequently, Apc-mutant ISCs frequently outcompete all wild-type stem cells within a crypt, thereby reaching clonal fixation in the tissue and initiating cancer formation. However, whether the increased relative fitness of Apc-mutant ISCs involves only cell-intrinsic features or whether Apc mutants are actively involved in the elimination of their wild-type neighbours remains unresolved. Here we show that Apc-mutant ISCs function as bona fide supercompetitors by secreting WNT antagonists, thereby inducing differentiation of neighbouring wild-type ISCs. Lithium chloride prevented the expansion of Apc-mutant clones and the formation of adenomas by rendering wild-type ISCs insensitive to WNT antagonists through downstream activation of WNT by inhibition of GSK3ß. Our work suggests that boosting the fitness of healthy cells to limit the expansion of pre-malignant clones may be a powerful strategy to limit the formation of cancers in high-risk individuals.

NOTUM from Apc-mutant cells biases clonal competition to initiate cancer.

The tumour suppressor APC is the most commonly mutated gene in colorectal cancer. Loss of Apc in intestinal stem cells drives the formation of adenomas in mice via increased WNT signalling1, but reduced secretion of WNT ligands increases the ability of Apc-mutant intestinal stem cells to colonize a crypt (known as fixation)2. Here we investigated how Apc-mutant cells gain a clonal advantage over wild-type counterparts to achieve fixation. We found that Apc-mutant cells are enriched for transcripts that encode several secreted WNT antagonists, with Notum being the most highly expressed. Conditioned medium from Apc-mutant cells suppressed the growth of wild-type organoids in a NOTUM-dependent manner. Furthermore, NOTUM-secreting Apc-mutant clones actively inhibited the proliferation of surrounding wild-type crypt cells and drove their differentiation, thereby outcompeting crypt cells from the niche. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of NOTUM abrogated the ability of Apc-mutant cells to expand and form intestinal adenomas. We identify NOTUM as a key mediator during the early stages of mutation fixation that can be targeted to restore wild-type cell competitiveness and provide preventative strategies for people at a high risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Environmental and genetic activation of a brain-adipocyte BDNF/leptin axis causes cancer remission and inhibition.

Cancer is influenced by its microenvironment, yet broader, environmental effects also play a role but remain poorly defined. We report here that mice living in an enriched housing environment show reduced tumor growth and increased remission. We found this effect in melanoma and colon cancer models, and that it was not caused by physical activity alone. Serum from animals held in an enriched environment (EE) inhibited cancer proliferation in vitro and was markedly lower in leptin. Hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was selectively upregulated by EE, and its genetic overexpression reduced tumor burden, whereas BDNF knockdown blocked the effect of EE. Mechanistically, we show that hypothalamic BDNF downregulated leptin production in adipocytes via sympathoneural beta-adrenergic signaling. These results suggest that genetic or environmental activation of this BDNF/leptin axis may have therapeutic significance for cancer.

EHF is essential for epidermal and colonic epithelial homeostasis, and suppresses Apc-initiated colonic tumorigenesis.

Ets homologous factor (EHF) is a member of the epithelial-specific Ets (ESE) family of transcription factors. To investigate its role in development and epithelial homeostasis, we generated a series of novel mouse strains in which the Ets DNA-binding domain of Ehf was deleted in all tissues (Ehf-/-) or specifically in the gut epithelium. Ehf-/- mice were born at the expected Mendelian ratio, but showed reduced body weight gain, and developed a series of pathologies requiring most Ehf-/- mice to reach an ethical endpoint before reaching 1 year of age. These included papillomas in the facial skin, abscesses in the preputial glands (males) or vulvae (females), and corneal ulcers. Ehf-/-mice also displayed increased susceptibility to experimentally induced colitis, which was confirmed in intestinal-specific Ehf knockout mice. Gut-specific Ehf deletion also impaired goblet cell differentiation, induced extensive transcriptional reprogramming in the colonic epithelium and enhanced Apc-initiated adenoma development. The Ets DNA-binding domain of EHF is therefore essential for postnatal homeostasis of the epidermis and colonic epithelium, and its loss promotes colonic tumour development.

