Cockayne syndrome
Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare, multisystem genetic disorder that typically presents at birth or during childhood. It is characterized by features such as cachectic dwarfism, neurological deficits, sensitivity to sunlight, and signs of premature aging. The syndrome is caused by mutations in the ERCC6 or ERCC8 genes, with about 80% of cases linked to the ERCC6 mutation. CS is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning both parents must carry a defective gene for a child to be affected. Patients may exhibit physical traits like microcephaly, long limbs, and a characteristic facial appearance, along with developmental delays and progressive health issues such as hearing loss and eye problems. Diagnosis can be challenging due to the variability of symptoms and is confirmed through genetic testing. While there is no specific treatment for CS, management focuses on alleviating symptoms and providing supportive therapies. Life expectancy varies significantly among the different subtypes, with those affected by the most severe form typically living less than seven years.
Cockayne syndrome
ALSO KNOWN AS: CS; dwarfism-retinal atrophy-deafness syndrome; Neill-Dingwall syndrome; progeroid nanism; progeria-like syndrome
DEFINITION Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare, heterogeneous, multisystem disease that is typically apparent at birth or during childhood. The disorder is characterized by cachetic dwarfism, neurological deficits, sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), and premature aging (progeria).
Risk Factors
The incidence of CS has been estimated at 2 to 3 per million newborns in the United States and Europe. Individuals with a family history of CS or whose parents carry known mutations in the ERCC6 (also known as CSB, ARMD5, or RAD26) or ERCC8 (also known as CSA) gene are at increased risk. No predispositions based upon sex or ethnicity have been noted.
Etiology and Genetics
CS is caused by mutations in the ERCC6 gene on chromosome 10q11 or in the ERCC8 gene on chromosome 5q12.1. About 80 percent of cases are attributable to mutations in the ERCC6 gene, with the remaining cases due to mutations in the ERCC8 gene. CS is an autosomal recessive disorder, meaning that the affected individual carries two copies of the defective gene in each cell. The parents are heterozygous, each carrying one copy of the defective gene. Heterozygous individuals do not typically show any symptoms of the disease.
The CSB and CSA proteins are believed to play a role in the repair of transcriptionally active genes (transcription-coupled DNA repair). The defect in DNA repair is thought to result in the accumulation of DNA damage and cell death. There is currently no clear association between type of mutation and the severity of symptoms observed.
CS is a heterogeneous disease. Three distinct major subtypes have been identified that vary in severity and prognosis. CS type I (Type A) is the classic form of the disease, in which growth and developmental abnormalities are noted in the first few years of life. CS type II (Type B) is the most severe form of the disease, with growth failure present at birth and little postnatal neurological development. CS type III (Type C) is a less common, milder form of the disease that typically is seen later in childhood. A fourth subtype called xeroderma pigmentosum–Cockayne syndrome (XP-CS) has been recognized that combines features of both diseases but is caused by mutations in genes other than ERCC6 or ERCC8.
Symptoms
Individuals with CS display physical features of cachectic dwarfism, with thinning of the skin and hair, sunken eyes, and a stooped standing posture. Symptoms may also include disproportionately long arms and legs, large low-set ears, bird-like facies (facial expressions), microcephaly (small head), joint contractures, gait disturbances, and sensitivity to sunlight. Neurodevelopmental delays, which vary in severity, are characteristic of the disease. Hearing loss (deafness), eye problems (retinal atrophy and cataracts), and dental caries are also common and become progressively worse with age. Other observed symptoms, including hypertension, early atherosclerosis, intracranial calcification, and glomerulosclerosis, appear to be related to premature aging.
Screening and Diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis of CS is usually made when an infant or child fails to grow properly (postnatal growth failure) and has signs of neurologic dysfunction. In addition, affected children often have a characteristic appearance, are sensitive to sunlight, and show signs of premature aging (progeria). Diagnosis of CS may be delayed or missed due to heterogeneity in symptoms among patients, as well as to the rarity and progressive nature of the disease. Diagnosis can be confirmed by sequencing of the ERCC8 and ERCC6 genes in the affected individual.
Treatment and Therapy
No specific treatment for CS currently exists. Patients are treated based on their individual symptoms. Infants with the most severe form of CS may require tube feeding to prevent malnutrition. Physical therapy may be performed to minimize effects of joint contractures and to maintain mobility. Speech, vision, hearing, and occupational therapy may also be provided. Many individuals develop cataracts by age four and may undergo surgery to remove opaque lenses, but generally do not receive artificial lens implants.
In 2023, researchers at UMass Chan announced progress toward developing gene replacement therapy to treat CS. The scientists had succeeded in developing an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector that was used to deliver gene replacement therapy in mice. The animals that received the treatment appeared normal after the procedure. Researchers anticipated moving on to human clinical trials.
Prevention and Outcomes
For individuals with a family history of CS, genetic counseling is recommended. Genetic testing can be performed on the unborn child to determine if he or she carries a mutation in the ERCC8 or ERCC6 gene. Parents who are for the causative mutation (carriers) have a 25 percent chance of having a child who does not have CS and who does not carry the mutation, a 50 percent chance of having a heterozygous (carrier) child, and a 25 percent chance of having a child with CS.
Typical life expectancy is dependent on the subtype of the disease but is generally shorter than normal. Individuals with CS type I usually live between one and two decades. Individuals with CS type II usually die before age seven. Individuals with CS type III can survive into their thirties or forties. Individuals who do survive longer do not have an increased incidence of skin cancer despite their photosensitivity.
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