Mosaic SUFU mutation associated with a mild phenotype of multiple hereditary infundibulocystic basal cell carcinoma syndrome

J Dermatol. 2025 Jan;52(1):150-154. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.17434. Epub 2024 Aug 19.

Abstract

Multiple hereditary infundibulocystic basal cell carcinoma syndrome (MHIBCC), an autosomal dominant disorder caused by variants in SUFU, is characterized by numerous infundibulocystic basal cell carcinomas (IBCCs). In this report, we present a possible case of mosaic MHIBCC. A 57-year-old woman underwent the removal of four papules on her face, which were diagnosed as IBCCs. Exome sequencing revealed a SUFU c.1022+1G>A mutation within the skin tumor. The same mutation was detected in her blood but at a lower allele frequency. TA cloning revealed that the allele frequency of the mutation in the blood was 0.07. Additionally, tumor assessment revealed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in chromosome 10, including the SUFU locus. These results indicate the patient had mosaicism for the SUFU mutation in normal tissues, aligning with the mosaic MHIBCC diagnosis. This, combined with LOH, likely contributed to IBCC development. Mosaic MHIBCC may present with milder symptoms. However, it may still increase the risk of developing brain tumors and more aggressive basal cell carcinoma. The possibility of mosaicism should be investigated in mild MHIBCC cases, where standard genetic tests fail to detect SUFU germline variants.

Keywords: SUFU protein; basal cell nevus syndrome; infundibulocystic basal cell carcinoma; medulloblastoma; mosaicism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / pathology
  • Exome Sequencing
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Loss of Heterozygosity
  • Middle Aged
  • Mosaicism*
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype*
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • SUFU protein, human
  • Repressor Proteins

Supplementary concepts

  • Basal cell carcinoma, infundibulocystic