Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Kim H, Yoo S, Zhou R, et al.
Oncogenic role of SFRP2 in p53-mutant osteosarcoma development via autocrine and paracrine mechanism.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018; 115(47):E11128-E11137 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common primary bone tumor, is highly metastatic with high chemotherapeutic resistance and poor survival rates. Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) patients, we investigate an oncogenic role of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) in p53 mutation-associated OS development. Interestingly, we find that high SFRP2 expression in OS patient samples correlates with poor survival. Systems-level analyses identified that expression of SFRP2 increases during LFS OS development and can induce angiogenesis. Ectopic SFRP2 overexpression in normal osteoblast precursors is sufficient to suppress normal osteoblast differentiation and to promote OS phenotypes through induction of oncogenic molecules such as

Related:

Bone Cancers

Angiogenesis and Cancer

Osteosarcoma

Adrenocortical Carcinoma - Molecular Biology

FOXM1

Doyle MR, Johnston JM
A novel p.Gly187Arg TP53 variant appears to result in Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2018; 35(3):203-207 [PubMed] Related Publications

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome characterized by pathogenic variants in the TP53 gene on chromosome 17. The most common cancers in Li-Fraumeni kindreds include sarcomas, breast cancer, brain tumors, and adrenocortical carcinoma. We report a 9-month-old male who was diagnosed with an adrenocortical tumor and later found to harbor a novel TP53 c.559 G > C germline variant, resulting in p.Gly187Arg. Family history included early-onset breast cancer in his paternal grandmother and paternal great-grandfather, as well as colon cancer at age 31 in a paternal cousin. The same TP53 variant was later confirmed in his paternal grandmother. Based on this information, his father (age 28, obligate carrier for the variant) was referred for colonoscopic screening and found to have multiple adenomatous polyps. This previously undescribed variant lies at an exon/intron boundary and is predicted to decrease splice site efficiency with resulting altered splicing or exon skipping. Our patient's family history provides limited evidence that this variant is a cause of Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Related:

Adrenocortical Cancer

Bakhuizen JJ, Velthuizen ME, Stehouwer S, et al.
Genetic counselling of young women with breast cancer for Li-Fraumeni syndrome: a nationwide survey on the experiences and attitudes of genetics professionals.
Fam Cancer. 2019; 18(2):231-239 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

Germline TP53 mutations are associated with an increased risk of early-onset breast cancer. Traditionally, it was not standard practice to offer TP53 genetic testing due to the low mutation detection rate and limited options regarding preventive screening. Recent guidelines recommend that all women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 31, irrespective of family history, should be offered TP53 genetic testing. This study aims to gain more knowledge on the attitudes and experiences among genetics professionals regarding the timing and content of genetic counselling of young breast cancer patients for Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). We conducted a nationwide online survey among genetics professionals who provide cancer genetic counselling in the Netherlands. Fifty-seven professionals completed the questionnaire (response rate overall 54%, clinical geneticists 70%). Most respondents reported that they discuss the option of TP53 genetic testing-simultaneously with BRCA 1/2-during the initial counselling visit, especially in case of referral for treatment-focused genetic counselling. There was a general consensus about ten information items that should be discussed during counselling. Sixty-one percent of genetics professionals did not encounter difficulties in providing genetic counselling for LFS, but a substantial minority (29%) did. This study offers valuable insight, which will be useful for clinical practice. Studies which address young breast cancer patients' attitudes and preferences regarding the timing and content of counselling are warranted to further determine the most appropriate genetic counselling strategy for these women.

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Hosoya T, Kambe A, Nishimura Y, et al.
Pediatric Case of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Complicated with Supratentorial Anaplastic Ependymoma.
World Neurosurg. 2018; 120:125-128 [PubMed] Related Publications

BACKGROUND: Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a genetic disease that is caused by mutation of the tumor suppressor gene TP53. Patients with this syndrome may develop multiple malignant neoplasms including brain tumors. We herein report the first case of Li-Fraumeni syndrome in which development of supratentorial anaplastic ependymoma led to difficulty in terms of selecting the optimal postoperative therapeutic protocol.
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 7-year-old boy experiencing a convulsive attack was brought to our institute. He underwent surgical tumor resection, and magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed a tumor-like lesion in the right parietal lobe. Although adjuvant radiotherapy was performed after total tumor resection, a focal recurrent lesion appeared soon afterward. We initiated chemotherapy with bevacizumab after resection of the recurrent lesion, but bevacizumab was unable to control tumor progression. At this writing, he remains bedridden and requires tube feeding and artificial ventilation.
CONCLUSION: Since Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a genetic disease that is caused by mutation of the tumor suppression gene TP53, patients should generally not be treated with radiotherapy or alkylating agents that induce deoxyribonucleic acid damage. However, if the prognostic benefit of postoperative adjuvant therapies is thought to surpass the risk of long-term secondary cancer, it is appropriate to consider these therapies after consultation with the patient and family. Postoperative treatment protocols are controversial, and their role should be further explored in cases of Li-Fraumeni syndrome complicated with malignant gliomas.

