Non-Invasive Prenatal Detecting of Achondroplasia In Earlier Stage of Pregnancy By Droplet-Digital PCR

Background: Achondroplasia (ACH) is generally detected by abnormal prenatal ultrasound findings in the late stage of pregnancy and then confirmed by molecular genetic testing of fetal genomic DNA obtained invasively. Most ACH cases appear to be de novo mutations with FGFR3 gene, so it is a challenge to screen ACH fetus out in the early stage of pregnancy.Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the possibility of detect fetus ACH along with non-invasive prenatal screening(NIPS) routinely in the early stage of pregnancy.Methods: 5927 cases of pregnant women undergoing NIPS were enrolled in this study. An additional 5ml of blood was collected together with NIPS blood sampling. Cell free DNA was extracted for the detecting of fetus ACH. Droplet-digital PCR(ddPCR) method based on the amplification of the two possible mutant alleles (c. 1138G>A and c. 1138G>C) of FGFR3 gene was performed to screen fetus ACH. Prenatal ultrasound and amniocentesis were then performed to confirm the positive screening result of ACH cases. The mutation sites of fetus were identified via Sanger sequencing by using amniotic fluid cells. For the screen negative cases of pregnant women, we followed up the results of prenatal diagnosis or the general conditions of the newborns.Results: One pregnant woman with fetus ACH were screened out at 22 weeks by Non-invasive prenatal detecting. Later prenatal ultrasound confirmed fetal skeletal dysplasia. Sanger sequencing confirmed de novo FGFR3 1138G>A mutant of the fetus. No ACH fetus or newborns were found in the rest detected negative cases of enrolled pregnant women.Conclusion: ddPCR technology could effectively identify de novo mutation like ACH of fetus noninvasively. We prospect the clinical application of ddPCR can expand the range of prenatal screen in the future.

Achondroplasia: Clinical, Radiological and Molecular Profile from Rare Disease Centre, India

Achondroplasia is the most common autosomal dominant form of skeletal dysplasia and is caused by heterozygous mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene at region 4p16.3. This study highlights the data of achondroplasia cases, clinical spectrum, and their outcome from small cities and the region around Rajasthan. The data for analysis were collected retrospectively from genetic records of rare disease clinic in Rajasthan. Clinical profile, radiographic features, molecular test results, and outcome were collected. There were 15 cases, including eight males and seven females, in this cohort. All had facial hypoplasia, depressed nasal bridge, prominent forehead, and characteristic radiographic features. A total of 14 cases were sporadic and one case was inherited from the mother. Mutation analysis showed 13 out of 15 cases with the p.Gly380Arg mutation in the FGFR3 gene. Hydrocephalus was developed in three cases, required shunting in two cases.

Comprehensive management of Crouzon syndrome: A case report with three-year follow-up

Crouzon syndrome is one of the most common craniosynostosis facial syndromes caused by a mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene. Less commonly, there is a mutation of the FGFR3 gene which results in Crouzon syndrome syndrome with acanthosis nigricans. It involves the premature fusion of sutures of the cranial vault, base, orbital and maxillary region. The clinical presentation of this congenital deformity depends on the pattern and timing of sutural fusion. The present report describes the features and management of this syndrome in an 18-year-old woman. The patient presented with a hypoplastic maxilla, deficient midface, exorbitism due to shallow orbits, severe crowding and bilateral crossbite. A multidisciplinary approach involving orthodontics and surgical intervention with distraction osteogenesis brought about marked improvement in the facial profile, occlusion and upper airway. The aesthetics and function were greatly enhanced, and the results were found to be stable at the end of three years.

Cerium-Containing N-Acetyl-6-Aminohexanoic Acid Formulation Accelerates Wound Reparation in Diabetic Animals

