Whole genome sequencing-based analysis of genetic predisposition to adult glioblastoma

Abstract

The germline genetic susceptibility to adult glioblastoma remains unclear. With the option of broad molecular testing, it is crucial that clinicians are aware of the a priori probability of finding germline predisposition in glioblastoma patients. Here, we studied the genetic predisposition to adult glioblastoma using paired tumor-normal WGS data in an unselected, average cohort of 92 glioma WHO grade 4 patients. In 10 patients (11%), 12 Pathogenic Germline Variants (PGVs) were found in genes strongly associated with familial glioblastoma (MSH6 (3x), PMS2 (5x), MSH2, NF1, BRCA1) or medulloblastoma (SUFU). In six of these patients (60%), causality was supported by a second (somatic) event and/or a matching genome-wide mutational signature. Thus, germline predisposition does play a role in the development of adult glioblastoma, with mismatch repair deficiency being the main mechanism. Our results also highlight the benefits of tumor-normal WGS for glioblastoma patients and their families, beyond identifying actionable mutations for therapy.