Related:

Childhood Ependymoma

Paixão D, Guimarães MD, de Andrade KC, et al.
Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging of Li-Fraumeni syndrome patients: observations from a two rounds screening of Brazilian patients.
Cancer Imaging. 2018; 18(1):27 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

BACKGROUND: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is an autosomal dominant disease that is associated with germline TP53 mutations and it predisposes affected individuals to a high risk of developing multiple tumors. In Brazil, LFS is characterized by a different pattern of TP53 variants, with the founder TP53 p.R337H mutation being predominant. The adoption of screening strategies to diagnose LFS in its early stages is a major challenge due to the diverse spectrum of tumors that LFS patients can develop. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two rounds of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) which were conducted as a screening strategy for LFS patients.
METHODS: Over a 4-year period, 59 LFS patients underwent two rounds of WB-MRI. Each MRI was characterized as positive or negative, and positive cases were further investigated to establish a diagnosis. The parameters used to evaluate the WB-MRI results included: positive rate, number of invasive investigations of positive results, and cancer detection rate.
RESULTS: A total of 118 WB-MRI scans were performed. Positive results were associated with 11 patients (9.3%). Seven of these patients (11.8%) were identified in the first round of screening and 4 patients (6.7%) were identified in the second round of screening. Biopsies were performed in three cases (2.5%), two (3.4%) after the first round of screening and one (1.7%) after the second round of screening. The histopathological results confirmed a diagnosis of cancer for all three cases. There was no indication of unnecessary invasive procedures.
CONCLUSIONS: WB-MRI screening of LFS carriers diagnosed cancers in their early stages. When needed, positive results were further examined with non-invasive imaging techniques. False positive results were less frequent after the first round of WB-MRI screening.

Penkert J, Schmidt G, Hofmann W, et al.
Breast cancer patients suggestive of Li-Fraumeni syndrome: mutational spectrum, candidate genes, and unexplained heredity.
Breast Cancer Res. 2018; 20(1):87 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most prevalent tumor entity in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Up to 80% of individuals with a Li-Fraumeni-like phenotype do not harbor detectable causative germline TP53 variants. Yet, no systematic panel analyses for a wide range of cancer predisposition genes have been conducted on cohorts of women with breast cancer fulfilling Li-Fraumeni(-like) clinical diagnostic criteria.
METHODS: To specifically help explain the diagnostic gap of TP53 wild-type Li-Fraumeni(-like) breast cancer cases, we performed array-based CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) and panel-based sequencing of 94 cancer predisposition genes on 83 breast cancer patients suggestive of Li-Fraumeni syndrome who had previously had negative test results for causative BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 germline variants.
RESULTS: We identified 13 pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants in ten patients and in nine genes, including four copy number aberrations and nine single-nucleotide variants or small indels. Three patients presented as double-mutation carriers involving two different genes each. In five patients (5 of 83; 6% of cohort), we detected causative pathogenic variants in established hereditary breast cancer susceptibility genes (i.e., PALB2, CHEK2, ATM). Five further patients (5 of 83; 6% of cohort) were found to harbor pathogenic variants in genes lacking a firm association with breast cancer susceptibility to date (i.e., Fanconi pathway genes, RECQ family genes, CDKN2A/p14
CONCLUSIONS: Our study details the mutational spectrum in breast cancer patients suggestive of Li-Fraumeni syndrome and indicates the need for intensified research on monoallelic variants in Fanconi pathway and RECQ family genes. Notably, this study further reveals a large portion of still unexplained Li-Fraumeni(-like) cases, warranting comprehensive investigation of recently described candidate genes as well as noncoding regions of the TP53 gene in patients with Li-Fraumeni(-like) syndrome lacking TP53 variants in coding regions.

