The importance of genetic counseling and screening for people with pathogenic SMARCE1 variants: A family study

Am J Med Genet A. 2021 Feb;185(2):561-565. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61970. Epub 2020 Nov 13.

Abstract

Clear cell meningioma (CCM) is a rare variant of meningioma. In recent years, an association between cranial and spinal CCMs and germline loss of function mutations in the SMARCE1 gene (SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex subunit gene) has been discovered. We report a family with an incidental large spinal clear cell meningioma in a young adult following reflex screening for a germline loss of function pathogenic variant (PV) in the SMARCE1 gene. The index patient's mother and maternal grandfather were both also tested positive presymptomatically for SMARCE1. His mother developed intracranial and spinal meningiomas and his maternal grandfather developed a spinal CCM 4 years following a clear spinal MRI scan which required surgical excision. In this report we particularly emphasize the importance of genetic counseling and screening in siblings, parents and offspring of patients who are diagnosed with intracranial or spinal CCM in the context of SMARCE1 PVs. We recommend brain and spine Imaging screening of asymptomatic SMARCE1 PV carriers at least every 3 years, even if the baseline scan did not show any tumors.

Keywords: SMARCE1; clear cell meningioma; spinal tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genetic Testing
  • Germ-Line Mutation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningioma / diagnosis
  • Meningioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningioma / genetics*
  • Meningioma / pathology
  • Pedigree
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • SMARCE1 protein, human