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EZH2-Related Overgrowth

, MBBS, BSc, MSc and , BM BCh, MD.

Author Information and Affiliations

Initial Posting: ; Last Update: March 21, 2024.

Estimated reading time: 33 minutes

Summary

Clinical characteristics.

EZH2-related overgrowth is a variable overgrowth syndrome characterized by tall stature, macrocephaly, variable intellect (ranging from normal intellect to severe intellectual disability), characteristic facial appearance, and a range of associated clinical features including advanced bone age, poor coordination, soft, doughy skin, camptodactyly of the fingers and/or toes, umbilical hernia, abnormal tone, and hoarse, low cry in infancy. Brain MRI has identified abnormalities in a few individuals with EZH2-related overgrowth. Neuroblastoma occurs at a slightly increased frequency in individuals with a heterozygous EZH2 pathogenic variant, but data are insufficient to determine absolute risk. There is currently no evidence that additional malignancies (including hematologic malignancies) occur with increased frequency, though a few have been reported.

Diagnosis/testing.

The diagnosis of EZH2-related overgrowth is based on detection of a heterozygous germline EZH2 pathogenic variant on molecular genetic testing.

Management.

Treatment of manifestations: For individuals with developmental delay and/or learning disability, referral for learning/behavior/speech assessment and support may be indicated. Occasionally, toe camptodactyly may require surgical release. Physiotherapy may be of benefit to those experiencing joint pain secondary to ligamentous laxity or joint contractures. Standard treatment with appropriate specialist referral(s) is indicated for epilepsy, scoliosis, and other clinical issues.

Surveillance: Regular medical follow up of young children with EZH2-related overgrowth to monitor developmental progress, camptodactyly (for resolution/improvement), and/or hypotonia; medical follow up of older children/teenagers who do not have medical complications may be less frequent. If scoliosis is present, monitoring per the recommendations of an orthopedist. Although current data do not support specific tumor surveillance programs, clinicians should have a low threshold for investigating any possible tumor-related symptoms.

Pregnancy management: Families and their health care providers should be made aware that an affected baby may be large so that appropriate delivery plans can be made.

Genetic counseling.

EZH2-related overgrowth is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Some individuals diagnosed with EZH2-related overgrowth have an affected parent; some individuals diagnosed with EZH2-related overgrowth have the disorder as the result of a de novo EZH2 pathogenic variant. The proportion of individuals with EZH2-related overgrowth caused by a de novo pathogenic variant is unknown. Each child of an individual with EZH2-related overgrowth has a 50% chance of inheriting the pathogenic variant; the phenotype in individuals who inherit a familial EZH2 pathogenic variant cannot be predicted. Once the pathogenic variant has been identified in an affected family member, prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing are possible.

GeneReview Scope

The scope of this GeneReview encompasses the broad phenotypic spectrum associated with heterozygous EZH2 pathogenic variants, which ranges from classic EZH2-related Weaver syndrome at one end of the spectrum to tall stature at the other end.

Diagnosis

Suggestive Findings

EZH2-related overgrowth should be suspected in an individual with the following clinical and imaging findings [Tatton-Brown et al 2013, Imagawa et al 2023].

Clinical findings

  • Tall stature (height or length ≥2 standard deviations [SD] above the mean)
  • Macrocephaly (head circumference ≥2 SD above the mean)
  • Intellectual disability
  • Characteristic facial appearance (See Figure 1.)
    • In children younger than age three years: retrognathia, large, fleshy ears, and a "stuck on" appearance of the chin associated with a horizontal skin crease and sometimes a central dimple
    • In affected individuals of all ages, additional features include broad forehead (increased bifrontal diameter), round face, widely spaced eyes, almond-shaped palpebral fissures, and long or prominent philtrum
    The characteristic facial appearance (which is most distinctive at a younger age) evolves over time; therefore, review of younger childhood photographs may help the clinician reach a clinical diagnosis.
  • Poor coordination
  • Soft, doughy skin
  • Excessive loose skin
  • Camptodactyly of the fingers and/or toes (See Note.)
  • Umbilical hernia (that is occasionally significant enough to require surgical reduction)
  • Abnormal tone (central hypotonia and/or peripheral hypertonia) (See Note.)
  • Hoarse, low-pitched cry (sometimes described as a quiet cry)
Figure 1. . Retrognathia present in younger children with EZH2-related overgrowth usually resolves with age.

Figure 1.

Retrognathia present in younger children with EZH2-related overgrowth usually resolves with age. In individuals of all ages the palpebral fissures are frequently almond shaped and the eyes are widely spaced.

Note: A detailed medical history may be necessary to determine if these findings were present in the newborn period / infancy, given that they can resolve or improve throughout childhood.

Imaging findings

  • Skeletal imaging. Advanced bone age on plain radiographs or skeletal surveys
  • Neuroimaging. The true prevalence of brain MRI abnormalities in EZH2-related overgrowth is currently uncertain, as baseline brain MRI scans are not routinely performed. However, the following brain MRI abnormalities have been reported, although it is currently unclear whether they are associated with EZH2-related disorders or incidental: ventriculomegaly, periventricular leukomalacia, cerebellar infarct, cerebellar hypoplasia, and neuronal migration defects (polymicrogyria) [Gibson et al 2012, Al-Salem et al 2013, Tatton-Brown et al 2013, Cohen et al 2016, Griffiths et al 2019].

Establishing the Diagnosis

The diagnosis of EZH2-related overgrowth is established in a proband by identification of a heterozygous germline EZH2 pathogenic (or likely pathogenic) variant on molecular genetic testing (see Table 1).

