Multidisciplinary management of patients diagnosed with von Hippel-Lindau disease: A practical review of the literature for clinicians

Objective:The aim of the current review is to summarize the available evidence to aid clinicians in the surveillance,treatment and follow-up of the different primary tumors developed by patients diagnosed with von Hippel-Lindau(VHL)syndrome.Methods:A non-systematic narrative review of original articles,meta-analyses,and random-ized trials was conducted,including articles in the pre-clinical setting to support relevant find-ings.Results:VHL disease is the most common rare hereditary disorder associated with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.Affected individuals inherit a germline mutation in one VHL allele,and any somatic event that disrupt the other allele can trigger mutations,chromosomal rearrange-ments,or epigenetic regulations leading to oncogenesis.From a clinical perspective,patients continuously develop multiple primary tumors.Conclusion:Because VHL is considered a rare disease,very limited evidence is available for diagnosis,surveillance,active treatment with local or systemic therapy and follow-up.

Diagnosis and management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in von Hippel-Lindau disease

The pancreatic manifestations seen in patients with von Hippel-Lindau(VHL) disease are subdivided into 2 categories:pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors(NET),and cystic lesions,including simple cyst and serous cystadenoma.The VHL-associated cystic lesions are generally asymptomatic and do not require any treatment,unless they are indistinguishable from other cystic tumor types with malignant potential.Because pancreatic NET in VHL disease are non-functioning and have malignant potential,it is of clinical importance to find and diagnose these as early as possible.It will be recommended that comprehensive surveillance using dynamic computed tomography for abdominal manifestations,including pancreatic NET,should start from the age of 15 years in VHL patients.Unlike sporadic non-functioning NET without VHL disease,in which surgical resection is generally recommended,VHL patients at lower metastatic risk of pancreatic NET should be spared the risks of operative resection.

Bilateral Pheochromocytoma as First Presentation of von Hippel-Lindau Disease in a Chinese Family

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic features of a Chinese family with yon Hippel- Lindau （VHL） disease revealed by bilateral pheochromocytoma. Methods The proband and other members in a Chinese family with familial pheochromocytoma were clinically evaluated and followed up. Genomic DNA extracted from the peripheral blood of 8 family members （including 3 patients） was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and the PCR products were directly sequenced. Results The first presentation in the proband, his mother, and his sister was bilateral pheochromocytoma, and the missense mutation of 695G-A （Arg161Gln） in exon 3 of VHL gene was detected in the three patients. In the follow-up study, the proband and his mother were found to have other VHL tumors, induding retinal and cerebellar hemangioblastomas and pancreatic tumor. Neither clinical presentation of VHL disease nor gene mutation was found in other family members. Conclusion VHL disease should be suspected in some patients with familial pheochromocytoma, and VHL gene screening helps to achieve early diagnosis of the disease.

Comprehensive treatment of von Hippel-Lindau disease:A case report

von Hippel-Lindau(VHL)disease is a rare autosomal dominant multiorgan disease characterized by several benign and malignant tumors rich in vascular,as well as cysts in other organs.A great clinical treatment strategy is significantly warranted for good prognosis of patients with VHL disease.Herein,we reported a case of a 45-year-old woman diagnosed with VHL disease with spinal hemangioblastoma(HB)and clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC).Four years after the resection of the right kidney,a recurrent RCC in the right kidney and a malignant lesion in the left kidney were observed.This patient was started on sorafenib(800 mg,daily)and tislelizumab(200 mg per 3 weeks).After 6 months of treatment,the size of renal cell carcinoma was dramatically reduced and renal function improved.More importantly,she achieved partial response during the whole treatment.Microscopically,intramedullary masses resection was done and the HB in T4-5 thoracic spinal was removed.Neurologic symptoms such as numbness and pain were remarkably alleviated.Additionally,tislelizumab-induced elevation in liver transaminase levels and hypothyroidism were revered by hepatoprotector and levothyroxine,respectively.In short,comprehensive treatment strategies may benefit patients with VHL disease,especially with HB and ccRCC.

