BERENICE BILHARINHO DE MENDONCA
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina - Docente
LIM/42 - Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina - Líder
LIM/42 - Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina - Líder
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- Variants in 46,XY DSD-Related Genes in Syndromic and Non-Syndromic Small for Gestational Age Children with Hypospadias(2022) BRAGA, B. L.; GOMES, N. L.; NISHI, M. Y.; FREIRE, B. L.; BATISTA, R. L.; FARIA JUNIOR, J. A. D.; FUNARI, M. F. A.; BENEDETTI, A. F. F.; NARCIZO, A. De Moraes; CARDOSO, L. Cavalca; LERARIO, A. M.; GUERRA-JUNIOR, G.; COSTA, E. M. F.; DOMENICE, S.; JORGE, A. A. L.; MENDONCA, B. B.Hypospadias is a common congenital disorder of male genital formation. Children born small for gestational age (SGA) present a high frequency of hypospadias of undetermined etiology. No previous study investigated the molecular etiology of hypospadias in boys born SGA using massively parallel sequencing. Our objective is to report the genetic findings of a cohort of patients born SGA with medium or proximal hypospadias. We identified 46 individuals with this phenotype from a large cohort of 46,XY DSD patients, including 5 individuals with syndromic features. DNA samples from subjects were studied by either whole exome sequencing or target gene panel approach. Three of the syndromic patients have 5 main clinical features of Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) and were first studied by MLPA. Among the syndromic patients, loss of DNA methylation at the imprinting control region H19/IGF2 was identified in 2 individuals with SRS clinical diagnosis. Two novel pathogenic variants in compound heterozygous state were identified in the CUL7 gene establishing the diagnosis of 3M syndrome in one patient, and a novel homozygous variant in TRIM37 was identified in another boy with Mulibrey nanism phenotype. Among the non-syndromic subjects, 7 rare heterozygous variants were identified in 6 DSD-related genes. However, none of the variants found can explain the phenotype by themselves. In conclusion, a genetic defect that clarifies the etiology of hypospadias was not found in most of the non-syndromic SGA children, supporting the hypothesis that multifactorial causes, new genes, and/or unidentified epigenetic defects may have an influence in this condition.
- WT1 Pathogenic Variants are Associated with a Broad Spectrum of Differences in Sex Development Phenotypes and Heterogeneous Progression of Renal Disease(2022) FERRARI, M. T. M.; WATANABE, A.; SILVA, T. E. Da; GOMES, N. L.; BATISTA, R. L.; NISHI, M. Y.; PAULA, L. C. P. De; COSTA, E. C.; COSTA, E. M. F.; CUKIER, P.; ONUCHIC, L. F.; MENDONCA, B. B.; DOMENICE, S.Wilms' tumor suppressor gene 1 (WT1) plays an essential role in urogenital and kidney development. Heterozygous germline pathogenic allelic variants of WT1 have been classically associated with Denys-Drash syndrome (DDS) and Frasier syndrome (FS). Usually, exonic pathogenic missense variants in the zinc finger region are the cause of DDS, whereas pathogenic variants affecting the canonic donor lysine-threonine-serine splice site in intron 9 cause FS. Phenotypic overlap between WT1 disorders has been frequently observed. New WT1 variant-associated phenotypes, such as 46,XX testicular/ovarian-testicular disorders of sex development (DSD) and primary ovarian insufficiency, have been reported. In this report, we describe the phenotypes and genotypes of 7 Brazilian patients with pathogenic WT1 variants. The molecular study involved Sanger sequencing and massively parallel targeted sequencing using a DSD-associated gene panel. Six patients (5 with a 46,XY karyotype and 1 with a 46,XX karyotype) were initially evaluated for atypical genitalia, and a 46,XY patient with normal female genitalia sought medical attention for primary amenorrhea. Germ cell tumors were identified in 2 patients, both with variants affecting alternative splicing of WT1 between exons 9 and 10. Two pathogenic missense WT1 variants were identified in two 46,XY individuals with Wilms' tumors; both patients were <1 year of age at the time of diagnosis. A novel WT1 variant, c.1453_1456 (p.Arg485Glyfs∗14), was identified in a 46,XX patient with testicular DSD. Nephrotic proteinuria was diagnosed in all patients, including 3 who underwent renal transplantation after progressing to end-stage kidney disease. The expanding phenotypic spectrum associated with WT1 variants in XY and XX individuals confirms their pivotal role in gonadal and renal development as well as in tumorigenesis, emphasizing the clinical implications of these variants in genetic diagnosis.
