Von Hippel–Lindau disease

(Redirected from VHL syndrome)

Von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL), also known as Von Hippel–Lindau syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder with multisystem involvement.[3] It is characterized by visceral cysts and benign tumors with potential for subsequent malignant transformation. It is a type of phakomatosis that results from a mutation in the Von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 3p25.3.[4][5][6]

Von Hippel–Lindau disease
Other namesFamilial cerebello retinal angiomatosis[1]
Locations of the main types of cysts and tumors in Von Hippel–Lindau disease.[2]
SpecialtyMedical genetics, neurology Edit this on Wikidata

Signs and symptoms

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Slit lamp photograph showing retinal detachment in Von Hippel–Lindau disease
Tumor/cyst type[2] Prevalence[2]
Pancreatic cysts 50-91%
Cerebellar hemangioblastoma 44-72%
Renal cysts 59-63%
Retinal hemangioblastoma 45-59%
Renal cell carcinoma 24-45%
Spinal cord hemangioblastoma 13-59%
Papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis 10-60%
of males
Pheochromocytoma 0-60%
Neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas 5-17%
Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas 12%
Medullary hemangioblastoma 5%
 
Typical distribution of hemangioblastomas in Von Hippel–Lindau disease.

Signs and symptoms associated with VHL disease include headaches, problems with balance and walking, dizziness, weakness of the limbs, vision problems, and high blood pressure.

Conditions associated with VHL disease include angiomatosis, hemangioblastomas, pheochromocytoma, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cysts (pancreatic serous cystadenoma), endolymphatic sac tumor, and bilateral papillary cystadenomas of the epididymis (men) or broad ligament of the uterus (women).[7][8] Angiomatosis occurs in 37.2% of patients presenting with VHL disease and usually occurs in the retina. As a result, loss of vision is very common. However, other organs can be affected: strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular disease are common additional symptoms.[6] Approximately 40% of VHL disease presents with CNS hemangioblastomas and they are present in around 60–80%. Spinal hemangioblastomas are found in 13–59% of VHL disease and are specific because 80% are found in VHL disease.[9][10] Although all of these tumors are common in VHL disease, around half of cases present with only one tumor type.[10] Most people with VHL develop symptoms in their mid-twenties.[11]

Pathogenesis

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The disease is caused by mutations of the Von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL) gene on the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p25-26). There are over 1500 germline mutations and somatic mutations found in VHL disease.[12][13]

 
Von Hippel–Lindau disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Every cell in the body has two copies of every gene (bar those found in the sex chromosomes, X and Y). In VHL disease, one copy of the VHL gene has a mutation and produces a faulty VHL protein (pVHL). However, the second copy still produces a functional protein. The condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner – one copy of the faulty gene is sufficient to increase the risk of developing tumours.[14][15]

Approximately 20% of cases of VHL disease are found in individuals without a family history, known as de novo mutations. An inherited mutation of the VHL gene is responsible for the remaining 80 percent of cases.[9]

30–40% of mutations in the VHL gene consist of 50-250kb deletion mutations that remove either part of the gene or the whole gene and flanking regions of DNA. The remaining 60-70% of VHL disease is caused by the truncation of pVHL by nonsense mutations, indel mutations or splice site mutations.[9]

VHL protein

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The regulation of HIF1α by pVHL. Under normal oxygen levels, HIF1α binds pVHL through 2 hydroxylated proline residues and is polyubiquitinated by pVHL. This leads to its degradation via the proteasome. During hypoxia, the proline residues are not hydroxylated and pVHL cannot bind. HIF1α causes the transcription of genes that contain the hypoxia response element. In VHL disease, genetic mutations cause alterations to the pVHL protein, usually to the HIF1α binding site.

