PMS2 mutation spectra in Norway and risk of cancer for carriers of pathogenic variants

In Norway, we have offered testing of PMS2 since 2006, and have a large national cohort of carriers. The aim of this study was to describe all PMS2 variants identified, and to describe frequency, spectrum and penetrance of cancers in carriers of class 4/5 variants.

All detected PMS2 variants were collected from the diagnostic laboratories and reclassified according to ACMG criteria and gene specific guidelines. Data on variant, gender, cancer diagnosis, age at diagnosis, and age at last known follow-up was collected on all carriers of class 4/5 variants from electronic patient records. The Kaplan-Meier algorithm was used to calculate cumulative risk of any cancer, colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer.

In total, 220 different PMS2 variants were detected. Twenty nine class 4/5 variants were identified in 482 carriers. The most common pathogenic variant was the founder mutation c.989-1G > T, detected in 204 patients from 58 families. Eighty seven out of 482 (18.0%) had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 10 of these (11.8%) before 40 years. Cumulative risk at 70 years in our cohort was 34.7% for colorectal cancer and 26.1% for endometrial cancer.

After 15 years of genetic testing, 29 different class 4/5 variants have been detected in Norway. Almost half of Norwegian PMS2 carriers have the founder variant 989-1G > T. Penetrance of colorectal cancer in our cohort was moderate but variable, as 11.5% of those diagnosed were younger than 40 years.