A rare case of an isolated PAX6 mutation, aniridia, and Wilms tumor

Ophthalmic Genet. 2021 Apr;42(2):216-217. doi: 10.1080/13816810.2020.1852577. Epub 2020 Dec 10.

Abstract

Introduction: Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common renal malignancy of children and can be seen in WAGR syndrome (WT, aniridia, genitourinary anomalies, and intellectual disability). WAGR results from a contiguous gene deletion within the 11p13 region, encompassing the WT1 gene, often responsible for WT development, and the PAX6 gene, responsible for aniridia. Aniridia, a pan-ocular disease resulting from iris hypoplasia, is thought to increase the risk for WT development if their genetic alteration spans both the WT1 and the PAX6 genes on 11p13.Case Description: We describe a unique case of a patient with aniridia secondary to a heterozygous PAX6 nonsense mutation who developed WT despite no additional identifiable germline genetic drivers for this disease.Discussion: Isolated mutations in PAX6 previously have not been associated with increased risk of WT development case raises the question of if surveillance for WT should be continued in patients with aniridia with an isolated PAX6 mutation identified.

Keywords: Aniridia; PAX6; Wilms tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aniridia / complications
  • Aniridia / genetics
  • Aniridia / pathology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Codon, Nonsense*
  • Eye Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / complications
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • PAX6 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • Prognosis
  • Wilms Tumor / complications
  • Wilms Tumor / genetics
  • Wilms Tumor / pathology*

Substances

  • Codon, Nonsense
  • Eye Proteins
  • PAX6 Transcription Factor
  • PAX6 protein, human