Germline mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) gene in mainland Chinese families

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas in von Hippel-Lindau disease: not a needle in a haystack

OBJECTIVE

Pheochromocytomas are a hallmark feature of von Hippel-Lindau disease (vHL). To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review with meta-analysis evaluating the frequency of pheochromocytomas and/or paragangliomas (PPGLs) in patients with vHL, as well as among patients with different vHL subtypes.

DESIGN

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched on MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included primary studies assessing participants with vHL and reporting on the frequency of PPGL. We performed random-effects meta-analysis to quantitatively assess the frequency of PPGL, followed by meta-regression and subgroup analysis. Risk of bias analysis was performed to assess primary studies' methodological quality.

RESULTS

We included 80 primary studies. In 4263 patients with vHL, the pooled frequency of PPGL was 19.4% (95% CI = 15.9-23.6%, I2 = 86.1%). The frequency increased to 60.0% in patients with vHL type 2 (95% CI = 53.4-66.3%, I2 = 54.6%) and was determined to be of 58.2% in patients with vHL type 2A (95% CI = 49.7-66.3%, I2 = 36.2%), compared to 49.8% in vHL type 2B (95% CI = 39.9-59.7%, I2 = 42.7%), and 84.1% in vHL type 2C (95% CI = 75.1-93.1%, I2 = 0%). In meta-regression analysis, more recent studies were associated with a higher frequency of PPGL. All studies had at least one internal validity item classified as 'high risk of bias,' with 13% studies having low risk of bias in all external validity items.

CONCLUSIONS

PPGLs are a common manifestation of vHL. Despite methodological limitations and differences across primary studies, our results point to the importance of PPGL screening in patients with vHL.

Novel genotype-phenotype correlations in five Chinese families with Von Hippel-Lindau disease

CONTEXT

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease manifests as a variety of benign and malignant neoplasms. Previous studies of VHL disease have documented several genotype-phenotype correlations; however, many such correlations are still unknown. Increased identification of new mutations and patients with previously described mutations will allow us to better understand how VHL mutations influence disease phenotypes.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN

A total of 45 individuals from five unrelated families were evaluated, of which 21 patients were either diagnosed with VHL disease or showed strong evidence related to this disease. We compared the patients' gene sequencing results with their medical records including CT or MRI scans, eye examinations and laboratory/pathological examinations. Patients were also interviewed to obtain information regarding their family history.

RESULTS

We identified four missense mutations: c.239G>T (p.Ser80Ile), linked with VHL Type 2B, was associated with renal cell carcinoma, pheochromocytoma and hemangioma in the cerebellum; c.232A>T (p.Asn78Tyr) manifested as RCC alone and likely caused VHL Type 1; c.500G>A (p.Arg167Gln) mutation was more likely to cause VHL Type 2 than Type 1 as it preferentially induced Pheo and HB in the retina, cerebellum and spinal cord; c.293A>G (p.Try98Cys) was associated with Pheo and thus likely induced VHL Type 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Characterizing VHL disease genotype-phenotype correlations can enhance the ability to predict the risk of individual patients developing different VHL-related phenotypes. Ultimately, such insight will improve the diagnostics, surveillance and treatment of VHL patients.

PRECIS

Four missense mutations in VHL have been identified in 21 individuals when five unrelated Chinese families with VHL disease were analyzed; VHL mutations are highly associated with unique disease phenotypes.

VHL Germline Mutations in Argentinian Patients with Clinical Diagnoses or Single Typical Manifestations of Type 1 von Hippel-Lindau Disease

AIMS

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is caused by mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene. As tumors that develop in the context of VHL also occur in a sporadic context, the frequency of this syndrome may be underestimated. Our aim was to identify VHL gene mutations in Argentinian patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria for type 1 VHL disease and in patients with VHL-associated manifestations that did not meet these criteria.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study, including patients who met current diagnostic criteria for type 1 VHL (Group 1, n = 19) and patients with VHL-associated manifestations that did not meet these criteria (Group 2, n = 21). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Mutation analysis involved DNA sequencing, while large deletions were determined by universal primer quantitative fluorescent multiplex polymerase chain reaction (UPQFM-PCR) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis.