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Kasper E, Angot E, Colasse E, et al.
Contribution of genotoxic anticancer treatments to the development of multiple primary tumours in the context of germline TP53 mutations.
Eur J Cancer. 2018; 101:254-262 [PubMed] Related Publications

INTRODUCTION: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), due to TP53 germline mutations, is characterised by a remarkably high incidence of multiple primary cancers (MPCs), and the key role of p53 in response to DNA damage questions the contribution of anticancer treatments to MPCs development.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first evaluated genotoxicity of X-rays and different classes of conventional chemotherapies, thanks to genotoxicity assays, based on the measurement of transcriptional response to DNA damage and performed in murine splenocytes, either exposed ex vivo or extracted from exposed mice. We then exposed a total of 208 Trp53Δ/Δ, wt/Δ or wt/wt mice to clinical doses of X-rays or genotoxic or non-genotoxic chemotherapies. Tumour development was monitored using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and pathological examination at death.
RESULTS: X-rays and conventional chemotherapies, except mitotic spindle poisons, were found to be genotoxic in both p53 genotoxicity assays. Exposition to X-rays and the topoisomerase inhibitor etoposide, analysed as genotoxic anticancer treatment, drastically increase the tumour development risk in Trp53Δ/Δ and wt/Δ mice (hazard ration [HR] = 4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.2-8.8], p < 0.001*** and HR = 4.7, 95% CI [2.4-9.3], p < 0.001***, respectively). In contrast, exposure to the non-genotoxic mitotic spindle poison, docetaxel, had no impact on tumour development.
CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that radiotherapy and genotoxic chemotherapies significantly increase the risk of tumour development in a LFS mice model. These results strongly support the contribution of genotoxic anticancer treatments to MPC development in LFS patients. Therefore, to reduce the risk of MPCs in germline TP53 mutation carriers, radiotherapy should be avoided whenever possible, surgical treatment prioritised, and non-genotoxic treatments considered.

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Valdez JM, Walker B, Ogg S, et al.
Parent-child communication surrounding genetic testing for Li-Fraumeni syndrome: Living under the cloud of cancer.
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018; 65(11):e27350 [PubMed] Related Publications

BACKGROUND: Advances in the application of genetic technologies reveal a growing number of heritable disorders associated with an increased risk to develop cancer during childhood. As genetic testing is increasingly employed in the clinical setting, it is essential to understand whether parents communicate with their children about test results and to elucidate the factors that influence the content and outcomes of these conversations.
METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 parents whose children tested positive for Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). Semantic content analysis was performed on transcribed interviews, focusing on questions related to parent-child conversations about the genetic testing process and disclosure of positive test results.
RESULTS: All parents emphasized the importance of involving children in conversations about LFS. The majority (93%) identified as being part of "cancer families" in which prior experiences with cancer created opportunities for communication. While all had spoken with their children about cancer, only seven (50%) specifically disclosed to their children that they had tested positive for LFS. The most common reason cited for nondisclosure at the time of this study was the young age of the children.
CONCLUSION: Parents of children with LFS desire open conversations about genetic testing and cancer risk. These conversations are challenging yet essential to enable child understanding of genetic risk status and enhance compliance with health-promoting and cancer surveillance measures. Development of age-appropriate educational materials and novel clinical models to facilitate parent-child conversations about genetic test results and risk status for cancer are needed.

Related:

Children's Cancer Web: Home Page

Goyal A, Cajigas I, Ibrahim GM, et al.
Surgical Treatment of Intramedullary Spinal Metastasis in Medulloblastoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
World Neurosurg. 2018; 118:42-46 [PubMed] Related Publications

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastomas are common childhood central nervous system tumors that are prone to leptomeningeal spread. Intramedullary dissemination is rare with very few case reports existing in the available literature.
CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors here present a case of a 14-year-old boy with Li-Fraumeni syndrome and medulloblastoma who underwent surgical resection of spinal intramedullary spread. Histopathology revealed the tumor to be anaplastic medulloblastoma, same as the intracranial lesions. Genetic testing of the metastatic deposit revealed loss of functions mutations in SUFU, NOTCH3, and TP53 and TERC amplification. An improvement in ambulatory function at short-term follow-up was noted before the patient died of disseminated disease.
CONCLUSIONS: Intramedullary metastasis of medulloblastoma remains a rare disease. Surgical resection might play a possible role in management in addition to radiation and chemotherapy.

Related:

Childhood Medulloblastoma / PNET

Medulloblastoma

Zhou R, Xu A, Tu J, et al.
Modeling Osteosarcoma Using Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Patient-derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.
J Vis Exp. 2018; (136) [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer disorder. Patients with LFS are predisposed to a various type of tumors, including osteosarcoma--one of the most frequent primary non-hematologic malignancies in the childhood and adolescence. Therefore, LFS provides an ideal model to study this malignancy. Taking advantage of iPSC methodologies, LFS-associated osteosarcoma can be successfully modeled by differentiating LFS patient iPSCs to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and then to osteoblasts--the cells of origin for osteosarcomas. These LFS osteoblasts recapitulate oncogenic properties of osteosarcoma, providing an attractive model system for delineating the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. This manuscript demonstrates a protocol for the generation of iPSCs from LFS patient fibroblasts, differentiation of iPSCs to MSCs, differentiation of MSCs to osteoblasts, and in vivo tumorigenesis using LFS osteoblasts. This iPSC disease model can be extended to identify potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for LFS-associated osteosarcoma.

