Constitutional mosaicism of a de novo TP53 mutation in a patient with bilateral choroid plexus carcinoma

Abstract

Choroid plexus tumors (CPT) constitute 2%-5% of all pediatric brain tumors and include high grade choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC). About 40% of CPC patients harbor germline TP53 mutations, associated with diminished survival rates. However, the number of TP53 carriers might be underestimated due to suboptimal ability of Sanger sequencing to identify mosaicism. We describe an 18-month-old boy with ultra-rare, bilateral disseminated CPC and negative family history of cancer. Next generation sequencing (NGS) revealed constitutional mosaicism of de novo TP53 mutation, which was barely detectable by Sanger sequencing. This is the first description of a de novo TP53 mutation mosaicism in a patient with CPC. Up to now four cases of de novo TP53 mutations in CPC patients have been described but none of them were mosaic. Since TP53 mutation mosaicism may have an impact on management of patients and predisposition to other cancers, a reliable method of identification is important. Our results highlight the utility of high-throughput technologies in detection of potentially important genetic markers.