Note: (1) Per ACMG/AMP variant interpretation guidelines, the terms "pathogenic variant" and "likely pathogenic variant" are synonymous in a clinical setting, meaning that both are considered diagnostic and can be used for clinical decision making [Richards et al 2015]. Reference to "pathogenic variant" in this GeneReview is understood to include likely pathogenic variants. (2) Identification of a heterozygous EZH2 variant of uncertain significance does not establish or rule out the diagnosis.

Molecular genetic testing approaches can include a combination of gene-targeted testing (multigene panel) and comprehensive genomic testing (exome sequencing, genome sequencing) depending on the phenotype.

Gene-targeted testing requires that the clinician determine which gene(s) are likely involved, whereas genomic testing does not. Individuals with the distinctive findings described in Suggestive Findings are likely to be diagnosed using gene-targeted testing (see Option 1), whereas those in whom the diagnosis of EZH2-related overgrowth has not been considered are more likely to be diagnosed using comprehensive genomic testing (see Option 2). Further, epigenetic signature analysis or a methylation array is an option.

Option 1

When the phenotypic findings suggest the diagnosis of EZH2-related overgrowth, molecular genetic testing approaches can include use of a multigene panel.

A multigene panel that includes EZH2 and other genes of interest (see Differential Diagnosis) is most likely to identify the genetic cause of the condition while limiting identification of variants of uncertain significance and pathogenic variants in genes that do not explain the underlying phenotype. Note: (1) The genes included in the panel and the diagnostic sensitivity of the testing used for each gene vary by laboratory and likely to change over time. (2) Some multigene panels may include genes not associated with the condition discussed in this GeneReview. (3) In some laboratories, panel options may include a custom laboratory-designed panel and/or custom phenotype-focused exome analysis that includes genes specified by the clinician. (4) Methods used in a panel may include sequence analysis, deletion/duplication analysis, and/or other non-sequencing-based tests.

For an introduction to multigene panels click here. More detailed information for clinicians ordering genetic tests can be found here.

Option 2

When the diagnosis of EZH2-related overgrowth has not been considered because an individual has atypical phenotypic features, comprehensive genomic testing through exome or genome sequencing does not require the clinician to determine which gene is likely involved. To date, the majority of reported EZH2 pathogenic variants (e.g., missense, nonsense) are within the coding region and are likely to be identified on exome sequencing.

For an introduction to comprehensive genomic testing click here. More detailed information for clinicians ordering genomic testing can be found here.

Epigenetic Signature Analysis / Methylation Array

Pathogenic variants in EZH2 generate a distinctive epigenetic signature that can be used to distinguish between pathogenic and benign variants as well as between loss-of-function and gain-of-function variants and facilitate detection of somatic mosaicism [Choufani et al 2020].

Epigenetic signature analysis of a peripheral blood sample or DNA banked from a blood sample can therefore be considered to clarify the diagnosis in individuals with: (1) suggestive clinical findings of EZH2-related overgrowth but in whom no pathogenic variant in EZH2 has been identified via sequence analysis; or (2) suggestive clinical findings of EZH2-related overgrowth and an EZH2 variant of uncertain clinical significance identified by molecular genetic testing. For an introduction to epigenetic signature analysis click here.

Table 1.

Molecular Genetic Testing Used in EZH2-Related Overgrowth

Gene 1MethodProportion of Pathogenic Variants 2 Identified by Method
EZH2 Sequence analysis 3~97% 4
Gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis 5~3% 6
1.
2.

See Molecular Genetics for information on variants detected in this gene.

3.

Sequence analysis detects variants that are benign, likely benign, of uncertain significance, likely pathogenic, or pathogenic. Variants may include missense, nonsense, and splice site variants and small intragenic deletions/insertions; typically, exon or whole-gene deletions/duplications are not detected. For issues to consider in interpretation of sequence analysis results, click here.

4.
5.

Gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis detects intragenic deletions or duplications. Methods used may include a range of techniques such as quantitative PCR, long-range PCR, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and a gene-targeted microarray designed to detect single-exon deletions or duplications. Exome and genome sequencing may be able to detect deletions/duplications using breakpoint detection or read depth; however, sensitivity can be lower than gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis.

6.

To date, only a few individuals have been reported with large deletions encompassing EZH2 [Imagawa et al 2017, Suri & Dixit 2017]. The mechanism whereby EZH2 pathogenic variants cause overgrowth is currently unclear, and while complete or partial loss of function is suggested, simple haploinsufficiency is unlikely (see Molecular Genetics). Therefore, it is currently unknown whether deletions encompassing EZH2 cause a similar phenotype to pathogenic variants within the gene and further work is required to clarify this association.

Clinical Characteristics

Clinical Description

Primary phenotypic features associated with EZH2-related overgrowth include tall stature, macrocephaly, and intellectual disability, which are observed in association with a characteristic facial appearance (round face, flattened occiput, hypertelorism, almond-shaped palpebral fissures, retrognathia, large, fleshy ears, and a "stuck on" appearance to the chin) [Tatton-Brown et al 2013, Imagawa et al 2023].

The phenotypic spectrum associated with germline EZH2 pathogenic variants is broad, with classic EZH2-related Weaver syndrome at one end of the spectrum and tall stature at the other. Although most individuals diagnosed with a heterozygous germline EZH2 pathogenic variant have been identified because of a clinical suspicion of Weaver syndrome, a minority have been identified through molecular genetic testing of family members of probands or individuals with overgrowth who did not have a clinical diagnosis of Weaver syndrome [Tatton-Brown et al 2011, Gibson et al 2012]. Thus, the full extent of the phenotypic spectrum of heterozygous EZH2 pathogenic variants is not yet known.

