Abstract A011 Molecular analysis improves the diagnosis of young people with renal tumors
Authors: Sarah M. Leiter, Aisosa Guobadia, Ben Fleming, Thankamma Ajithkumar, James Armitage, Ruth Armstrong, GA Amos Burke, Charlotte Burns, Tanzina Chowdhury, Nicholas Coleman, Helen Hatcher, Gail Horan, Lisa Howell, Anna-May Long, Sarah McDonald, Thomas J. Mitchell, James C. Nicholson, Thomas Roberts, Grant D. Stewart, John A. Tadross, Patrick Tarpey, Claire Trayers, Jamie Trotman, James Watkins, Anne Y. Warren, Godran Vujanic, C. Elizabeth Hook, Sam Behjati, Matthew J. Murray
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Background Accurate oncological diagnoses are essential to provide personalized and optimum care for patients. In children, renal tumors account for approximately one in 20 malignancies. Diagnostic workup in pediatric renal tumors is current focused on epidemiology, radiology, and histology, with a very limited role for molecular analysis outside of suspected cancer predisposition. Methods Retrospective clinical record review of seven pediatric and young adult renal tumor patients presenting to a single principal treatment center in the East of England, UK. Data collection was focused on their clinical presentation, radiology, histopathology, and molecular investigations including whole genome sequencing (WGS), treatment and outcomes. We analyzed the impact of molecular analysis on the care of these patients. Results Four patients presented with histologically difficult to classify renal tumors. Subsequent nephrectomy provided no additional information over biopsy in the two cases where a biopsy was performed first. Two young patients with histological concerns over renal cell carcinoma (RCC) had somatic mutations reported in Wilms tumor (WT) and responded well to WT treatment. One patient had histologically mixed features of papillary RCC and epithelial WT. WGS revealed a copy number profile consistent with papillary RCC as well as somatic WT changes and responded well and durably to chemo/radiotherapy, not expected for RCC alone. A young adult with an atypical RCC was shown to harbor a ERC1::CCNY fusion likely defining a novel entity. A further three cases, who did not have classical features of WT/cancer predisposition, were found to harbor mosaic/germline predisposition variants; allowing for appropriate treatment as per syndromic WT protocols. Discussion Diagnostic uncertainty is a challenge for oncologists, their patients, and families. Here we provide evidence that agnostic molecular analysis, including whole genomic sequencing (WGS), can be helpful in delineating such cases. In two children the molecular analysis helped to define the diagnosis as WT despite histological concerns for RCC. A novel tumor with mixed WT/RCC phenotype and genotype was responsive to chemo/radiotherapy. Molecular analysis thus improves the accuracy of diagnosis and helps to define novel entities. WT is well recognized to occur in the context of cancer predisposition syndromes. At present, genetics referrals and investigations are limited to those with suggestive family history or clinical features. Routinely undertaking molecular analysis will increase the rate of detection of underlying predisposition. We propose rapid turn-around molecular analysis for those undergoing pre-operative chemotherapy (as practiced in Europe) to identify patients and to plan for nephron-sparing surgery to reduce the risk of long-term renal replacement therapy. The molecular multidisciplinary team is crucial for the interpretation of routinely performed agnostic molecular analysis in children and young people with renal tumors given the evolving complexity of such cases. Citation Format: Sarah M. Leiter, Aisosa Guobadia, Ben Fleming, Thankamma Ajithkumar, James Armitage, Ruth Armstrong, GA Amos Burke, Charlotte Burns, Tanzina Chowdhury, Nicholas Coleman, Helen Hatcher, Gail Horan, Lisa Howell, Anna-May Long, Sarah McDonald, Thomas J. Mitchell, James C. Nicholson, Thomas Roberts, Grant D. Stewart, John A. Tadross, Patrick Tarpey, Claire Trayers, Jamie Trotman, James Watkins, Anne Y. Warren, Godran Vujanic, C. Elizabeth Hook, Sam Behjati, Matthew J. Murray. Molecular analysis improves the diagnosis of young people with renal tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research; 2024 Sep 5-8; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(17 Suppl):Abstract nr A011.