ETV6: A Candidate Gene for Predisposition to “Blend Pedigrees”? A Case Report from the NEXT-Famly Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background. The identification of germline mutations in familial leukemia predisposition genes by next generation sequencing is of pivotal importance. Lately, some “blend pedigrees” characterized by both solid and hematologic malignancies have been described. Some genes were recognized as related to this double predisposition, while the involvement of others is still a matter of debate. ETV6 was associated with hematologic malignancies, in particular myeloid malignancies, and recently described as mutated also in oncologic patients. No clear evidences in its involvement in blend pedigrees are known. Case Presentation. We present our recent experience in the identification of an ETV6-mutated “blend pedigree,” suggesting the involvement of ETV6 in the predisposition to both solid and hematologic neoplasia. The pedigree recognition started with a MDS case enrolled in the NEXT-Famly protocol. The patient presented 9 relatives affected by solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Following the clinical trial protocol, the patient underwent NGS analysis, which confirmed the presence of a mutation on the noncoding region of ETV6 both on tumor and on germline DNA. The mutation resulted was shared by the still alive affected relatives. Conclusion. This evidence supports the involvement of ETV6 in the predisposition to both solid and hematologic neoplasia and the importance of the investigation of the noncoding regions of the genes as recently suggested by different expert groups.