RESULTS

VHL mutations were detected in 16/19 (84.2%) patients in Group 1 and included: gross deletions (4/16); nonsense mutations (6/16); frameshift mutations (4/16); missense mutations (1/16); and splicing mutations (1/16). Three of these mutations were novel. No alterations were found in 3 of 19 VHL patients. In Group 2, one nonsense VHL mutation was detected in a young patient with a solitary central nervous system hemangioblastoma without familial history. A study of 30 first-degree relatives revealed four carriers with VHL mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

We found three novel mutations in the VHL gene in our population. Our results emphasize the importance of a complete genetic study of VHL to confirm type 1 VHL disease, not only in patients with clinical diagnostic criteria but also in those presenting a single typical manifestation.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease type 2 in a Chinese family with a VHL p.W88X truncation

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant syndrome caused by germline mutations in the synonymous VHL gene encoding a tumor suppressor. Affected individuals are susceptible to various benign and malignant tumors. Based on the phenotypes, VHL disease is classified as type 1 and type 2. Here, we describe a Chinese family diagnosed as VHL disease type 2, with different metabolic status of tumors on FDG PET-CT. Genetic analysis revealed a germline c.264G>A point mutation, resulting in premature termination at codon 88 (p.W88X). This pedigree represents a rare link between p.W88X nonsense mutation (genotype) and VHL disease type 2 (phenotype), which has not been previously described. This is also the first nonsense mutation to manifest as VHL disease type 2 in ethnic Chinese. We also reviewed the literature and provided an outline of mutations associated with VHL disease in China.

Clinical and genetic investigation of a multi-generational Chinese family afflicted with Von Hippel-Lindau disease

Background:

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary tumor disorder caused by mutations or deletions of the VHL gene. Few studies have documented the clinical phenotype and genetic basis of the occurrence of VHL disease in China. This study armed to present clinical and genetic analyses of VHL within a five-generation VHL family from Northwestern China, and summarize the VHL mutations and clinical characteristics of Chinese families with VHL according to previous studies.

Methods:

An epidemiological investigation of family members was done to collect the general information. A retrospective study of clinical VHL cases was launched to collect the relative clinical data. Genetic linkage and haplotype analysis were used to make sure the linkage of VHL to disease in this family. The VHL gene screening was performed by directly analyzing DNA sequence output. At last, we summarized the VHL gene mutation in China by the literature review.

Results:

A five-generation North-western Chinese family afflicted with VHL disease was traced in this research. The family consisted of 38 living family members, of whom nine were affected. The individuals afflicted with VHL exhibited multi-organ tumors that included pheochromocytomas (8), central nervous system hemangioblastomas (3), pancreatic endocrine tumors (2), pancreatic cysts (3), renal cysts (4), and paragangliomas (2). A linkage analysis resulted in a high maximal LOD score of 8.26 (theta = 0.0) for the marker D3S1263, which is in the same chromosome region as VHL. Sequence analysis resulted in the identification of a functional C>T transition mutation (c. 499 C>T, p.R167W) located in exon 3 of the 167^th codon of VHL. All affected individuals shared this mutation, whereas the unaffected family members and an additional 100 unrelated healthy individuals did not. To date, 49 mutations have been associated with this disease in Chinese populations. The most frequent VHL mutations in China are p.S65 W, p.N78 S, p.R161Q and p.R167 W.

Conclusions:

The results supported the notion that the genomic sequence that corresponds to the 167^th residue of VHL is a mutational hotspot. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular role of VHL in the development of organ-specific tumors.

Genetics educational needs in China: physicians' experience and knowledge of genetic testing

PURPOSE

The aims of this study were to explore the relationship between physicians' knowledge and utilization of genetic testing and to explore genetics educational needs in China.

METHODS

An anonymous survey about experience, attitudes, and knowledge of genetic testing was conducted among physicians affiliated with Peking Union Medical College Hospital during their annual health evaluation. A personal genetics knowledge score was developed and predictors of personal genetics knowledge score were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixty-four physicians (33% male) completed the survey. Fifty-eight percent of them had used genetic testing in their clinical practice. Using a 4-point scale, mean knowledge scores of six common genetic testing techniques ranged from 1.7 ± 0.9 to 2.4 ± 1.0, and the average personal genetics knowledge score was 2.1 ± 0.8. In regression analysis, significant predictors of higher personal genetics knowledge score were ordering of genetic testing, utilization of pedigrees, higher medical degree, and recent genetics training (P < 0.05). Sixty-six percent of physicians indicated a desire for specialized genetic services, and 84% reported a desire for additional genetics education.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a sizable gap between Chinese physicians' knowledge and utilization of genetic testing. Participants had high self-perceived genetics educational needs. Development of genetics educational platforms is both warranted and desired in China.Genet Med 17 9, 757-760.