Related:

Osteosarcoma

Advolodkina P, Lachiewicz MP, Oprea-Ilies G, et al.
What Should a Gynecologist Know about Li-Fraumeni Syndrome? Lessons from a Patient Undergoing Hysterectomy for Benign Indications.
Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2018; 83(4):410-414 [PubMed] Related Publications

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare highly penetrant cancer syndrome characterized by mutation in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene. Recent data suggest that this germline mutation is more frequent than once thought. While LFS has not been associated previously with pelvic serous carcinoma, gynecologic malignancies have been reported in this patient population. We present the case report of a 37-year-old patient with known LFS and a history of multiple cancers who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy for benign indications with incidental bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. On final pathology, she was found to have serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma of bilateral fallopian tubes. Our findings raise the question of the potential role of prophylactic gynecologic cancer-reducing surgery in this patient population.

Related:

Fallopian Tube Cancer

Murray KS, Spaliviero M, Tonorezos ES, et al.
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome-related Malignancies Involving the Genitourinary Tract: Review of a Single-institution Experience.
Urology. 2018; 119:55-61 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of pelvic angiosarcoma in a 27-year-old man with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) and evaluate the presentation and timeline of genitourinary (GU) tract involvement in LFS patients.
METHODS: We retrospectively identified 39 LFS patients treated at our institution between 2000 and 2014; 7 (18%) had experienced a GU malignancy or an LFS-related malignancy involving the GU tract. Clinical characteristics, including dates of onset of first GU tract malignancies; pathologic findings; multimodal management; and familial history of LFS were reviewed.
RESULTS: Median age at first malignancy was 14.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 5.5-24.0). There was a slight male predominance (4 of 7). Median time between first malignancy and the malignancy involving the GU tract was 10.1 years (IQR 8.0-19.5). Six of the 7 patients (86%) had a form of sarcoma involving the GU tract; 1 developed adrenocortical carcinoma. The cancer pedigree of all patients showed LFS-associated malignancies in family members. Multimodal management included surgical resection in 6 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy in 1 patient each. One patient received chemotherapy only. Following diagnosis of malignancy involving the GU tract, 5 of the 7 patients developed additional primary malignancies. At a median follow-up of 4.7 years (IQR 3.0-12.1), 2 patients are alive, 3 died of disease, and 1 died of unknown cause. One patient was lost at follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Continued follow-up of LFS cancer patients aimed at the determination of optimal screening, management, and surveillance protocols is recommended and may result in longer survival expectations.

Brown NJ, Bhatia K, Teague J, et al.
Report of a bi-allelic truncating germline mutation in TP53.
Fam Cancer. 2019; 18(1):101-104 [PubMed] Related Publications

The TP53 gene is fundamental to genomic integrity, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis; it is the most commonly mutated gene in human cancer. Heterozygous germline mutations cause the autosomal dominant cancer predisposition syndrome, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. Homozygous germline TP53 mutations in humans are rare. We report an infant from a consanguineous family who presented with synchronous malignancies. Remarkably, he carries a homozygous germline TP53 mutation (NM_000546.4:c.52delA), predicted to cause protein truncation. The family history is consistent with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

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Crafton SM, Senter-Jamieson L, Chen JL, et al.
Radiation-associated Angiosarcoma Mimicking Fallopian Tube High-grade Serous Carcinoma in a Woman With De Novo Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.
Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2019; 38(3):258-262 [PubMed] Related Publications

We present a case study of a woman with history of rectal adenocarcinoma, and a new diagnosis of radiation-associated angiosarcoma mimicking fallopian tube high-grade serous carcinoma who was subsequently found to have de novo Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Our objective is to highlight angiosarcoma as a potential pitfall in the diagnosis of high-grade serous carcinoma.

Related:

Fallopian Tube Cancer

Bester J, Sabatello M, van Karnebeek CDM, Lantos JD
Please Test My Child for a Cancer Gene, but Don't Tell Her.
Pediatrics. 2018; 141(4) [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

A 38-year-old woman is diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an autosomal dominant genetic condition that predisposes to a variety of cancers. The woman has an 11-year-old daughter. The geneticist recommends that the child be tested for the Li-Fraumeni genetic variant. The mother is concerned about the impact of testing and diagnosis on Karen's psychological well-being. She describes Karen as "highly strung" and as "a worrier." The child has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and is managed by a psychologist for counseling. The child is otherwise well. The mother requests that testing be done without disclosing it to the child by adding the test on to routine blood work done for another reason and requests that the results only be revealed if they are positive. Experts in genetics, law, and bioethics discuss whether it is permissible to test the child without her knowledge or assent.