To date, at least 68 individuals have been identified with a pathogenic variant in EZH2 [Tatton-Brown et al 2011, Gibson et al 2012, Al-Salem et al 2013, Tatton-Brown et al 2013, Cohen et al 2016, Usemann et al 2016, Lui et al 2018, Griffiths et al 2019, Turkkahraman et al 2021, Imagawa et al 2023, Oh et al 2023]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports.

Table 2.

EZH2-Related Overgrowth: Frequency of Select Features

Feature% of Persons w/FeatureComment
Overgrowth 91%Incl tall stature (almost uniform finding) &/or macrocephaly
Neurologic features True prevalence unknownReported findings incl ventriculomegaly, periventricular leukomalacia, & polymicrogyria
Tone abnormalities Hypotonia (47%)Several persons presented w/mixed tone (peripheral hypertonia & central hypotonia).
Hypertonia (27%)
Cognitive issues 85%
  • Mild ID: 58%
  • Moderate ID: 22%
  • Severe ID: 5%
  • Unclassified ID: 15%
Neurobehavioral issues RareIncl autistic features, phobias, & anxiety (all anecdotally reported)
Skeletal features Scoliosis (22%)Adult boutonniere deformity & talipes equinovarus have also been anecdotally reported.
Advanced bone age (100%)
Camptodactyly (44%)
Connective tissue abnormalities Umbilical hernia (49%)Ligamentous laxity is also anecdotally common, but true prevalence is unknown.
Soft, doughy skin / excessive loose skin (52%)
Poor feeding 36%
Hoarse, low-pitched cry 46%
Tumors Neuroblastoma (<1%)Other reported malignancies incl: 1
  • Neuroblastoma & acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Lymphoma
  • Acute myeloid leukemia

Growth. From data available on 23 newborns, the mean birth length was 2.2 standard deviations (SD) above the mean, with a range of 0.5 SD below the mean to 4.9 SD above the mean. The mean birth weight of 45 newborns was 1.7 SD above the mean, with a range of 1.6 SD below the mean to 4.6 SD above the mean [Tatton-Brown et al 2013].

Tall stature is a near-consistent finding: height in 59 of 65 individuals was at least two SD above the mean (ages 1-70 years). Of note, three of four individuals with a height less than two SD above the mean had been tall as young children. The mean postnatal height was 3.5 SD above the mean.

Of 59 individuals for whom information is available, 27 had a head circumference less than two SD above the mean and 32 had macrocephaly (>2 SD above the mean), with a head circumference reaching up to 5.5 SD above the mean. Head circumferences at birth were at least two SD above the mean in 5 of 6 infants for whom data is available [Gibson et al 2012, Cohen et al 2016]. These data suggest that macrocephaly in EZH2-related overgrowth is likely to be present from birth but longitudinal follow up is required.

Neurologic. Ventriculomegaly, reported in seven individuals, was generally associated with normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure and did not require shunting [Gibson et al 2012, Tatton-Brown et al 2013, Griffiths et al 2019]. Other reported brain MRI findings include neuronal migration defects (including polymicrogyria in several individuals), periventricular leukomalacia (two individuals), and cerebellar abnormalities (two individuals).

Intellectual disability in those with a brain MRI abnormality was:

  • Mild in seven individuals (ventriculomegaly [5 individuals], periventricular leukomalacia [1 individual], and cerebellar hypoplasia [1 individual]);
  • Moderate in three individuals (periventricular leukomalacia with ventriculomegaly [1 individual] and isolated ventriculomegaly [2 individuals]);
  • Severe in two individuals with polymicrogyria and pachygyria [Tatton-Brown et al 2013, Griffiths et al 2019]; in contrast, the individual with polymicrogyria reported by Al-Salem et al [2013] had normal developmental milestones and body asymmetry (left side smaller than the right) with brisk reflexes and increased tone on the left. The degree of intellectual disability of the individual with polymicrogyria reported by Cohen et al [2016] is unknown.
    Note: The degree of intellectual disability was not reported for one individual with ventriculomegaly.

Several reported individuals with EZH2-related overgrowth had seizures. Four individuals had afebrile seizures [Gibson et al 2012, Usemann et al 2016, Griffiths et al 2019]. Seizure types include tonic-clonic (age of onset 13 years) [1 individual] and brief absence (age of onset 15 years) [Gibson et al 2012]. Two individuals had seizures associated with a febrile illness [Tatton-Brown et al 2013, Cohen et al 2016].

Abnormal tone. In general, abnormal tone (hypotonia, hypertonia, or mixed central hypotonia and peripheral hypertonia), if present, resolves during childhood.

  • Hypotonia (predominantly central) was reported in 22 of 47 individuals.
  • Hypertonia (predominantly peripheral manifesting as stiffness in the limbs with brisk reflexes) was reported in 14 of 51 individuals.
    Note: Three of the individuals presenting with peripheral hypertonia were also reported to have central hypotonia [Tatton-Brown et al 2013].

Cognitive features. Information on cognitive function is available for 61 individuals. Eight had normal intellect; 52 individuals had variable intellectual disability (ID), including the following:

  • Mild ID (30/61). Children attend mainstream school but need some extra help – e.g., a statement of educational needs – and are expected to live independently as adults and likely to have their own family.
  • Moderate ID (13/61). Children develop speech and need a high level of support in mainstream education but are likely to require special educational needs. While unlikely to live independently as adults, they may live in sheltered accommodation or with additional support.
  • Severe ID (3/61). Individuals require special education during school and are likely to require considerable support during adulthood.
  • Unclassified ID (6/61). Insufficient information was provided regarding degree of ID.

