P.Ser891Ala RET gene mutations in medullary thyroid cancer: Phenotypical and genealogical characterization of 28 apparently unrelated kindreds and founder effect uncovering in Northern Italy. Issue 7 (29th April 2019) - Giacché, Mara
Abstract: Applying genetic screening in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) patients we identified an unexpectedly high frequency of c.2671T>G, p.Ser891Ala RET mutation carriers. Our aim was to: (a) deeply characterize the clinical expression of this mutation, (b) identify the presence of a founder effect in our region. Genetic analysis was performed in 251 relatives from 28 Ser891Ala kindreds, among 108 p.Ser891Ala asymptomatic carriers, 64 were submitted to thyroidectomy: mean age for 10 subjects presenting C‐cells hyperplasia was 30.2 ± 13.7 years, raising to 37.9 ± 10.3 in 14 subjects with micro‐MTC and to 55.0 ± 14.7 years in 39 subjects with MTC. Age‐related progression across histopathological groups CCH/microMTC and MTC were statistically significant: genetic screening in Ser891Ala families could be safely postponed at the age of 14. To investigate the hypothesis of a common ancestor for Ser891Ala mutation we genotyped for 18 polymorphic microsatellite markers encompassing RET locus all subjects belonging to Ser891Ala families and we identified a founder effect, estimating the age of a common ancestor, dating back to 1493 AD. Ethnographic data collected in historical archives support laboratory results; the high prevalence of this mutation in our region could suggest the hypothesis of a population study to realize a preventive intervention in a rare neoplastic disease.