De novo VHL germline mutation detected in a patient with mild clinical phenotype of von Hippel-Lindau disease

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant multiorgan tumor syndrome caused by a germline mutation in the VHL gene. Characteristic tumors include CNS hemangioblastomas (HBs), endolymphatic sac tumors, renal cell carcinomas, pheochromocytomas, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Sporadic VHL disease with a de novo germline mutation is rare. The authors describe a case of multiple CNS HBs in a patient with a heterozygous de novo germline mutation at c.239G>T [p.S80I] of VHL. This is the first known case of a sporadic de novo germline mutation of VHL at c.239G>T. Clinicians should continue to consider VHL disease in patients presenting with sporadic CNS HBs, including those without a family history, to confirm or exclude additional VHL-associated visceral lesions.

Active surveillance of renal masses in von Hippel-Lindau disease: growth rates and clinical outcome over a median follow-up period of 56 months

To evaluate the natural outcome of a surveillance strategy for enhancing renal masses associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). From January 1988 to June 2011, a watchful waiting strategy was carried out in 16 cases with 42 enhancing renal masses. Clinical data were reviewed to determine tumor growth rate, subsequent interventions, and outcome of follow-up. During a median follow-up of 83 months (range, 55-279), 18 surgical interventions were performed in 13 cases; local recurrence of tumor occurred in 4 cases; 4 patients died (two of metastasis disease, one of CNS Hemangioblastomas with hemorrhage, and one of an unrelated disease) and 12 survived. The median follow-up duration for 42 renal masses was 56 months (range, 19-116 months). The mean tumor growth rate observed was 0.529 cm/year (range, 0.036-1.870 cm/year). The mean growth rate of the tumors larger than 3 cm was 0.573 cm/year, which was not significantly different from that of those smaller tumors (growth rate 0.507 cm/year, P = 0.5905). There was no significant correlation between initial tumor size and growth rate in our cohort with a correlation coefficient of 0.149(P = 0.3480). At the last follow-up, 38 (90.5%) tumors were larger than 3 cm and no metastasis disease developed among tumors ≤4 cm. Progression to metastatic disease was detected in 2 patients. The majority of the enhancing renal masses with VHL disease may still be indolent and do not metastasize during a long period of follow-up even in tumors larger than 3 cm. Metastatic potential during active surveillance appears to be low in VHL patients with Renal tumors ≤4 cm.

Identification of 3 novel VHL germ-line mutations in Danish VHL patients

BACKGROUND

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary cancer syndrome in which the patients develop retinal and central nervous system hemangioblastomas, pheochromocytomas and clear-cell renal tumors. The autosomal dominant disease is caused by mutations in the VHL gene.

METHODS

VHL mutational analysis was carried out by sequencing of the coding sequence and by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis. The functional consequence of the variants was investigated using in silico prediction tools.

RESULTS

A total of 289 probands suspected of having VHL syndrome have been screened for mutations in the VHL gene. Twenty-six different VHL mutations were identified in 36 families including one in-frame duplication, two frame-shift mutations, four nonsense mutations, twelve missense mutations, three intronic mutations and four large genomic rearrangements. Three of these mutations (c.319 C > T, c.342_343dupGGT and c.520_521dupAA) were novel.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we report the VHL germ-line mutations found in Danish families. We found three novel VHL mutations where two were classified as pathogenic and the latter was classified as a variant of unknown significance. Together, our findings contribute to the interpretation of the potential pathogenicity of VHL germ-line mutations.

Family history of von Hippel-Lindau disease was uncommon in Chinese patients: suggesting the higher frequency of de novo mutations in VHL gene in these patients

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant familial cancer syndrome caused by germline mutations in VHL tumor suppressor gene. It is characterized by hemangioblastoma in central nervous system and retina, renal cell carcinoma or cyst, pheochromocytoma, pancreatic cyst and tumor, endolymphatic-sac tumor, and papillary cystadenoma in epididymis and broad ligament. Here, we used PCR-direct sequencing and universal primer quantitative fluorescent multiplex PCR (UPQFM-PCR) to detect VHL mutations in 16 patients clinically diagnosed with VHL disease. PCR-direct sequencing detected 12 germline mutations (75%, 12/16), in which a novel mutation of c.451A>T/p.Ile151Phe found in one proband had not been reported previously. UPQFM-PCR found two large deletions (12.5%, 2/16). The two remaining patients carried non-typical disease-causing mutations, including one silent mutation (c.481C>A/p.Arg161Arg) and one mutation in 3'-UTR (c.642+70C>A). Remarkably, 56.3% (9/16) probands did not have family history of VHL disease, suggesting the higher frequency of de novo mutations in Chinese patients. We also summarized Chinese VHL disease patients with VHL mutation findings published in the literature to provide information about the spectrum of VHL mutations in Chinese VHL disease patients.