APC germline pathogenic variants and epithelial ovarian cancer: causal or coincidental findings?

APC germline pathogenic variants result in predisposition to familial adenomatous polyposis and extraintestinal tumours such as desmoid fibromatosis, medulloblastomas and thyroid cancers. They have also been recently involved in ovarian microcystic stromal tumours. APC inactivation has been described at the tumour level in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs). Here, we report the identification of APC germline pathogenic variants in two patients diagnosed with premenopausal EOC in early 30s, with no other pathogenic variant detected in the known ovarian cancer predisposing genes. Subsequent tumour analysis showed neither a second hit of APC inactivation nor ß-catenin activation. Both tumours did not have a homologous recombination (HR) deficiency, pointing towards the implication of other genes than those involved in HR. APC may contribute to the carcinogenesis of EOC in a multifactorial context. Further studies are required to clarify the role of APC in predisposition to EOC.

Position statement of the International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumours (InSiGHT) on APC I1307K and cancer risk.

While constitutional pathogenic variants in the APC gene cause familial adenomatous polyposis, APC c.3920T>A; p.Ile1307Lys (I1307K) has been associated with a moderate increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. However, published data include relatively small sample sizes, generating inconclusive results regarding cancer risk, particularly in non-Ashkenazi populations. This has led to different country/continental-specific guidelines regarding genetic testing, clinical management and surveillance recommendations for I1307K. A multidisciplinary international expert group endorsed by the International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumours (InSiGHT), has generated a position statement on the APC I1307K allele and its association with cancer predisposition. Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence published, the aim of this document is to summarise the prevalence of the APC I1307K allele and analysed the evidence of the associated cancer risk in different populations. Here we provide recommendations on the laboratory classification of the variant, define the role of predictive testing for I1307K, suggest recommendations for cancer screening in I1307K heterozygous and homozygous individuals and identify knowledge gaps to be addressed in future research studies. Briefly, I1307K, classified as pathogenic, low penetrance, is a risk factor for CRC in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and should be tested in this population, offering carriers specific clinical surveillance. There is not enough evidence to support an increased risk of cancer in other populations/subpopulations. Therefore, until/unless future evidence indicates otherwise, individuals of non-Ashkenazi Jewish descent harbouring I1307K should be enrolled in national CRC screening programmes for average-risk individuals.

Lentiviral in situ targeting of stem cells in unperturbed intestinal epithelium.

BACKGROUND: Methods for the long-term in situ transduction of the unperturbed murine intestinal epithelium have not been developed in past research. Such a method could speed up functional studies and screens to identify genetic factors influencing intestinal epithelium biology. Here, we developed an efficient method achieving this long-sought goal. RESULTS: We used ultrasound-guided microinjections to transduce the embryonic endoderm at day 8 (E8.0) in utero. The injection procedure can be completed in 20 min and had a 100% survival rate. By injecting a small volume (0.1-0.2 µl) of concentrated virus, single shRNA constructs as well as lentiviral libraries can successfully be transduced. The new method stably and reproducibly targets adult intestinal epithelium, as well as other endoderm-derived organs such as the lungs, pancreas, liver, stomach, and bladder. Postnatal analysis of young adult mice indicates that single transduced cells at E8.0 gave rise to crypt fields that were comprised of 20-30 neighbouring crypts per crypt-field at 90 days after birth. Lentiviral targeting of ApcMin/+ mutant and wildtype mice revealed that heterozygous loss of Apc function suppresses the developmental normal growth pattern of intestinal crypt fields. This suppression of crypt field sizes did not involve a reduction of the crypt number per field, indicating that heterozygous Apc loss impaired the growth of individual crypts within the fields. Lentiviral-mediated shRNA knockdown of p53 led to an approximately 20% increase of individual crypts per field in both Apc+/+ and ApcMin/+ mice, associating with an increase in crypt size in ApcMin/+ mice but a slight reduction in crypt size in Apc+/+ mice. Overall, p53 knockdown rescued the reduction in crypt field size in Apc-mutant mice but had no effect on crypt field size in wildtype mice. CONCLUSIONS: This study develops a novel technique enabling robust and reproducible in vivo targeting of intestinal stem cells in situ in the unperturbed intestinal epithelium across different regions of the intestine. In vivo somatic gene editing and genetic screening of lentiviral libraries has the potential to speed up discoveries and mechanistic understanding of genetic pathways controlling the biology of the intestinal epithelium during development and postnatal life. The here developed method enables such approaches.

