Introdução: Estudos prévios têm indicado que uma mutação germinativa específica no gene TP53, p.R337H está associada a efeito fundador no Brasil e é muito frequente entre certos tipos tumorais. Objetivos e Metodologia: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a prevalência da mutação germinativa TP53 p.R337H em indivíduos com tumores do espectro da Síndrome de Li-Fraumeni (SLF) e/ou Li- Fraumeni-Like (LFL) divididos em diferentes grupos: (1) mulheres com câncer de mama (CM) subdivididas em 2 subgrupos: (a) com critérios para síndromes de predisposição hereditária ao câncer, exceto para SLF/LFL; (b) não selecionadas para história familiar (HF), diagnosticadas antes dos 45 e após 55 anos de idade em diferentes regiões do país; (2) mulheres com tumores phyllodes da mama, diagnosticadas em diferentes idades e não selecionadas para HF da doença nas regiões Sul e Sudeste; (3) crianças com tumores do espectro da SLF/LFL, não selecionadas para HF e atendidas em um Serviço de Oncologia Pediátrica do Sul do país. Adicionalmente, foi investigada a presença do haplótipo fundador brasileiro nos portadores da mutação TP53 p.R337H. No grupo 3 foi ainda avaliada a prevalência de critérios para SLF/LFL e a presença de outras mutações germinativas no gene TP53. Resultados: No subgrupo 1A foram incluídas 59 mulheres das quais 2 eram portadoras da mutação TP53 p.R337H, ambas com HF exclusivamente para a Síndrome de Prediposição Hereditária ao Câncer de Mama e Ovário no momento do recrutamento. No subrupo 1B foram incluídas 815 mulheres (403 com CM N45 anos e 412 casos com CM O 55 anos) provenientes de 25 diferentes Estados do Brasil. A mutação foi encontrada em 8,6% (70/815) dos casos, sendo observada diferença significativa na frequência de acordo com o centro de recrutamento. Em todos centros, a mutação foi mais frequente em mulheres com CM antes dos 45 anos. Análise do tecido tumoral de 15 portadoras evidenciou perda de heterozigosidade (LOH) em apenas 2 casos. Os tumores de mama de mulheres portadoras apresentavam mais frequentemente alguma expressão de HER2 (1+, 2+ ou 3+). No grupo 2, foram incluídas 148 mulheres com tumores phyllodes da mama e 8 (5,4%) apresentaram a mutação, sendo mais frequente entre os tumores malignos (3/13; 23%) quando comparada aos benignos (5/128; 3.4%). No grupo 3 foram incluídas 292 crianças diagnosticadas com tumores do espectro da SLF/LFL, das quais 25,3% tinham critérios para SLF/LFL. O sequenciamento completo e pesquisa de rearranjos gênicos de TP53 em 48 das crianças com câncer e critérios estritos para LFL evidenciou apenas um caso com uma mutação clássica – p.G245S. A mutação TP53 p.R337H foi identificada somente entre os casos com carcinoma adrenocortical (9/11; 81,8%) e de plexo coróide (2/2; 100%), correspondendo a 3,8% da amostra total. Um dos casos de carcinoma adrenocortical apresentou a mutação TP53 p.R337H em homozigose. Todos tumores de portadores analisados (n=8) apresentaram LOH. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a mutação germinativa TP53 p.R337H ocorre em mulheres brasileiras com CM em diferentes faixas etárias, independente da HF de câncer. Em mulheres com fenótipo de CM hereditário sem critérios para SLF/LFL a mesma também foi observada. A freqüência da mutação foi variável de acordo com o centro de recrutamento, sendo identificada em todas as regiões brasileiras. Os tumores de mama de pacientes portadoras da mutação têm um perfil peculiar, com baixa frequência de LOH e presença de alguma expressão de HER2. A mutação p.R337H ocorre em tumores phyllodes da mama benignos e especialmente malignos, confirmando a hipótese prévia de associação de mutações germinativas em TP53 com estes tumores. Entre crianças com tumores do espectro SLF/LFL de um centro de referência no Sul do Brasil, um percentual significativo tem indicação para teste de mutações em TP53, no entanto, na maioria destes casos não se identifica mutação germinativa no gene. A mutação TP53 p.R337H ocorre em elevada frequência na linhagem germinativa de crianças com carcinomas adrenocortical e de plexo coróide, como descrito em outras regiões brasileiras. Por fim, o haplótipo fundador foi identificado em todos portadores da mutação analisados, incluindo 3 casos das regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste do país. A mutação TP53 p.R337H está associada a efeito fundador no Brasil e tem importante contribuição na gênese de tumores de mama, bem como de carcinomas adrenocortical