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Germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in the CDH1 gene predispose to hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, a cancer susceptibility syndrome inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, initially characterized by the increased risk for diffuse gastric cancer (DGC) but subsequently well documented to be associated with lobular breast cancer (LBC) in women.
Features include always present findings: Stomach cancer; and sometimes findings: Cleft palate and Cleft upper lip. 4 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Head and neck | 2 | Cleft palate, Cleft upper lip |
Diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome (DGLBCS) is characterized by an increased risk of diffuse gastric cancer (DGC) and lobular breast cancer (LBC). Cleft lip with or without cleft palate has been reported in some individuals with CDH1-related DGLBCS. Table 2. Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome: Frequency of Select Features
Feature | Frequency of Feature by Gene | Comment |
|---|---|---|
CTNNA1 Diffuse gastric cancer | 10%-70% of males1,27%-56% of females1,2 | 49%-57%3 |
Lobular breast cancer | 37%-42% of females1,4 | NR |
Cleft lip ± cleft palate | 3%5 | NR |
Source: GeneReviews — "Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome"
CDH1 encodes cadherin 1 (882 aa). Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins. Highest expression in Esophagus Mucosa (140.3 TPM) and Thyroid (130.1 TPM).
CDH1-related diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome is caused by mutations in the CDH1 gene on chromosome 16.
CDH1 is classified as a druggable target (Clinically Actionable and Druggable Genome categories) with score 13.1.
CDH1. Pathogenic variants located in the CDH1 linker regions between the extracellular domains have been associated with cleft lip/palate. A specific protein region responsible for calcium ion chelation displayed high intolerance to missense substitutions (between amino acids 253 and 260) .
Source: GeneReviews — "Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome"
The penetrance of DGLBCS is reduced. CDH1. A study that included 75 families with germline CDH1 pathogenic variants found that by age 80 years, the cumulative incidence of gastric cancer including DGC was 70% (95% CI: 59%-80%) for males and 56% (95% CI: 44%-69%) for females, and the risk of breast cancer including LBC for females was 42% (95% CI: 23%-68%) . In a second study not exclusively selected based on strict DGLBC criteria, the cumulative incidence of gastric cancer including DGC by age 80 years was 42% (95% CI: 30%-56%) for males and 33% (95% CI: 21%-43%) for females with a CDH1 pathogenic variant. Additionally, the estimated cumulative incidence of female breast cancer in this cohort was 55% (95% CI: 39%-68%) .
Source: GeneReviews — "Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome"
Consensus genetic testing criteria for diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome (DGLBCS), also known as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), have been published .
DGLBCS should be suspected in a proband with ANY of the following clinical features or family history :
Clinical features
Source: GeneReviews — "Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome"
An estimated 5%-10% of all gastric cancers are thought to present familial clustering ; only a small fraction of gastric cancers are believed to be hereditary and explained by a genetic cause. Identification of individuals at risk for diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome (DGLBCS) is complicated by several factors: • DGLBCS is one of several hereditary cancer syndromes characterized by gastric and breast cancer and associated premalignant lesions. • Risk of a hereditary cancer syndrome with an overlapping tumor spectrum may not be apparent in an individual with an unknown/unreported family history presenting with isolated gastric or breast cancer detected at early age . Detailed histologic classification of gastric (diffuse vs non-diffuse) and breast (lobular vs non-lobular) cancers is necessary to identify individuals and families at risk for DGLBCS and to facilitate appropriate genetic testing. Cancer predisposition syndromes that include gastric and/or breast cancer as part of their disease spectrum (despite not being the primary associated cancers) are listed in . Table 4. Cancer Predisposition Syndromes in the Differential Diagnosis of Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI |
|---|
Genetic testing for CDH1 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for CDH1-related diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for CDH1-related diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
Clinical practice guidelines for diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome (DGLBCS) have been published .
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with DGLBCS, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 5.
Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| • Referral to a DGC center of expertise for screening
Endoscopy w/multiple gastric biopsies to assess for macroscopic tumor microscopic pre-malignant or malignant lesions
Eval for H pylori infection given its major role as risk factor in gastric carcinogenesis1
| • For those w/CDH1 pathogenic variant or CTNNA1 truncating pathogenic variant, beginning in early adulthood or 5-10 yrs prior to earliest gastric cancer diagnosis in family w/minimum age of 18 yrs
For those w/suspected DGLBCS of unknown cause, beginning at age 40 yrs or 5-10 yrs prior to earliest gastric cancer case in family, w/minimum age of 18 yrs
| In females:
Referral to high-risk breast cancer clinic
Clinical breast exam in those age ≥20 yrs
Breast MRI in those age 30-40 yrs
Breast MRI combined w/mammography in those age ≥40 yrs
| • Mammography alone is inadequate to identify LBC; if MRI is unavailable, consider incl breast ultrasound.