Genotype-phenotype correlation for extracolonic aggressive phenotypes in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients develop various life-threatening extracolonic comorbidities that appear individually or within a family. This diversity can be explained by the localization of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) variant, but few reports provide definitive findings about genotype-phenotype correlations. Therefore, we investigated FAP patients and the association between the severe phenotypes and APC variants. Of 247 FAP patients, 126 patients from 85 families identified to have APC germline variant sites were extracted. These sites were divided into six groups (Regions A to F), and the frequency of severe comorbidities was compared among the patient phenotypes. Of the 126 patients, the proportions of patients with desmoid tumor stage ≥III, number of FGPs ≥1000, multiple gastric neoplasms, gastric neoplasm with high-grade dysplasia, and Spigelman stage ≥III were 3%, 16%, 21%, 12%, and 41%, respectively, while the corresponding rates were 30%, 50%, 70%, 50%, and 80% in patients with Region E (codons 1398-1580) variants. These latter rates were significantly higher than those for patients with variants in other regions. Moreover, the proportion of patients with all three indicators (desmoid tumor stage ≥III, number of FGPs ≥1000, and Spigelman stage ≥III) was 20% for those with variants in Region E and 0% for those with variants in other regions. Variants in Region E indicate aggressive phenotypes, and more intensive management is required.

Serine-threonine Kinase Receptor-Associated Protein is a Critical Mediator of APC Mutation-Induced Intestinal Tumorigenesis Through a Feed-Forward Mechanism.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inactivation of the Apc gene is a critical early event in the development of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). Expression of serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) is elevated in CRCs and is associated with poor outcomes. We investigated the role of STRAP in Apc mutation-induced intestinal tumor initiation and progression. METHODS: We generated Strap intestinal epithelial knockout mice (StrapΔIEC) by crossing mice containing floxed alleles of Strap (Strapfl/fl) with Villin-Cre mice. Then we generated ApcMin/+;Strapfl/fl;Vill-Cre (ApcMin/+;StrapΔIEC) mice for RNA-sequencing analyses to determine the mechanism of function of STRAP. We used human colon cancer cell lines (DLD1, SW480, and HT29) and human and mouse colon tumor-derived organoids for STRAP knockdown and knockout and overexpression experiments. RESULTS: Strap deficiency extended the average survival of ApcMin/+ mice by 80 days and decreased the formation of intestinal adenomas. Expression profiling revealed that the intestinal stem cell signature, the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, and the MEK/ERK pathway are down-regulated in Strap-deficient adenomas and intestinal organoids. Correlation studies suggest that these STRAP-associated oncogenic signatures are conserved across murine and human colon cancer. STRAP associates with MEK1/2, promotes binding between MEK1/2 and ERK1/2, and subsequently induces the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. STRAP activated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling through MEK/ERK-induced phosphorylation of LRP6. STRAP was identified as a target of mutated Apc and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling as chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays revealed putative binding sites of the ß-catenin/TCF4 complex on the Strap promoter. CONCLUSIONS: STRAP is a target of, and is required in, Apc mutation/deletion-induced intestinal tumorigenesis through a novel feed-forward STRAP/MEK-ERK/Wnt-ß-catenin/STRAP regulatory axis.

