Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: an examination of underlying histologic subtype and an analysis of associations with patient outcome.

To more fully characterize the clinical and pathologic spectrum of a recently described tumor entity of the sinonasal tract characterized by loss of nuclear expression of SMARCB1 (INI1), we analyzed 39 SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinomas collected from multiple medical centers The tumors affected 23 males and 16 females with an age range of 19 to 89 years (median, 52) All patients presented with locally advanced disease (T3, n=5; T4, n=27) involving the sinuses (mainly ethmoid) with variable involvement of the nasal cavity Thirty patients received surgery and/or radiochemotherapy with curative intent At last follow-up, 56% of patients died of disease 0 to 102 months after diagnosis (median, 15), 2 were alive with disease, and 1 died of an unrelated cause Only 9 patients (30%) were alive without disease at last follow-up (range, 11 to 115 mo; median, 26) The original diagnosis of retrospectively identified cases was most often sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (n=14) and nonkeratinizing/basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (n=5) Histologically, most tumors displayed either a predominantly basaloid (61%) or plasmacytoid/rhabdoid morphology (36%) The plasmacytoid/rhabdoid form consisted of sheets of tumor cells with abundant, eccentrically placed eosinophilic cytoplasm, whereas similar cells were typically rare and singly distributed in the basaloid variant Glandular differentiation was seen in a few tumors None of the cases showed squamous differentiation or surface dysplasia By immunohistochemistry, the tumors were positive for pancytokeratin (97%), CK5 (64%), p63 (55%), and CK7 (48%); and they were negative for NUT (0%) Epstein-Barr virus and high-risk human papillomavirus was not detected by in situ hybridization Immunohistochemical loss of SMARCB1 (INI1) expression was confirmed for all 39 tumors Investigation of other proteins in the SWI/SNF complex revealed co-loss of SMARCA2 in 4 cases, but none were SMARCA4 deficient or ARID1A deficient Of 27 tumors with SMARCB1 fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, 14 showed homozygous (biallelic) deletions and 7 showed heterozygous (monoallelic) deletions SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma represents an emerging poorly differentiated/undifferentiated sinonasal carcinoma that (1) cannot be better classified as another specific tumor type, (2) has consistent histopathologic findings (albeit with some variability) with varying proportions of plasmacytoid/rhabdoid cells, and (3) demonstrates an aggressive clinical course This entity should be considered in any difficult-to-classify sinonasal carcinoma, as correct diagnosis will be mandatory for optimizing therapy and for further delineation of this likely underdiagnosed disease

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SMARCB1 (INI-1)-deficient Sinonasal Carcinoma: A Series of 39 Cases Expanding the Morphologic and Clinicopathologic Spectrum of a Recently Described Entity.

Undifferentiated gastrointestinal tract carcinomas are rare highly aggressive neoplasms with frequent but not obligatory rhabdoid features. Recent studies showed loss of SMARCB1 (INI1), a core subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, in 50% of tested cases. However, the molecular pathways underlying histologically similar but SMARCB1-intact cases are unknown. We herein analyzed 13 cases for expression of 4 SWI/SNF complex subunits SMARCB1, SMARCA2, SMARCA4, and ARID1A and the mismatch-repair proteins MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 by immunohistochemistry. Patients included 12 men and 1 woman aged 32 to 81 years (median, 57 y). Site of origin was colon (5), small bowel (2), stomach (3), small+large intestine (1), small intestine+ampulla of Vater (1), and esophagogastric junction (1). All tumors showed anaplastic large to medium-sized cells with variable rhabdoid features, pleomorphic giant cells, and, rarely, spindle cell foci. Abortive gland formation was seen in 3 cases and bona fide glandular component in 1 case. Most cases strongly expressed vimentin and variably pancytokeratin. In total, 12/13 cases (92%) showed loss of at least 1 SWI/SNF component. Loss of SMARCB1 (5/13), SMARCA2 (10/13), SMARCA4 (2/13), and ARID1A (2/13) was observed either in combination or isolated. SMARCA2 loss was isolated in 5 cases and coexisted with lost SMARCB1 in 5 cases (all 5 SMARCB1-deficient tumors showed loss of SMARCA2 as well). Co-inactivation of SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 or of SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 was not observed. Two mismatch-repair-deficient cases (MLH1/PMS2) showed concurrent loss of SMARCB1, SMARCA2, and (one of them) ARID1A. This study illustrates for the first time loss of different components of the SWI/SNF complex other than SMARCB1 in undifferentiated gastrointestinal carcinomas including novel SMARCA4-deficient and SMARCA2-deficient cases. Our results underline the close link between SWI/SNF deficiency and the aggressive rhabdoid phenotype. Frequent loss of SMARCA2 possibly points to fragility/vulnerability of the SWI/SNF complex as a consequence of lost core subunit SMARCB1. The exact molecular mechanisms underlying co-inactivation of different SWI/SNF subunits merit further investigations.

