Genomic profiling aids classification of diagnostically challenging uterine mesenchymal tumors with myomelanocytic differentiation Journal Article


Authors: Selenica, P.; Conlon, N.; Gonzalez, C.; Frosina, D.; Jungbluth, A. A.; Beets-Tan, R. G. H.; Rao, M. K.; Zhang, Y.; Benayed, R.; Ladanyi, M.; Solit, D. B.; Chiang, S.; Hyman, D. M.; Hensley, M. L.; Soslow, R. A.; Weigelt, B.; Murali, R.
Article Title: Genomic profiling aids classification of diagnostically challenging uterine mesenchymal tumors with myomelanocytic differentiation
Abstract: Although diagnosis of high-grade uterine mesenchymal tumors (UMTs) exhibiting classic morphologic features is straightforward, diagnosis is more challenging in tumors in which prototypical features are poorly developed, focal, and/or coexist with features seen in other neoplasms. Here, we sought to define the repertoire of somatic genetic alterations in diagnostically challenging UMTs with myomelanocytic differentiation, including some reported as perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas). In 17 samples from 15 women, the tumors were histologically heterogenous. Immunohistochemical expression of at least 1 melanocytic marker (HMB45, Melan-A, or MiTF) was identified in all tumors, and of myogenic markers (desmin or smooth muscle actin) in most tumors. Targeted massively parallel sequencing revealed several genetic alterations, most commonly in TP53 (41% mutation, 12% deletion), TSC2 (29% mutation, 6% deletion), RB1 (18% deletion), ATRX (24% mutation), MED12 (12% mutation), BRCA2 (12% deletion), CDKN2A (6% deletion) as well as FGFR3, NTRK1, and ERBB3 amplification (each 6%). Gene rearrangements (JAZF1-SUZ12; DNAJB6-PLAG1; and SFPQ-TFE3) were identified in 3 tumors. Integrating histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and genetic findings, tumors from 4 patients were consistent with malignant PEComa (1 TFE3-rearranged); 6 were classified as leiomyosarcomas; 3 showed overlapping features of PEComa and other sarcoma types (leiomyosarcoma or low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma); and 2 were classified as sarcoma, not otherwise specified. Our findings suggest that diagnostically challenging UMTs with myomelanocytic differentiation represent a heterogenous group of neoplasms which harbor a diverse repertoire of somatic genetic alterations; these genetic alterations can aid classification. © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: genetics; pathology; uterus; pecoma; perivascular epithelioid cell tumor; somatic mutations; melanocytic differentiation; myomelanocytic differentiation
Journal Title: American Journal of Surgical Pathology
Volume: 45
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0147-5185
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2021-01-01
Start Page: 77
End Page: 92
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001572
PUBMED: 32889887
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8276853
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 4 January 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. David Solit
    778 Solit
  2. Marc Ladanyi
    1326 Ladanyi
  3. Martee L Hensley
    289 Hensley
  4. Robert Soslow
    793 Soslow
  5. David Hyman
    354 Hyman
  6. Rajmohan Murali
    219 Murali
  7. Achim Jungbluth
    454 Jungbluth
  8. Denise Frosina
    123 Frosina
  9. Mamta K Rao
    21 Rao
  10. Niamh Conlon
    28 Conlon
  11. Britta Weigelt
    632 Weigelt
  12. Rym Benayed
    188 Benayed
  13. Sarah   Chiang
    146 Chiang
  14. Pier Selenica
    189 Selenica
  15. Yanming Zhang
    199 Zhang