Abstract AS01: Molecular genetic approaches to understanding ovarian cancer
Authors: Witkowski Leora , Carrot-Zhang Jian , Majewski Jacek , Foulkes William D. 
Published: August 2015

Ovarian cancer remains a challenging condition to prevent, diagnose and treat. We have conducted several different studies that have attempted to advance knowledge in one or more of these areas. These projects are briefly summarized below.

1) Sequencing of samples from a BRCA1 mutation carrier with high grade serous carcinoma

We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on the blood, primary tumor, omental metastasis and recurrence following therapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel, from a patient carrying a BRCA1 p.S1841R mutation. We observed loss of heterozygosity in the BRCA1 mutation in the primary and subsequent tumors, and somatic mutations in TP53 and NF1 were identified, suggesting their role along with BRCA1 driving the tumor development. We were able to detect large chromosomal rearrangements using WES. A large deletion was present in the three tumors in the regions containing BRCA1, TP53, and NF1 mutations, and an amplification in the regions containing MYC. We did not observe the emergence of new mutations among tumors from diagnosis to relapse after chemotherapy. Mutations present in the primary tumor were the main drivers of metastases and chemotherapy resistance.

2) Identification of DICER1 mutations in non -epithelial ovarian cancer

We used Sanger sequencing to sequence the RNase IIIa and IIIb domains of DICER1 in 154 gonadal tumours from 135 females and 19 males, and 43 extra-gonadal germ cell tumors (GCTs) from 26 females and 17 males. We identified heterozygous non-synonymous mutations in the RNase IIIb domain of DICER1 in 14/197 non-epithelial tumours (7.1%). Mutations were found in 9/28 SCSTs (32%), 5/118 gonadal GCTs (4.2%), 0/43 extra-gonadal GCTs and 0/8 miscellaneous tumours. The 14 mutations affected only five residues: E1705, D1709, E1788, D1810 and E1813. In all five patients where matched and constitutional DNA was available, the mutations were somatic. There were no mutations found in the RNase IIIa domain. More than half (8/15) of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours (SLCTs) harbour DICER1 mutations in the RNase IIIb domain, while mutations are rarely found in GCTs.

3) Characterization of small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT)

We sequenced the exomes of six individuals from three families with SCCOHT. After discovering segregating deleterious germline mutations in SMARCA4 in all three families, we tested DNA from a fourth affected family, which also carried a segregating SMARCA4 germline mutation. All the familial tumors sequenced harbored either a somatic mutation or loss of the wild-type allele. Immunohistochemical analysis of these cases and additional familial and non-familial cases showed loss of SMARCA4 (BRG1) protein in 38 of 40 tumors overall. Sequencing of cases with available DNA identified at least one germline or somatic deleterious SMARCA4 mutation in 30 of 32 cases. Additionally, the SCCOHT cell line BIN-67 had biallelic deleterious mutations in SMARCA4. Our findings identify alterations in SMARCA4 as the major cause of SCCOHT, which could lead to improvements in genetic counseling and new treatment approaches.

Citation Format: Leora Witkowski, Jian Carrot-Zhang, Jacek Majewski, William D. Foulkes. Molecular genetic approaches to understanding ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 10th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 8-9, 2014; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(16 Suppl):Abstract nr AS01.