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Identification of a secondary RET mutation in a pediatric patient with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia leads to the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic metastatic medullary thyroid cancer in a parent: a case for sequencing the germline.

ABSTRACT: The incorporation of tumor-normal genomic testing into oncology can identify somatic mutations that inform therapeutic measures but also germline variants associated with unsuspected cancer predisposition. We describe a case in which a RET variant was identified in a 3-yr-old male with relapsed leukemia. Sanger sequencing revealed the patient's father and three siblings carried the same variant, associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN2A). Evaluation of the father led to the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma. Detection of RET mutations in families with hereditary MTC allows for genetic risk stratification and disease surveillance to reduce morbidity and mortality.

SUBMITTER: Pendrick DM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6549565 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Identification of a secondary <i>RET</i> mutation in a pediatric patient with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia leads to the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic metastatic medullary thyroid cancer in a parent: a case for sequencing the germline.

Pendrick Danielle M DM Oberg Jennifer A JA Hsiao Susan J SJ Chung Wendy K WK Koval Carrie C Sireci Anthony A Kuo Jennifer H JH Satwani Prakash P Glasser Chana L CL Sulis Maria Luisa ML Mansukhani Mahesh M MM Glade Bender Julia L JL

Cold Spring Harbor molecular case studies 20190401 2

The incorporation of tumor-normal genomic testing into oncology can identify somatic mutations that inform therapeutic measures but also germline variants associated with unsuspected cancer predisposition. We describe a case in which a <i>RET</i> variant was identified in a 3-yr-old male with relapsed leukemia. Sanger sequencing revealed the patient's father and three siblings carried the same variant, associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN2A). Evaluation of the father led to the d ...[more]

PMID: 30936199

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Project description:BackgroundThe RET S836S variant has been associated with early onset and increased risk for metastatic disease in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the mechanism by which this variant modulates MTC pathogenesis is still open to discuss. Of interest, strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) between RET S836S and 3'UTR variants has been reported in Hirschsprung's disease patients.ObjectiveTo evaluate the frequency of the RET 3'UTR variants (rs76759170 and rs3026785) in MTC patients and to determine whether these variants are in LD with S836S polymorphism.MethodsOur sample comprised 152 patients with sporadic MTC. The RET S836S and 3'UTR (rs76759170 and rs3026785) variants were genotyped using Custom TaqMan Genotyping Assays. Haplotypes were inferred using the phase 2.1 program. RET mRNA structure was assessed by Vienna Package.ResultsThe mean age of MTC diagnosis was 48.5±15.5 years and 57.9% were women. The minor allele frequencies of RET polymorphisms were as follows: S836S, 5.6%; rs76759170, 5.6%; rs3026785, 6.2%. We observed a strong LD among S836S and 3'UTR variants (|D'| = -1, r2 = 1 and |D'| = -1, r2 = 0,967). Patients harboring the S836S/3'UTR variants presented a higher percentage of lymph node and distant metastasis (P = 0.013 and P<0.001, respectively). Accordingly, RNA folding analyses demonstrated different RNA secondary structure predictions for WT(TCCGT), S836S(TTCGT) or 3'UTR(GTCAC) haplotypes. The S836S/3'UTR haplotype presented a greater number of double helices sections and lower levels of minimal free energy when compared to the wild-type haplotype, suggesting that these variants provides the most thermodynamically stable mRNA structure, which may have functional consequences on the rate of mRNA degradation.ConclusionThe RET S836S polymorphism is in LD with 3'UTR variants. In silico analysis indicate that the 3'UTR variants may affect the secondary structure of RET mRNA, suggesting that these variants might play a role in posttranscriptional control of the RET transcripts.

Project description:Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome caused by activating mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. The RETK666N DNA variant was previously reported in two isolated medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cases, but no family studies are available, and its oncogenic significance remains unknown.The clinical features, genetic data, and family information of eight index MTC patients with a germline RETK666N variant were assessed.Four probands presented with MTC and extensive nodal metastasis, one with biopsy-confirmed distant metastasis. Two additional probands presented with localized disease. However, nodal status was not available. Of the final two probands, one had an incidental 1.5?mm MTC and C-cell hyperplasia uncovered after surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma, and one had two foci of MTC (largest dimension 2.3?cm) detected after surgery for dysphagia. Genetic screening identified 16 additional family members carrying the K666N variant (aged 5-90 years), 11 of whom have documented evaluation for MTC. Of these, only two were found to have elevated basal serum calcitonin upon screening, and the remaining patients had calcitonin levels within the reference range. One patient who elected to have a thyroidectomy at 70 years of age was confirmed to have MTC. The other subject, 57 years old, elected surveillance. Four prophylactic thyroidectomies were performed, with one case of C-cell hyperplasia at 20 years and three cases that revealed normal pathology at ages 21, 30, and 30 years. None of the K666N DNA variant carriers had evidence of primary hyperparathyroidism or pheochromocytoma.From this case series, the largest such experience to date, it is concluded that the RETK666N variant is likely pathogenic and associated with low penetrance of MTC. However, the findings are insufficient to define its pathogenicity clearly and make firm recommendations for screening and treatment. Given the potential benefit associated with early detection of aberrant C-cell growth, and the noninvasive nature of genetic testing, "at risk" individuals should be screened, and if the K666N variant is identified, they should be managed using a personalized screening approach for detection of MTC.

Project description:BackgroundDifferent pathogenic germline mutations in the RET oncogene are identified in MEN 2, a hereditary syndrome characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and other endocrine tumors. Although genetic predisposition is recognized, not all RET mutation carriers will develop the disease during their lifetime or, likewise, RET mutation carriers belonging to the same family may present clinical heterogeneity. It has been suggested that a single germline mutation might not be sufficient for development of MEN 2-associated tumors and a somatic bi-allelic alteration might be required. Here we investigated the presence of somatic second hit mutation in the RET gene in MTC.MethodsWe integrated Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) and whole exome sequencing (WES) to search for copy number alteration (CNA) in the RET gene in MTC samples and medullary thyroid cell lines (TT and MZ-CR-1). We next found reads spanning exon-exon boundaries on RET, an indicative of retrocopy. We subsequently searched for RET retrocopies in the human reference genome (GRCh37) and in the 1000 Genomes Project data, by looking for reads reporting joined exons in the RET locus or distinct genomic regions. To determine RET retrocopy specificity and recurrence, DNA isolated from sporadic and MEN 2-associated MTC (n = 37), peripheral blood (n = 3) and papillary thyroid carcinomas with RET fusion (n = 10) samples were tested using PCR-sequencing methodology.ResultsThrough MLPA we have found evidence of CNA in the RET gene in MTC samples and MTC cell lines. WES analysis reinforced the presence of the CNA and hinted for a retroposed copy of RET not found in the human reference genome and 1.000 Genomes Project. Extended analysis confirmed the presence of a somatic MTC-related retrocopy of RET in both sporadic and hereditary tumors. We further unveiled a recurrent (28%) novel point mutation (p.G548 V) found exclusively in the retrocopy of RET. The mutation was also found in cDNA of mutated samples, suggesting it might be functional.ConclusionWe here report a somatic specific RET retroposed copy in MTC samples and cell lines. Our results support the idea that generation of retrocopies in somatic cells is likely to contribute to MTC genesis and progression.

Dataset Information

Identification of a secondary RET mutation in a pediatric patient with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia leads to the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic metastatic medullary thyroid cancer in a parent: a case for sequencing the germline.

Publications

Identification of a secondary <i>RET</i> mutation in a pediatric patient with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia leads to the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic metastatic medullary thyroid cancer in a parent: a case for sequencing the germline.

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