A case series of non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 insertion in Li Fraumeni syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Germline pathogenic mutations in TP53 gene are associated with a cancer predisposition syndrome known as Li Fraumeni syndrome. Albeit infrequently, non-small cell lung cancer, especially as oncogene-addicted disease, may be diagnosed in young patients with Li Fraumeni syndrome.

Case description: We report three cases of patients affected by Li Fraumeni syndrome who developed non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 insertions. The first patient suffered from liposarcoma and, then, brain metastases from HER2-mutated non-small cell lung cancer: after stereotactic radiotherapy, he benefited from enrollment in a clinical trial with a HER2-targeted therapy. The second young patient was a female with personal history of rhabdomyosarcoma, diagnosed with brain metastases from EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer: enrollment in a clinical trial led to a temporary clinical benefit. The last case was a female diagnosed with breast carcinoma, ovarian granulosa cell tumor and advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer at a young age.

Conclusions: Young patients affected by oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer and with a positive familial cancer history should be referred for an accurate genetic counselling to look for Li Fraumeni syndrome. The underlying molecular connection between TP53 and HER family receptor tyrosine kinases remains unclear, but an extensive molecular characterization of tumors from patients with Li Fraumeni syndrome should always be performed, to offer patients a personalized therapeutic approach.

Keywords: EGFR; HER2; Li Fraumeni syndrome; Non-small cell lung cancer.