Related:

Children's Cancer Web: Home Page

Rana HQ, Gelman R, LaDuca H, et al.
Differences in TP53 Mutation Carrier Phenotypes Emerge From Panel-Based Testing.
J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018; 110(8):863-870 [PubMed] Related Publications

Background: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) has traditionally been identified by single-gene testing (SGT) of TP53 triggered by clinical criteria, but the widespread use of multigene panel tests (MGPTs) has upended this paradigm. We sought to compare the personal and family cancer histories of TP53-positive result (TP53+) carriers who were identified by either MGPT or SGT.
Methods: Of 44 310 individuals who underwent testing of TP53 in a single clinical diagnostic laboratory between 2010 and 2014, 44 086 (40 885 MGPT and 3201 SGT) met study eligibility criteria. Personal cancer histories were available for 38 938 subjects. The frequency of germline TP53 results and various phenotypic manifestations were compared according to test type. All statistical tests were two-sided.
Results: MGPT TP53+ individuals (n = 126) had an older median age at first cancer than SGT TP53+ carriers (n = 96; women: median = 36 vs 28 years, P < .001; and men: median = 40 vs 15 years, P = .004). The median age of breast cancer diagnosis was 40 years in MGPT TP53+ women vs 33 years in SGT TP53+ women (P < .001). In both cohorts, childhood and LFS core cancers, and for women, multiple primary cancers (not multiple breast tumors), were associated with TP53+ results. Established LFS testing criteria were less often met by MGPT TP53+ individuals.
Conclusions: MGPT TP53+ individuals differ in phenotype from those ascertained through SGT and are notably older at cancer diagnosis and less likely to meet LFS clinical criteria. These findings suggest that LFS may have a greater phenotypic spectrum than previously appreciated. This has implications for the counseling of MGPT TP53+ individuals. Prospective follow-up of these individuals and families is needed to re-evaluate cancer risks.

Related:

Macaulay S, Goodyear QC, Kruger M, et al.
The first two confirmed sub-Saharan African families with germline TP53 mutations causing Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Fam Cancer. 2018; 17(4):607-613 [PubMed] Related Publications

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a rare inherited cancer syndrome characterised by the early onset of specific cancers. Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is associated with germline mutations in the tumour suppressor gene, TP53. This study reports the first cases of molecularly confirmed LFS germline mutations in sub-Saharan Africa. Three black African patients, all with LFS-associated cancers, were seen through the Clinical and Counselling Section of the Division of Human Genetics at the National Health Laboratory Service and University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, during 2011-2012. All three patients (two were related) were recruited into this research study. Sequence analysis of the coding region of the TP53 gene identified a Class IV (likely pathogenic) variant, c.326T > C (p.Phe109Ser), in the two related patients, and a known pathogenic mutation, c.1010G > A (p.Arg337His), also referred to as the Brazilian founder mutation, in the other patient. A confirmed diagnosis in these patients will assist in tailored medical management (it is recommended that individuals carrying a germline TP53 mutation avoid radiotherapy as this might cause secondary radiotherapy-induced malignancies) and in addition, genetic testing of at-risk family members can be offered. Very little is known and documented on LFS in African individuals. Despite the small number of patients in this study, the results support the need for diagnostic genetic testing for LFS in South Africa.

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Pastorello RG, D'Almeida Costa F, Osório CABT, et al.
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma in a Li-FRAUMENI patient: a case report.
Diagn Pathol. 2018; 13(1):10 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

BACKGROUND: Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare malignancy, recently recognized as a provisional entity by the World Health Organization. Although increasing data have been published on this entity in recent years, a great number of patients and health professionals remain unaware of this diagnosis.
CASE PRESENTATION: We herein report the case of a 56-year-old female with Li-FRAUMENI syndrome who presented with late right-sided recurrent breast swelling after prophylactic adenomastectomy with implant reconstruction. Imaging scans revealed an heterogeneous mass adjacent to the implant fibrous capsule. A biopsy of the lesion rendered the diagnosis of a BIA-ALCL.
CONCLUSIONS: This case presents similarities with previous reports, but also some particularities, which should be stressed in order to make the diagnosis the earliest possible. The most distinct feature is that this is the second report of BIA-ALCL arising in the setting of Li-FRAUMENI syndrome.