Behavioral issues including autistic features, phobias, and anxiety have been anecdotally reported [Tatton-Brown et al 2013].

Skeletal features

  • Advanced bone age. Of 33 individuals evaluated, all had advanced bone age.
  • Scoliosis was reported in 13 individuals and pectus abnormalities (excavatum or carinatum) in four individuals. Scoliosis ranged from severe (early-childhood onset requiring surgical intervention) to mild (requiring monitoring but no therapeutic intervention).
  • Camptodactyly. Some affected individuals had camptodactyly of the fingers, some had camptodactyly of the toes, and some had camptodactyly of fingers and toes. On occasion, the toe camptodactyly required surgical correction.
  • Adult boutonniere deformity. Several adults developed hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal joints and flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joints of the hands analogous to a mild boutonniere deformity (see Figure 2).
  • Talipes equinovarus. Eight individuals had talipes equinovarus ranging from fixed and bilateral (requiring surgery) in two individuals to mild (unilateral that resolved with physiotherapy) in three.
Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Mild hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal joints and flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joints in a woman age 22 years with a heterozygous EZH2 pathogenic variant

Connective tissue features

  • Ligamentous laxity. While ligamentous laxity with associated joint hypermobility and pes planus is common, it is not usually reported unless complicated by joint pain. Individuals with EZH2-related overgrowth are frequently reported to have poor coordination that may be (at least partially) attributable to lax ligaments.
  • Skin that was soft and doughy to the touch has been reported in 23 of 43 affected children.
  • Umbilical hernia has been seen in 28 of 57 children and was sufficiently large to require surgery in eight neonates.

Poor feeding has been reported in 10 of 28 neonates, including one who required nasogastric tube feeding for two weeks. Although poor feeding may be attributable to neonatal hypotonia, this was only reported in three of the infants with poor feeding.

Hoarse, low-pitched cry was reported in 16 of 35 affected infants.

Tumors have been reported in seven of 68 affected individuals [Tatton-Brown et al 2013, Usemann et al 2016, Cohen et al 2016, Oh et al 2023]. A summary of reported tumor types is provided in Table 3.

Table 3.

Tumor Types Reported in Individuals with EZH2-Related Overgrowth

Tumor Type# of PersonsAgeEZH2 Pathogenic Variant
Neuroblastoma513 monthsc.2044G>A (p.Ala682Thr)
4 yearsc.458A>G (p.Tyr153Cys)
Neonatec.394C>T (p.Pro132Ser)
Neonatec.398A>G (p.Tyr133Cys)
7 monthsc.2050C>T (p.Arg684Cys)
Pre-T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma113 yearsc.2233G>A (p.Glu745Lys)
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia113 monthsc.2044G>A (p.Ala682Thr)
Acute myeloid leukemia116 yearsc.395C>T (p.Pro132Leu)

Additional clinical features reported in a small number of individuals (and therefore possibly not associated with the EZH2 pathogenic variant) are included for completeness:

  • Café au lait macules (2 individuals), hemangioma (4 individuals), pigmented nevi (3 individuals)
  • Large hands and feet (1 individual)
  • Hypermetropia (hyperopia; 3 individuals), strabismus (3 individuals), myopia (1 individual)
  • Hydrocele (2 individuals), cryptorchidism (1 individual), hypospadias (1 individual)
  • Cleft palate (3 individuals)
  • Hearing loss (conductive and sensorineural; 3 individuals)
  • Cardiac anomalies (4 individuals), including mitral valve prolapse (1 individual), ventricular septal defect (2 individuals), and patent ductus arteriosus (1 individual)
  • Gastroesophageal reflux (1 individual), hiatal hernia (1 individual)
  • Neonatal hypoglycemia (2 individuals)
  • Neonatal hypocalcemia (2 individual)

Genotype-Phenotype Correlations

No genotype-phenotype correlations are evident among individuals reported with EZH2-related overgrowth, as findings along the entire phenotypic spectrum have been observed in individuals with heterozygous truncating or missense pathogenic variants in EZH2, within or outside the conserved SET domain (see Molecular Genetics).

Penetrance

Data are currently insufficient to determine the penetrance of EZH2 germline pathogenic variants. However, given the subtlety of the phenotype in some individuals with a pathogenic EZH2 variant, the penetrance for some EZH2 pathogenic variants may be reduced [Tatton-Brown et al 2013].

Nomenclature

Weaver syndrome is named after David Weaver, who reported two boys with accelerated osseous maturation, unusual facies, and camptodactyly [Weaver et al 1974].

Prevalence

As individuals with a mild phenotype may escape clinical diagnosis, it is currently difficult to estimate the prevalence of EZH2-related overgrowth.

Differential Diagnosis

Significant overlap in findings is observed between EZH2-related overgrowth, Sotos syndrome (associated with pathogenic variants in NSD1), Cohen-Gibson syndrome (associated with pathogenic variants in EED), and Imagawa-Matsumoto syndrome (associated with pathogenic variants in SUZ12).

Additional disorders of interest in the differential diagnosis of EZH2-related overgrowth are summarized in Table 4.

Table 4.