e de plexo coróide no Sul do país. / Introduction: Previous studies have reported that a specific germline mutation in TP53, p.R337H, is associated with a founder effect and is common among certain tumor types. Objectives and Methodology: Assess the prevalence of TP53 p.R337H germline mutation in subjects with tumors of the Li-Fraumeni/ Li-Fraumeni- Like (LFS/LFL) spectrum divided into different groups: (1) women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) subdivided into 2 subgroups: (a) with criteria for hereditary predisposition syndromes, except for LFS/LFL (b) unselected for family history (FH) diagnosed at or before 45 years and at or after 55 years recruited in different regions of the country; (2) women with phyllodes breast tumors, diagnosed at different ages and not selected for FH of the disease from the South and Southeast of Brazil; (3) children with tumors of the LFS/LFL spectrum and not selected for FH of the disease from a Pediatric Oncology Service in South Brazil. In addition, presence of the founder Brazilian haplotype in mutation carriers identified in groups 1, 2 and 3 was assessed. Finally, in group 3, prevalence of LFS/LFL criteria and presence of other germline TP53 mutations were investigated. Results: In subgroup 1A, 59 women were included and two of these were mutation carriers, both had a FH consistent only with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome at recruitment. In subgroup 1B, 815 women (403 cases diagnosed N 45 years and 412 cases, O 55 years) were included from 25 different Brazilian States. The TP53 p.R377H mutation was found in 8.6% (70/815), and significant differences in mutation frequency were observed according to recruitment center. In all centers the mutation was more frequent in women diagnosed with BC at or before 45 years. Analysis of tumor tissue of 15 carriers showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in only 2 cases. Breast tumors of carriers showed, more frequently, some expression of HER2. In group 2 were included 148 women with breast phyllodes tumors and 8 (5.4%) were p.R337H carriers, which was most common among malignant phyllodes tumors (3/13, 23%) when compared to benign (5/128, 3.4%). In the group 3, 292 children with tumors of the LFS/LFL spectrum were included, and 25.3% of these had criteria for LFS/LFL. TP53 gene sequencing and rearrangement testing in 48 children with the more strict criteria for the syndrome identified a classic germline mutation, p.G245S, in only one proband. The TP53 p.R337H mutation was identified only among patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (9/11, 81.8%) and choroid plexus carcinoma (2/2, 100%), corresponding to 3.8% of the total sample. One of the patients with adrenocortical carcinoma was homozygous mutant. All tumors of TP53 p.R37H carriers analyzed (n=8) showed LOH. Conclusion: We conclude that the TP53 p.R337H germline mutation occurs in Brazilian women with BC in different age groups, regardless of BC FH. In women with hereditary BC without criteria for LFS/LFL criteria, it was also observed. The mutation frequency varied according to the recruiting center and carriers were identified in all Brazilian regions. Breast tumors of carriers have a peculiar profile, with low frequency of LOH and the presence of HER2 expression. The mutation was present, also, in benign and especially malignant phyllodes tumors, confirming the previous hypothesis of an association between germline mutations in the TP53 gene and these specific tumors. Among children with tumors of the LFS/LFL spectrum from a Oncopediatrics referral center in South Brazil, a significant percentage fulfills criteria for TP53 mutation testing, however, in most of these cases, no germline mutations were identified. The TP53 p.R337H mutation occurs in high frequency in the germline of children with adrenocortical and choroid plexus carcinomas, as described in other Brazilian regions. Finally the founder haplotype was identified in all mutation carriers analyzed, including 3 cases from the Northern, Northeastern and Midwestern Brazilian regions. The TP53 p.R337H mutation is associated with a founder effect in Brazil and has an important contribution in the genesis of breast tumors in the country, as well as adrenocortical and choroid plexus carcinomas in the Southern region of the country.