Mutations of HNRNPA0 and WIF1 predispose members of a large family to multiple cancers

We studied a large family that presented a strong familial susceptibility to multiple early onset cancers including prostate, breast, colon, and several other uncommon cancers. Through targeted gene, linkage, and whole genome sequencing analyses, we show that the presence of a variant in the regulatory region of HNRNPA0 associated with elevated cancer incidence in this family (Hazard ratio = 7.20, p = 0.0004). Whole genome sequencing identified a second rare protein changing mutation of WIF1 that interacted with the HNRNPA0 variant resulting in extremely high risk for cancer in carriers of mutations in both genes (p = 1.98 × 10⁻¹³). Analysis of downstream targets of the mutations in these two genes showed that the HNRNPA0 mutation affected expression patterns in the PI3 kinase and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways, while the WIF1 variant influenced expression of genes that play a role in NAD biosynthesis. This is a first report of variation in HNRNPA0 influencing common cancers or of a striking interaction between rare variants coexisting in an extended pedigree and jointly affecting cancer risk.