An Enhancer-Driven Stem Cell-Like Program Mediated by SOX9 Blocks Intestinal Differentiation in Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Genomic alterations that encourage stem cell activity and hinder proper maturation are central to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Key molecular mediators that promote these malignant properties require further elucidation to galvanize translational advances. We therefore aimed to characterize a key factor that blocks intestinal differentiation, define its transcriptional and epigenetic program, and provide preclinical evidence for therapeutic targeting in CRC. METHODS: Intestinal tissue from transgenic mice and patients were analyzed by means of histopathology and immunostaining. Human CRC cells and neoplastic murine organoids were genetically manipulated for functional studies. Gene expression profiling was obtained through RNA sequencing. Histone modifications and transcription factor binding were determined with the use of chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. RESULTS: We demonstrate that SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) promotes CRC by activating a stem cell-like program that hinders intestinal differentiation. Intestinal adenomas and colorectal adenocarcinomas from mouse models and patients demonstrate ectopic and elevated expression of SOX9. Functional experiments indicate a requirement for SOX9 in human CRC cell lines and engineered neoplastic organoids. Disrupting SOX9 activity impairs primary CRC tumor growth by inducing intestinal differentiation. By binding to genome wide enhancers, SOX9 directly activates genes associated with Paneth and stem cell activity, including prominin 1 (PROM1). SOX9 up-regulates PROM1 via a Wnt-responsive intronic enhancer. A pentaspan transmembrane protein, PROM1 uses its first intracellular domain to support stem cell signaling, at least in part through SOX9, reinforcing a PROM1-SOX9 positive feedback loop. CONCLUSIONS: These studies establish SOX9 as a central regulator of an enhancer-driven stem cell-like program and carry important implications for developing therapeutics directed at overcoming differentiation defects in CRC.

High-Fat Diet Promotes Colorectal Tumorigenesis Through Modulating Gut Microbiota and Metabolites.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dietary fat intake is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We examined the role of high-fat diet (HFD) in driving CRC through modulating gut microbiota and metabolites. METHODS: HFD or control diet was fed to mice littermates in CRC mouse models of an azoxymethane (AOM) model and Apcmin/+ model, with or without antibiotics cocktail treatment. Germ-free mice for fecal microbiota transplantation were used for validation. Gut microbiota and metabolites were detected using metagenomic sequencing and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. Gut barrier function was determined using lipopolysaccharides level and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: HFD promoted colorectal tumorigenesis in both AOM-treated mice and Apcmin/+ mice compared with control diet-fed mice. Gut microbiota depletion using antibiotics attenuated colon tumor formation in HFD-fed mice. A significant shift of gut microbiota composition with increased pathogenic bacteria Alistipessp.Marseille-P5997 and Alistipessp.5CPEGH6, and depleted probiotic Parabacteroides distasonis, along with impaired gut barrier function was exhibited in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, HFD-modulated gut microbiota promotes colorectal tumorigenesis in AOM-treated germ-free mice, indicating gut microbiota was essential in HFD-associated colorectal tumorigenesis. Gut metabolites alteration, including elevated lysophosphatidic acid, which was confirmed to promote CRC cell proliferation and impair cell junction, was also observed in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, transfer of stools from HFD-fed mice to germ-free mice without interference increased colonic cell proliferation, impaired gut barrier function, and induced oncogenic genes expression. CONCLUSIONS: HFD drives colorectal tumorigenesis through inducing gut microbial dysbiosis, metabolomic dysregulation with elevated lysophosphatidic acid, and gut barrier dysfunction in mice.

Clinical significance of SPOP and APC gene alterations in colorectal cancer in Indian population.