Disorders to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of EZH2-Related Overgrowth

Gene / Genetic MechanismDisorderMOIClinical Features of Disorder
Overlapping w/EZH2-Related OvergrowthDistinguishing from EZH2-Related Overgrowth
Key differential diagnoses
NSD1 1 Sotos syndrome AD 2
  • Pre- & postnatal overgrowth
  • Variable ID
  • Similar (but distinctive) facial appearance
  • Advanced bone age
  • Scoliosis
  • Joint hypermobility
  • Prominent chin, malar flushing in children
  • Most easily distinguishable from EZH2-related overgrowth at ages 1-3 yrs
EED Cohen-Gibson syndrome (EED-related overgrowth)AD
  • Overgrowth
  • Macrocephaly
  • Hypertelorism, round face, "stuck on" chin
  • Advanced bone age
  • Scoliosis
  • Umbilical hernia
  • Joint hypermobility
  • ID is usually more prominent (variable in EZH2-related overgrowth).
  • Camptodactyly/clinodactyly tends to affect fingers only (not toes).
  • Cryptorchidism
  • No tumors have been reported.
  • Cervical spine anomalies
  • Congenital heart defects
  • There are too few cases of Cohen-Gibson syndrome to clarify which clinical features might distinguish them from EZH2-related overgrowth.
SUZ12 Imagawa-Matsumoto syndrome (SUZ12-related overgrowth syndrome) (OMIM 618786)AD
  • Overgrowth
  • Macrocephaly
  • Hypertelorism
  • Variable ID
  • Scoliosis
  • Joint hypermobility
  • Hypertrichosis
  • Normal skin texture
  • No tumors have been reported.
  • There are too few cases of Imagawa-Matsumoto syndrome to clarify which clinical features might distinguish them from EZH2-related overgrowth.
Other disorders of interest
Abnormal regulation of gene transcription in 2 imprinted domains at 11p15.5 4 Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome AD 3
  • ↑ birth weight
  • Tall stature (not as frequent in BWS as other conditions in the differential diagnosis)
  • Umbilical hernia
  • Macroglossia
  • Earlobe creases/pits
  • Omphalocele
  • Visceromegaly
  • Usually normal intellect
  • Neonatal hypoglycemia
  • Polyhydramnios
  • Predisposition to embryonal tumors, esp Wilms tumor
DNMT3A Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome (DNMT3A-related overgrowth syndrome)AD
  • Tall stature
  • Variable ID
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Scoliosis
  • Joint hypermobility
  • Facial appearance (round, heavy; w/horizontal eyebrows & narrow palpebral fissures) most recognizable in early teen / adult yrs.
  • ↑ weight
  • Neuropsychiatric issues
FBN1 FBN1-related Marfan syndrome AD
  • Tall stature
  • Scoliosis
  • Joint hypermobility
  • Cognitive abilities are usually normal.
  • Ocular findings (myopia & lens dislocation)
  • Cardiovascular findings (dilatation of aorta; mitral & tricuspid valve prolapse)
  • Pectus abnormalities are common.
FBN2 Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (Beals syndrome)AD
  • Tall stature
  • Scoliosis
  • Camptodactyly
  • Cognitive abilities are usually normal.
  • Cardiovascular findings (dilatation of aorta; mitral & tricuspid valve prolapse)
  • Crumpled appearance to top of ear
  • Pectus abnormalities are common.
GPC3
GPC4 4
Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 XL
  • ↑ birth weight
  • Tall stature
  • Variable ID
  • Characteristic facial appearance
  • Supernumerary nipples
  • Polydactyly
  • Diastasis recti 5
NFIX Malan syndrome (OMIM 614753)AD
  • Sotos syndrome-like condition
  • Tall stature
  • Variable ID 6
  • Ophthalmologic abnormalities are common.
  • Growth frequently normalizes in teenagers & young adults.

AD = autosomal dominant; ID = intellectual disability; MOI = mode of inheritance; XL = X-linked

1.

Pathogenic variants in NSD1 (the cause of Sotos syndrome) were once reported to cause Weaver syndrome [Douglas et al 2003]. However, this association has been refuted [Tatton-Brown et al 2005].

2.

More than 95% of individuals have a de novo pathogenic variant.

3.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) (without multilocus imprinting disturbances) is associated with abnormal expression of imprinted genes in the BWS critical region. Abnormal expression of imprinted genes can be caused by an epigenetic or genomic alteration leading to an abnormal methylation pattern at 11p15.5, a copy number variant of chromosome 11p15.5, or a heterozygous maternally inherited CDKN1C pathogenic variant. Reliable recurrence risk assessment requires identification of the genetic mechanism in the proband that underlies the abnormal expression of imprinted genes in the BWS critical region. While most families have a recurrence risk of less than 1%, certain underlying genetic mechanisms involve a recurrence risk as high as 50%.

4.

Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 is caused by a hemizygous pathogenic variant in GPC3, an intragenic or whole-gene deletion of GPC3 that may include part or all of GPC4, or a large multiexon duplication of GPC4.

5.
6.

Management

No clinical practice guidelines for EZH2-related overgrowth have been published. In the absence of published guidelines, the following recommendations are based on the authors' personal experience managing individuals with this disorder.

Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis

To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with EZH2-related overgrowth, the evaluations summarized Table 5 (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.

Table 5.

