An association study between CHEK2 gene mutations and susceptibility to breast cancer

PTPN13 rs989902 and CHEK2 rs738722 are associated with esophageal cancer

PURPOSE

Individual genetic background can play an essential role in determining the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). PTPN13 and CHEK2 play important roles in the pathogenesis of ESCC. This case-control study aimed to analyze the association between gene polymorphisms and ESCC susceptibility.

METHODS

DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of patients. The Agena MassARRAY platform was used for the genotyping. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, logistic regression analysis, and stratification analysis.

RESULTS

The 'G' allele of rs989902 (PTPN13) and the 'T' allele of rs738722 (CHEK2) were both associated with an increased risk of ESCC (rs989902: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.02-1.47, p = 0.028; rs738722: OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.06-1.55, p = 0.011). Stratification analysis showed that SNPs (rs989902 and rs738722) were notably correlated with an increased risk of ESCC after stratification for age, sex, smoking, and drinking status. In addition, rs738722 might be associated with lower stage, while rs989902 had a lower risk of metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings display that PTPN13 rs989902 and CHEK2 rs738722 are associated with an increased risk of ESCC in the Chinese Han population.

Checkpoint Kinase 2 (CHEK2) Gene Mutation in a Patient With Breast and Prostate Cancer: A Unique Presentation of a Rare Disease

Breast cancer is one of the rarest malignancies in males, with a low incidence rate compared to all breast cancers. Gene mutation plays a significant role in the pathologic process of cancer. Mutations in breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) have been associated with male breast cancer (MBC), as well as prostate cancer (PCa). Despite the etiopathogenetic similarity, combined MBC and PCa is a rare entity. This report presents the case of a 57-year-old male with a history of breast cancer who underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM) with lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy four years ago. The patient presented with recurrent episodes of voiding dysfunction for three months, followed by urine retention. His family history was positive for breast and lung cancer. High prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System 5 (PI-RADS5) necessitate transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis of PCa. Molecular genetics testing and next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis identified heterozygous variant c.636T>G, p.(Tyr212*) in the checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) gene. The patient is planned for neoadjuvant luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) for 3-6 months, to be followed by transurethral tunneling of the prostate (TUTP) with adjuvant LHRH. The allele frequency of this patient mutation was documented for the first time among the general population, and it has not been described in the literature. This unique and rare case was presented with clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical features together with a review of the current literature.

The First Case Report of a Patient With Oligodendroglioma Harboring CHEK2 Germline Mutation

Introduction:CHEK2 (Checkpoint kinase 2) germline mutations were associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and other familiar cancers. Loss-of-function variants in CHEK2 are known to be pathogenic. Germline CHEK2 mutations have also been observed in medulloblastoma and primary glioblastomas. Currently, there is no direct evidence supporting the relationship of CHEK2 with central nervous system tumors.

Case presentation: A case of an oligodendroglioma patient harboring the germline CHEK2 p.R137* mutation was reported. CHEK2 p.R137* mutation occurred in the forkhead-associated domain. Given the absence of other known genetic predisposing risk factors, we considered that oligodendroglioma might be associated with the CHEK2 mutation. The patient in our case might have a high risk of breast cancer and other multiple primary tumors. Her siblings and offspring would have a 50% chance of having the same variant.

Conclusion: We reported a case of an oligodendroglioma patient with a family history of gastrointestinal tumors harboring the germline CHEK2 pathogenic variation. This is the first report of the association between the CHEK2 pathogenic variation and brain tumors that warrants further validation in larger cohorts.

Mutational profile of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer - Establishing genetic testing guidelines in a developing country

PURPOSE

Because many countries lack the capacity to follow the international guidelines for genetic testing, we suggest the specific approach for establishing local genetic testing guidelines that could be applied in developing countries. We focus on hereditary breast (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) in Serbia.

METHODS

From the cohort of 550 persons who were referred for genetic counseling at the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 392 were selected. Personal and family histories were collected and germline DNA was sequenced with NGS in a panel of 20 genes.

