JCI Insight (Apr 2021)

PALLD mutation in a European family conveys a stromal predisposition for familial pancreatic cancer

  • Lucia Liotta,
  • Sebastian Lange,
  • H. Carlo Maurer,
  • Kenneth P. Olive,
  • Rickmer Braren,
  • Nicole Pfarr,
  • Sebastian Burger,
  • Alexander Muckenhuber,
  • Moritz Jesinghaus,
  • Katja Steiger,
  • Wilko Weichert,
  • Helmut Friess,
  • Roland Schmid,
  • Hana Algül,
  • Philipp J. Jost,
  • Juliane Ramser,
  • Christine Fischer,
  • Anne S. Quante,
  • Maximilian Reichert,
  • Michael Quante

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 8

Abstract

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BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with low long-term survival rates. Despite recent advances in treatment, it is important to identify and screen high-risk individuals for cancer prevention. Familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) accounts for 4%–10% of pancreatic cancers. Several germline mutations are related to an increased risk and might offer screening and therapy options. In this study, we aimed to identity of a susceptibility gene in a family with FPC.METHODS Whole exome sequencing and PCR confirmation was performed on the surgical specimen and peripheral blood of an index patient and her sister in a family with high incidence of pancreatic cancer, to identify somatic and germline mutations associated with familial pancreatic cancer. Compartment-specific gene expression data and immunohistochemistry were also queried.RESULTS The identical germline mutation of the PALLD gene (NM_001166108.1:c.G154A:p.D52N) was detected in the index patient with pancreatic cancer and the tumor tissue of her sister. Whole genome sequencing showed similar somatic mutation patterns between the 2 sisters. Apart from the PALLD mutation, commonly mutated genes that characterize pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were found in both tumor samples. However, the 2 patients harbored different somatic KRAS mutations (G12D and G12V). Healthy siblings did not have the PALLD mutation, indicating a disease-specific impact. Compartment-specific gene expression data and IHC showed expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).CONCLUSION We identified a germline mutation of the palladin (PALLD) gene in 2 siblings in Europe, affected by familial pancreatic cancer, with a significant overexpression in CAFs, suggesting that stromal palladin could play a role in the development, maintenance, and/or progression of pancreatic cancer.FUNDING DFG SFB 1321

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