A novel germline EGFR variant p.R831H causes predisposition to familial CDK12-mutant prostate cancer with tandem duplicator phenotype

Oncogene. 2020 Oct;39(44):6871-6878. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-01476-9. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Abstract

5-10% of total prostate cancer (PCa) cases are hereditary. Particularly, immune checkpoint inhibitor-sensitive tandem duplicator phenotype (TDP) accounts for 6.9% of PCa cases, whereas genetic susceptibility genes remain completely unknown. We identified a Chinese family with two PCa patients, in which the PCa phenotype co-segregated with a rare germline variant EGFRR831H. Patient-derived conditionally reprogrammed cells (CRC) exhibited increased EGFR and AKT phosphorylation, and a sensitivity to EGFR antagonist Afatinib in migration assays, suggesting the EGFR allele was constitutively active. Both EGFRR831H-mutant tumours contained biallelic CDK12 inactivation, together with prominent tandem duplication across the genome. These somatic mutations could be detected in urine before surgery. Analysis of public databases showed a significant correlation between the mutation status of EGFR and CDK12. Taken together, our genetic and functional analyses identified a previously undescribed link between EGFR and PCa.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / genetics*
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pedigree
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostate / surgery
  • Prostatectomy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences / genetics

Substances

  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • CDK12 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases

Supplementary concepts

  • Prostate cancer, familial