Beyond hybrid morphology: A large series of fusion-driven benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors including 5 tumors with novel fusions Journal Article


Authors: Dehner, C. A.; Platero-Portillo, T.; Jour, G.; Saoud, C.; Zhang, Y.; Buehler, D.; Hameed, M.; Michal, M.; Kerr, D.; Busam, K. J.; Agaimy, A.; Torres-Mora, J.; Antonescu, C. R.; Linos, K.
Article Title: Beyond hybrid morphology: A large series of fusion-driven benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors including 5 tumors with novel fusions
Abstract: Benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with varying histologic and molecular characteristics. Although traditional classifications categorize these tumors based on predominant cell types, recent advances in molecular pathology have revealed the presence of hybrid tumors featuring elements from at least 2 nerve sheath tumors (hybrid peripheral nerve sheath tumor [hPNST]). We herein studied 20 cases of hPNST involving 15 female and 5 male patients (median age, 29.5 years; range, 3 weeks-71 years). Tumors occurred on the upper extremity (6), scalp (3), trunk (3), face (3), lower extremity (2), right lateral neck (1), nasal sinus (1), and retroperitoneum (1). Follow-up information was available in 9 of 20 cases (45%; median, 10 months; range, 2 weeks-144 months) and documented local recurrence in 2 of 9 patients (22%) at 10 and 144 months after incomplete excision. Next-generation sequencing demonstrated vestigial-like family member 3 (VGLL3) fusions in 14 cases, fused with CHD7 (10 tumors), CHD9 (3 tumors), and MAMLD1 (1 tumor), an alternative TEAD1::NCOA2 (1 tumor) fusion and several novel fusions including TOX::TEAD1 (2 tumors), RREB1::LPP (1 tumor), SRF::MYOCD (1 tumor), and KANK1::CDK5RAP2 (1 tumor). Most tumors with VGLL3 fusions showed morphologically and immunophenotypically classic features of hybrid schwannoma-perineurioma, whereas rare cases showed unusual microscopic features, such as prominent myxoid stroma, pseudolipoblasts, prominent Schwannian nodules, or solely schwannomatous morphology. The RREB1::LPP-driven tumor showed features of hybrid schwannoma-neurofibroma. Lastly, 1 tumor with a novel SRF::MYOCD fusion displayed morphologic features reminiscent of desmoplastic melanoma although exhibiting a combined neural and smooth muscle phenotype. Our data expand on the morphologic and molecular spectrum of fusion-driven hPNSTs, including 5 previously undescribed fusions, and further expand on noncentral nervous system schwannomas with VGLL3 fusions. © 2025 United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; adult; child; clinical article; human tissue; preschool child; school child; aged; middle aged; excision; young adult; human cell; histopathology; follow up; phenotype; tumor localization; cohort analysis; dna methylation; histology; punch biopsy; rna; fluorescence in situ hybridization; dna; tumor recurrence; newborn; scalp; stroma; desmoplastic melanoma; nerve sheath tumor; tead1; neurofibroma; peripheral nerve; retroperitoneum; neurilemoma; molecular pathology; hybrid; excisional biopsy; high throughput sequencing; benign neoplasm; upper limb; human; male; female; article; rna sequencing; vgll3; lower limb; hybrid nerve sheath tumor; schwannoma-perineurioma; benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor
Journal Title: Modern Pathology
Volume: 38
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0893-3952
Publisher: Nature Research  
Date Published: 2025-10-01
Start Page: 100806
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2025.100806
PUBMED: 40484320
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Konstantinos Linos -- Erratum issued, see DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2025.100839 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Meera Hameed
    284 Hameed
  2. Cristina R Antonescu
    902 Antonescu
  3. Klaus J Busam
    690 Busam
  4. Konstantinos Linos
    58 Linos
  5. Yanming Zhang
    203 Zhang
  6. Carla Saoud
    23 Saoud