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders with ineffective hematopoiesis. It is characterized by morphological dysplasia, peripheral cytopenias affecting one or more cell lineages and an increased risk of transformation into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The early stages of MDS can be considered a premalignant disease. The pathogenesis of MDS has not been fully explained yet, but due to the development of molecular genetic and cytogenetic methods, the origin and development of the disease is gradually being elucidated. In addition to the cytogenetic changes that are part of the prognostic system (IPSS-R), the somatic mutations found in different genes come to the forefront of interest. However, they are not routinely used in clinical practice. One of the objectives of this study was monitoring of mutations in TP53 gene in lower-risk MDS patients who generally have a good prognosis and for whom these findings have a particularly relevant prognostic significance. We investigated a total of 154 patients with lower-risk MDS, and 13% of them had a mutation. After dividing patients according to the presence of del(5q), we observed significant differences in the incidence of the mutations. The mutations were detected in 23.6% of patients with...

Introdução: Estudos prévios têm indicado que uma mutação germinativa específica no gene TP53, p.R337H está associada a efeito fundador no Brasil e é muito frequente entre certos tipos tumorais. Objetivos e Metodologia: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a prevalência da mutação germinativa TP53 p.R337H em indivíduos com tumores do espectro da Síndrome de Li-Fraumeni (SLF) e/ou Li- Fraumeni-Like (LFL) divididos em diferentes grupos: (1) mulheres com câncer de mama (CM) subdivididas em 2 subgrupos: (a) com critérios para síndromes de predisposição hereditária ao câncer, exceto para SLF/LFL; (b) não selecionadas para história familiar (HF), diagnosticadas antes dos 45 e após 55 anos de idade em diferentes regiões do país; (2) mulheres com tumores phyllodes da mama, diagnosticadas em diferentes idades e não selecionadas para HF da doença nas regiões Sul e Sudeste; (3) crianças com tumores do espectro da SLF/LFL, não selecionadas para HF e atendidas em um Serviço de Oncologia Pediátrica do Sul do país. Adicionalmente, foi investigada a presença do haplótipo fundador brasileiro nos portadores da mutação TP53 p.R337H. No grupo 3 foi ainda avaliada a prevalência de critérios para SLF/LFL e a presença de outras mutações germinativas no gene TP53. Resultados: No subgrupo 1A foram incluídas 59 mulheres das quais 2 eram portadoras da mutação TP53 p.R337H, ambas com HF exclusivamente para a Síndrome de Prediposição Hereditária ao Câncer de Mama e Ovário no momento do recrutamento. No subrupo 1B foram incluídas 815 mulheres (403 com CM N45 anos e 412 casos com CM O 55 anos) provenientes de 25 diferentes Estados do Brasil. A mutação foi encontrada em 8,6% (70/815) dos casos, sendo observada diferença significativa na frequência de acordo com o centro de recrutamento. Em todos centros, a mutação foi mais frequente em mulheres com CM antes dos 45 anos. Análise do tecido tumoral de 15 portadoras evidenciou perda de heterozigosidade (LOH) em apenas 2 casos. Os tumores de mama de mulheres portadoras apresentavam mais frequentemente alguma expressão de HER2 (1+, 2+ ou 3+). No grupo 2, foram incluídas 148 mulheres com tumores phyllodes da mama e 8 (5,4%) apresentaram a mutação, sendo mais frequente entre os tumores malignos (3/13; 23%) quando comparada aos benignos (5/128; 3.4%). No grupo 3 foram incluídas 292 crianças diagnosticadas com tumores do espectro da SLF/LFL, das quais 25,3% tinham critérios para SLF/LFL. O sequenciamento completo e pesquisa de rearranjos gênicos de TP53 em 48 das crianças com câncer e critérios estritos para LFL evidenciou apenas um caso com uma mutação clássica – p.G245S. A mutação TP53 p.R337H foi identificada somente entre os casos com carcinoma adrenocortical (9/11; 81,8%) e de plexo coróide (2/2; 100%), correspondendo a 3,8% da amostra total. Um dos casos de carcinoma adrenocortical apresentou a mutação TP53 p.R337H em homozigose. Todos tumores de portadores analisados (n=8) apresentaram LOH. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a mutação germinativa TP53 p.R337H ocorre em mulheres brasileiras com CM em diferentes faixas etárias, independente da HF de câncer. Em mulheres com fenótipo de CM hereditário sem critérios para SLF/LFL a mesma também foi observada. A freqüência da mutação foi variável de acordo com o centro de recrutamento, sendo identificada em todas as regiões brasileiras. Os tumores de mama de pacientes portadoras da mutação têm um perfil peculiar, com baixa frequência de LOH e presença de alguma expressão de HER2. A mutação p.R337H ocorre em tumores phyllodes da mama benignos e especialmente malignos, confirmando a hipótese prévia de associação de mutações germinativas em TP53 com estes tumores. Entre crianças com tumores do espectro SLF/LFL de um centro de referência no Sul do Brasil, um percentual significativo tem indicação para teste de mutações em TP53, no entanto, na maioria destes casos não se identifica mutação germinativa no gene. A mutação TP53 p.R337H ocorre em elevada frequência na linhagem germinativa de crianças com carcinomas adrenocortical e de plexo coróide, como descrito em outras regiões brasileiras. Por fim, o haplótipo fundador foi identificado em todos portadores da mutação analisados, incluindo 3 casos das regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste do país. A mutação TP53 p.R337H está associada a efeito fundador no Brasil e tem importante contribuição na gênese de tumores de mama, bem como de carcinomas adrenocortical e de plexo coróide no Sul do país. / Introduction: Previous studies have reported that a specific germline mutation in TP53, p.R337H, is associated with a founder effect and is common among certain tumor types. Objectives and Methodology: Assess the prevalence of TP53 p.R337H germline mutation in subjects with tumors of the Li-Fraumeni/ Li-Fraumeni- Like (LFS/LFL) spectrum divided into different groups: (1) women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) subdivided into 2 subgroups: (a) with criteria for hereditary predisposition syndromes, except for LFS/LFL (b) unselected for family history (FH) diagnosed at or before 45 years and at or after 55 years recruited in different regions of the country; (2) women with phyllodes breast tumors, diagnosed at different ages and not selected for FH of the disease from the South and Southeast of Brazil; (3) children with tumors of the LFS/LFL spectrum and not selected for FH of the disease from a Pediatric Oncology Service in South Brazil. In addition, presence of the founder Brazilian haplotype in mutation carriers identified in groups 1, 2 and 3 was assessed. Finally, in group 3, prevalence of LFS/LFL criteria and presence of other germline TP53 mutations were investigated. Results: In subgroup 1A, 59 women were included and two of these were mutation carriers, both had a FH consistent only with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome at recruitment. In subgroup 1B, 815 women (403 cases diagnosed N 45 years and 412 cases, O 55 years) were included from 25 different Brazilian States. The TP53 p.R377H mutation was found in 8.6% (70/815), and significant differences in mutation frequency were observed according to recruitment center. In all centers the mutation was more frequent in women diagnosed with BC at or before 45 years. Analysis of tumor tissue of 15 carriers showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in only 2 cases. Breast tumors of carriers showed, more frequently, some expression of HER2. In group 2 were included 148 women with breast phyllodes tumors and 8 (5.4%) were p.R337H carriers, which was most common among malignant phyllodes tumors (3/13, 23%) when compared to benign (5/128, 3.4%). In the group 3, 292 children with tumors of the LFS/LFL spectrum were included, and 25.3% of these had criteria for LFS/LFL. TP53 gene sequencing and rearrangement testing in 48 children with the more strict criteria for the syndrome identified a classic germline mutation, p.G245S, in only one proband. The TP53 p.R337H mutation was identified only among patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (9/11, 81.8%) and choroid plexus carcinoma (2/2, 100%), corresponding to 3.8% of the total sample. One of the patients with adrenocortical carcinoma was homozygous mutant. All tumors of TP53 p.R37H carriers analyzed (n=8) showed LOH. Conclusion: We conclude that the TP53 p.R337H germline mutation occurs in Brazilian women with BC in different age groups, regardless of BC FH. In women with hereditary BC without criteria for LFS/LFL criteria, it was also observed. The mutation frequency varied according to the recruiting center and carriers were identified in all Brazilian regions. Breast tumors of carriers have a peculiar profile, with low frequency of LOH and