Speckle-Type Poz Protein (SPOP) involved in the regulation of proteasome-mediated degradation of several oncoproteins, resulting in cancer initiation and progression. Mutations in Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) gene is reported in most sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). Identifying the cellular changes involved in carcinogenesis when APC is mutated is an important issue that needs attention. The tumor suppressive function of SPOP and APC has long been a major focus in the research field of colorectal cancer. However, the clinical significance of SPOP and APC gene alteration in CRC has not been established to date. Mutational analysis was performed by single-strand conformational polymorphism followed by Sanger sequencing, methylation status by methylation-specific PCR, and protein expression by immunohistochemistry on 142 tumor tissues along with their adjacent non-cancerous specimens. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier Curve. Mutation rates of APC and SPOP gene were 2.8% and 11.9% while that of promoter hypermethylation were 37% and 47%, respectively. The grade of differentiation and Lymph node metastasis were significantly correlated with APC methylation pattern (p ≤ 0.05). The down regulation of APC was more often seen in colonic cancer compared to rectal cancer (p = 0.07) and more commonly in T3-4 depth of invasion (p = 0.07) and in patients without lymphovascular and perineural invasion (p = 0.007, p = 0.08 respectively). The median overall survival and recurrence free survival (RFS) was 67 & 36 months while 3-yr and 5-yr OS and RFS were 61.1% & 56.4% and 49.2% & 44.8%, respectively. APC promoter methylation had a better overall survival (p = 0.035) while loss of SPOP expression had a worse survival (p = 0.09). Our findings reveal high percentage of SPOP gene mutations in CRC. A significant link is found between promoter hyper methylation and protein expression in all mutant cases of APC and SPOP, suggesting that both genes may be associated in the development of colorectal cancer in people of Indian decent. Hypermethylation of APC gene and loss of SPOP expression have shown an association with disease prognosis and could be further studied looking at its potential role in planning adjuvant treatment in CRC patients.

Low adenoma burden in unselected patients with a pathogenic APC variant.

PURPOSE: Genomic screening can improve clinical outcomes, but presentation of individuals with risk for polyposis identified via genomic screening is unknown. To inform assessment of clinical utility of genomic screening for polyposis risk, clinical presentation of individuals in an unselected health care system cohort with an APC pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant causative of familial adenomatous polyposis are described. METHODS: Electronic health records of individuals with an APC P/LP variant identified via the MyCode program (MyCode APC+) were reviewed to assess adenoma burden and compare it among individuals with a clinical diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis and matched variant-negative controls. RESULTS: The prevalence of APC P/LP variants in this health care cohort is estimated to be 1 in 2800. Twenty-four MyCode APC+ individuals were identified during the study period. Median age at result disclosure was 53 years. Rate of clinical polyposis was 8%. Two of six participants with a classic region variant and none of those with an attenuated region variant had polyposis. MyCode APC+ participants did not differ from controls in cumulative adenoma count. CONCLUSION: APC P/LP variant prevalence estimate in the MyCode cohort is higher than prior published prevalence rates. Individuals with APC P/LP variants identified via genomic screening had a low adenoma burden.

Role of c-Myc haploinsufficiency in the maintenance of HSCs in mice.

This study was conducted to determine the dosage effect of c-Myc on hematopoiesis and its distinct role in mediating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and bone marrow niche cells. c-Myc haploinsufficiency led to ineffective hematopoiesis by inhibiting HSC self-renewal and quiescence and by promoting apoptosis. We have identified Nr4a1, Nr4a2, and Jmjd3, which are critical for the maintenance of HSC functions, as previously unrecognized downstream targets of c-Myc in HSCs. c-Myc directly binds to the promoter regions of Nr4a1, Nr4a2, and Jmjd3 and regulates their expression. Our results revealed that Nr4a1 and Nr4a2 mediates the function of c-Myc in regulating HSC quiescence, whereas all 3 genes contribute to the function of c-Myc in the maintenance of HSC survival. Adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) is a negative regulator of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. We have provided the first evidence that Apc haploinsufficiency induces a blockage of erythroid lineage differentiation through promoting secretion of IL6 in bone marrow endothelial cells. We found that c-Myc haploinsufficiency failed to rescue defective function of Apc-deficient HSCs in vivo but it was sufficient to prevent the development of severe anemia in Apc-heterozygous mice and to significantly prolong the survival of those mice. Furthermore, we showed that c-Myc-mediated Apc loss induced IL6 secretion in endothelial cells, and c-Myc haploinsufficiency reversed the negative effect of Apc-deficient endothelial cells on erythroid cell differentiation. Our studies indicate that c-Myc has a context-dependent role in mediating the function of Apc in hematopoiesis.