Related:

Paget's Disease of the Breast

Shaul E, Roth M, Lo Y, et al.
Pediatric oncologist willingness to offer germline TP53 testing in osteosarcoma.
Cancer. 2018; 124(6):1242-1250 [PubMed] Related Publications

BACKGROUND: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in the tumor-suppressor gene TP53. Osteosarcoma is a sentinel cancer in LFS. Prior studies using Sanger sequencing platforms have demonstrated that 3% of individuals with osteosarcoma harbor a mutation in TP53. New data from next-generation sequencing have demonstrated that 3.8% of patients with osteosarcoma have a known pathogenic variant, and an additional 5.7% carry exonic variants of unknown significance in TP53.
METHODS: Pediatric oncologists were e-mailed an anonymous 18-question survey assessing their willingness to offer TP53 germline testing to a child with osteosarcoma with or without a family history, and they were evaluated for changes in their choices with the prior data and the new data.
RESULTS: One hundred seventy-seven pediatric oncologists (22%) responded to the survey. Respondents were more likely to offer TP53 testing to a patient with a positive family history (77.4% vs 12.4%; P < .0001). Significantly more providers responded that they would offer TP53 testing once they were provided with the new data (25.4% vs 12.4%; P = .0038). The proportion of providers who responded that they were unsure increased significantly when they were presented with the new data (25.4% vs 10.2%; P = .0002). Potential implications for other family members and the possibility that surveillance imaging would detect new malignancies at an earlier stage were important factors influencing a provider's decision to offer TP53 testing.
CONCLUSIONS: Recent data increase the proportion of providers willing to offer testing, and this suggests concern on the part of pediatric oncologists that variants of unknown significance may be disease-defining in rare cancers. Cancer 2018;124:1242-50. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Related:

Osteosarcoma

O'Neill AF, Voss SD, Jagannathan JP, et al.
Screening with whole-body magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric subjects with Li-Fraumeni syndrome: A single institution pilot study.
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018; 65(2) [PubMed] Related Publications

BACKGROUND: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer syndrome associated with germline mutations in the TP53 gene and a high risk of childhood-onset malignancies. Cancer surveillance is challenging in pediatric mutation carriers given the anatomic spectrum of malignancies and young age of onset. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) may provide an acceptable method for early cancer detection.
PROCEDURE: We conducted a prospective feasibility pilot study of pediatric subjects (age < 18 years) with LFS to determine return rates for annual WB-MRI scan. Secondary objectives included characterization of incident cancers (and how they were detected).
RESULTS: Forty-five WB-MRI scans in 20 subjects were performed over 5 years; two patients enrolled without subsequently undergoing scans. Eighty-nine percent of participants scanned (95% confidence interval: 67-99%) returned for second examinations. Fifty-five percent of participants required general anesthesia, which was well tolerated in all cases. Six patients required dedicated follow-up imaging. One participant required biopsy of a detected brain lesion; pathology demonstrated reactive gliosis. Another participant, with prior choroid plexus carcinoma, had a new brain lesion detected on clinical follow-up MRI not seen on WB-MRI 6 months prior. All other participants remain well (median: 3 years, range: 0.08-4 years).
CONCLUSIONS: WB-MRI in pediatric subjects is a well-tolerated approach to cancer surveillance despite the need for general anesthesia in some patients. A large multicenter trial would determine true test characteristics and efficacy of this approach for early cancer detection in children at high cancer risk.

Amadou A, Waddington Achatz MI, Hainaut P
Revisiting tumor patterns and penetrance in germline TP53 mutation carriers: temporal phases of Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Curr Opin Oncol. 2018; 30(1):23-29 [PubMed] Related Publications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Germline pathogenic TP53 mutation may predispose to multiple cancers but penetrance and cancer patterns remain incompletely documented. We have analyzed international agency for research on cancer TP53 database to reevaluate age and variant-dependent tumor patterns.
RECENT FINDINGS: Genome-wide studies suggest that germline variants are more frequent than estimated prevalence of Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), suggesting that many carriers of potentially pathogenic mutations may not develop the syndrome. Carriers of a germline TP53 mutation who are detected in a clinical context have a penetrance of 80% at age 70. Penetrance varies according to age, sex and mutation type. Temporal tumor patterns show distinct phases, with childhood phase (0-15 years, 22% of all cancers) characterized by adrenal cortical carcinoma, choroid plexus carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and medulloblastoma; early adulthood phase (16-50 years, 51%) including breast cancer, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcomas, leukemia, astrocytoma and glioblastoma, colorectal and lung cancer; late adulthood phase (51-80 years, 27%) including pancreatic and prostate cancer.
SUMMARY: Germline pathogenic variants in TP53 gene have different consequences according to cell, tissue, context and age. The occurrence of frequent variants in patients with no criteria suggestive of LFS calls for attention in predicting individual risk and highlights the need of additional predictors for assigning carriers to appropriate surveillance programs.