Clinical and Genetic Investigation of a Multi-generational Chinese Family Afflicted with Von Hippel-Lindau Disease

Background：Von Hippel-Lindau （VHL） disease is a hereditary tumor disorder caused by mutations or deletions of the VHL gene.Few studies have documented the clinical phenotype and genetic basis of the occurrence of VHL disease in China.This study armed to present clinical and genetic analyses of VHL within a five-generation VHL family from Northwestern China,and summarize the VHL mutations and clinical characteristics of Chinese families with VHL according to previous studies.Methods：An epidemiological investigation of family members was done to collect the general information.A retrospective study of clinical VHL cases was launched to collect the relative clinical data.Genetic linkage and haplotype analysis were used to make sure the linkage of VHL to disease in this family.The VHL gene screening was performed by directly analyzing DNA sequence output.At last,we summarized the VHL gene mutation in China by the literature review.Results：A five-generation North-western Chinese family afflicted with VHL disease was traced in this research.The family consisted of 38 living family members,of whom nine were affected.The individuals afflicted with VHL exhibited multi-organ tumors that included pheochromocytomas （8）,central nervous system hemangioblastomas （3）,pancreatic endocrine tumors （2）,pancreatic cysts （3）,renal cysts （4）,and paragangliomas （2）.A linkage analysis resulted in a high maximal LOD score of 8.26 （theta =0.0） for the marker D3S1263,which is in the same chromosome region as VHL.Sequence analysis resulted in the identification of a functional C〉T transition mutation （c.499 C〉T,p.R167W） located in exon 3 of the 16th codon of VHL.All affected individuals shared this mutation,whereas the unaffected family members and an additional 100 unrelated healthy individuals did not.To date,49 mutations have been associated with this disease in Chinese populations.The most frequent VHL mutations in China are p.S65 W,p.N78 S,p.R161Q and p.R167 W.Conclusions：The results supported the notion that the genomic sequence that corresponds to the 167th residue of VHL is a mutational hotspot.Further research is needed to clarify the molecular role of VHL in the development of organ-specific tumors.

新型小分子示踪剂^(68)Ga-NY104 PET/CT评估von Hippel-Lindau综合征一例

VHL(von Hippel-Lindau)综合征是一种罕见的常染色体显性遗传病。其临床表现复杂且多样,主要表现为视网膜、中枢神经系统、肾脏、胰腺等部位的多发肿瘤,患者常需进行全身多脏器评估。碳酸酐酶Ⅸ在VHL相关病变中普遍表达,^(68)Ga-NY104作为一种新型小分子示踪剂,可对碳酸酐酶Ⅸ阳性病灶进行全身成像。本文报道一例32岁女性VHL综合征患者,先后行18F-FDG PET/CT和^(68)Ga-NY104 PET/CT评估病灶,结果发现后者在更多种类的病灶(包括肾脏、胰腺、肝转移病灶及小脑病灶)中存在摄取。本文就该患者相关病灶的评估过程展开讨论,以期为探索VHL综合征患者的“一站式”评估手段提供借鉴。

Imaging manifestations of von Hippel-Lindau disease: a report of 3 casesImaging manifestations of von Hippel-Lindau disease: a report of 3 cases

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant here ditary familial neoplasm syndrome characte rized by development of a variety of benign and malignant tumors in multiple organ systems,such as the brain,kidney,pancreas,adrenalgland,and epididymis,with aprev a lence of one in 39000- 53000.1 4 Hallmarks of the condition in clude retinal angiomas,hem angioblastomas of the cerebellum and the spinal cord,renal cell carcinoma and cysts,and pheochrom ocytomas.In this article,we report imaging findings in three cases of VHLdisease.

