Case report: PIK3CA somatic mutation leading to Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome and multiple tumors

Front Genet. 2023 Aug 17:14:1213283. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1213283. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

We report a case of Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome that was monitored both clinically and molecularly over a period of 9 years. A somatic mosaic mutation of PIK3CA (p(E545G)) was identified using both cfDNA NGS liquid biopsy and tissue biopsy. At the age of 56, due to intervening clonal mutations in PIK3CA background, she developed a squamous cell carcinoma in the right affected leg which was treated surgically. Nine years later, lung bilateral adenocarcinoma arose on PIK3CA mutated tissues supported by different clonal mutations. One year later, the patient died from metastases led by a new FGFR3 clone unresponsive to standard-of-care, immunotherapy-based. Our results highlight the presence of a molecular hallmark underlying neoplastic transformation that occurs upon an angiodysplastic process and support the view that PIK3CA mutated tissues must be treated as precancerous lesions. Importantly, they remark the effectiveness of combining cfDNA NGS liquid and tissue biopsies to monitor disease evolution as well as to identify aggressive clones targetable by tailored therapy, which is more efficient than conventional protocols.

Keywords: Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome; NGS-liquid biopsy; case report; squamous cell carcinoma adenocarcinoma; tailored therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the ILA association (Italian association on Angiodysplasias) founded by Adriano Cantarini, Monica Francesca Cantarini, Massimo Agostino, Umberto Vaghi, Patrizia Mediani, Cinzia Marzorati, Carla Balzarini, Silvana Angela Vismara, Marinella Arri, and Lorenzo Paganotto. This association was registered in “Sezione Provinciale di Milano del Registro regionale delle Organizzazioni di volontariato” (registration number: MI-130, registration date 9 October 2022) as an ONLUS. The “Cell lines and DNA bank of Rett Syndrome, X-linked mental retardation and other genetic diseases”, member of the Telethon Network of Genetic Biobanks (project no. GFB18001), funded by Telethon Italy, and of the EuroBioBank network provided us with specimens.