Background: The main goal of our study was to explore the wound-healing property of a novel cerium-containing N-acethyl-6-aminohexanoate acid compound and determine key molecular targets of the compound mode of action in diabetic animals. Methods: Cerium N-acetyl-6-aminohexanoate (laboratory name LHT-8-17) as a 10 mg/mL aquatic spray was used as wound experimental topical therapy. LHT-8-17 toxicity was assessed in human skin epidermal cell culture using (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. A linear wound was reproduced in 18 outbred white rats with streptozotocin-induced (60 mg/kg i.p.) diabetes; planar cutaneous defect was modelled in 60 C57Bl6 mice with streptozotocin-induced (200 mg/kg i.p.) diabetes and 90 diabetic db/db mice. Firmness of the forming scar was assessed mechanically. Skin defect covering was histologically evaluated on days 5, 10, 15, and 20. Tissue TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 levels were determined by quantitative ELISA. Oxidative stress activity was detected by Fe-induced chemiluminescence. Ki-67 expression and CD34 cell positivity were assessed using immunohistochemistry. FGFR3 gene expression was detected by real-time PCR. LHT-8-17 anti-microbial potency was assessed in wound tissues contaminated by MRSA. Results: LHT-8-17 4 mg twice daily accelerated linear and planar wound healing in animals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The formulated topical application depressed tissue TNF-α, IL-1β, and oxidative reaction activity along with sustaining both the IL-10 concentration and antioxidant capacity. LHT-8-17 induced Ki-67 positivity of fibroblasts and pro-keratinocytes, upregulated FGFR3 gene expression, and increased tissue vascularization. The formulation possessed anti-microbial properties. Conclusions: The obtained results allow us to consider the formulation as a promising pharmacological agent for diabetic wound topical treatment.

Psychomotor Delay in a Child with FGFR3 G380R Pathogenic Mutation Causing Achondroplasia

Achondroplasia (ACH) is a hereditary disorder of dwarfism that is caused by the aberrant proliferation and differentiation of chondrocyte growth plates. The common findings of macrocephaly and facial anomalies accompany dwarfism in these patients. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene mutations are common causes of achondroplasia. The current study presents a case of 2-year-old male presenting with phenotypic characteristics of ACH. The interesting finding of the case is the presence of psychomotor delay that is not very common in these patients. Clinical exome sequencing analyzing 4.813 disease causing genes revealed a de novo c.1138G > A mutation within the FGFR3 gene. In conclusion, the mutation confirms the clinical diagnosis of ACH, and it seems to be causing the psychomotor delay in this patient.

Oncogenic FGFR3 gene fusions in solid tumors among Chinese cancer patients.

e15072 Background: Oncogenic FGFR3 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 3) gene fusions have been identified as driver mutations that lead to the activation of FGFR3 in many solid tumor types and serve as a novel therapeutic target for FGFR inhibitors in clinical development. TACC3 (transforming acid coiled coil 3) is the most common partner of these FGFR3 fusions. Methods: The study enrolled over ten thousand cases of Chinese patients with different types of solid tumors. We performed targeted sequencing assay with our 605 gene panel that covered all the exon and intron regions of the FGFR3 gene, so that we could identify nearly all the FGFR3 translocation events. Results: The prevalence and form of FGFR3 fusions in different tumor types were shown in Table. We identified seven patients harboring FGFR3 fusion events, with six cases of FGFR3-TACC3 and one case of FGFR3-UBE2K. In the seven patients, three of them were also harbored concomitant TP53 gene mutations, and six of them were microsatellite stability (MSS), and one was microsatellite instability-low (MSI-L). Conclusions: FGFR3 gene rearrangements were identified in different solid tumor types in our study, and they were relatively rare compared to other novel mutations. However, clinical testing for the identification of FGFR3 fusions should be prioritized in bladder cancer patients. Consistent with other studies, the most common FGFR3 fusion form was FGFR3-TACC3. Co-occurring genetic alterations in FGFR3 gene fusions cases were also common. From our limited number of cases, most of FGFR3 gene fusions patients were MSS.[Table: see text]

Prenatal Diagnosis of Skeletal Dysplasia and Review of the Literature

Introduction. Obstetric ultrasonography is routinely used to screen for fetal anomalies. Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is one of the common though rare lethal skeletal dysplasia, detected during routine ultrasound scan. TD is caused by a mutation in FGFR3 gene. Characteristic features include shortening of limbs, macrocephaly and platyspondyly. In our local setting, it is common to miss the diagnosis in the early scans due to lack of expertise of the sonographers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first publication from Ghana. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 33-year-old woman who was referred to the facility on account of ultrasound scan report suggestive of thanatophoric dysplasia type 1 at 34 weeks of a female baby. The diagnosis was not made despite the mother being a regular antenatal attendant, until a fifth scan done at 34 weeks reported features suggestive of thanatophoric dysplasia. The ultrasound scan features included a biparietal diameter of 37weeks, femur length—24weeks, narrowed thoracic cage with hypoplastic lungs and short ribs. The liquor volume was increased with amniotic fluid index (AFI) of 38.4 cm. The femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, ulna, and radius were shortened (micromelia). The diagnosis of thanatophoric dysplasia type 1 was confirmed on autopsy. Conclusion. This report was aimed to highlight the potential contribution of ultrasound scan in the diagnosis of thanatophoric dysplasia in our setting.