Genetic characterization and protein stability analysis of a Chinese family with Von Hippel-Lindau disease

Background Von HippeI-Lindau disease （VHL）,a heritable autosomal dominant disease characterized by neoplasia in multiple organ systems,has rarely been reported in Asia.We genetically investigated a unique Chinese family with VHL disease and performed an analysis of the VHL protein stability.Methods Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid （DNA） extracted from peripheral blood was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） to three exons of the VHL gene in 9 members of the Chinese family with VHL disease.PCR products were directly sequenced.We estimated the effects of VHL gene mutation on the stability of pVHL,which is indicated by the free energy difference between the wild-type and the mutant protein （△△G）.Results The Chinese family was classified as VHL type 1.Three family members,including two patients and a carrier,had a T to G heterozygotic missense mutation at nucleotide 515 of the VHL gene exon 1.This missense mutation resulted in the transition from leucine to arginine in amino acid 101 of the VHL protein.There was low stability of the VHL protein （the △△G was 12.71 kcal/mol） caused by this missense mutation.Conclusions We first reported a family with this VHL gene mutation in Asia.This missense mutation is predicted to significantly reduce the stability of the VHL protein and contribute to the development of the renal cell carcinoma （RCC） phenotype displayed by this family.The genetic characterization and protein stability analysis of families with VHL disease are important for early diagnosis and prevention of the disease being passed on to their offspring.

Von Hippel-Lindau病的遗传学及其相关治疗研究进展

Von Hippel-Lindau病(VHL病)是VHL基因变异导致的遗传肿瘤综合征。VHL病相关肿瘤常为多发,其常规治疗方法为手术,但术后易复发。VHL基因具有缺氧诱导因子(HIF)依赖及HIF非依赖的肿瘤抑制作用,关于VHL病遗传学机制的研究为该病的治疗奠定了基础。近年来针对VHL病遗传学机制靶向药物的出现,为该病的治疗提供了新的思路,作用于缺氧诱导通路的小分子靶向药物,如belzutifan、酪氨酸激酶抑制剂,在临床试验中对VHL病的治疗展示了良好的应用前景。本文对VHL病遗传学机制及相关治疗进展进行总结。针对VHL病靶向药物更深入的临床研究将会为该病患者提供更多的治疗选择。

以右耳流脓为首发表现的Von Hippel-Lindau综合征1例

目的探讨Von Hippel-Lindau(VHL)综合征的影像学特点,以提高对该疾病的认识,为临床诊治提供指导。方法回顾性分析1例以右耳流脓为首发症状的VHL综合征病人的CT、MRI表现。结果病人有多器官、多系统受累。耳乳突CT平扫示右侧颞骨岩部及乳突软组织影及弥漫骨质破坏,MRI平扫及增强示T1WI混杂信号,增强后呈不均匀性显著强化;CT平扫示左眼环及玻璃体钙化,眼球内见不规则软组织影,MRI增强示病灶局部显著强化。颈椎MRI平扫及增强示延髓背侧囊实性占位,实性部分呈圆盘状明显强化,伴颈髓变性及空洞。腹部增强CT示右肾占位强化不均,双肾上腺及胰腺结节呈明显强化。结论VHL综合征可以耳部症状为首发表现,当发现耳部病变同时伴其他部位病变时,应考虑该病的可能。CT及MRI结合有助于对VHL综合征早期诊断。

Management of solid renal tumour associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease

Von Hippel-Lindau （VHL） disease is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by germ line mutations of the VHL tumour suppressor gene. it predisposes affected individuals to develop a variety of neoplasms, including haemangioblastomas of the central nervous system, retinal angiomas, renal cell carcinomas （RCCs）, pheochromocytomas and cysts of the kidneys and epididymis. Germ line VHL mutations have been found in all VHL disease families. RCC occurs in 25% to 45% of patients with VHL disease and is one of the leading causes of death.

