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Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) comprises gallbladder and intra-/extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (GBC, ICC, EHC), which are currently classified by anatomical origin. Better understanding of the mutational profile of BTCs might refine classification and improve treatment. We performed a systematic review of studies reporting on mutational profiling of BTC. We included articles reporting on whole-exome/whole-genome-sequencing (WES/WGS) and targeted sequencing (TS) of BTC, published between 2000-2017. Pooled mutation proportions were calculated, stratified by anatomical region and sequencing technique. A total of 25 studies with 1806 patients were included. Overall, TP53 was the most commonly mutated gene in BTC. GBC was associated with mutations in PFKFB3, PLXN2 and PGAP1. Mutations in IDH1, IDH2 and FGFR fusions almost exclusively occurred in ICC patients. Mutations in APC, GNAS and TGFBR2 occurred exclusively in EHC patients. In conclusion, subtypes of BTCs exhibit minor differences in mutational profile, which is likely influenced by the cell of origin.

Patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib (PHP-Ib) present hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, as a consequence of a resistance to PTH action, through its G-protein-coupled receptor, in the renal tubules. This resistance results from tissue-specific silencing of the G-protein alpha-subunit (G(s)α), due to imprinting disruption of its encoding locus--GNAS. In familial PHP-Ib, maternally inherited deletions at the STX16 gene are associated to a regional GNAS methylation defect. In sporadic PHP-Ib, broad methylation changes at GNAS arise from unknown genetic causes. In this study, we describe the clinical presentation of PHP-Ib in four Portuguese patients (two of whom were siblings), and provide further insight for the management of patients with this disease. The diagnosis of PHP-Ib was made after detection of GNAS imprinting defects in each of the cases. In the siblings, a regional GNAS methylation change resulted from a known 3.0 kb STX16 deletion. In the other two patients, the broad methylation defects at GNAS, which were absent in their relatives, resulted from genetic alterations that remain to be identified. We report the first clinical and genetic study of Portuguese patients with PHP-Ib. The genetic identification of a hereditary form of this rare disease allowed an early diagnosis, and may prevent hypocalcemia-related complications.

The predominant feature of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is renal resistance to PTH. Pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia (PHP-Ia) is caused by maternally inherited heterozygous mutations in the GNAS exons encoding the α-subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα). Besides PTH resistance, PHP-Ia patients have Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy and often display resistance to additional hormones. Patients with PHP-Ib lack features of Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy, and PTH resistance is associated with loss of methylation at the maternal GNAS exon A/B. Most individuals with the autosomal dominant form of PHP-Ib have a 3-kb microdeletion within STX16 approximately 220 kb upstream of exon A/B. Here we report on the clinical and genetic aspects of a Greek PHP-Ib kindred with four affected members and three obligate carriers, who had the 3-kb deletion within STX16. Symptomatic hypocalcemia was present only in the proband, but PTH was elevated in all members who had inherited the 3-kb deletion maternally. In all affected family members, urinary phosphate excretion was normal, but 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were diminished. These findings confirm previous data regarding patient to patient variation in disease severity for autosomal dominant PHP-Ib. Furthermore, affected individuals displayed hypouricemia with increased fractional excretion of uric acid, suggesting possible involvement of PTH in the renal handling of this metabolite.