Medulloblastoma, macrocephaly, and a pathogenic germline PTEN variant: Cause or coincidence?. Issue 9 (17th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tolonen, Jussi‐Pekka; Hekkala, Anne; Kuismin, Outi; Tuominen, Hannu; Suo‐Palosaari, Maria; Tynninen, Olli; Niinimäki, Riitta
• Is Part Of: Molecular genetics & genomic medicine. Volume 8:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-05-17
• Subjects: carcinogenesis -- disease susceptibility -- magnetic resonance imaging -- medulloblastoma -- megalencephaly; Medical genetics -- Periodicals; Genomics -- Periodicals; 616.042
• DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2324-9269

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Medulloblastomas (MBs) are a heterogeneous group of childhood brain tumors with four consensus subgroups, namely MBSHH, MBWNT, MBGroup 3, and MBGroup 4, representing the second most common type of pediatric brain cancer after high‐grade gliomas. They suffer from a high prevalence of genetic predisposition with up to 20% of MBSHH caused by germline mutations in only six genes. However, the spectrum of germline mutations in MBSHH remains incomplete. Methods: Comprehensive Next‐Generation Sequencing panels of both tumor and patient blood samples were performed as molecular genetic characterization. The panels cover genes that are known to predispose to cancer. Results: Here, we report on a patient with a pathogenic germline PTEN variant resulting in an early stop codon p.(Glu7Argfs*4) (ClinVar ID: 480383). The patient developed macrocephaly and MBSHH, but reached remission with current treatment protocols. Conclusions: We propose that pathogenic PTEN variants may predispose to medulloblastoma, and show that remission was reached with current treatment protocols. The PTEN gene should be included in the genetic testing provided to patients who develop medulloblastoma at an early age. We recommend brain magnetic resonance imaging upon an unexpected acceleration of growth of head circumference for pediatric patients harboring pathogenic germline PTEN variants. Abstract : Pathogenic germline variants of the PTEN gene may predispose to medulloblastoma at an early age. We show that a patient carrying a pathogenic PTEN variant reached remission with current treatment protocols. We propose follow‐up guidelines to patients shown to carry pathogenic PTEN variants.