Genetic study of a large Chinese kindred with von Hippel-Lindau disease

Background Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a heraditary cancer syndrome caused by germline mutations of the VHL tumor on the suppressor gene. This study was to show the clinical characteristics of a large Chinese kindred with von Hippel-Lindau disease and to evaluate the role of the genetic test of VHL disease in the diagnosis of VHL disease and clinical screening of members of the VHL disease family.Methods DNA extracted from peripheral blood was amplified by PCR to three exons of the VHL gene in 27 members of a large kindred with VHL disease. PCR products were directly sequenced. The involvements of multi-organs in the kindred with VHL disease were confirmed by history taking and radiography.Results Of 47 members in the four generations of the kindred, 18 members were diagnosed as having VHL desease. Clinical manifestations of 18 patients included: central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastoma (5), renal cell carcinoma and CNS hemangioblastoma (3), renal cell carcinoma and retinal angioma (3), renal cell carcinoma and multiple pancreatic cysts (1), renal cell carcinoma and retinal angioma and multiple pancreatic cysts (2), renal cell carcinoma and CNS hemangioblastomas and multiple pancreatic cysts (1), and multiple pancreatic cysts and multiple renal cysts (1), multiple pancreatic cysts (2). The common lesions of the 18 patients were renal cell carcinoma (55.6%), CNS hemangioblastoma (50.0%), retinal angioma (27.8%), and multiple pancreatic cysts (38.9%). Among the 27 members who volunteered for genetic analysis, 15 members including 9 affected family patients and 2 asymptomatic patients and 4 carriers, who are still alive, presented a codon 78 from Asn to Ser change at nucleotide 446 (A→G) in exon 1. Four members were carriers with the same VHL gene mutation. Two asymptomatic patients were initially diagnosed by genetic testing and subsequently confirmed radiologically and surgically. Members without gene mutation had no clinical evidence of VHL disease.Conclusions The large Chinese kindred with VHL disease was classified as type Ⅰ. The main characteristics in the kindred were higher incidence of renal cell carcinoma and lower incidence of retinal angioma. Genetic test plays an important role in early detecting asymptomatic patients and the carriers in clinical screening of members of the families with VHL disease. It is also important to prevent the transmission of VHL disease to their offsprings in the kindred.

Von Hippel-Lindau protein and respiratory diseases

Von Hippel-Lindau protein(p VHL) was first identified as a tumor suppressor gene as mutations in the VHL gene predispose individuals to systemic benign or malignant tumors and cysts in many organs, including renal cell carcinoma of the clear-cell type and hemangioblastoma. Although p VHL is best known to act as a component of ubiquitin protein ligase for the proteasomal degradation of hypoxia inducible factor(HIF)-α, p VHL also interacts with extracellular matrix proteins and cytoskeleton, regulating extracellular matrix assembly, cell signaling, and many other cellular functions. Recent studies suggest that p VHL contributes to many lung diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Mutation or loss of function of p VHL activates HIF and induced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelin-1, and Fox M1, leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension. Loss of p VHL in lung cancer cells promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer migration and invasion while decreasing lung cancer cell proliferation and colonization. In patients of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, elevated expression of p VHL induces expression of fibronectin/integrin α5β1/focal adhesion kinase signaling, resulting in fibroproliferation and fi-brosis. In alveolar epithelial cells, p VHL mediates Na, K-ATPase degradation in an HIF independent pathway, causing decreased edema clearance during hypoxia. These studies suggest that p VHL plays key roles in the pathogenesis of many lung diseases, and further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Spontaneous intramural duodenal hematoma in type 2B von Willebrand disease