Two Cases, Too Little, Too Late: Surveillance for Gastric Cancer in Patients with FAP.

Familial adenomatous polyposis is an autosomal dominant disease due to a mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. The disease, characterized by the development of adenomas throughout the colon and rectum, is also associated with extracolonic manifestations including gastric fundic polyps and cancer. In this report, we describe two patients with FAP with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma who received systemic chemotherapy. We reviewed the literature published over the past two decades on gastric cancer in FAP patients to assess the clinical course of this disease. Due to its recent increased incidence in Western countries, close endoscopic surveillance to detect early gastric neoplastic lesions is recommended.

Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in Autosomal Dominant and Recessive APC Mutation-Negative Colorectal Adenomatous Polyposis.

The most prevalent type of intestinal polyposis, colorectal adenomatous polyposis (CAP), is regarded as a precancerous lesion of colorectal cancer with obvious genetic characteristics. Early screening and intervention can significantly improve patients' survival and prognosis. The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation is believed to be the primary cause of CAP. There is, however, a subset of CAP with undetectable pathogenic mutations in APC, known as APC (-)/CAP. The genetic predisposition to APC (-)/CAP has largely been associated with germline mutations in some susceptible genes, including the human mutY homologue (MUTYH) gene and the Nth-like DNA glycosylase 1 (NTHL1) gene, and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) can cause autosomal recessive APC (-)/CAP. Furthermore, autosomal dominant APC (-)/CAP could occur as a result of DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE)/DNA polymerase delta 1 (POLD1), axis inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2), and dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) mutations. The clinical phenotypes of these pathogenic mutations vary greatly depending on their genetic characteristics. Therefore, in this study, we present a comprehensive review of the association between autosomal recessive and dominant APC (-)/CAP genotypes and clinical phenotypes and conclude that APC (-)/CAP is a disease caused by multiple genes with different phenotypes and interaction exists in the pathogenic genes.

Constitutional chromothripsis of the APC locus as a cause of genetic predisposition to colon cancer.

PURPOSE: Approximately 20% of patients with clinical familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) remain unsolved after molecular genetic analysis of the APC and other polyposis genes, suggesting additional pathomechanisms. METHODS: We applied multidimensional genomic analysis employing chromosomal microarray profiling, optical mapping, long-read genome and RNA sequencing combined with FISH and standard PCR of genomic and complementary DNA to decode a patient with an attenuated FAP that had remained unsolved by Sanger sequencing and multigene panel next-generation sequencing for years. RESULTS: We identified a complex 3.9 Mb rearrangement involving 14 fragments from chromosome 5q22.1q22.3 of which three were lost, 1 reinserted into chromosome 5 and 10 inserted into chromosome 10q21.3 in a seemingly random order and orientation thus fulfilling the major criteria of chromothripsis. The rearrangement separates APC promoter 1B from the coding ORF (open reading frame) thus leading to allele-specific downregulation of APC mRNA. The rearrangement also involves three additional genes implicated in the APC-Axin-GSK3B-ß-catenin signalling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Based on comprehensive genomic analysis, we propose that constitutional chromothripsis dampening APC expression, possibly modified by additional APC-Axin-GSK3B-ß-catenin pathway disruptions, underlies the patient's clinical phenotype. The combinatorial approach we deployed provides a powerful tool set for deciphering unsolved familial polyposis and potentially other tumour syndromes and monogenic diseases.

High cumulative risk of colorectal cancers and desmoid tumours and fibromatosis in South Asian APC mutation carriers.