The VHL protein (pVHL) is involved in the regulation of a protein known as hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α). This is a subunit of a heterodimeric transcription factor that at normal cellular oxygen levels is highly regulated. In normal physiological conditions, pVHL recognizes and binds to HIF1α only when oxygen is present due to the post translational hydroxylation of 2 proline residues within the HIF1α protein. pVHL is an E3 ligase that ubiquitinates HIF1α and causes its degradation by the proteasome. In low oxygen conditions or in cases of VHL disease where the VHL gene is mutated, pVHL does not bind to HIF1α. This allows the subunit to dimerise with HIF1β and activate the transcription of a number of genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor B, erythropoietin and genes involved in glucose uptake and metabolism.[15][16] A new novel missense mutation in VHL genes c.194 C>T, c.239 G>A, c.278 G>A, c.319 C>G, c.337 C>G leading to the following variations p.Ala 65 Val, p.Gly 80 Asp, p.Gly 93 Glu, p.Gln 107 Glu, p.Gln 113 Glu [check spelling] in the protein contributed to renal clear cell carcinoma.[17]

Diagnosis

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The detection of tumours specific to VHL disease is important in the disease's diagnosis. In individuals with a family history of VHL disease, one hemangioblastoma, pheochromocytoma or renal cell carcinoma may be sufficient to make a diagnosis. As all the tumours associated with VHL disease can be found sporadically, at least two tumours must be identified to diagnose VHL disease in a person without a family history.[9][10]

Genetic diagnosis is also useful in VHL disease diagnosis. In hereditary VHL disease, techniques such as the Southern blot and gene sequencing can be used to analyse DNA and identify mutations. These tests can be used to screen family members of those afflicted with VHL disease; de novo cases that produce genetic mosaicism are more difficult to detect because mutations are not found in the white blood cells that are used for genetic analysis.[9][18]

Classification

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Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is classified into two main types based on the presence or absence of pheochromocytoma (pheo). VHL type 1 is characterized by the absence of pheo, while VHL type 2 encompasses individuals with pheo and is further divided into three subcategories: type 2A, type 2B, and type 2C.[19] Diagnosis of VHL is guided by two key criteria. The first involves patients with a family history of developing hemangioblastomas (HB) in the central nervous system (CNS) or retinal angiomas (RA), pheo, pancreatic tumors or cysts, or epididymal cystadenomas. The second criterion applies to patients without a family history of VHL disease who present with hemangioblastomas or retinal angiomas in conjunction with other tumors such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), pheo, pancreatic tumors or cysts, or epididymal cystadenomas.[20]

Classification terms

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Pheo - A pheochromocytoma is an adrenal tumor that makes and releases excess catecholamines. These tumors can cause serious health problems including stroke, heart attack, and even death.[21]

Hemangioblastomas - a hemangioblastoma is a tumor that grows in the blood vessels of your brain, spinal cord or retina. It isn’t cancerous, but it may grow and press on surrounding tissues. Usually, healthcare providers recommend removing a hemangioblastoma with surgery. After removal, a hemangioblastoma is unlikely to grow back.[22]

Retina angiomas - retinal capillary hemangiomas also known as retinal hemangioblastomas, occur most frequently in conjunction with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. These lesions are characterized by plump, but otherwise normal, retinal capillary endothelial cells with normal pericytes and basement membrane.[23]

Epidydimal cystadenomas- A cyst that grows on the male testes.

Renal cell carcinoma- The most common type of kidney cancer.

Treatment

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Early recognition and treatment of specific manifestations of VHL can substantially decrease complications and improve quality of life. For this reason, individuals with VHL disease are usually screened routinely for retinal angiomas, CNS hemangioblastomas, clear-cell renal carcinomas and pheochromocytomas.[24] CNS hemangioblastomas are usually surgically removed if they are symptomatic. Photocoagulation and cryotherapy are usually used for the treatment of symptomatic retinal angiomas, although anti-angiogenic treatments may also be an option. Renal tumours may be removed by a partial nephrectomy or other techniques such as radiofrequency ablation.[9]

Belzutifan is a drug under investigation for the treatment of von Hippel–Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma.[25][26][27][28]

Epidemiology

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VHL disease has an incidence of one in 36,000 births. There is over 90% penetrance by the age of 65.[29] Age at diagnosis varies from infancy to age 60–70 years, with an average patient age at clinical diagnosis of 26 years.[citation needed]

History

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Original Von Hippel's description of disease