the presence of HER2 expression. The mutation was present, also, in benign and especially malignant phyllodes tumors, confirming the previous hypothesis of an association between germline mutations in the TP53 gene and these specific tumors. Among children with tumors of the LFS/LFL spectrum from a Oncopediatrics referral center in South Brazil, a significant percentage fulfills criteria for TP53 mutation testing, however, in most of these cases, no germline mutations were identified. The TP53 p.R337H mutation occurs in high frequency in the germline of children with adrenocortical and choroid plexus carcinomas, as described in other Brazilian regions. Finally the founder haplotype was identified in all mutation carriers analyzed, including 3 cases from the Northern, Northeastern and Midwestern Brazilian regions. The TP53 p.R337H mutation is associated with a founder effect in Brazil and has an important contribution in the genesis of breast tumors in the country, as well as adrenocortical and choroid plexus carcinomas in the Southern region of the country.

Le carcinome hépatocellulaire (CHC) est le plus fréquent des tumeurs primitives du foie. La carcinogenèse hépatique est un processus complexe et multifactoriel qui fait intervenir à la fois des facteurs génétiques de prédisposition (e.g. les SNPs) et environnementaux. Près de 50% des CHC ont pour étiologie une infection par le virus de l'hépatite B (VHB). Au cours de cette infection, de multiples altérations génétiques et virales s'accumulent et favorisent le développement tumoral. Nous avons montré que les CHC liés au VHB présentaient des caractéristiques cliniques et pathologiques différents que ceux d’autres étiologies : 1). Les mutations inactivatrices d’HBx sont sélectionnées dans les tissus tumoraux des CHC liés au VHB, suggérant qu’il existe une pression de sélection spécifique au cours de l’hépatocarcinogenèse. 2). Chez les patients ayant un faible nombre de copies d'ADN VHB par cellule dans le foie non-tumoral, une corrélation avec les facteurs de risque supplémentaires (VHC/OH/NASH) a été identifiée, suggérant un effet coopératif pour la carcinogenèse induite par le VHB. 3). Les mutations TP53 sont associées à un pronostic moins favorable chez les patients ayant un CHC liés au VHB. 4). Les CHC liés au VHB montrent plus fréquemment des phénotypes progéniteurs, avec une surexpression des gènes impliqués dans la régulation du cycle cellulaire et codant pour les protéines onco-fœtales. Quatre SNPs précédemment identifiés par des études pangénomiques (GWAS) asiatiques ont été validés dans la population européenne. Les distributions alléliques semblent varier selon l’étiologie de la pathologie hépatique. Ces résultats soulignent la complexité de la prédisposition génétique au CHC, dont l’étude doit prendre en considération l’origine géographique des patients ainsi que les facteurs de risque associés. / Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumors. Hepatic carcinogenesis is a complex and multifactorial process involving both genetic predisposition (e.g. SNPs) and environmental factors. Nearly 50% of HCC are caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection worldwide. During HBV infection, multiple genetic and viral alterations accumulate and promote tumor development. By analyzing resected HCC in France, we identified specific molecular features related to HBV infection. First, HBx inactivating mutations are selected in HCC tissues suggesting specific pressure of selection during hepatocarcinogenesis. Second, in patients with a low number of HBV DNA copies per liver cell, we identified additional risk factors like HCV infection, alcohol intake or NASH, suggesting a cooperative effect of these factors with HBV to induce the malignant transformation. Third, TP53 mutations associated with a poor prognostic for HBV infected resected HCC patients. At last, HBV-related tumors demonstrate more frequent progenitor phenotype compared to non-HBV HCC, with an up-regulation of genes that involved in cell cycle regulation and encoded onco-fetal/progenitor proteins. Four SNPs previously identified by genome-wide studies (GWAS) in Asian, have been validated in our European population. Allelic distributions seem to vary according to the etiologies of adjacent liver diseases. These findings underscore the complexity of the genetic predisposition of HCC; further study must consider the geographical origin of patients and associated risk factors.