Management of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is guided by the cumulative risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and aggressive fibromatosis/desmoid (AF/D). The first non-Caucasian FAP cohort with cumulative risk estimates for CRC and AF/D shows distinct differences with the Caucasian and other Asian cohorts. The strong correlation between the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation location with the FAP phenotype and the geoethnic differences in APC mutation spectrum, genetic constitution, lifestyle and sporadic CRC rates, mandates the use of population-specific cumulative risk estimates for CRC and desmoid for counselling and risk management. On genotype-phenotype correlation in 83 individuals with classical FAP and a confirmed pathogenic/likely Pathogenic (P/LP) APC variant (n=76) or obligate carrier of the family variant (n=7), we observed a high cumulative CRC risk of 40% and 85% by 40 and 60 years, respectively. The observed 30% cumulative risk by 50 years for desmoids was higher than previous European and Asian cohorts and was significantly associated with prophylactic surgery (OR: 4.58, 95% CI 1.06 to 19.78) and APC mutation 3' of codon 1309 (OR: 13.07, 95% CI 3.58 to 47.56) and also 3' of codon 1444 (OR: 8.0, 95% CI 1.83 to 34.94). Global cooperation is required to establish FAP genotype-phenotype associations and population-specific risk estimates to guide genetic counselling and risk management.

Usefulness of genotyping APC gene for individualizing management of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal polyp burden is crucial for the management of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). However, accurate evaluation of polyp burden is difficult to standardize. This study aimed to examine the possible utility of genotype-oriented management of colorectal neoplasms in patients with FAP. METHODS: Clinicopathological data from genetically proven patients with FAP was analyzed using the database of a nationwide retrospective Japanese multicenter study. The cumulative incidence of CRC was evaluated between different genotype groups. Genotype-1 were defined as germline variants on attenuated FAP-associated regions (codons 1-177, alternative splice site of exon 10 (codon 312), 1581-2843) and Genotype-2 as the other variants. Weibull and Joinpoint analyses were performed to determine the annual percentage changes in CRC risk. RESULTS: Overall, 69 men and 102 women were included. Forty-eight patients underwent colorectal resection for the first CRC, and five patients underwent resection for first cancer in the remnant anorectal segment after prophylactic surgery. The 70-year cumulative incidence of CRC in all patients was 59.3%. Patients with Genotype-1 (n = 23) demonstrated a lower risk of CRC stages II-IV than those with Genotype-2 (n = 148, P = 0.04). The risk of stage II-IV CRC was estimated to increase markedly at the age of 49 years in the Genotype-1 patients and 34 years in the Genotype-2 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Different interventional strategies based on genotypes may be proposed for the clinical management of patients with FAP. This policy needs to be validated in further prospective studies focusing on long-term endoscopic intervention and optimal age at prophylactic (procto)colectomy.

Mathematical model of colorectal cancer initiation.

Quantifying evolutionary dynamics of cancer initiation and progression can provide insights into more effective strategies of early detection and treatment. Here we develop a mathematical model of colorectal cancer initiation through inactivation of two tumor suppressor genes and activation of one oncogene, accounting for the well-known path to colorectal cancer through loss of tumor suppressors APC and TP53 and gain of the KRAS oncogene. In the model, we allow mutations to occur in any order, leading to a complex network of premalignant mutational genotypes on the way to colorectal cancer. We parameterize the model using experimentally measured parameter values, many of them only recently available, and compare its predictions to epidemiological data on colorectal cancer incidence. We find that the reported lifetime risk of colorectal cancer can be recovered using a mathematical model of colorectal cancer initiation together with experimentally measured mutation rates in colorectal tissues and proliferation rates of premalignant lesions. We demonstrate that the order of driver events in colorectal cancer is determined primarily by the fitness effects that they provide, rather than their mutation rates. Our results imply that there may not be significant immune suppression of untreated benign and malignant colorectal lesions.