scholarly journals Synchronous Presentation of Rare Brain Tumors in Von Hippel–Lindau Syndrome

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1005
Author(s):  
Mariachiara Lodi ◽  
Antonio Marrazzo ◽  
Antonella Cacchione ◽  
Marina Macchiaiolo ◽  
Antonino Romanzo ◽  
...  

Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is a heritable cancer syndrome in which benign and malignant tumors and/or cysts develop throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and visceral organs. The disease results from mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 3 (3p25-26). A majority of individuals (60–80%) with VHL disease will develop CNS hemangioblastomas (HMG). Endolymphatic sac tumor (ELST) is an uncommon, locally aggressive tumor located in the medial and posterior petrosal bone region. Its diagnosis is based on clinical, radiological, and pathological correlation, and it can occur in the setting of VHL in up to 10–15% of individuals. We describe a 17-year-old male who presented with a chief complaint of hearing loss. Brain and spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging documented the presence of an expansive lesion in the left cerebellar hemisphere, compatible with HMG in association with a second cerebellopontine lesion compatible with ELST. The peculiarity of the reported case is due to the simultaneous presence of two typical characteristics of VHL, which led to performing comprehensive genetic testing, thus allowing for the diagnosis of VHL. Furthermore, ELST is rare before the fourth decade of life. Early detection of these tumors plays a key role in the optimal management of this condition.

2001 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances M. Richards

von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited cancer syndrome characterised by predisposition to multiple tumours of the eyes and central nervous system (haemangioblastomas), kidneys (renal cell carcinoma; RCC), adrenal chromaffin cells (phaeochromocytoma), and other organs. The VHL gene was isolated in 1993 and mutations or deletions in the VHL gene have been identified in the germline of nearly all tested individuals with VHL disease. Genotype–phenotype correlations have been observed: individuals with missense mutations are more likely to develop phaeochromocytoma than those with deletions or protein-truncating mutations are, and specific missense mutations at certain codons might not predispose to RCC. In accordance with its role as a tumour suppressor gene, the normal allele of the VHL gene is deleted, mutated or silenced by promoter methylation in the tumours from VHL patients, and in a large proportion of sporadic tumours of the same histological types as observed in VHL disease. Thus, the VHL gene is of major importance in the development of RCC in the general population. Recent advances in understanding the structure and function of the VHL protein (pVHL) have revealed insights into the different phenotypes, with indications that some retention of function might be required for predisposition to phaeochromocytoma. pVHL interacts with many cellular proteins, mainly via one of two protein-binding domains (α and β). The best-characterised interaction is that of pVHL with elongin C, which forms a complex with elongin B and Cullin 2 proteins. This complex has E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and promotes ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) transcription factor under normal oxygen (normoxic) conditions. Loss of pVHL function leads to stabilisation of HIF-1 and expression under normoxic conditions of hypoxia-inducible genes including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which might explain the hypervascular phenotype of VHL tumours. Several other genes implicated in intra- and intercellular signalling and control of tumour growth are overexpressed in the absence of pVHL, but it is not yet clear which features of pVHL function are most significant for tumour suppression in different tissues. Further advances in understanding pVHL function might eventually enable development of specific therapies for prevention or treatment of VHL tumours and RCC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1684
Author(s):  
Mrinal Bhuyan ◽  
Debadatta Saha ◽  
Basanta Kumar Baishya ◽  
Ashish Ghanghoria

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome manifested by a spectrum of tumours in the central nervous system (CNS) and other visceral organs. We herein report a case of 35 years aged newly diagnosed diabetic female patient presented with headache, gait instability, loss of vision in both eyes, left sided hearing impairment and subsequently diagnosed to have VHL disease. The pathophysiology involves the inactivation of the VHL tumour suppressor gene. Early recognition and treatment remains the mainstay of management. Even many years after the complete tumour excision, newer neoplasms may develop. Increasing knowledge about the molecular enabled us to investigate the role of anti-angiogenic drugs. Continuous surveillance at regular interval must be conducted in patients with VHL disease. 


Author(s):  
Thomas Connor ◽  
Patrick H. Maxwell

Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited familial cancer syndrome caused by germline mutations in the VHL tumour suppressor gene. The most frequent manifestations of VHL disease are retinal and central nervous system haemangioblastomas, clear cell renal cell carcinomas, and phaeochromocytomas. Genetic testing and active screening for clinical manifestations is now started in childhood and has greatly improved the prognosis for patients with VHL disease. The VHL protein plays a critical role in regulating the cellular response to changes in oxygen tension. Loss of VHL function results in constitutive activation of a range of angiogenic and metabolic pathways. New drug therapies have been developed that reverse some of the cellular consequences of VHL loss of function in kidney cancer.