L’identification des mutations constitutionnelles à l’origine d’une prédisposition génétique au cancer est essentielle à la prise en charge médicale des patients et de leurs familles. Depuis l’implémentation des technologies de séquençage à haut-débit dans les laboratoires diagnostiques, le principal défi n’est plus la détection des variations génétiques mais leur interprétation et leur classification. La question de l’interprétation de la variation est particulièrement cruciale lorsqu’elle conditionne la stratégie thérapeutique. Ainsi, il est essentiel de disposer de tests simples adaptables en routine diagnostique pour faciliter l’interprétation des variations génétiques. Dans ce contexte, nous avons utilisé un test fonctionnel développé par notre équipe pour classer des variations dans le gène TP53 à l’origine du syndrome de Li-Fraumeni et pour appréhender la corrélation génotype - phénotype chez les patients LFS. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons évalué la pertinence d’une approche multi-omique (RNA-Seq et métabolomique) pour discriminer les cellules sauvages des cellules avec mutation hétérozygote du gène TP53 ou des gènes BRCA impliqués dans la prédisposition génétique aux cancers du sein et de l’ovaire. Sur la base des données de transcriptome, un modèle mathématique a été développé pour détecter les variants correspondant à des mutations délétères. Nous avons ensuite sélectionné les biomarqueurs les plus discriminants pour les intégrer dans un test fonctionnel de RT-MLPA dédié à la voie p53. Nous avons enfin adapté cet essai pour qu’il soit réalisable sur une simple prise de sang, sans immortalisation des lymphocytes du patient. / The identification of the constitutional mutation responsible for a genetic predisposition to cancer is essential to the clinical management of the patient and its relatives. With the implementation of high-throughput sequencing to the diagnostic routine of these pathologies, the challenge no longer lies within the detection of alterations but in their biological and clinical interpretation. While specific treatments are emerging, simple functional assays to help with the interpretation of the detected variants are needed. In this context, we used a functional test developed by our team to classify variations in the TP53 gene responsible for Li-Fraumeni syndrome and to understand the genotype-phenotype correlation in LFS patients. On the other hand, we assessed the relevance of a multi-omic approach (RNA-Seq and metabolomics) to discriminate wild-type cells from cells with a deleterious heterozygous mutation in TP53 or in the BRCA genes implicated in genetic predisposition to breast and ovarian cancers. Based on the transcriptomic data, a mathematical model has been developed to detect variants corresponding to deleterious mutations. Then we selected the most discriminating biomarkers and integrated them into a RT-MLPA functional assay dedicated to the p53 pathway. We finally adapted this test to be feasible on a simple blood test, without immortalization of the patient's lymphocytes.