The German ophthalmologist Eugen von Hippel first described angiomas in the eye in 1904.[30] Arvid Lindau described the angiomas of the cerebellum and spine in 1927.[31] The term Von Hippel–Lindau disease was first used in 1936; however, its use became common only in the 1970s.[9]

Notable cases

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Some descendants of the McCoy family (involved in the Hatfield-McCoy feud of Appalachia, USA) are presumed to have VHL. In an article appearing in the Associated Press, it has been speculated by a Vanderbilt University endocrinologist that the hostility underlying the Hatfield–McCoy feud may have been partly due to the consequences of Von Hippel–Lindau disease. The article suggests that the McCoy family was predisposed to bad tempers because many of them had a pheochromocytoma that produced excess adrenaline and a tendency toward explosive tempers.[32] An update of the Associated Press article in 2023 carries more details.[33]

Nomenclature

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Other uncommon names are: angiomatosis retinae, familial cerebello-retinal angiomatosis, cerebelloretinal hemangioblastomatosis, Hippel Disease, Hippel–Lindau syndrome, HLS, VHL, Lindau disease or retinocerebellar angiomatosis.[34][35]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ RESERVED, INSERM US14-- ALL RIGHTS. "Orphanet: Von Hippel Lindau disease". www.orpha.net. Retrieved 25 May 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c Leung RS, Biswas SV, Duncan M, Rankin S (2008). "Imaging features of von Hippel-Lindau disease". Radiographics. 28 (1): 65–79, quiz 323. doi:10.1148/rg.281075052. PMID 18203931.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Von Hippel-Lindau disease | Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program". rarediseases.info.nih.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  4. ^ Richard, S; Gardie, B; Couvé, S; Gad, S (May 30, 2012). "Von Hippel-Lindau: How a rare disease illuminates cancer biology". Seminars in Cancer Biology. 23 (1): 26–37. doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2012.05.005. PMID 22659535. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  5. ^ Henry, Todd; Campell, James; Hawley, Arthur (1969). Todd-Sanford clinical diagnosis by laboratory methods, edited by Israel Davidsohn [and] John Bernard Henry (14th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. p. 555. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
  6. ^ a b Wong WT; Agrón E; Coleman HR; et al. (February 2007). "Genotype–phenotype correlation in von Hippel–Lindau disease with retinal angiomatosis". Archives of Ophthalmology. 125 (2): 239–45. doi:10.1001/archopht.125.2.239. PMC 3019103. PMID 17296901. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  7. ^ Lindsay, Kenneth W; Ian Bone; Robin Callander; J. van Gijn (1991). Neurology and Neurosurgery Illustrated. United States: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0-443-04345-1.
  8. ^ Frantzen, Carlijn; Links, Thera P.; Giles, Rachel H. (21 June 2012). "Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome". Von Hippel-Lindau Disease. University of Washington, Seattle. PMID 20301636. Retrieved 30 March 2013. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Maher ER; Glenn GM; Walther M; et al. (June 2011). "von Hippel-Lindau disease: a clinical and scientific review". European Journal of Human Genetics. 19 (6): 617–23. doi:10.1038/ejhg.2010.175. PMC 3110036. PMID 21386872.
  10. ^ a b c Friedrich, CA (December 1, 1999). "Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. A pleomorphic condition". Cancer. 86 (11 Suppl): 2478–82. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19991201)86:11+<2478::AID-CNCR4>3.0.CO;2-5. PMID 10630173. S2CID 45672391.
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  13. ^ Nordstrom-O'Brien M; van der Luijt RB; van Rooijen E; et al. (May 2010). "Genetic analysis of von Hippel-Lindau disease". Hum. Mutat. 31 (5): 521–37. doi:10.1002/humu.21219. PMID 20151405. S2CID 38910112.
  14. ^ Knudson, AG (Nov 2001). "Two genetic hits (more or less) to cancer". Nature Reviews Cancer. 1 (2): 157–62. doi:10.1038/35101031. PMID 11905807. S2CID 20201610.
