Germline dinucleotide mutation in codon 883 of the RET proto-oncogene in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B without codon 918 mutation

The autosomal dominant multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes (MEN 2) comprise three clinically distinct entities, MEN 2A, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma and MEN 2B, which share a common clinical feature: medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). MEN 2B is considered to have the most aggressive form of MTC. Therefore, early detection of MEN 2B in order to prevent potentially lethal MTC is important. More than 95% of all MEN 2B cases are caused by germline mutation at codon 918 (M918T) in exon 16 of the RET proto-oncogene. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of germline codon 883 mutation (A883F) in 2 of 3 unrelated MEN 2B cases without codon 918 mutation. Our data demonstrate a novel etiologic event which may have roles in predisposition to MEN 2B when present in the germline and in the pathogenesis of sporadic MTC when somatic.