Related:

Cancer Screening and Early Detection

Bojadzieva J, Amini B, Day SF, et al.
Whole body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) and brain MRI baseline surveillance in TP53 germline mutation carriers: experience from the Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Education and Early Detection (LEAD) clinic.
Fam Cancer. 2018; 17(2):287-294 [PubMed] Related Publications

Individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) have a significantly increased lifetime cancer risk affecting multiple organ sites. Therefore, novel comprehensive screening approaches are necessary to improve cancer detection and survival in this population. The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of whole body MRI (WB-MRI) and dedicated brain MRI screening as part of a comprehensive screening clinic called Li-Fraumeni Education and Early Detection (LEAD) at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Adult (≥21 year old) and pediatric (<21 year old) patients were referred to the LEAD clinic by healthcare providers or self-referred and screened at 6 month intervals. During the study period, 63 LFS individuals were seen in the LEAD clinic including 49 adults (11 male, 38 female) and 14 children (7 male, 7 female). Fifty-three of 63 potentially eligible individuals underwent baseline WB-MRI (41 adults and 12 children) with primary tumors detected in six patients, tumor recurrence in one patient and cancer metastases in one patient. Thirty-five of 63 patients (24 adults and 11 children) underwent baseline brain MRI with primary brain tumors detected in three individuals, also noted on subsequent WB-MRI scans. Three additional tumors were diagnosed that in retrospect review were missed on the initial scan (false negatives) and one tumor noted, but not followed up clinically, was prospectively found to be malignant. The high incidence of asymptomatic tumors identified in this initial screening (13%), supports the inclusion of WB-MRI and brain MRI in the clinical management of individuals with LFS.

Related:

Pal T, Brzosowicz J, Valladares A, et al.
Identification and Management of
South Med J. 2017; 110(10):643-648 [PubMed] Related Publications

OBJECTIVES: The increasing use of multigene panel tests may reveal an unexpected pathogenic variant in the tumor protein p53 (
METHODS: Among individuals with multigene panel testing (inclusive of the
RESULTS: Among the 10 participants enrolled in one of the two registries with a germline
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that individuals identified with a germline P/LP variant in

Related:

Franceschi S, Spugnesi L, Aretini P, et al.
Whole-exome analysis of a Li-Fraumeni family trio with a novel TP53 PRD mutation and anticipation profile.
Carcinogenesis. 2017; 38(9):938-943 [PubMed] Related Publications

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a clinically heterogeneous familial cancer predisposition syndrome with autosomal-dominant inheritance caused by heterozygous germline mutations in the TP53 gene. We here analyze the genetic background of a family with a 4-year-proband presented with a Li-Fraumeni tumor. The mother developed breast cancer at age 37 and the proband died at age 8. We performed Sanger sequencing and whole-exome sequencing on peripheral blood DNA from proband and relatives. Data analysis selected only high-quality score and depth reads, rare variants and protein impact involving missense, non-sense, frameshift and splice disrupt mutations. Disease implicated variants and predicted deleterious alterations were also chosen. TP53 genetic testing revealed a never reported TP53 deletion arose as de novo mutation in the mother and inherited by the proband. We then performed whole-exome analysis of the trio to uncover inherited variants from the father that potentially worsen the already altered genetic background in the proband. No pathogenic variants were inherited in autosomal recessive, de novo dominant or X-linked recessive manner. Comparing proband and father exome we detected 25 predicted deleterious variants including a nonsense mutation in ERCC3. Those inherited mutations are possible candidate modifiers linked to TP53, explaining the proband accelerated tumor onset compared to the mother and providing a possible explanation of the genetic anticipation event in this Li-Fraumeni family.

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Yamazaki F, Shima H, Osumi T, et al.
Nodular Lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma in a 15-Year-Old Boy With Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Having a Germline TP53 D49H Mutation.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2018; 40(3):e195-e197 [PubMed] Related Publications

Germline mutations in TP53 are the primary cause of Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). Most mutations are reported within the DNA-binding domain. We report a case of a 15-year-old boy with LFS who developed early-stage nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare subtype of Hodgkin lymphomas. His sister was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of 1.5 years. Sequence analysis revealed a germline mutation in the transactivation domain of TP53, c.145G>C (p.D49H), in the patient, his sister, and father. One family with LFS with a germline TP53 D49H mutation has previously been reported. This report supports the pathogenicity of this mutation.