2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 3163-3172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erinn B. Rankin ◽  
Debra F. Higgins ◽  
Jacqueline A. Walisser ◽  
Randall S. Johnson ◽  
Christopher A. Bradfield ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Patients with germ line mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene are predisposed to the development of highly vascularized tumors within multiple tissues. Loss of pVHL results in constitutive activation of the transcription factors HIF-1 and HIF-2, whose relative contributions to the pathogenesis of the VHL phenotype have yet to be defined. In order to examine the role of HIF in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-associated vascular tumorigenesis, we utilized Cre-loxP-mediated recombination to inactivate hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (Hif-1α) and arylhydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt) genes in a VHL mouse model of cavernous liver hemangiomas and polycythemia. Deletion of Hif-1α did not affect the development of vascular tumors and polycythemia, nor did it suppress the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) and erythropoietin (Epo). In contrast, phosphoglycerokinase (Pgk) expression was substantially decreased, providing evidence for target gene-dependent functional redundancy between different Hif transcription factors. Inactivation of Arnt completely suppressed the development of hemangiomas, polycythemia, and Hif-induced gene expression. Here, we demonstrate genetically that the development of VHL-associated vascular tumors in the liver depends on functional ARNT. Furthermore, we provide evidence that individual HIF transcription factors may play distinct roles in the development of specific VHL disease manifestations.


2015 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa Cassol ◽  
Ozgur Mete

von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene that is characterized by the occurrence of multiple endocrine and nonendocrine lesions. This review focuses on the endocrine manifestations of VHL disease. Pancreatic neuroendocrine proliferations (ductuloinsular complexes, islet dysplasia, endocrine microadenoma, and neuroendocrine tumors), pheochromocytomas, and extra-adrenal paragangliomas are important endocrine manifestations of VHL disease. They frequently display characteristic clinical, biochemical, and histopathologic features that, although not pathognomonic, can be helpful in suggesting VHL disease as the underlying etiology and distinguishing these tumors from sporadic cases. Recent improvements in treatment and outcomes of renal cell carcinomas have allowed pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors to emerge as a significant source of metastatic disease, making the accurate recognition and classification of these neoplasms by the pathologist of utmost importance to determine prognosis, treatment, and follow-up strategies for affected patients.


2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. ANANTH KARUMANCHI ◽  
LIANWEI JIANG ◽  
BERTRAND KNEBELMANN ◽  
ALAN K. STUART-TILLEY ◽  
SETH L. ALPER ◽  
...  

Mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene are thought to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of both sporadic and VHL disease-associated clear-cell renal carcinomas (RCC). Differential display-PCR identified the AE2 anion exchanger as a candidate VHL target gene. AE2 mRNA and polypeptide levels were approximately threefold higher in 786-O VHL cells than in 786-O Neo cells. In contrast, Cl−/HCO3− exchange activity in 786-O VHL cells was 50% lower than in 786-O Neo cells. Since resting intracellular pH (pHi) values were indistinguishable, we postulated that Na+/H+ exchange activity (NHE) might be similarly reduced in 786-O VHL cells. NHE-mediated pHi recovery from acid load was less than 50% that in 786-O Neo cells, whereas hypertonicity-stimulated, amiloride-sensitive NHE was indistinguishable in the two cell lines. The NHE3 mRNA level was higher in 786-O VHL than 786-O Neo cells, but NHE1 mRNA levels did not differ. AE2 and NHE3 are the first transcripts reported to be upregulated by pVHL. Elucidation of mechanisms responsible for downregulation of both ion exchange activities will require further investigation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii8-ii8
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Kanno ◽  
Tetsuya Yoshizumi ◽  
Masamichi Shinonaga ◽  
Masahiro Yao

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIM von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary disease which manifest central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastoma, retinal angioma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), pheochromocytoma, endolymphatic sac tumor, and pancreas cyst. The VHL gene is located at 3p25.3 and is corresponding to 213 amino acids. Genotype-phenotype correlation analyses of VHL disease have been recently reported from several foreign countries, but the genotype-phenotype correlation has not been characterized since above 10 years ago. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the VHL mutation spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations in Japanese VHL patients. METHODS Blood samples of 111 unrelated families of VHL disease were collected and DNAs were extracted. Direct sequencing and real-time PCR analysis were performed. Consequently, the clinical manifestations and family histories of the subjects were evaluated. RESULTS We identified VHL mutations as follows: missense 47; deletion 17; insertion 5; nonsense 8; splice-site 9; larger deletion 25. At hot-spot codon 167, 4 minsense mutations were identified, with Arg167Trp, 4 cases; Arg167Gln2, 2 cases. At codon 155, splice-site mutations were identified at 6 cases. Mutation sites were distributed in exon 1, 45; exon 2, 21; exon 3, 36. Large deletions were distributed in exon 1 & 2, 1; exon 2& 3, 1; all exons, 11. Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis revealed that age-specific risk and number of CNS hemangioblastoma were significantly higher in subjects carrying missense mutation within HIF-α binding site or non-missense mutation (P < 0.05). In addition, penetrance of RCC was significantly higher in subjects carrying non-missense mutation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study were similar to the previous foreign studies. This study provides insight into the genotype-phenotype correlation in that amino acids substitutions in the HIF- α binding and non-sense mutations may predispose VHL patients to age-related risk and number of CNS hemangioblastoma.