L’objectif était de mieux définir les relations entre l’exposition à certaines fibres minérales et les anomalies génétiques somatiques associées à la transformation tumorale de cellules de l’appareil respiratoire. Deux études indépendantes ont été conduites à partir du modèle murin Nf2+/- de mésothéliome malin (MM) développé dans le laboratoire, exposé par inoculation intrapéritonéale à des fibres d’amiante crocidolite (souris abs-Nf2+/- et abs-Nf2+/+) et à des fibres céramiques réfractaires (FCR) (souris ceram-Nf2+/-).Ce choix a été fondé selon une stratégie raisonnée à partir de la connaissance des anomalies génétiques observées dans le MM. La validité de ce modèle a été vérifiée en comparant les MM murins et humains. Des MM ont été induits par le crocidolite chez des souris abs-Nf2+/- et abs-Nf2+/+. Les souris abs-Nf2+/- ont significativement développé plus de MM que les souris abs-Nf2+/+. Les caractéristiques histologiques des MM murins sont analogues aux MM humains, avec des altérations génétiques similaires, en terme de fréquence et de mécanismes d’inactivation (mutations ponctuelles pour le gène TP53, délétions pour les gènes NF2 et P16/CDKN2A). Ce modèle murin a été ensuite utilisé pour évaluer la toxicité de FCR. Les souris ceram-Nf2+/- ont développé des MM similaires aux MM humains du point de vue histologique et moléculaire. Ainsi, le profil des altérations génétiques des MM murins ceram-Nf2+/- est semblable à celui des MM murins abs-Nf2+/- et abs-Nf2+/+, et humains. Les cellules mésotheliales des souris exposées aux FCR et à l’amiante semblent suivre les mêmes voies de transformation néoplasique. Une étude à la recherche d’altérations génétiques de ces 3 gènes et des gènes Ki-ras et EGFr fréquemment mutés dans le cancer broncho-pulmonaire (CBP) a été conduite à partir de cas de CBP sélectionnés (50 sujets exposés à l’amiante (E+) et 50 sujets non exposés (E-) appariés sur l’âge, le sexe, le type histologique et le tabagisme) provenant d’une série de cas opérés. A l’instar du MM, l’analyse du gène P16/CDKN2A suggère que le mécanisme d’inactivation pourrait être différent chez les sujets E+ (par délétion) par rapport aux sujets E- (par hyperméthylation du promoteur), indépendamment de l’âge et du tabagisme. Deux SNP (rs12947788 et rs12951053) du gène TP53 sont plus fréquemment retrouvés chez les sujets E+. En revanche, aucune différence significative n’est retrouvée pour les autres gènes entre ces 2 groupes. Ainsi, les mutations du gène NF2 dans le MM seraient plus liées à une spécificité cellulaire et à une fonction particulière de la protéine nf2 dans ces cellules / Résumé en anglais non communiqué

The MYC onocogene is frequently overexpressed in human cancer due to its capacity to promote cell growth and cell proliferation. MYC overexpression activates the p53 tumour suppressor pathway, which resists the pro-tumourigeneic program elicited by MYC. How MYC overexpression engages p53 is yet to be elucidated, and in this study I carried out a large metabolic siRNA screen to determine whether p53 responds to a specific MYC-driven metabolic pathway. Two clear lipid metabolic pathways emerged from the siRNA screen: PPARγ/arachidonate metabolism and de novo sphingolipid synthesis. Knockdown or inhibition of PPARγ increased p53 levels, and PPARγ ligands decreased following MYC overexpression. Knockdown of ceramide synthesis depleted p53 levels, and MYC overexpression increased de novo ceramide synthesis. This demonstrated that MYC-driven ceramide synthesis positively regulates p53, and highlights the role of cell metabolism in the tumour suppressor response to MYC deregulation.