RESULTS

Pathogenic (PV) and likely-pathogenic variants (LPV) were detected in 8 genes with the frequency of 23.7%. The most frequent were in BRCA1(7.6%), BRCA2(4.8%), PALB2(4.1%) and CHEK2(3.8%). They were also detected in ATM(1.8%), NBN(0.8%), TP53(0.5%) and RAD51C(0.3%). Whereas high carrier probability (CP), bilateral BC, BC and OC in the same patient and family history (FH) of BC/OC, were the strongest predictors for BRCA1/2 PV/LPV, lower CP values and early age of BC onset without FH were associated with higher frequency of PALB2 and CHEK2 PV/LPV.

CONCLUSIONS

Population specific studies to identify specific mutational patterns and predictors of PV/LPV should be conducted in order to make scientifically sound and cost-effective guidelines for genetic testing in developing countries.

Prevalence of pathogenic variants in DNA damage response and repair genes in patients undergoing cancer risk assessment and reporting a personal history of early-onset renal cancer

Pathogenic variants (PVs) in multiple genes are known to increase the risk of early-onset renal cancer (eoRC). However, many eoRC patients lack PVs in RC-specific genes; thus, their genetic risk remains undefined. Here, we determine if PVs in DNA damage response and repair (DDRR) genes are enriched in eoRC patients undergoing cancer risk assessment. Retrospective review of de-identified results from 844 eoRC patients, undergoing testing with a multi-gene panel, for a variety of indications, by Ambry Genetics. PVs in cancer-risk genes were identified in 12.8% of patients—with 3.7% in RC-specific, and 8.55% in DDRR genes. DDRR gene PVs were most commonly identified in CHEK2, BRCA1, BRCA2, and ATM. Among the 2.1% of patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 PV, < 50% reported a personal history of hereditary breast or ovarian-associated cancer. No association between age of RC diagnosis and prevalence of PVs in RC-specific or DDRR genes was observed. Additionally, 57.9% patients reported at least one additional cancer; breast cancer being the most common (40.1% of females, 2.5% of males). Multi-gene testing including DDRR genes may provide a more comprehensive risk assessment in eoRC patients. Further validation is needed to characterize the association with eoRC.

Prognostic Significance of CHEK2 Mutation in Progression of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers among women; genetic mutations reflect the development of this disease. Mutations in cell signaling factors can be the main cause of BC development. In this study, we focused on mutations in checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) and their impact as a prognostic factor in the pathogenesis of BC. CHEK2 is controlled in cell signaling pathways through the influence of upstream genes. Also, several downstream genes are regulated by CHEK2. In addition, mutations in CHEK2 lead to resistance of BC cells to chemotherapy and metastasis of cancer cells to other parts of the body. Finally, detection of mutations in CHEK2 can be used as a prognostic factor for patient response to treatment and for targeting downstream molecules of CHEK2 that are involved in the proliferation of breast tumor cells. Mutations such as c.1100delC and I157T can distinguish which patients are susceptible to metastasis.

Computational analysis of high-risk SNPs in human CHK2 gene responsible for hereditary breast cancer: A functional and structural impact

Nowadays CHK2 mutation is studied frequently in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer patients in addition to BRCA1/BRCA2. CHK2 is a tumor suppressor gene that encodes a serine/threonine kinase, also involved in pathways such as DNA repair, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in response to DNA damage. CHK2 is a well-studied moderate penetrance gene that correlates with third high risk susceptibility gene with an increased risk for breast cancer. Hence before planning large population study, it is better to scrutinize putative functional SNPs of CHK2 using different computational tools. In this study, we have used various computational approaches to identify nsSNPs which are deleterious to the structure and/or function of CHK2 protein that might be causing this disease. Computational analysis was performed by different in silico tools including SIFT, Align GVGD, SNAP-2, PROVEAN, Poly-Phen-2, PANTHER, PhD-SNP, MUpro, iPTREE-STAB, Consurf, InterPro, NCBI Conserved Domain Search tool, ModPred, SPARKS-X, RAMPAGE, Verify-3D, FT Site, COACH and PyMol. Out of 78 nsSNP of human CHK2 gene, seven nsSNPs were predicted functionally most significant SNPs. Among these seven nsSNP, p.Arg160Gly, p.Gly210Arg and p.Ser415Phe are highly conserved residues with conservation score of 9 and three nsSNP were predicted to be involved in post translational modification. The p.Arg160Gly and p.Gly210Arg may interfere in phosphopeptide binding site on FHA conserved domain. The p.Ser415Phe may interfere in formation of activation loop of protein-kinase domain and might interfere in interactions of CHK2 with ligand. The study concludes that mutation of serine to phenylalanine at position 415 is a major mutation in native CHK2 protein which might contribute to its malfunction, ultimately causing disease. This is the first comprehensive study, where CHK2 gene variants are analyzed using in silico tools hence it will be of great help while considering large scale studies and also in developing precision medicines related to these polymorphisms in the era of personalized medicine.

