Two boys with fragile x syndrome and hepatic tumors

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2008 Mar;30(3):239-41. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e31815f88c9.

Abstract

Hepatic tumors are rare childhood neoplasms with uncertain etiology. We report the cooccurrence of hepatic tumors in 2 boys with fragile X syndrome, one with hepatoblastoma and another with desmoplastic nested spindle cell tumor of liver. The pathogenesis of fragile X syndrome involves silencing of the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene and consequent loss of FMR1 protein. We speculate regarding molecular pathways that might explain the cooccurrence of the 2 conditions. Further examination of a possible functional link between hepatic neoplasia and loss of FMRP is warranted.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein / genetics
  • Fragile X Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Fragile X Syndrome / genetics*
  • Fragile X Syndrome / therapy
  • Gene Silencing
  • Hepatoblastoma / diagnosis
  • Hepatoblastoma / genetics*
  • Hepatoblastoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / genetics*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / therapy
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Remission Induction
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • FMR1 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein