A novel WWTR1::AFF2 fusion in an intra-abdominal soft tissue sarcoma with associated endometriosis Journal Article


Authors: Dashti, N. K.; Dermawan, J. K.; Schoolmeester, J. K.; Halling, K. C.; Antonescu, C. R.
Article Title: A novel WWTR1::AFF2 fusion in an intra-abdominal soft tissue sarcoma with associated endometriosis
Abstract: Application of molecular testing in clinical practice has led to significant advances in the classification of soft tissue sarcomas. Despite remarkable progress, there are still challenging cases that remain unclassified. In this study, we present an unusual spindle cell sarcoma arising in the abdominal cavity of a 37-year-old female. An extensive panel of immunostains was nonspecific for a line of differentiation and the tumor was subjected to targeted RNA sequencing for further classification. The findings showed a novel WWTR1::AFF2 fusion, which was further confirmed by break-apart FISH analysis for WWTR1 gene rearrangement. The tumor was attached to the wall of sigmoid colon and showed a highly cellular proliferation of plump spindle to epithelioid cells arranged in intersecting fascicles. Areas of extensive endometriosis were identified adjacent to the tumor. The immunoprofile was significant for reactivity with desmin, calponin, WT-1, ER, and PR, while negative for CD10, SMA, caldesmon, pan-keratin, ALK, CD117, and S100. The patient is alive and well after 11 months of follow-up. The exact histogenesis of this sarcoma remains unclear, however, the presence of adjacent endometriosis and coexpression of WT1/ER/PR raises the possibility of an unusual endometrioid stromal sarcoma, occurring outside the GYN tract. Additional cases are needed to establish the recurrent potential of this fusion event and to better define its pathogenesis and clinical behavior. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; adult; clinical article; human tissue; protein expression; genetics; case report; follow up; endometrial neoplasms; laparotomy; cytoreductive surgery; gene; gastrointestinal stromal tumor; tumor volume; nuclear protein; pathology; tumor marker; nuclear proteins; abdominal pain; sarcoma; fluorescence in situ hybridization; gene rearrangement; signal peptide; intracellular signaling peptides and proteins; gene fusion; soft tissue sarcoma; sepsis; calponin; wt1 protein; spindle cell sarcoma; estrogen receptor; progesterone receptor; lymphocytic infiltration; endometrium tumor; soft tissue neoplasms; soft tissue tumor; desmin; endometriosis; fusion; anastomosis leakage; abscess; abdominal cancer; sigmoidectomy; omentectomy; endometrial stromal; abdominal cavity; wwtr1 gene; humans; human; female; article; rna sequencing; wwtr1; biomarkers, tumor; side to side anastomosis; bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; aff2; aff2 protein, human; wwtr1 protein, human; aff2 gene; intraabdominal soft tissue sarcoma; total hysterectomy; transcriptional coactivator with pdz-binding motif proteins
Journal Title: Genes Chromosomes and Cancer
Volume: 61
Issue: 8
ISSN: 1045-2257
Publisher: Wiley Periodicals, Inc  
Date Published: 2022-08-01
Start Page: 497
End Page: 502
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23045
PUBMED: 35429182
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC9233893
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 July 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Cristina R Antonescu
    895 Antonescu