Investigator

Melissa R. Perrino

Assistant Member · St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Oncology - Division of Cancer Predisposition

Research Interests

MRPMelissa R. Perrino
Papers(2)
Update on Cancer Scre…<i>DICER1</i>-Related…
Collaborators(10)
Sarah G. MitchellSuzanne P. MacFarlandDouglas R. StewartKris Ann P. SchultzPhilip J. LupoSarah R. ScollonShari BaldingerSun Young KimTal Ben-AmiWilliam D. Foulkes
Institutions(10)
St Jude Childrens Res…Winship Cancer Instit…University Of Pennsyl…National Institutes o…Children's MinnesotaEmory UniversityAllina HealthLouisiana State Unive…Kaplan Medical CenterMcGill University

Papers

Update on Cancer Screening in Children with Syndromes of Bone Lesions, Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome, and Other Rare Syndromes

Abstract The management of children with syndromes associated with an increased risk of benign and malignant neoplasms is a complex challenge for health care professionals. The 2023 American Association for Cancer Research Childhood Cancer Predisposition Workshop provided updated consensus guidelines on cancer surveillance in these syndromes, aiming to improve early detection and intervention and reduce morbidity associated with such neoplasms. In this article, we review several of the rare conditions discussed in this workshop. Ollier disease and Maffucci syndrome are enchondromatoses (disorders featuring benign bone lesions) with up to 50% risk of malignancy, including chondrosarcoma. These patients require surveillance with baseline whole-body MRI and routine monitoring of potential malignant transformation of bony lesions. Hereditary multiple osteochondromas carry a lower risk of chondrosarcoma (&amp;lt;6%) but still require lifelong surveillance and baseline imaging. Related syndromes of benign bone lesions are also described. Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome, associated with fumarate hydratase pathogenic variants, is discussed in detail. Surveillance for renal cell carcinoma in pediatric age is recommended, as well as prompt intervention when a lesion is detected. Schinzel–Giedion syndrome and Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome are described for their associated malignancies and other complications, as well as expert consensus on the need for childhood cancer surveillance. Clinical recommendations, including imaging modalities and frequency of screenings, are proposed and are tailored to each syndrome's age-specific tumor risk profile. In all syndromes, patients and their families should be educated about the potential malignancy risk and advised to seek medical care for rapid growth of a mass, persistent pain, or other unexplained symptoms.

DICER1-Related Tumor Predisposition: Identification of At-risk Individuals and Recommended Surveillance Strategies

Abstract Purpose: DICER1-related tumor predisposition increases risk for a spectrum of benign and malignant tumors. In 2018, the International Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB)/DICER1 Registry published guidelines for testing- and imaging-based surveillance of individuals with a known or suspected germline DICER1 pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant. One of the goals of the Registry is to continue to refine these guidelines as additional data become available. Experimental Design: Individuals were enrolled in the International PPB/DICER1 Registry, the International Ovarian and Testicular Stromal Tumor Registry, and/or the NCI Natural History of DICER1 Syndrome study. Results: Review of participant records identified 713 participants with a germline DICER1 P/LP variant from 38 countries. To date, 5 cases of type I and 29 cases of type Ir PPB have been diagnosed by surveillance in enrolled individuals. One hundred and three individuals with a germline P/LP variant developed a primary ovarian Sertoli–Leydig cell tumor at a median age of 14 years (range: 11 months–66 years); 13% were diagnosed before 8 years of age, the current age of onset of pelvic surveillance. Additionally, 4% of Sertoli–Leydig cell tumors were diagnosed before 4 years of age. Conclusions: Ongoing data collection highlights the role of lung surveillance in the early detection of PPB and suggests that imaging-based detection and early resection may decrease the risk of advanced PPB. DICER1-related ovarian tumors were detected before 8 years of age, prompting the Registry to recommend earlier initiation of ovarian surveillance with pelvic ultrasound beginning at the time of detection of a germline DICER1 P/LP variant.

23Works
2Papers
44Collaborators
Genetic Predisposition to DiseaseSkin NeoplasmsNeoplasmsNeurofibromatosis 1Thyroid NeoplasmsBiomarkers, TumorWilms TumorKidney Neoplasms

Positions

2024–

Assistant Member

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Department of Oncology - Division of Cancer Predisposition

2021–

Assistant Professor

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Department of Oncology - Division of Cancer Predisposition

2021–

Instructor

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Department of Oncology - Division of Cancer Predisposition

2020–

Instructor

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center · Department of Pediatric Oncology - Solid Tumor, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute

Education

2014

M.D

Wright State University

2010

B.S. - cum laude

The Ohio State University · Microbiology