ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) syndrome is a childhood cancer predisposition syndrome involving biallelic germline mutations of MMR genes, poorly recognised by clinicians so far. METHODS: Retrospective review of all 31 patients with CMMRD diagnosed in French genetics laboratories in order to describe the characteristics, treatment and outcome of the malignancies and biological diagnostic data. RESULTS: 67 tumours were diagnosed in 31 patients, 25 (37%) Lynch syndrome-associated malignancies, 22 (33%) brain tumours, 17 (25%) haematological malignancies and 3 (5%) sarcomas. The median age of onset of the first tumour was 6.9â years (1.2-33.5). Overall, 22 patients died, 9 (41%) due to the primary tumour. Median survival after the diagnosis of the primary tumour was 27â months (0.26-213.2). Failure rate seemed to be higher than expected especially for T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (progression/relapse in 6/12 patients). A familial history of Lynch syndrome was identified in 6/23 families, and consanguinity in 9/23 families. PMS2 mutations (n=18) were more frequent than other mutations (MSH6 (n=6), MLH1 (n=4) and MSH2 (n=3)). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this unselected series of patients confirms the extreme severity of this syndrome with a high mortality rate mostly related to multiple childhood cancers, and highlights the need for its early detection in order to adapt treatment and surveillance.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis , Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary/diagnosis , Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics , Adenosine Triphosphatases/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/therapy , DNA Repair Enzymes/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Mismatch Repair Endonuclease PMS2 , MutL Protein Homolog 1 , MutS Homolog 2 Protein/genetics , Mutation , Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary/genetics , Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary/therapy , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a defect in one of the DNA mismatch repair genes: MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. In the last 15 years, an increasing number of patients have been described with biallelic mismatch repair gene mutations causing a syndrome referred to as 'constitutional mismatch repair-deficiency' (CMMR-D). The spectrum of cancers observed in this syndrome differs from that found in LS, as about half develop brain tumours, around half develop digestive tract cancers and a third develop haematological malignancies. Brain tumours and haematological malignancies are mainly diagnosed in the first decade of life, and colorectal cancer (CRC) and small bowel cancer in the second and third decades of life. Surveillance for CRC in patients with LS is very effective. Therefore, an important question is whether surveillance for the most common CMMR-D-associated cancers will also be effective. Recently, a new European consortium was established with the aim of improving care for patients with CMMR-D. At a workshop of this group held in Paris in June 2013, one of the issues addressed was the development of surveillance guidelines. In 1968, criteria were proposed by WHO that should be met prior to the implementation of screening programmes. These criteria were used to assess surveillance in CMMR-D. The evaluation showed that surveillance for CRC is the only part of the programme that largely complies with the WHO criteria. The values of all other suggested screening protocols are unknown. In particular, it is questionable whether surveillance for haematological malignancies improves the already favourable outcome for patients with these tumours. Based on the available knowledge and the discussions at the workshop, the European consortium proposed a surveillance protocol. Prospective collection of all results of the surveillance is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis , DNA Repair-Deficiency Disorders/genetics , Digestive System Neoplasms/diagnosis , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Brain Neoplasms/etiology , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/drug therapy , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/genetics , DNA Repair-Deficiency Disorders/complications , Humans , Leukemia/diagnosis , Mutation , Neoplasms/etiology , Population SurveillanceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: BRAF inhibitors are being developed for the treatment of metastatic melanoma harboring a V600E mutation. The use of vemurafenib significantly increases progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in this population of patients, but is associated with numerous adverse skin reactions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a systematic dermatologic study of 42 patients treated with vemurafenib. We collected detailed dermatologic symptoms, photos and biopsy specimens of the skin lesions which enabled us to classify the side-effects. The management and evolution of the skin symptoms are also reported. RESULTS: All patients presented with at least one adverse skin reaction. The most common cutaneous side-effects consisted in verrucous papillomas (79%) and hand-foot skin reaction (60%). Other common cutaneous toxic effects were a diffuse hyperkeratotic perifollicular rash (55%), photosensitivity (52%) and alopecia (45%). Epidermoid cysts (33%) and eruptive nevi (10%) were also observed. Keratoacanthomas (KA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) occurred in 14% and 26% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These cutaneous side-effects are cause of concern due to their intrinsic potential for malignancy or because of their impact on patients' quality of life. Management of this skin toxicity relies on symptomatic measures and sun photoprotection.