Intramural duodenal hematoma is a rare cause of a proximal gastrointestinal tract obstruction.Presentation of intramural duodenal hematoma most often occurs following blunt abdominal trauma in children,but spontaneous non-traumatic cases have been linked to anticoagulant therapy,pancreatitis,malignancy,vasculitis and endoscopy.We report an unusual case of spontaneous intramural duodenal hematoma presenting as an intestinal obstruction associated with acute pancreatitis in a patient with established von Willebrand disease,type 2B.The patient presented with abrupt onset of abdominal pain,nausea,and vomiting.Computed tomography imaging identified an intramural duodenal mass consistent with blood measuring 4.7 cm×8.7 cm in the second portion of the duodenum abutting on the head of the pancreas.Serum lipase was 3828 units/L.Patient was managed conservatively with bowel rest,continuous nasogastric decompression,total parenteral nutrition,recombinant factorⅧ(humateP)and transfusion.Symptoms resolved over the course of the hospitalization.This case highlights an important complication of an inherited coagulopathy.

Levels and activities of von Willebrand factor and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motif, number 13 in inflammatory bowel diseases

To evaluate the levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motif, number 13 (ADAMTS13) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and correlate them with the disease activity. METHODSConsecutive patients with IBD aged 18 years or older were enrolled in the study. Forty-seven patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 38 with Crohn’s disease (CD), and 50 healthy controls were included. The white blood cell count, haematocrit, platelet count, fibrinogen, partial activated thromboplastin time, C-reactive protein, albumin, VWF antigen level (VWF:Ag), VWF ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo), VWF collagen-binding activity (VWF:CB), and ADAMTS13 antigen level (ADAMTS13:Ag) and activity (ADAMTS13act) were measured. The following ratios were assessed: VWF:RCo/VWF:Ag, VWF:CB/VWF:Ag, VWF:Ag/ADAMTS13act, and ADAMTS13act/ADAMTS13:Ag. RESULTSCompared to controls, the odds ratio (OR) of an elevated VWF: Ag > 150% was 8.7 (95%CI: 2.7-28.1) in the UC group and 16.2 (95%CI: 4.8-54.0) in the CD group. VWF:CB was lower in UC patients, and active CD was associated with a higher VWF: RCo (+38%). The ORs of VWF:CB/VWF:Ag < 0.7 (a marker of acquired von Willebrand syndrome) in the UC and CD groups were 11.9 (95%CI: 4.4-32.4) and 13.3 (95%CI: 4.6-38.1), respectively. Active UC was associated with lower ADAMTS13:Ag (-23%) and ADAMTS13act (-20%) compared to UC in remission. Patients with active CD had a 15% lower ADAMTS13act than controls. The activity of UC, but not that of CD, was inversely correlated with ADAMTS13:Ag (r = -0.76) and ADAMTS13act (r = -0.81). CONCLUSIONComplex VWF-ADAMTS13-mediated mechanisms disturb haemostasis in IBD. A reduced WVF:CB is a risk factor for bleeding, while a lower ADAMTS13 level combined with an elevated VWF:Ag could predispose one to thrombosis.

Von Hippel-Lindau病的CT及MRI影像学特点

目的:分析Von Hippel-Lindau(VHL)病的CT及MRI影像学特点。方法:回顾性分析7例经基因检测证实的VHL病患者的临床资料及CT、MRI影像学特点。结果:7例患者中,CNS血管母细胞瘤6例(小脑单发2例,腰髓单发1例,脑及脊髓多发3例),MRI表现为实性或囊实性病灶,前者增强后实性结节明显强化,后者呈典型“大囊小结节”伴结节明显强化。视网膜母细胞瘤1例,20年前已手术切除。7例患者腹部均有一个或多个内脏病变,其中胰腺多发囊肿7例,胰腺肿瘤1例,肾透明细胞癌6例(均为多发),肾脏多发囊肿4例,肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤3例,双侧睾丸肿瘤1例。结论:VHL病累及全身多个器官,影像表现多样,以血管母细胞瘤、胰腺多发囊肿及肾细胞癌最常见,熟悉其影像表现对早期诊断、早期治疗及延长患者生命具有重要意义。

Changing insights in the diagnosis and classification of autosomal recessive and dominant von Willebrand diseases 1980-2015

