Atypical presentations of RECQL4-related syndromes

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2024 Dec;71(12):e31315. doi: 10.1002/pbc.31315. Epub 2024 Sep 24.

Abstract

RECQL4-related syndromes are a group of rare cancer-predisposition syndromes caused by biallelic pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPV) in the DNA helicase gene, RECQL4. Genetic testing is typically prompted by the presence of one or more hallmark clinical features, and in the absence of such manifestations, diagnosis may be delayed or even missed. We describe five patients with biallelic germline mutations in RECQL4 who presented atypically, without the hallmark clinical manifestations of this syndrome. Three of these patients developed osteosarcoma, underscoring the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) to allow for early awareness and surveillance for cancer.

Keywords: RECQL4; Rothmund–Thompson syndrome; osteosarcoma.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Osteosarcoma / diagnosis
  • Osteosarcoma / genetics
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • RecQ Helicases* / genetics
  • Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome* / genetics
  • Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome* / pathology

Substances

  • RecQ Helicases
  • RECQL4 protein, human