High Risk of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Development in
Recurrent Hydatidiform Moles with
NLRP7 Pathogenic Variations.
Balkan J Med Genet 2023;
25:45-50. [PMID:
37265977 PMCID:
PMC10230829 DOI:
10.2478/bjmg-2022-0025]
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Abstract
Objective
Pathogenic variations of the NLRP7 and KHDC3L genes are responsible for familial recurrent hydatidiform moles, a rare autosomal recessive phenomenon that can lead to severe comorbidities. Little is known about the diversity of genetic defects or the natural course of disease progression among recurrent hydatidiform mole cases from distinct ethnicities. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mutation profile and pregnancy outcomes in patients with multiple molar pregnancies.
Material and Methods
Three unrelated cases with recurrent molar pregnancies are included in this study. None of the patients had a known family history of molar pregnancy. Clinical findings and follow-up results are documented. Sanger sequencing is used to reveal genetic defects in exons and exon-intron boundaries of NLRP7 and KHDC3L genes.
Results
NLRP7 pathogenic variants were found in all three cases. In two cases, homozygous, c.2471+1G>A canonical splice cite variant was identified and in one case a homozygous, c.2571dupC (p.Ile858HisfsTer11) frameshift variant was identified. No variant in the KHDC3L gene was found in any case. In all cases, the development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia complicated the clinical course and the treatment plans.
Conclusions
We found that defects of the NLRP7 gene are principally responsible for etiology in our region, and the mutation profile suggests a founder effect in the Turkish population. We suggest early genetic diagnosis and counseling in molar pregnancies and recommend close follow-up in terms of conversion to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.
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