EZH2-Related Overgrowth: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis

System/ConcernEvaluationComment
Constitutional Measurement of height, weight, & head circumference
Neurologic Neurologic eval
  • Consider brain MRI scan if progressive macrocephaly or unexplained neurologic features are present.
  • Consider EEG if seizures are suspected.
Musculoskeletal & tone abnormalities Orthopedics / physical medicine & rehab / PT & OT evalTo incl assessment of:
  • Gross motor & fine motor skills
  • Scoliosis, camptodactyly, &/or ligamentous laxity
  • Mobility, ADL, & need for adaptive devices
  • Need for PT (to improve gross motor skills) &/or OT (to improve fine motor skills)
Development Developmental assessment
  • To incl motor, adaptive, cognitive, & speech-language eval
  • Eval for early intervention / special education
Neurobehavioral/
Psychiatric
Neuropsychiatric evalFor persons age >12 mos: screening for concerns incl sleep disturbances, ADHD, anxiety, &/or findings suggestive of ASD
Malignancy Assessment for potential malignancy, esp neuroblastoma & hematologic malignanciesWhile no specific surveillance is recommended, a low threshold for investigation of possible tumor-related symptoms is advised.
Eyes Ophthalmologic evalTo assess for reduced vision, abnormal ocular movement, best corrected visual acuity, refractive errors, strabismus, & more complex findings (e.g., cataract, retinal dystrophy) that may require referral for subspecialty care &/or low vision services
Hearing Audiologic evalAssess for hearing loss.
Cardiovascular Cardiac evalBaseline echocardiogram for evidence of structural cardiac anomalies
Genitourinary Assessment for cryptorchidism, hydrocele, hypospadias
Hematologic/
Lymphatic
See Malignancy in this table.
Genetic counseling By genetics professionals 1To inform affected persons & their families re nature, MOI, & implications of EZH2-related overgrowth to facilitate medical & personal decision making
Family support
& resources
By clinicians, wider care team, & family support organizationsAssessment of family & social structure to determine need for:

ADHD = attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; ADL = activities of daily living; ASD = autism spectrum disorder; MOI = mode of inheritance; OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy

1.

Medical geneticist, certified genetic counselor, certified advanced genetic nurse

Treatment of Manifestations

There is no cure for EZH2-related overgrowth. Supportive care to improve quality of life, maximize function, and reduce complications is recommended. This ideally involves multidisciplinary care by specialists in relevant fields (see Table 6). If additional clinical issues are detected through the history and/or examination, the appropriate specialist referral(s) should be made.

Table 6.

EZH2-Related Overgrowth: Treatment of Manifestations

Manifestation/ConcernTreatmentConsiderations/Other
Developmental delay /
Intellectual disability
See Developmental Delay / Intellectual Disability Management Issues.
Epilepsy Standardized treatment w/ASM by experienced neurologist
  • Many ASMs may be effective; none has been demonstrated effective specifically for this disorder.
  • Education of parents/caregivers 1
Poor weight gain /
Failure to thrive
  • Feeding therapy
  • Gastrostomy tube placement may be required for persistent feeding issues.
Low threshold for clinical feeding eval &/or radiographic swallowing study when showing clinical signs or symptoms of dysphagia
Skeletal features (e.g., camptodactyly, scoliosis, ligamentous laxity) Orthopedics / physical medicine & rehab / PT & OTOccasionally, toe camptodactyly may require surgical intervention.
Eyes OphthalmologistRefractive errors, strabismus
Ophthalmic subspecialistMore complex findings (e.g., cataract, retinal dystrophy)
Low vision services
  • Children: through early intervention programs &/or school district
  • Adults: low vision clinic &/or community vision services / OT / mobility services
Hearing Hearing aids may be helpful per otolaryngologist.Community hearing services through early intervention or school district
Family/Community
  • Ensure appropriate social work involvement to connect families w/local resources, respite, & support.
  • Coordinate care to manage multiple subspecialty appointments, equipment, medications, & supplies.
  • Ongoing assessment of need for palliative care involvement &/or home nursing
  • Consider involvement in adaptive sports or Special Olympics.

ASM = anti-seizure medication; OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy

1.

Education of parents/caregivers regarding common seizure presentations is appropriate. For information on non-medical interventions and coping strategies for children diagnosed with epilepsy, see Epilepsy Foundation Toolbox.

Developmental Delay / Intellectual Disability Management Issues

The following information represents typical management recommendations for individuals with developmental delay / intellectual disability in the United States; standard recommendations may vary from country to country.

Ages 0-3 years. Referral to an early intervention program is recommended for access to occupational, physical, speech, and feeding therapy as well as infant mental health services, special educators, and sensory impairment specialists. In the US, early intervention is a federally funded program available in all states that provides in-home services to target individual therapy needs.

Ages 3-5 years. In the US, developmental preschool through the local public school district is recommended. Before placement, an evaluation is made to determine needed services and therapies and an individualized education plan (IEP) is developed for those who qualify based on established motor, language, social, or cognitive delay. The early intervention program typically assists with this transition. Developmental preschool is center based; for children too medically unstable to attend, home-based services are provided.

All ages. Consultation with a developmental pediatrician is recommended to ensure the involvement of appropriate community, state, and educational agencies (US) and to support parents in maximizing quality of life. Some issues to consider:

  • IEP services:
    • An IEP provides specially designed instruction and related services to children who qualify.
    • IEP services will be reviewed annually to determine whether any changes are needed.
    • Special education law requires that children participating in an IEP be in the least restrictive environment feasible at school and included in general education as much as possible, when and where appropriate.
    • Vision and hearing consultants should be a part of the child's IEP team to support access to academic material.
    • PT, OT, and speech services will be provided in the IEP to the extent that the need affects the child's access to academic material. Beyond that, private supportive therapies based on the affected individual's needs may be considered. Specific recommendations regarding type of therapy can be made by a developmental pediatrician.
    • As a child enters the teen years, a transition plan should be discussed and incorporated in the IEP. For those receiving IEP services, the public school district is required to provide services until age 21.
  • A 504 plan (Section 504: a US federal statute that prohibits discrimination based on disability) can be considered for those who require accommodations or modifications such as front-of-class seating, assistive technology devices, classroom scribes, extra time between classes, modified assignments, and enlarged text.
  • Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) enrollment is recommended. DDA is a US public agency that provides services and support to qualified individuals. Eligibility differs by state but is typically determined by diagnosis and/or associated cognitive/adaptive disabilities.
  • Families with limited income and resources may also qualify for supplemental security income (SSI) for their child with a disability.

