Genetic Predisposition to Hematologic Malignancies in Childhood and Adolescence

Genetic predisposition to childhood cancer

The etiology of childhood cancer remains largely unknown. Recent evidence suggests that genetic factors play a substantial role in pediatric tumorigenesis. Unlike adult cancers, pediatric cancers typically have a higher prevalence of germline pathogenic variants in cancer predisposition genes. Inherited cancer predisposition syndromes account for approximately 10% of all childhood cancers. Over the years, the diagnosis of cancer predisposition syndromes was based on clinical suspicion prompting referral to a specialized geneticist. However, advances in molecular technologies have led to a shift toward a "genotype-first" approach. Identification of genetic variants related to cancer predisposition enables tailored treatment, improves clinical outcome, optimizes surveillance, and facilitates genetic counseling of the affected child and the family.

Probable Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome with Monogenic Lupus Due to KRAS Mutation

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a disease characterized by dysfunction of the T lymphocyte  apoptotic pathways, mostly due to dysfunctional FAS mediated signaling. However few cases can also occur independent of FAS pathway alteration. ALPS is characterized by various immuno-hematological manifestations. Monogenic lupus is an evolving entity, which describes the etiologic role of single gene modulation in systemic lupus erythematosus. In this manuscript, we describe a case of probable ALPS with monogenic lupus caused by a novel mutation in the KRAS gene.