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BackgroundGenome-wide association studies (GWASs) have enriched the fields of genomics and drug development. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer with a bimodal age distribution and inadequate treatment options. Paediatric ACC is frequently associated with TP53 mutations, with particularly high incidence in Southern Brazil due to the TP53 p.R337H (R337H) germline mutation. The heterogeneous risk among carriers suggests other genetic modifiers could exist.MethodsWe analysed clinical, genotype and gene expression data derived from paediatric ACC, R337H carriers, and adult ACC patients. We restricted our analyses to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified in GWASs to associate with disease or human traits.ResultsA SNP, rs971074, in the alcohol dehydrogenase 7 gene significantly and reproducibly associated with allelic differences in ACC age-of-onset in both cohorts. Patients homozygous for the minor allele were diagnosed up to 16 years earlier. This SNP resides in a gene involved in the retinoic acid (RA) pathway and patients with differing levels of RA pathway gene expression in their tumours associate with differential ACC progression.ConclusionsThese results identify a novel genetic component to ACC development that resides in the retinoic acid pathway, thereby informing strategies to develop management, preventive and therapeutic treatments for ACC.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/s41416-020-0764-3

Type

Journal article

Journal

British journal of cancer

Publication Date

04/2020

Volume

122

Pages

1231 - 1241

Addresses

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Keywords

Humans, Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms, Tretinoin, Alcohol Dehydrogenase, Incidence, Age Factors, Age of Onset, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Genes, p53, Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Infant, Female, Male, Genome-Wide Association Study