2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Wanebo ◽  
Russell R. Lonser ◽  
Gladys M. Glenn ◽  
Edward H. Oldfield

Object. The goals of this study were to define the natural history and growth pattern of hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system (CNS) that are associated with von Hippel—Lindau (VHL) disease and to correlate features of hemangioblastomas that are associated with the development of symptoms and the need for treatment. Methods. The authors reviewed serial magnetic resonance images and clinical histories of 160 consecutive patients with VHL disease who harbored CNS hemangioblastomas and serially measured the volumes of tumors and associated cysts. Six hundred fifty-five hemangioblastomas were identified in the cerebellum (250 tumors), brainstem (64 tumors, all of which were located in the posterior medulla oblongata), spinal cord (331 tumors, 96% of which were located in the posterior half of spinal cord), and the supratentorial brain (10 tumors). The symptoms were related to a mass effect. A serial increase in hemangioblastoma size was observed in cerebellar, brainstem, and spinal cord tumors as patients progressed from being asymptomatic to symptomatic and requiring surgery (p < 0.0001). Twenty-one (72%) of 29 symptom-producing cerebellar tumors had an associated cyst, whereas only 28 (13%) of 221 nonsymptomatic cerebellar tumors had tumor-associated cysts (p < 0.0001). Nine (75%) of 12 symptomatic brainstem tumors had associated cysts, compared with only four (8%) of 52 nonsymptomatic brainstem lesions (p < 0.0001). By the time the symptoms appeared and surgery was required, the cyst was larger than the causative tumor; cerebellar and brainstem cysts measured 34 and 19 times the size of their associated tumors at surgery, respectively. Ninety-five percent of symptom-producing spinal hemangioblastomas were associated with syringomyelia. The clinical circumstance was dynamic. Among the 88 patients who had undergone serial imaging for 6 months or longer (median 32 months), 164 (44%) of 373 hemangioblastomas and 37 (67%) of 55 tumor-associated cysts enlarged. No tumors or cysts spontaneously diminished in size. Symptomatic cerebellar and brainstem tumors grew at rates six and nine times greater, respectively, than asymptomatic tumors in the same regions. Cysts enlarged seven (cerebellum) and 15 (brainstem) times faster than the hemangioblastomas causing them. Hemangioblastomas frequently demonstrated a pattern of growth in which they would enlarge for a period of time (growth phase) and then stabilize in a period of arrested growth (quiescent phase). Of 69 patients with documented tumor growth, 18 (26%) harbored tumors with at least two growth phases. Of 160 patients with hemangioblastomas, 34 patients (median follow up 51 months) were found to have 115 new hemangioblastomas and 15 patients new tumor-associated cysts. Conclusions. In this study the authors define the natural history of CNS hemangioblastomas associated with VHL disease. Not only were cysts commonly associated with cerebellar, brainstem, and spinal hemangioblastomas, the pace of enlargement was much faster for cysts than for hemangioblastomas. By the time symptoms appeared, the majority of mass effect—producing symptoms derived from the cyst, rather than from the tumor causing the cyst. These tumors often have multiple periods of tumor growth separated by periods of arrested growth, and many untreated tumors may remain the same size for several years. These characteristics must be considered when determining the optimal timing of screening for individual patients and for evaluating the timing and results of treatment.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 939-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somanath Padhi ◽  
RajLaxmi Sarangi ◽  
Sundaram Challa ◽  
Priyatamjee Bussary ◽  
Manas K. Panigrahi ◽  
...  

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
pp. 4991-5004 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Y. Kim ◽  
William G. Kaelin

Germline inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene causes the von Hippel-Lindau hereditary cancer syndrome, and somatic mutations of this gene have been linked to the development of sporadic hemangioblastomas and clear-cell renal carcinomas. The VHL tumor suppressor protein (pVHL), through its oxygen-dependent polyubiquitylation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), plays a central role in the mammalian oxygen-sensing pathway. This interaction between pVHL and HIF is governed by post-translational prolyl hydroxylation of HIF in the presence of oxygen by a conserved family of Egl-nine (EGLN) enzymes. In the absence of pVHL, HIF becomes stabilized and is free to induce the expression of its target genes, many of which are important in regulating angiogenesis, cell growth, or cell survival. Moreover, preliminary data indicate that HIF plays a critical role in pVHL-defective tumor formation, raising the possibility that drugs directed against HIF or its downstream targets (such as vascular endothelial growth factor) might one day play a role in the treatment of hemangioblastoma and renal cell carcinoma. On the other hand, clear genotype-phenotype correlations are emerging in VHL disease and can be rationalized if pVHL has functions separate from its control of HIF.


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