Functional characterization of a germline ETV6 variant associated with inherited thrombocytopenia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and salivary gland carcinoma in childhood

Int J Hematol. 2020 Aug;112(2):217-222. doi: 10.1007/s12185-020-02885-y. Epub 2020 May 4.

Abstract

Germline pathogenic ETV6 variants have been discovered in families with inherited thrombocytopenia and predisposition to hematological and solid malignancies. We present a patient with short stature who was initially diagnosed with chronic immune thrombocytopenia. Subsequently, the patient developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, followed by mammary analog secretory carcinoma. Sequencing analysis identified an ETV6 c.641C > T (p.Pro214Leu) germline variant. The variant protein exhibited attenuated nuclear localization, increased protein degradation, and reduced transcription repression function. Our findings suggest that the ETV6 gene should be sequenced in patients with inherited thrombocytopenia and malignancy, and emphasize the importance of careful follow-up to identify secondary cancer in patients with pathogenic ETV6 variants.

Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; ETV6; Germline; Mammary analog secretory carcinoma; Short stature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma / genetics*
  • Cell Line
  • Chronic Disease
  • ETS Translocation Variant 6 Protein
  • Female
  • Genetic Association Studies*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Germ-Line Mutation*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets / metabolism
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / genetics*

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
  • Repressor Proteins