Examining Proteus Syndrome and Related Congenital Disorders

The Phenotype and Etiology of Proteus Syndrome

This study looks at Proteus syndrome and similar conditions to see how they affect people over time and to learn more about their causes and potential treatments.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 1500 (estimated)
• Ages: 1 Month to 99 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) (nih)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
• Trial ID: NCT00001403 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study focuses on Proteus syndrome and related congenital disorders characterized by abnormal growth and malformations. It aims to explore the genetic and biochemical causes of these conditions, track changes in symptoms over time, and assess the impact on patients' lives. Participants will undergo medical evaluations, including imaging tests and blood sample collection, while providing insights through interviews and questionnaires. The study seeks to establish genotype-phenotype correlations and identify potential biomarkers for future therapeutic research.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with Proteus syndrome or those with AKT1 gene variants.

Not a fit: Patients with overgrowth disorders that do not meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for Proteus syndrome may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and potential targeted treatments for patients with Proteus syndrome and related disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in understanding genetic disorders related to the PI3K/AKT pathway, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Eligibility criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

All patients who meet clinical diagnostic criteria for PS, or who have demonstrated AKT1 p.Glu17Lys variants are considered eligible for this protocol. As well, we will generally offer an in-person evaluation at the NIHCC to patients with PS whenever possible.

As these disorders are usually apparent at or soon after birth, and appear to evolve at least into the third decade of life, early assessment and long-term follow-up are necessary. We have already learned that PS has a high pediatric mortality rate. PS and other overgrowth disorders are progressive and for some individuals, may warrant more frequent observation during youth and adolescence. Therefore, it would not be practicable or ethical to exclude children from enrollment.

Patients with overgrowth that is not definitively PS (i.e., who do not appear to meet clinical diagnostic criteria) may also be eligible to participate in this study. Decisions to invite patients in this group to the NIHCC for an in-person evaluation are made on a case-by-case basis where the patient s phenotype, health, proximity to the NIH, and fit with our current research aims will all be taken into account. In general, we will consider subjects who have one or more of the manifestations from the PS clinical criteria as eligible.

Enrollment of adults with impaired decision-making capacity is scientifically justified because PS is an ultra-rare disorder where 10-15% of patients have significant cognitive impairment and gaining a better understanding of this aspect of the phenotype (as well as the other concerns adult patients may present with) is critical to advancing our knowledge of this disorder. Progression of overgrowth, particularly the fibroadipose overgrowth in CLOVES syndrome, is a significant issue in many adults with this condition and understanding the trajectory of overgrowth throughout the lifespan is an important goal of this study.

This protocol enrolls participants of all ages which includes women of child-bearing age. We recognize that women may become pregnant during the course of this study. While we have not documented a case of a female with Proteus syndrome becoming pregnant it is important to gather clinical data if such a case occurs in order to better understand the natural history of Proteus syndrome and related disorders.

Since we enroll people of all ages, some of the women we enroll may become pregnant during the course of the study. No radiation imaging studies will be done on women if they are known to be pregnant. We will screen all women of reproductive age with a pregnancy test prior to surgery, as per standard surgical practice.

There are no exclusions for race, age, or gender for participants.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients with cancer but who do not have overgrowth or other non-tumor manifestations of PS or non-PS overgrowth, whose tumors may harbor AKT1, PIK3CA, or other variants, are not eligible for this study. In general, patients who clearly meet diagnostic criteria for a well-characterized overgrowth syndrome that is NOT PS are not eligible for this study. Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome and PHACES syndrome are examples of such entities. We will not enroll prisoners, healthy volunteers, or lab personnel. Some persons with PS and other overgrowth conditions are intellectually disabled (ID) or developmentally delayed (probably \~10%). The consent issues are no different for children with ID than developmentally appropriate children except that assent will be judged by developmental level instead of age. Patients who are adults and decisionally-impaired are eligible only if they have a legal guardian who has authority to sign a consent form on their behalf. Patients who are medically fragile or unable to tolerate travel to the NIHCC will not routinely be eligible for participation.

We will request permission to retain some information about prospective participants who may not be immediately enrolled. As these participants will not immediately be signing a consent form and joining the study, we propose to NOT count these participants in our Inclusion Enrollment Reports until they have formally enrolled in the study (that is, they have signed consent forms).

We will not enroll neonates (newborns less than one month old).

Where this trial is running

Bethesda, Maryland

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Leslie G Biesecker, M.D. — National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
• Study coordinator: Julie C Sapp

Conditions: Proteus Syndrome, PIK3CA Related Overgrowth Spectrum, Sporadic, Mosaic, Growth Disorder, Progressive, Multiple Abnormalities, Natural History