Motor Dysfunction

Gross motor dysfunction

  • Physical therapy is recommended to maximize mobility and to reduce the risk for later-onset orthopedic complications (e.g., contractures, scoliosis, hip dislocation).
  • Consider use of durable medical equipment and positioning devices as needed (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, orthotics, adaptive strollers).
  • For muscle tone abnormalities including hypertonia or dystonia, consider involving appropriate specialists to aid in management of baclofen, tizanidine, Botox®, anti-parkinsonian medications, or orthopedic procedures.

Fine motor dysfunction. Occupational therapy is recommended for difficulty with fine motor skills that affect adaptive function such as feeding, grooming, dressing, and writing.

Oral motor dysfunction should be assessed at each visit and clinical feeding evaluations and/or radiographic swallowing studies should be obtained for choking/gagging during feeds, poor weight gain, frequent respiratory illnesses, or feeding refusal that is not otherwise explained. Assuming that the child is safe to eat by mouth, feeding therapy (typically from an occupational or speech therapist) is recommended to help improve coordination or sensory-related feeding issues. Feeds can be thickened or chilled for safety. When feeding dysfunction is severe, an NG-tube or G-tube may be necessary.

Communication issues. Consider evaluation for alternative means of communication (e.g., augmentative and alternative communication [AAC]) for individuals who have expressive language difficulties. An AAC evaluation can be completed by a speech-language pathologist who has expertise in the area. The evaluation will consider cognitive abilities and sensory impairments to determine the most appropriate form of communication. AAC devices can range from low-tech, such as picture exchange communication, to high-tech, such as voice-generating devices. Contrary to popular belief, AAC devices do not hinder verbal development of speech, but rather support optimal speech and language development.

Neurobehavioral/Psychiatric Concerns

Children may qualify for and benefit from interventions used in treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA therapy is targeted to the individual child's behavioral, social, and adaptive strengths and weaknesses and typically performed one on one with a board-certified behavior analyst.

Consultation with a developmental pediatrician may be helpful in guiding parents through appropriate behavior management strategies or providing prescription medications, such as medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, when necessary.

Concerns about serious aggressive or destructive behavior can be addressed by a pediatric psychiatrist.

Surveillance

To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in Table 7 are recommended.

Table 7.

EZH2-Related Overgrowth: Recommended Surveillance

System/ConcernEvaluationFrequency 1
Feeding
  • Measurement of growth parameters
  • Eval of nutritional status & safety of oral intake
At each visit
Neurologic
  • Monitor those w/seizures as clinically indicated.
  • Assess for new manifestations such as seizures, changes in tone, & movement disorders.
Development Monitor developmental progress & educational needs.
Neurobehavioral/
Psychiatric
Assessment for anxiety, ADHD, ASD, aggression, & self-injury
Musculoskeletal
  • Physical medicine, OT/PT assessment of mobility, self-help skills
  • Monitoring by pediatrician for resolution/improvement of camptodactyly &/or hypotonia
  • If scoliosis is present, monitor per orthopedist.
Regular follow up w/frequency dependent on severity
Malignancy Neuroblastoma surveillance: current recommendations incl clinical vigilance & thorough investigation of possible tumor-related symptoms. 2Neuroblastoma surveillance has been inconsistent, w/no data supporting modality of surveillance, screening interval, or duration.
Family/Community Assess family need for social work support, care coordination, or follow-up genetic counseling if new questions arise (e.g., family planning).At each visit

ADHD = attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; ASD = autism spectrum disorder; OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy

1.

In older children / teenagers who do not have medical complications, the clinician may wish to review less frequently than in younger children.

2.

Current data suggest a slightly increased relative risk for the development of neuroblastoma in individuals with heterozygous germline EZH2 pathogenic variants. Although the numbers are too small to quantify the absolute tumor risk, it appears to be low (see Clinical Description, Tumors).

Agents/Circumstances to Avoid

Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH2 (EZH2), encoded by EZH2, is an enzymatic catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) [Duan et al 2020]. These proteins contribute to cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA damage repair and have therefore been identified as targets for cancer therapies [Duan et al 2020]. The efficacy and side effect profile of EZH2 inhibitors and PRC2 inhibitors may be altered in individuals with EZH2-related overgrowth (see EED-Related Overgrowth).

Evaluation of Relatives at Risk

See Genetic Counseling for issues related to testing of at-risk relatives for genetic counseling purposes.

Pregnancy Management

In general, pregnancies in which the mother and/or fetus has a heterozygous EZH2 pathogenic variant are uncomplicated. Families and their health care providers should be made aware that an affected baby may be large so that appropriate delivery plans can be made; in addition, information about the EZH2-related overgrowth phenotype should be provided.

See MotherToBaby for further information on medication use during pregnancy.

Therapies Under Investigation

Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is the process of providing individuals and families with information on the nature, mode(s) of inheritance, and implications of genetic disorders to help them make informed medical and personal decisions. The following section deals with genetic risk assessment and the use of family history and genetic testing to clarify genetic status for family members; it is not meant to address all personal, cultural, or ethical issues that may arise or to substitute for consultation with a genetics professional. —ED.

Mode of Inheritance

EZH2-related overgrowth is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

Risk to Family Members

Parents of a proband

Sibs of a proband. The risk to the sibs of the proband depends on the genetic status of the proband's parents:

Offspring of a proband. Each child of an individual with EZH2-related overgrowth has a 50% chance of inheriting the EZH2 pathogenic variant.

Other family members. The risk to other family members depends on the status of the proband's parents: if a parent has an EZH2 pathogenic variant, the parent's family members may be at risk.