Case Report of an Adrenocortical Carcinoma Associated With Germline CHEK2 Mutation

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive form of cancer that originates in the cortex of the adrenal gland; the incidence of ACC is 1.5 to 2 cases per million people per year. ACCs are rare and mostly sporadic. A small proportion of ACC cases are associated with hereditary cancer syndromes. Here, we present a case of ACC with a pathogenic heterozygous germline deletion in CHEK2 (c.1100delC). This is, to our knowledge, the first report of a patient with ACC associated with a CHEK2 germline deletion.

Germline mutation of CHEK2 in neurofibromatosis 1 and 2: Two case reports

RATIONALE

Neurofibromatosis, including type 1 and type 2, is inherited dominant disease that causes serious consequences. The genetic mechanism of these diseases has been described, but germline mutation of checkpoint 2 kinase gene, together with other DNA repair related genes, has not been fully elucidated in the context of neurofibromatosis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In this article, we reported identical germline mutation of CHEK2 gene (p.R180C) in a 7-year-old Tibetan boy with NF1, and in a 12-year-old Chinese girl with NF2.

DIAGNOSES

Neurofibromatosis 1 and 2 with CHECK2 gene germline mutation.

INTERVENTIONS

Both patients underwent operation to obtain tumor tissue, and peripheral blood of their family was tested.

OUTCOMES

Identical germline mutation of CHEK2 gene (p.R180C) was detected in both patients, and germline mutations of POLE, MUTYH and ATR were also detected.

LESSONS

This is the first article to describe CHEK2 mutation in both NF1 and NF2. This article highlights a possible role of CHEK2, in association with other germline genetic mutations, in tumorigenesis of NF1 and NF2.

Study on the Mechanism of Cell Cycle Checkpoint Kinase 2 (CHEK2) Gene Dysfunction in Chemotherapeutic Drug Resistance of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Background

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of CHEK2 gene dysfunction in drug resistance of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.

Material/Methods

To perform our study, a stable CHEK2 wild type (CHEK2 WT) or CHEK2 Y390C mutation (CHEK2 Y390C) expressed MDA-MB-231 cell line was established. MTT assay, cell apoptosis assay and cell cycle assay were carried out to analyze the cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle respectively. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were applied for related protein and gene expression detection.

Results

We found that the IC₅₀ value of DDP (Cisplatin) to CHEK2 Y390C expressed MDA-MB-231 cells was significantly higher than that of the CHEK2 WT expressed cells and the control cells. After treatment with DDP for 48 h, cells expressing CHEK2 WT showed lower cell viability than that of the CHEK2 Y390C expressed cells and the control cells; compared with the CHEK2 Y390C expressed cells and the control cells, cells expressing CHEK2 WT showed significant G1/S arrest. Meanwhile, we found that compared with the CHEK2 Y390C expressed cells and the control cells, cell apoptosis was significantly increased in CHEK2 WT expressed cells. Moreover, our results suggested that cells expressing CHEK2 WT showed higher level of p-CDC25A, p-p53, p21, Bax, PUMA, and Noxa than that of the CHEK2 Y390C expressed cells and the control cells.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that CHEK2 Y390C mutation induced the drug resistance of TNBC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs through administrating cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via regulating p53 activation and CHEK2-p53 apoptosis pathway.