- Clinical and Pathological Predictors of Death for Adrenocortical Carcinoma(2024) PATO, Eduardo; SROUGI, Victor; ZERBINI, Claudia; LEDESMA, Felipe L.; TANNO, Fabio; ALMEIDA, Madson Q.; NAHAS, William; LATRONICO, Ana Claudia; MENDONCA, Berenice B.; CHAMBO, Jose L.; V, Maria Candida B. FragosoAdrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and lethal disease with a poor prognosis. This study aims to share our 41-year experience as a referral center, focusing on identifying risk factors associated with ACC mortality. Our retrospective analysis included a cohort of 150 adult patients with ACC in all stage categories, treated between 1981 and 2022. Tumor hormonal hypersecretion was observed in 78.6% of the patients, and the median age of diagnosis was 40 years. The majority presented as European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENSAT) III or IV (22.9% and 31.2%, respectively), and the overall mortality rate was 54.6%. Independent predictors of death were elevated secretion of cortisol (HR = 2.0), androstenedione (HR = 2.2), estradiol (HR = 2.8), 17-OH progesterone (HR = 2.0), and 11-deoxycortisol (HR = 5.1), higher Weiss (HR = 4.3), modified Weiss (HR = 4.4), and Helsinki scores (HR = 12.0), advanced ENSAT stage (HR = 27.1), larger tumor size (HR = 2.7), higher Ki-67 percentage (HR = 2.3), and incomplete surgical resection (HR = 2.5). Mitosis greater than 5/50 high-power field (HR = 5.6), atypical mitosis (HR = 2.3), confluent necrosis (HR = 15.4), venous invasion (HR = 2.8), and capsular invasion (HR = 2.4) were also identified as independent predictors of death. Knowing the risk factors for ACC's mortality may help determine the best treatment option.
- Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation for unresectable abdominal paraganglioma: a case report(2024) MAGALHAES, Isabelle P. A.; BOGER, Bibiana D.; GOMES, Nathalia L.; MARTINS, Guilherme L. P.; BOMFIM, Leomarques A.; FAGUNDES, Gustavo F. C.; ROCHA, Roberta S.; COELHO, Fernando M. A.; CHAMBO, Jose L.; LATRONICO, Ana Claudia; FRAGOSO, Maria Candida B. V.; HOFF, Ana O.; MENDONCA, Berenice B.; MENEZES, Marcos R.; ALMEIDA, Madson Q.For pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL), the efficacy of percutaneous ablative therapies in achieving control of metastatic tumors measuring <3 cm had been demonstrated in only few reports, and intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of locally invasive primary PPGLs has not been reported. We presented the case of a 31-year-old man who had a 9-cm functioning unresectable PPGL. He was treated with 13 cycles of cytotoxic chemotherapy without objective tumor response, according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Subsequently, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 9.0 x 8.6 x 6.0-cm retroperitoneal mass that extended to the inferior portion of the inferior vena cava, the inferior mesenteric artery, and the infrarenal aorta. Biochemical evaluation demonstrated high level of plasma normetanephrine (20.2 nmol/L, normal range <0.9 nmol/L). Genetic investigation showed the germline pathogenic variant c.1591delC (p. Ser198Alafs*22) in the SDHB gene. I-131-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy was negative and Ga-68-dotatate PET-CT scan showed high tumor uptake without distant metastases. On open laparotomy, tumor debulking was not possible. Therefore, intraoperative RFA was performed by a highly experienced team of interventional radiologists. At 12 months after the RFA, the tumor volume decreased from 208 to 45 mL (78%), plasma normetanephrine decreased from 20.2 to 2.6 nmol/L (87%), and the doxazosin dose was reduced from 16 to 8 mg/day. To our best knowledge, this was the first report on intraoperative RFA that markedly reduced the size of a large primary unresectable PPGL, along with clinical and biochemical responses.
