Assessing germline TP53 mutations in cancer patients: insights into Li-Fraumeni syndrome and genetic testing guidelines

Abstract

Background

Germline TP53 gene variants are intricately linked to Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare and aggressive hereditary cancer syndrome. This study investigated the frequency and spectrum of TP53 pathogenic variants associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome in a large cohort of mainly breast cancer patients from Russia.

Methods

The study analyzed 3,455 genomic DNA samples from cancer patients using next-generation sequencing panels and whole-genome sequencing. Clinically significant TP53 variants were identified and validated using Sanger sequencing. The clinical and family history characteristics of patients with TP53 variants were analyzed.

Results

The analysis identified 13 (0.4%) individuals with clinically significant germline TP53 variants, all of whom were females with either unilateral breast cancer or breast cancer as part of multiple primary malignant neoplasms. The average age of breast cancer manifestation was 39.9 years, with a median of 36 years. Only 38.5% of the TP53 mutation carriers met the modified Chompret criteria for TP53 testing.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the necessity of thorough phenotype and family history analysis in genetic counseling to effectively diagnose LFS, and emphasize the importance of identifying TP53 variant carriers for developing treatment strategies, prognosis, and monitoring, as well as for identifying high-risk family members. The study also highlights that the current guidelines fail to identify over half of the TP53 mutation carriers, suggesting the need for a more comprehensive approach to genetic testing in suspected hereditary cancer cases.