Molecular Basis of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome Spectrum with Associated Tumors and Consequences for Clinical Practice

Simple Summary Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS, OMIM 130650) is an inborn overgrowth disorder caused by molecular alterations in chromosome 11p15.5. These molecular changes affect so-called imprinted genes, i.e., genes which underlie a complex regulation which is linked to the parental origin of the gene copy. Thus, either the maternal gene copy is expressed or the paternal, but this balanced regulation is prone to disturbances. In fact, different types of molecular variants have been identified in BWS, resulting in a variable phenotype; thus, it was consented that the syndromic entity was extended to the Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum (BWSp). Some molecular subgroups of BWSp are associated with an increased embryonic tumor risk and have different likelihoods for specific tumors. Therefore, the precise determination of the molecular subgroup is needed for precise monitoring and treatment, but the molecular diagnostic procedure has several limitations and challenges which have to be considered. Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS, OMIM 130650) is a congenital imprinting condition with a heterogenous clinical presentation of overgrowth and an increased childhood cancer risk (mainly nephroblastoma, hepatoblastoma or neuroblastoma). Due to the varying clinical presentation encompassing classical, clinical BWS without a molecular diagnosis and BWS-related phenotypes with an 11p15.5 molecular anomaly, the syndromic entity was extended to the Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum (BWSp). The tumor risk of up to 30% depends on the molecular subtype of BWSp with causative genetic or epigenetic alterations in the chromosomal region 11p15.5. The molecular diagnosis of BWSp can be challenging for several reasons, including the range of causative molecular mechanisms which are frequently mosaic. The molecular basis of tumor formation appears to relate to stalled cellular differentiation in certain organs that predisposes persisting embryonic cells to accumulate additional molecular defects, which then results in a range of embryonal tumors. The molecular subtype of BWSp not only influences the overall risk of neoplasia, but also the likelihood of specific embryonal tumors.