Low-frequency CDKN1B variants in pituitary testing: a diagnostic pitfall

Clicks: 2
ID: 326777
2026
Article Quality & Performance Metrics
Overall Quality
Not rated
Combines reader engagement with the AI quality analysis. This article has not been analysed, so there is no overall score — reader engagement is measured and shown alongside.
AI Quality Assessment
Not analyzed
Readership in this journal
Emerging

Ranked #96 of 96 articles by views in european journal of endocrinology

Most read Least read

Bar heights use a square-root scale.

Mint this article as an NFT
Not yet minted

Create a permanent, verifiable on-chain record of this article on the Scimatic Network. The NFT is held in your Journament account, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.

5 SUSD one-off · no wallet required
Abstract
Low variant allele frequency (VAF) variants identified during germline testing may represent constitutional mosaicism or acquired somatic events restricted to hematopoietic cells. Although clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) has emerged as an important source of interpretative pitfalls in hereditary cancer testing, its potential impact on the interpretation of CDKN1B variants has not been specifically emphasized. We aimed to determine whether low-VAF CDKN1B variants detected during routine germline testing for pituitary adenoma predisposition may represent clonal hematopoiesis rather than true constitutional alterations. We analyzed patients referred for routine genetic investigation of pituitary adenoma predisposition in whom low-frequency CDKN1B variants were identified in blood-derived DNA. Additional analyses were performed, including assessment of variant distribution in non-hematopoietic tissues, tumor DNA analysis, and investigation of CHIP-associated genes. Three unrelated patients carrying truncating CDKN1B variants were identified, with blood-derived VAFs ranging from 4% to 6%. Clinical presentations included two gonadotroph macroadenomas diagnosed later than age 70 years and one prolactin-secreting macroadenoma diagnosed before age 35. CDKN1B variants were absent in buccal swab DNA and from available pituitary tumor DNA. Additional pathogenic variants affecting CHIP-associated genes were identified in two individuals. Collectively, these findings supported a leukocyte-restricted origin of the CDKN1B variants and suggested CHIP as the most likely explanation. Low-frequency CDKN1B variants detected during blood-based germline testing should not automatically be interpreted as constitutional mosaicism or inherited endocrine tumor predisposition. Integration of tissue-specific analyses and consideration of CHIP-related findings are essential to avoid inappropriate genetic counseling, unnecessary familial investigations, and misleading surveillance recommendations.
Reference Key
openalex_W7204472521 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Albain Chansavang, Chloé Friedrich, Emmanuelle Kuhn, Aurélie Toussaint, Alimha Godin, Nadim Hamzaoui, Jérôme Bertherat, Olivier Kosmider, Éric Pasmant
Journal european journal of endocrinology
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/ejendo/lvag165
URL
Keywords Keywords not found

Citations

No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org

No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.