Clinical, genetic and experimental studies of the Brooke–Spiegler (CYLD) skin tumor syndrome

AbstractBrooke–Spiegler syndrome (BSS; a.k.a. tuban tumor syndrome) is an autosomal dominant inherited skin disorder caused by germline mutations in the CYLD tumor suppressor gene. BSS is characterized by multiple skin adnexal tumors, mainly cylindromas and spiradenomas on the head and neck. The tumors are often severely disfiguring and require repeated surgical interventions. Here, we describe a four-generation BSS-family with a novel germline c.1613_1614delGC CYLD mutation that introduces a premature STOP codon predicted to result in a truncated, inactivated CYLD protein. In addition, we present a pilot study describing establishment of the first patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from cutaneous CYLD-defective cylindromas. Fresh tumor tissues from cylindromas were transplanted into immunocompromised mice to generate PDXs. One xenograft showed progressive tumor growth after 3 months whereas the others remained unchanged in size during the 6 months study period. Histopathological and immunohistochemical an...