  15. ^ a b Kaelin, WG (2007). "Von Hippel-Lindau disease". Annual Review of Pathology. 2: 145–73. doi:10.1146/annurev.pathol.2.010506.092049. PMID 18039096.
  16. ^ Bader, HL; Hsu, T (June 4, 2012). "Systemic VHL gene functions and the VHL disease". FEBS Letters. 586 (11): 1562–9. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2012.04.032. PMC 3372859. PMID 22673568.
  17. ^ Kumar, P. S.; Venkatesh, K.; Srikanth, L.; Sarma, P. V.; Reddy, A. R.; Subramanian, S.; Phaneendra, B. V. (July 2013). "Novel three missense mutations observed in Von Hippel-Lindau gene in a patient reported with renal cell carcinoma". Indian Journal of Human Genetics. 19 (3): 373–376. doi:10.4103/0971-6866.120809. PMC 3841571. PMID 24339559.
  18. ^ Lonser RR (June 2003). "von Hippel-Lindau disease". Lancet. 361 (9374): 2059–67. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13643-4. PMID 12814730. S2CID 13783714.
  19. ^ Mikhail, Magui (January 30, 2023). "Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome". National Library of Medicine. PMID 29083737.
  20. ^ Shuin, Yamasaki, Tamura, Okuda, Furihata, Ashida, Taro, Ichiro, Kenji, Heiwa, Mutsuo, Shingo (June 2006). [academic.oup.com/jjco/article/36/6/337/901485#28004251 "Von Hippel–Lindau Disease: Molecular Pathological Basis, Clinical Criteria, Genetic Testing, Clinical Features of Tumors and Treatment"]. Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology. 36 (6): 337–343. doi:10.1093/jjco/hyl052. PMID 16818478. {{cite journal}}: Check |url= value (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Yale, Medicine (October 2024). "What is a pheochromocytoma". Yale Medicine.
  22. ^ Clinic, Cleveland (October 2024). "Hemangioblastoma". Cleveland Clinic.
  23. ^ Moshfeghi, Darius (October 29, 2013). "Laser Photocoagulation and Photodynamic Therapy for Von Hippel-Lindau Retinal Capillary Hemangiomas". American Academy of Ophthalmology.
  24. ^ Priesemann M; Davies KM; Perry LA; et al. (2006). "Benefits of screening in von Hippel-Lindau disease – comparison of morbidity associated with initial tumours in affected parents and children". Horm. Res. 66 (1): 1–5. doi:10.1159/000093008. PMID 16651847. S2CID 29862078.
  25. ^ "Belzutifan". SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service. 18 March 2021. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  26. ^ "MHRA awards first 'innovation passport' under new pathway". RAPS (Press release). Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Merck Receives Priority Review From FDA for New Drug Application for HIF-2α Inhibitor Belzutifan (MK-6482)" (Press release). Merck. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2021 – via Business Wire.
  28. ^ "FDA Grants Priority Review to Belzutifan for von Hippel-Lindau Disease–Associated RCC". Cancer Network. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  29. ^ Kim, JJ; Rini, BI; Hansel, DE (2010). "Von Hippel Lindau Syndrome". Diseases of DNA Repair. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Vol. 685. pp. 228–49. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-6448-9_22. ISBN 978-1-4419-6447-2. PMID 20687511.
  30. ^ Von Hippel E (1904). "Ueber eine sehr seltene Erkrankung der Netzhaut". Albrecht von Graefe's Archiv für Ophthalmologie. 59: 83–106. doi:10.1007/bf01994821. S2CID 22425158.
  31. ^ Lindau A (1927). "Zur Frage der Angiomatosis Retinae und Ihrer Hirncomplikation". Acta Ophthalmologica. 4 (1–2): 193–226. doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.1926.tb07786.x. S2CID 73385451.
  32. ^ "Hatfield–McCoy feud blamed on 'rage' disease". MSNBC.com. 2007-04-05. Archived from the original on 2007-04-07. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  33. ^ Marchione, Marilynn; Breed, Allen G., The Hatfield-McCoy feud can in part be explained by a rare medical condition that causes rage, Aussociated Press (AP), August 4, 2023
  34. ^ "Von Hippel-Lindau Disease". Rare Disease Database. National Organization for Rare Disorders. 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  35. ^ "von Hippel-Lindau Disease". Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
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