Thanatophoric Dysplasia

Background: The term tanatophorik comes from the Greek word thanatophorus which means "innate death" or "bearing death". The problem that underlies this disease is the process of bone formation. This disease is associated with an autosomal dominant inherited mutation of the fibroblast growth factor 3 receptor (FGFR3) gene on the arm of chromosome 4 (4p16.3). Because FGFR3 is the main modulator in bone formation, the typical clinical features of this disease include shortening of the extremities, curved femur, clover-like skull and narrowing of the thoracic cavity.Tanatophoric dysplasia is a skeletal disorder that is "lethal" or deadly. The deaths occurred due to respiratory failure caused by reduced chest cavity capacity, hypoplastic lungs and / or brainstem compression.Destination: Reported a case of thanatophoric dysplasiaMethod: Case Report Case Report: Case 33 years old woman, with preterm parturient G1P0A0H0 35-36 weeks 1 latent phase + history of 2x laparotomy + suspected fetal tanatophoric dysplasia. On ultrasound examination, it was found that BPD = 9.14 cm; AC = 30.56 cm; HC = 32.05 cm; FL = 2.55 cm; AFI; 9.06cm; SDAU = 1.72 cm. The presence of frontal bosing, saddle nose and micromilia (proximal, distal, phalanges) was found. The patient was planned for vaginal delivery and the progress of labor was followed. Patients provided informed consent regarding the possibility of fetal death during labor and after birth. During the active phase of the labor process, hypotony uterine innersia occurs and oxytocin drip is performed to accelerate labor. The baby was born male, weight 2175 grams, body length 34 cm and A / S: 1/0. Postmortem physical examination revealed macroscopic findings of tanatophoric dysplasia infants such as hypertelorism, low nasal bridge, cranio-facial disproportion. Narrow chest with protruding abdomen and short, bent limbs.Conclusion: Tanatophoric dysplasia is "lethal" skeletal dysplasia. Careful prenatal examination is required in diagnosis and termination of pregnancy. Keywords: Thanatophoric dysplasia, prenatal diagnosis

Prognostic Role of FGFR3 Expression Status and Tumor-Related MicroRNAs Level in Association with PD-L1 Expression in Primary Luminal Non-Muscular Invasive Bladder Carcinoma

Background: bladder cancer is one of the most common urinary tract malignancies. Establishment of robust predictors of disease progression and outcome is important for personalizing treatment of non-muscular invasive bladder carcinoma (NMIBC). In this study we evaluated association of PD-L1 expression with other prognostic biomarkers, such as expression of miRNA-145 and miRNA-200a, FGFR3 gene expression, and mutation status in tissue specimens of the luminal subtype of newly diagnosed high and low grade NMIBC. Methods: twenty patients with primary luminal NMIBC were enrolled in the study. Tumor grade and risk level were determined in accordance with European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) guidelines and World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Neoplasm molecular subtype and PD-L1 expression level were assessed by immunohistochemistry. We used real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of microRNAs and FGFR3. We detected FGFR3 hotspot mutations in codons 248 and 249 by Sanger sequencing. Results: high grade primary luminal NMIBC showed comparatively higher expression of PD-L1 and microRNA-145 than a low grade tumor, whereas the latter had a higher FGFR3 expression and hotspot mutation rate. The tumor grade (HR = 571.72 [11.03–2.96] p = 0.002), PD-L1 expression (HR = 2.33 [0.92–1.92] p = 0.012), and FGFR3 expression (HR = 0.08 [0.17–0.42] p = 0.003) were associated with relapse-free survival. Conclusions: tumor grade in association with PD-L1 and FGFR3 expression can be considered as a complex predictor for primary luminal NMIBC progression.