TP53, BRCA1, and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes are not commonly mutated in survivors of Hodgkin's disease with second primary neoplasms.
OBJECTIVE
Despite recognition that second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) contribute significantly to mortality after the successful treatment of Hodgkin's disease (HD), little is known about the molecular events leading to secondary tumors. Factors contributing to second cancer risk include the carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation and chemotherapy, in combination with possible host susceptibility. To clarify whether host genetic factors contribute to secondary tumorigenesis, we performed mutational analyses of the TP53, BRCA1, and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes in a cohort of 44 HD patients developing one or more SMN.


METHODS
Family cancer histories and constitutional DNA samples were obtained from 44 HD patients with SMNs identified. Using DNA-based sequencing, we evaluated the TP53 gene in all 44 patients. Nineteen female patients developing one or more secondary breast cancer were also analyzed for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer-susceptibility genes.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients (43%) had more than one SMN, and 12 patients (27%) had a positive family history of cancer. One of 44 patients tested for TP53 harbored a novel homozygous germline abnormality. One of 19 patients tested for BRCA2 carried a previously described heterozygous inactivating mutation. We identified no germline BRCA1 mutations.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite features suggestive of genetic predisposition, the TP53, BRCA1, and BRCA2 genes were not frequently mutated in this cohort of HD patients developing SMNs. Larger studies of these genes or investigations of other genes involved in cellular DNA damage response pathways may identify host genetic factors that contribute to secondary tumorigenesis.
Nichols
Kim E
KE
Department of Pediatric Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Heath
John A
JA
Friedman
Debra
D
Biegel
Jaclyn A
JA
Ganguly
Arupa
A
Mauch
Peter
P
Diller
Lisa
L
D000328:Adult; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000235:genetics*