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Hodgkin's Lymphoma

de Andrade KC, Mirabello L, Stewart DR, et al.
Higher-than-expected population prevalence of potentially pathogenic germline TP53 variants in individuals unselected for cancer history.
Hum Mutat. 2017; 38(12):1723-1730 [PubMed] Related Publications

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is an autosomal-dominant cancer predisposition disorder associated with pathogenic germline variants in TP53, with a high penetrance over an individual's lifetime. The actual population prevalence of pathogenic germline TP53 mutations is still unclear, most likely due to biased selection of cancer affected families. The aim of this study was to estimate the population prevalence of potentially pathogenic TP53 exonic variants in three sequencing databases, totaling 63,983 unrelated individuals. Potential pathogenicity was defined using an original algorithm combining bioinformatic prediction tools, suggested clinical significance, and functional data. We identified 34 different potentially pathogenic TP53 variants in 131 out of 63,983 individuals (0.2%). Twenty-eight (82%) of these variants fell within the DNA-binding domain of TP53, with an enrichment for specific variants that were not previously identified as LFS mutation hotspots, such as the p.R290H and p.N235S variants. Our findings reveal that the population prevalence of potentially pathogenic TP53 variants may be up to 10 times higher than previously estimated from family-based studies. These results point to the need for further studies aimed at evaluating cancer penetrance modifiers as well as the risk associated between cancer and rare TP53 variants.

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McEvoy M, Robison N, Manley P, et al.
Successful Treatment of Recurrent Li-Fraumeni Syndrome-related Choroid Plexus Carcinoma.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2017; 39(8):e473-e475 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

The management of choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) is challenging and multifaceted. Here, we discuss a 3-year-old girl with CPC and Li-Fraumeni syndrome who achieved full remission after surgery and chemotherapy, with radiation therapy spared. At recurrence, we used a novel, standard-dose cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen, focal proton radiation therapy, and targeted agents based on morphoproteomic analysis to achieve long-term survival. We highlight the rationale for our therapy at recurrence, as well as the risk-benefit analyses necessary in decision making for these patients. Our strategy may be effective in managing other patients with recurrent CPC and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Calvete O, Garcia-Pavia P, Domínguez F, et al.
The wide spectrum of POT1 gene variants correlates with multiple cancer types.
Eur J Hum Genet. 2017; 25(11):1278-1281 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

The POT1 protein binds and protects telomeres. Germline variants in the POT1 gene have recently been shown to be associated with risk of developing tumors in different tissues such as familial chronic lymphocytic leukemia, colorectal, glioma and melanoma tumors. Recently, we uncovered a variant in the POT1 gene (p.R117C) as causative of familial cardiac angiosarcomas (CAS) in Li-Fraumeni-like (LFL) syndrome families. Our in silico studies predicted that this protein had lost the ability to interact with TPP1 and single-stranded DNA. In vitro studies corroborated this prediction and showed that this lack of function leads to abnormally long telomeres. To better understand the POT1 gene and its role with tumorigenesis, we extended the study to LFL (with and without members affected with angiosarcomas (AS)) and sporadic AS and cardiac sarcomas. We found POT1 variants in the 20% of the families with members affected with AS and 10% of sporadic AS and sarcomas. In silico studies predicted that these new variants were damaging in the same manner as previously described for the POT1 p.R117C variants. The wide spectrum of variants in the POT1 gene leading to tumorigenesis in different tissues demonstrates its general importance. Study of the POT1 gene should be considered as routine diagnostic in these cancers.

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POT1

Zhou R, Xu A, Gingold J, et al.
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Disease Model: A Platform to Develop Precision Cancer Therapy Targeting Oncogenic p53.
Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2017; 38(10):908-927 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare hereditary autosomal dominant cancer disorder. Germline mutations in TP53, the gene encoding p53, are responsible for most cases of LFS. TP53 is also the most commonly mutated gene in human cancers. Because inhibition of mutant p53 is considered to be a promising therapeutic strategy to treat these diseases, LFS provides a perfect genetic model to study p53 mutation-associated malignancies as well as to screen potential compounds targeting oncogenic p53. In this review we briefly summarize the biology of LFS and current understanding of the oncogenic functions of mutant p53 in cancer development. We discuss the strengths and limitations of current LFS disease models, and touch on existing compounds targeting oncogenic p53 and in vitro clinical trials to develop new ones. Finally, we discuss how recently developed methodologies can be integrated into the LFS induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) platform to develop precision cancer therapy.

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