Related Genetic Counseling Issues

Family planning

  • The optimal time for determination of genetic risk and discussion of the availability of prenatal/preimplantation genetic testing is before pregnancy.
  • It is appropriate to offer genetic counseling (including discussion of potential risks to offspring and reproductive options) to young adults who are affected or at risk.

Prenatal Testing and Preimplantation Genetic Testing

Once the EZH2 pathogenic variant has been identified in an affected family member, prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing are possible.

Differences in perspective may exist among medical professionals and within families regarding the use of prenatal testing. While most centers would consider use of prenatal testing to be a personal decision, discussion of these issues can be helpful.

Resources

GeneReviews staff has selected the following disease-specific and/or umbrella support organizations and/or registries for the benefit of individuals with this disorder and their families. GeneReviews is not responsible for the information provided by other organizations. For information on selection criteria, click here.

Molecular Genetics

Information in the Molecular Genetics and OMIM tables may differ from that elsewhere in the GeneReview: tables may contain more recent information. —ED.

Table A.

EZH2-Related Overgrowth: Genes and Databases

GeneChromosome LocusProteinLocus-Specific DatabasesHGMDClinVar
EZH2 7q36​.1 Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH2 EZH2 database EZH2 EZH2

Data are compiled from the following standard references: gene from HGNC; chromosome locus from OMIM; protein from UniProt. For a description of databases (Locus Specific, HGMD, ClinVar) to which links are provided, click here.

Table B.

OMIM Entries for EZH2-Related Overgrowth (View All in OMIM)

277590WEAVER SYNDROME; WVS
601573ENHANCER OF ZESTE 2 POLYCOMB REPRESSIVE COMPLEX 2 SUBUNIT; EZH2

Molecular Pathogenesis

Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase with a critical SET (su(var)3-9, enhancer of zeste, trithorax) domain, a pre-SET CXC domain, and two additional SANT (Sw13, Ada2, N-cor TFIIIB) domains [Wu et al 2013]. In combination with polycomb protein SUZ12 (SUZ12) and polycomb protein EED (EED), which form the polycomb repressor complex 2 (PCR2), EZH2 acts to repress transcription through the methylation of lysine residue 27 of histone 3, a function catalyzed by the SET domain [Cao et al 2002]. The protein alterations and the mechanism by which pathogenic EZH2 missense and truncating variants cause overgrowth are currently unknown. It is, however, noteworthy that pathogenic missense variants are the primary mutational mechanism; the few pathogenic truncating variants identified to date target the final exon and thus are likely to escape nonsense-mediated RNA decay. Current evidence suggests that EZH2-related overgrowth may be caused by impaired histone methyltransferase function [Cohen et al 2016, Lui et al 2018].

Mechanism of disease causation. Functional studies suggest that EZH2 pathogenic variants cause either partial or complete loss of protein function, resulting in impaired histone methyltransferase activity [Cohen et al 2016, Imagawa et al 2017, Lee et al 2018, Lui et al 2018]. However, alternative mechanisms of disease causation are theoretically possible [Cyrus et al 2019].

Epigenetic mutational signature analysis has shown that EZH2 gain-of-function variants may cause transcriptional changes that result in growth restriction, in contrast to EZH2-related overgrowth due to loss-of-function variants [Choufani et al 2020].

Further functional studies are needed to determine the precise mechanism of disease causation in EZH2-related overgrowth and other PRC2-related syndromes including Cohen-Gibson syndrome (see EED-Related Overgrowth) and Imagawa-Matsumoto syndrome.

EZH2-specific laboratory technical considerations. Based on a small number of cases, current data (in which the distribution of EZH2 variants in cases vs controls, conservation of the SET domain residues, and critical function of the SET domain in mediating histone methyltransferase activity were analyzed) suggest that SET domain missense variants are likely pathogenic.

Table 8.

EZH2 Pathogenic Variants Referenced in This GeneReview

Reference SequencesDNA Nucleotide ChangePredicted Protein ChangeComment [Reference]
NM_004456​.4
NP_004447​.2
c.394C>Tp.Pro132SerIdentified in a child who had a neuroblastoma in neonatal period that regressed spontaneously [Cohen et al 20161
c.395C>Tp.Pro132LeuIdentified in a child who had acute myeloid leukemia & secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis at age 16 yrs [Usemann et al 20161
c.398A>Gp.Tyr133CysIdentified in a child who had a neuroblastoma prenatally that required surgical resection [Cohen et al 20161
c.458A>Gp.Tyr153CysIdentified in a child who had a neuroblastoma at age four yrs [Griffiths et al 20191
c.2044G>Ap.Ala682ThrIdentified in a child who had acute lymphoblastic leukemia & neuroblastoma at age 13 mos [Tatton-Brown et al 20131
c.2050C>Tp.Arg684CysIdentified in a child who had a neuroblastoma at age 7 mos [Oh et al 20231
c.2233G>Ap.Glu745LysIdentified in a child who had pre-T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 13 yrs [Tatton-Brown et al 20131

Variants listed in the table have been provided by the authors. GeneReviews staff have not independently verified the classification of variants.

GeneReviews follows the standard naming conventions of the Human Genome Variation Society (varnomen​.hgvs.org). See Quick Reference for an explanation of nomenclature.

1.

Chapter Notes

Author History

Sharon Ocansey, MBBS, BSc, MSc (2024-present)
Nazneen Rahman, BM BCh, PhD; Institute of Cancer Research (2013-2024)
Katrina Tatton-Brown, BM BCh, MD (2013-present)

Revision History

  • 21 March 2024 (gm) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 2 August 2018 (bp) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 6 August 2015 (me) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 18 July 2013 (me) Review posted live
  • 23 January 2013 (ktb) Original submission

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