Introdução: As síndromes de Li-Fraumeni (LFS) e Li-Fraumeni Like (LFL) são síndromes hereditárias de predisposição a câncer frequentemente associadas à mutações germinativas no gene TP53. Devido à importância de p53 e diversidade de processos celulares que ela regula, várias vias de sinalização podem ser afetadas pela doença. Nesse estudo discutimos o impacto da mutação p.R337H na proliferação, senescência, autofagia, população e funcionalidade mitocondrial. Métodos: As taxas de proliferação foram avaliadas pelo ensaio de Population Doubling. Os experimentos de senescência, autofagia, massa total e funcionalidade mitocondrial foram realizados por citometria de fluxo. Resultados: As células contendo a mutação proliferaram mais do que as células controle. Além disso, as células mutadas não ativaram autofagia sob tratamento de Rapamicina nem senescência sob tratamento de Doxorubicina ou Cisplatina e exibiram maior população mitocondrial, mas com funcionalidade inalterada após os tratamentos. Conclusão: os dados sugerem que a mutação p.R337H em TP53 afeta a indução de senescência realizada por p53 e suas funções pró-autofágicas, bem como seu controle. As células mutadas proliferam mais do que células sem mutação em TP53 e exibiram maior massa mitocondrial sem perda de funcionalidade após o tratamento com Doxorubicina. / Background: Li-Fraumeni (LFS) and Li-Fraumeni Like (LFL) syndromes are hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes frequently associated with germline mutation in TP53. Due to the importance of the protein p53 and its regulation of several important cellular processes, impairment in some pathways can be implicated. Here we discuss the impact of p.R337H TP53 mutation on proliferation, senescence, autophagy, mitochondrial population and functionality. Methods: Growth rates were assayed with Population Doubling assay. Senescence and autophagy were assessed through flow cytometry and functionality and total population of mitochondria were also analyzed through flow cytometry. Results: mutated cells proliferated more than control cells. TP53 mutated cells didn’t build up autophagy under Rapamycin treatmend nor senescence under Doxorubicin or Cisplatin treatments and showed more mitochondrial mass, but no alterations in mitochondrial functionality after Doxorubicin treatment. Conclusion:data suggests that p.R337H TP53 mutation affect senescence induction by p53 and pro-autophagic actions of p53. Mutated cells proliferate more than control cells and exhibited larger mitochondrial mass without effects in their functionality in response to Doxorubicin treatment.

We aimed to assess whether the breast-cancer intermediate-risk genes CHEK2, ATM ant TP53 were subject to differential allelic expression (DAE) in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from high-risk breast cancer patients for whom no mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 had been identified.We implemented an assay based on high-resolution melting curve analysis (HRM) of single labeled fluorescent probes to detect allelic expression imbalance. The method relies on the distinction of the two alleles of an exonic marker SNP in heterozygous individuals with a fluorescent signal correlated to the relative abundance of each transcript. We developed an analysis tool for HRM data processing, specifically dedicated to DAE assessment. In our series, we found evidence for DAE for CHEK2, in carriers of the truncating mutation 1100delC. When combining mutation-screening data and assessment of DAE, we did not identify functional regulatory variant located in cis of the studied genes that would lead to DAE, in the transcriptional regulatory milieu of freely proliferating LCLs. Our results support that HRM is a method with high sensitivity and accuracy that can be used for DAE assessment. This approach can be applied to study breast and blood tissue samples. The latter would be of great interest for high-throughput mutation screening projects aiming to identify dysfunctional regulatory variants in candidate genes.

Copy number variations (CNVs) are a major source of inter-individual genetic difference, accounting for a greater proportion of the human genome than other forms of variation. Recently, the identification of benign and pathogenic CNVs has improved due to arrays with increased coverage. Nevertheless, most CNVs have not been studied with great precision and questions persist regarding their exact breakpoint, gene content, frequency and functional impact. This is especially true in cancer, in which a role for CNVs as risk factors is under-explored. Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a dominantly inherited disorder with an increased risk of early-onset breast cancer, sarcomas, brain tumors and other neoplasms in individuals harboring germline TP53 mutations. Known genetic determinants of LFS do not fully explain its clinical phenotype. In this thesis we describe the association between CNVs and LFS. First, by examining DNA from a healthy population and an LFS cohort using oligonucleotide arrays, we show that the number of CNVs per genome is well conserved in the healthy population, but remarkably enriched in these cancer-prone individuals. We found a significant increase in CNVs among carriers of germline TP53 mutations with a familial cancer history. Second, we find that ii specific CNVs at 17p13.1 are associated with LFS or developmental delay, depending on the exact breakpoint with respect to TP53. Using a purpose built array with 93.75% accuracy, we fine-mapped these microdeletions and find that they arise by Alu-mediated non-allelic homologous recombination, and contain common genes, whose under-expression distinguishes the two phenotypes. Third, we explore somatic CNVs in choroid plexus carcinoma tumor genomes. We show that this tumor is over-represented in LFS, and the number of somatic CNVs is associated with TP53 mutations and disease progression. These studies represent the first genomic analyses of LFS, and suggest a more generalized association between CNVs and cancer.