bims-lifras Biomed News
on Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Issue of 2024–08–04
six papers selected by
Joanna Zawacka, Karolinska Institutet



  1. Clin Cancer Res. 2024 Jul 30.
      Children with certain germline gene variants have an increased risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and other hematopoietic malignancies (HM), such as leukemias and lymphomas. Recent studies have identified an expanding number of these predisposition genes, with variants most prevalent in children with MDS but also found in other HM. For some hematopoietic malignancy predisposition (HMP) disorders, specifically those with a high risk of MDS, early intervention through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can favorably impact overall survival, providing a rationale for rigorous surveillance. A multidisciplinary panel of experts at the 2023 AACR Childhood Cancer Predisposition Workshop reviewed the latest advances in the field and updated prior 2017 surveillance recommendations for children with HMP. In addition to general guidance for all children with HMP, which includes annual physical examination, education about the signs and symptoms of HM, consultation with experienced providers, and early assessment by an HSCT specialist, the panel provided specific recommendations for individuals with a higher risk of MDS based on the affected gene. These recommendations include periodic and comprehensive surveillance for individuals with those syndromes associated with higher risk of MDS, including serial bone marrow examinations to monitor for morphologic changes and deep sequencing for somatic changes in genes associated with HM progression. This approach enables close monitoring of disease evolution based on the individual's genetic profile. As more HMP-related genes are discovered and the disorders' natural histories are better defined, these personalized recommendations will serve as a foundation for future guidelines in managing these conditions.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-0685
  2. AME Case Rep. 2024 ;8 76
       Background: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare hereditary disorder caused by mutations in the tumor protein p53 (TP53). It causes a predisposition for the development of multiple malignancies, primarily including breast cancers, sarcomas, and central nervous system tumors. There are a few cases reported in the literature of patients with LFS presenting with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutated lung cancer. Still, it has been suggested that there may be an association between the TP53 pathogenic variant and lung cancer with EGFR mutation in somatic cells.
    Case Description: A 47-year-old non-smoker woman with LFS with a history of multiple tumors, including bilateral breast cancer, pecoma, and sarcoma. In one of her computed tomography, a lesion in the lingula of the lung was detected. It was biopsied, which diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma, and genetic studies detected an EGFR exon 19 deletion. She was treated with a left inferior lobectomy, followed by pemetrexed and cisplatin.
    Conclusions: The association between TP53 and lung cancer with EGFR mutation has been suggested in case reports. Studies in lung cancer cell lines have shown a link between TP53 mutation and EGFR overexpression. Nonetheless, as more cases are reported, further research is needed to comprehend the interrelation between these two pathologies and the risk posed by LFS to the emergence of EGFR-mutated lung cancer.
    Keywords:  Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS); case report; epidermal growth factor receptor mutation (EGFR mutation); lung cancer
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21037/acr-23-206
  3. Eur Radiol. 2024 Jul 29.
       OBJECTIVES: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a cancer syndrome associated with early-onset neoplasias. The use of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) is recommended for regular cancer screening, however, evidence supporting the benefits in asymptomatic LFS patients is limited. This study aims to assess the clinical utility of WBMRI in germline TP53 mutation carriers at baseline and follow-up.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases for studies evaluating WBMRI as an early detection method for tumor screening in patients with LFS. We pooled the prevalence of the included variables along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical analyses were performed using R software, version 4.3.1.
    RESULTS: From 1687 results, 11 comprising 703 patients (359 females (51%); with a median age of 32 years (IQR 1-74)) were included. An estimated detection rate of 31% (95% CI: 0.28, 0.34) for any suspicious lesions was found in asymptomatic TP53 carriers who underwent baseline WBMRI. A total of 277 lesions requiring clinical follow-up were identified in 215 patients. Cancer was confirmed in 46 lesions across 39 individuals. The estimated cancer diagnosis rate among suspicious lesions was 18% (95% CI: 0.13, 0.25). WBMRI detected 41 of the 46 cancers at an early-disease stage, with an overall detection rate of 6% (95% CI: 0.05, 0.08). The incidence rate was 2% per patient round of WBMRI (95% CI: 0.01, 0.04), including baseline and follow-up.
    CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides evidence that surveillance with WBMRI is effective in detecting cancers in asymptomatic patients with LFS.
    CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Our study demonstrates that whole-body MRI is an effective tool for early cancer detection in asymptomatic Li-Fraumeni Syndrome patients, highlighting its importance in surveillance protocols to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
    KEY POINTS: Current evidence for whole-body MRI screening of asymptomatic Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) patients remains scarce. Whole-body MRI identified 41 out of 46 cancers at an early stage, achieving an overall detection rate of 6%. Whole-body MRI surveillance is a valuable method for detecting cancers in asymptomatic LFS patients.
    Keywords:  Cancer screening; Early detection cancer; Li-Fraumeni syndrome; Tumor suppressor protein p53; Whole-body imaging
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-024-10983-2
  4. Blood. 2024 Jul 29. pii: blood.2024023840. [Epub ahead of print]
      Mutations in the TP53 gene, particularly multihit alterations, have been associated with unfavorable clinical features and prognosis in patients diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Despite this, the role of TP53 gene aberrations in MDS with isolated deletion of chromosome 5 [MDS-del(5q)] remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of TP53 gene mutations and their allelic state in patients with MDS-del(5q). To that end, a comprehensive analysis of TP53 abnormalities, examining both TP53 mutations and allelic imbalances, in 682 patients diagnosed with MDS-del(5q) was conducted. Twenty-four percent of TP53-mutated patients exhibited multihit alterations, while the remaining patients displayed monoallelic mutations. TP53 multihit alterations were predictive of an increased risk of leukemic transformation. The impact of monoallelic alterations was dependent on the variant allele frequency (VAF); patients with TP53 monoallelic mutations and VAF <20% exhibited behavior similar to TP53 wild type, and those with TP53 monoallelic mutations and VAF ≥20% presented outcomes equivalent to TP53 multihit patients. This study underscores the importance of considering TP53 allelic state and VAF in the risk stratification and treatment decision-making process for patients with MDS-del(5q).
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024023840