The European Clinical Laboratory and Molecular(ECLM) criteria define 10 distinct Willebrand diseases(VWD) recessive type 3, severe 1, 2C and 2N; dominant VWD type 1 secretion/clearance defect, 2A, 2B, 2E, 2M and 2D; and mild type 1 VWD(usually carriers of recessive VWD). Recessive severe 1 and 2C VWD are characterized by secretion and multimerization defects caused by mutations in the D1-D2 domain. Recessive 2N VWD is a mild hemophilia due to D'-FVIII-von Willebrand factor(VWF) binding site mutations. Dominant 2E VWD caused by heterozygous missense mutations in the D3 domain is featured by a secretion-clearancemultimerization VWF defect. Dominant VWD type 2M due to loss of function mutations in the A1 domain is characterized by decreased ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation and VWF RCo, normal VWF multimers and VWF CB, a poor response of VWF RCo and good response of VWF CB to desmopressin(DDAVP). Dominant VWD type 2A induced by heterozygous mutations in the A2 domain results in hypersensitivity of VWF for proteolysis by ADAMTS13 into VWF degradationproducts, resulting in loss of large VWF multimers with triplet structure of each individual VWF band. Dominant VWD type 2B due to a gain of function mutation in the A1 domain is featured by spontaneous interaction between platelet glycoprotein Ib(GPIb) and mutated VWF A1 followed by increased proteolysis with loss of large VWF multimers and presence of each VWF band. A new category of dominant VWD type 1 secretion or clearance defect due to mutations in the D3 domain or D4-C1-C5 domains consists of two groups Those with normal or smeary pattern of VWF multimers.

von Willebrand Factor and von Willebrand Disease

von Willebrand factor (vWF) is an important compound in the human plasma. which is synthesized by endotlrelial cells and also by megakaryocytes. The gene for vWF is located near the tip of the short arm of chromosome 12, being approximately 180 kb in length and consisting of 52 exons separated by 51 introns. The mature vWF subunit consists of 2 050 amino acid residues with molecular weight of about 250 ku. In plasma vWF appears as various multimers. vWF has two well-characterized functions.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 or Von Recklinghausen Disease: About Three Cases to the National Hospital of Niamey and Literature Review

We report three cases of neurofibromatosis type 1 disease with literature review, collected in the department of neurology and internal medicine from National Hospital of Niamey (HNN). Two of them were men and the first signs were noted by the mother at the birth in 2 cases. Only one case of consanguinity was observed. Clinically, light brown spots on the skin, neurofibromas, Lisch nodules were constantly observed. Histopathological’s exam confirmed neurofibromas. Moreover, cutaneous and ophthalmological manifestations lead to the diagnostic. Two cases of orthopedic complications were observed: one scoliosis and one Congenital dysplasia of the long bones. There was no specific treatment. Neurofibromatosis type 1 or von Recklinghausen’s disease is the most frequent phacomatosis and its diagnosis is usually composed of a set of clinical criteria of the National Institute Health (Bethesda, 1988).

Small bowel volvulus as a complication of von Recklinghausen's disease:A case report

We report the case of a 25-year-old male with Neurofibromatosis type&#x02005;I&#x02005;(NF-1), who presented at the time of admission with clinical findings of an acute abdomen caused by a mechanical obstruction. Computerized tomography showed a volvulus of the terminal ileum with mesenteric swirling as the cause of the patient&#x02019;s symptoms. Consecutive exploratory laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis and 70 cm of the small intestine was resected due to an affection of the mesentery by multiple neurofibromas. The gastrointestinal tract is affected in approximately 10% of patients with NF-1, however the mesentery is almost always spared. Here we describe the unique case of a patient with a volvulus caused by mesenteric manifestation of von Recklinghausen&#x02019;s disease, emphasizing the role of surgery in a team of multidisciplinary specialists to treat this multiorganic disease.