Source: GeneReviews — "Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome"
Clinical trials, targeted therapies, and predictive markers of therapy response directed to DGC or LBC are scarce. Ongoing studies are mainly investigating alternate medication doses and combining therapeutic agents that are approved for sporadic gastric cancer and other solid tumors (e.g., platinum compounds, fluropyrimidines, and topoisomerase I inhibitors). Immunotherapy for anti-HER2, anti-VEGDR2, and anti-PD1 have been approved for treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma; however, treatment data for DGC is weak. The MONO study (NCT01197885), a Phase II clinical trial, examined the outcome of zolbetuximab (monoclonal antibody against CLDN18.2: IMAB362) monotherapy in a series of individuals with recurrent or refractory, locally advanced or metastatic, CLDN18.
Source: GeneReviews — "Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome"
1 trial found
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized (individuals with CDH1- or CTNNA1-related DGLBCS) and 7b (individuals with DGLBCS of unknown genetic cause) are recommended.
Table 7a.
CDH1- or CTNNA1-Related Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency
| Referral to high-risk gastric cancer screening program |
Upper endoscopy to incl:
Thorough ≥30-minute exam
Targeted biopsies of all suspicious lesions
Followed by random biopsies from specific anatomic regions using IGCLC Cambridge1 or Bethesda method2,3
Note: Endoscopy permits direct inspection biopsy of suspicious areas; however, DGC tends to spread in submucosa, where lesions are difficult to identify. | • Every 6-12 mos beginning at age 40 yrs (or 5-10 yrs prior to earliest gastric cancer diagnosis in family), w/minimum age of 18 yrs
Note: (1) For individuals w/unclear risk of DGC, the interval between endoscopies can be increased after 2 consecutive normal endoscopies at discretion of a DGC specialist based on endoscopy findings family history. (2) Choosing endoscopy surveillance vs prophylactic gastrectomy is challenging; it is difficult to determine if intramucosal lesions identified on endoscopy will remain indolent /or become aggressive.
Source: GeneReviews — "Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 1 always present feature.
1 clinical trial registered, 1 recruiting. Interventions under study include other interventions. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
167 publications have been identified in PubMed for CDH1-related diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (36%), Basic Science / Preclinical (17%), and Diagnostic / Biomarker (13%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Research summaries | 60 | 36% |
Laboratory research | 28 | 17% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 21 | 13% |
Patient case studies | 20 | 12% |
Disease patterns and progression | 14 | 8% |
Clinical study results | 9 | 5% |
Other research | 8 | 5% |
New treatment approaches | 7 | 4% |
Bekai C (2026). [PMID: 41703656](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41703656/). *J Med Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Xiao Y (2026). [PMID: 41610716](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41610716/). *Biochem Biophys Res Commun*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Li P (2026). [PMID: 41717787](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41717787/). *Future Oncol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Lee H (2026). [PMID: 41297892](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41297892/). *Zentralbl Chir*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Mukaisho KI (2026). [PMID: 42260979](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42260979/). *Dig Endosc*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Lobo S (2026). [PMID: 40998418](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40998418/). *Gut*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Chen Q (2026). [PMID: 41832397](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41832397/). *Cell Biol Toxicol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Vijayvergia N (2026). [PMID: 41236448](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41236448/). *Gastroenterology*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Hu C (2026). [PMID: 41679194](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41679194/). *EBioMedicine*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Qiu QZ (2026). [PMID: 41747719](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41747719/). *Cell Rep Med*. [Other]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 5:40 PM UTC
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Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Common questions about CDH1-related diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer syndrome
Features of Disorder Distinguishing from DGLBCS |
|---|
APC-assoc polyposis conditions | AD | Gastric cancer | Gastric cancer often differs histologically from DGC.; CRC is the most commonly assoc cancer.; Adenomatous gastrointestinal polyps; Additional physical features (dental anomalies, CHRPE, osteomas) BMPR1A SMAD4 | — |
Juvenile polyposis syndrome | AD | Gastric cancer | Gastrointestinal polyposis BRCA1 BRCA2 | — |
BRCA1- BRCA2-assoc hereditary breast ovarian cancer | AD | Breast cancer; Gastric cancer1 | Risk of other cancers (ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, melanoma) MAX SDHA SDHAF2 SDHB SDHC SDHD TMEM127 | — |
Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma syndromes | AD | Gastric cancer | GIST; Risk of other cancers (paragangliomas, pheochromocytomas, renal clear cell); Pulmonary chondromas MLH1 MSH2 MSH6 PMS2 EPCAM | — |
Lynch syndrome | AD | Gastric cancer (≤20% is DGC in those w/Lynch syndrome)2; Breast cancer3 | Gastric cancer often differs histologically from DGC.; CRC is the most commonly assoc cancer.; Risk of other cancers (endometrium, ovary, stomach, small bowel, urinary tract, biliary tract, brain) MUTYH | — |
MUTYH polyposis | AR | Gastric cancer | Colonic adenomatous polyps; CRC is the most commonly assoc cancer. | — |
PALB2 | PALB2-related hereditary breast ovarian cancer (OMIM 620442) | AD | Gastric cancer; Breast cancer | Risk of other cancers (ovarian pancreas) PTEN |
Source: GeneReviews — "Diffuse Gastric and Lobular Breast Cancer Syndrome"