- Identification of Predictors of Metastatic Potential in Paragangliomas to Develop a Prognostic Score (PSPGL)(2024) IGUCHI, Daniela Yone Veiga; FILHO, Sebastiao Nunes Martins; SOARES, Ibere Cauduro; SIQUEIRA, Sheila Aparecida Coelho; ALVES, Venancio Avancini Ferreira; ASSATO, Aline Kawassaki; YANG, Ji Hoon; ALMEIDA, Madson Q.; FRAGOSO, Maria Candida Barisson Villares; FAGUNDES, Gustavo Freitas Cardoso; MENDONCA, Berenice B.; JR, Delmar Muniz Lourenco; HOFF, Ana O.; CASTRONEVES, Luciana Audi; FERRAZ-DE-SOUZA, Bruno; GIANNELLA, Maria Lucia Cardillo Correa; PEREIRA, Maria Adelaide AlbergariaContext Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare tumors in adrenal and extra-adrenal locations. Metastasis are found in approximately 5% to 35% of PGLs, and there are no reliable predictors of metastatic disease.Objective This work aimed to develop a prognostic score of metastatic potential in PGLs.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of clinical data from a cohort with PGLs and tumor histological assessment. Patients were divided into metastatic PGL (presence of metastasis) and nonmetastatic PGL (absence of metastasis >= 96 months of follow-up) groups. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed to identify predictors of metastatic potential. A prognostic score was developed based on coefficients of multivariable analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to estimate disease-specific survival (DSS).Results Out of 263 patients, 35 patients had metastatic PGL and 110 patients had nonmetastatic PGL. In multivariable analysis, 4 features were independently related to metastatic disease and composed the Prognostic Score of Paragangliomas (PSPGL): presence of central or confluent necrosis (33 points), more than 3 mitosis/10 high-power field (HPF) (28 points), extension into adipose tissue (20 points), and extra-adrenal location (19 points). A PSPGL of 24 or greater showed similar sensitivity with higher specificity than the Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) and Grading System for Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (GAPP). PSPGL less than or equal to 20 was associated with a risk of metastasis of approximately 10%, whereas a PSPGL of 40 or greater was associated with approximately 80%. The presence of metastasis and Ki-67 of 3% or greater were related to lower DSS.Conclusion The PSPGL, composed of 4 easy-to-assess parameters, demonstrated good performance in predicting metastatic potential and good ability in estimating metastasis risk.
- Testicular differentiation in 46,XX DSD: an overview of genetic causes(2024) FERRARI, Maria Tereza Martins; SILVA, Elinaelma Suelane do Nascimento; NISHI, Mirian Yumie; BATISTA, Rafael Loch; MENDONCA, Berenice Bilharinho; DOMENICE, SorahiaIn mammals, the development of male or female gonads from fetal bipotential gonads depends on intricate genetic networks. Changes in dosage or temporal expression of sex-determining genes can lead to differences of gonadal development. Two rare conditions are associated with disruptions in ovarian determination, including 46,XX testicular differences in sex development (DSD), in which the 46,XX gonads differentiate into testes, and 46,XX ovotesticular DSD, characterized by the coexistence of ovarian and testicular tissue in the same individual. Several mechanisms have been identified that may contribute to the development of testicular tissue in XX gonads. This includes translocation of SRY to the X chromosome or an autosome. In the absence of SRY, other genes associated with testis development may be overexpressed or there may be a reduction in the activity of pro-ovarian/antitesticular factors. However, it is important to note that a significant number of patients with these DSD conditions have not yet recognized a genetic diagnosis. This finding suggests that there are additional genetic pathways or epigenetic mechanisms that have yet to be identified. The text will provide an overview of the current understanding of the genetic factors contributing to 46,XX DSD, specifically focusing on testicular and ovotesticular DSD conditions. It will summarize the existing knowledge regarding the genetic causes of these differences. Furthermore, it will explore the potential involvement of other factors, such as epigenetic mechanisms, in developing these conditions.
- Small Indels in the Androgen Receptor Gene: Phenotype Implications and Mechanisms of Mutagenesis(2024) RAMOS, Raquel Martinez; PETROLI, Reginaldo Jose; D'ALESSANDRE, Nathalia Da Roz; GUARDIA, Gabriela Der Agopian; AFONSO, Ana Caroline de Freitas; NISHI, Mirian Yumie; DOMENICE, Sorahia; GALANTE, Pedro Alexandre Favoretto; MENDONCA, Berenice Bilharinho; BATISTA, Rafael LochContext: Despite high abundance of small indels in human genomes, their precise roles and underlying mechanisms of mutagenesis in Mendelian disorders require further investigation. Objective: To profile the distribution, functional implications, and mechanisms of small indels in the androgen receptor (AR) gene in individuals with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Methods: We conducted a systematic review of previously reported indels within the coding region of the AR gene, including 3 novel indels. Distribution throughout the AR coding region was examined and compared with genomic population data. Additionally, we assessed their impact on the AIS phenotype and investigated potential mechanisms driving their occurrence. Results: A total of 82 indels in AIS were included. Notably, all frameshift indels exhibited complete AIS. The distribution of indels across the AR gene showed a predominance in the N-terminal domain, most leading to frameshift mutations. Small deletions accounted for 59.7%. Most indels occurred in nonrepetitive sequences, with 15.8% situated within triplet regions. Gene burden analysis demonstrated significant enrichment of frameshift indels in AIS compared with controls (P < .00001), and deletions were overrepresented in AIS (P < .00001). Conclusion: Our findings underscore a robust genotype-phenotype relationship regarding small indels in the AR gene in AIS, with a vast majority presenting complete AIS. Triplet regions and homopolymeric runs emerged as prone loci for small indels within the AR. Most were frameshift indels, with polymerase slippage potentially explaining half of AR indel occurrences. Complex frameshift indels exhibited association with palindromic runs. These discoveries advance understanding of the genetic basis of AIS and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying pathogenic small indel events.