SWI/SNF Complex-deficient Undifferentiated/Rhabdoid Carcinomas of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Series of 13 Cases Highlighting Mutually Exclusive Loss of SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 and Frequent Co-inactivation of SMARCB1 and SMARCA2.

The identification of mutations and deletions in the SMARCB1 locus in chromosome band 22q11.2 in pediatric rhabdoid tumors provided the first evidence for the involvement of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex in cancer. Over the last 15 years, alterations in more than 20 members of the complex have been reported in a variety of human tumors. These include germline mutations and copy number alterations in SMARCB1, SMARCA4, SMARCE1, and PBRM1 that predispose carriers to both benign and malignant neoplasms. Somatic mutations, structural abnormalities, or epigenetic modifications that lead to reduced or aberrant expression of complex members have now been reported in more than 20% of malignancies, including both solid tumors and hematologic disorders in both children and adults. In this review, we will highlight the role of SMARCB1 in cancer as a paradigm for other tumors with alterations in SWI/SNF complex members and demonstrate the broad spectrum of mutations observed in complex members in different tumor types.

SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes and cancer

Clinicopathological and molecular characterization of SMARCA4-deficient thoracic sarcomas with comparison to potentially related entities.

Pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma (PEAC), a extremely rare variant of primary invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung, was recognized by the international multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma which was proposed by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), the American Thoracic Society (ATS), and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) published in early 2011. Histologically, PEAC is considered to be mainly composed of tall columnar cells arranged in an irregular glandular cavity or cribriform pattern with extensive central necrosis which show high resemblance to that of intestinal epithelia and colorectal carcinomas. Immunohistochemically, PEAC can not only expresses typical proteins common to lung primaries but is positive for at least one intestinal markers, such as CDX2, cytokeratin (CK) 20, MUC2, therefore, the differentiation of primary PEACs from metastatic colorectal cancers can be challenging. In this study, we report 9 cases of PEAC and a panel of immunohistochemical protein markers of CK7, CK20, thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), Napsin A, MUC2 and villin was analyzed with the comparison of 20 metastatic colorectal carcinomas (MCRs), and 20 typical primary adenocarcinomas (tPACs). As was expected, CK7 expression was documented in all 9 PEACs and 20 tPCAs while CK20 was significantly more prevalent in adenocarcinoma that originated from colorectal. Additionally, we evaluate the classical mutations of EGFR, KRAS in the 9 cases of PEACs, it turned out that all tumors were EGFR-wild and KRAS-wild types, which confirmed that PEAC has a separate phenotype from usual pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma: a study of the clinicopathologic and molecular status of nine cases.

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) is traditionally classified into type 1 and type 2. Recently, an oncocytic variant of PRCC has been described. We report a series of 6 oncocytic renal papillary tumors (OPRCC) which tended to occur in older patients (mean, 56.8 years) with a male preference (male-to-female ratio is 5:1). All 6 patients are alive with no evidence of disease after initial resection, showing an indolent clinical behavior. Histologically, tumors exhibited predominant papillary structure with delicate fibrovascular cores. Papillae were lined by single layers of cells with large, deeply eosinophilic and finely granular cytoplasms and round regular nucleus. The phagocytosis of tumor cells was frequently and evidently seen in our cases that hemosiderin-laden tumor cells and foamy tumor cells were noticed in five and four cases respectively. All tumors were immunoreactive for racemase, vimentin, CD10, and MET and negative for CD117. While E-cadherin, EMA, and cytokeratin 7 exhibited variable immunopositivity. FISH analysis was performed in five of six cases and found heterogeneous results. Trisomy of chromosomes 7 was found in three cases and trisomy of chromosomes 17 in two cases. Loss of chromosome Y was noted in one of four tumors in male patients. MET gene status was also investigated by direct sequencing in all 6 cases and found no distinct mutation in any case. These results suggest that OPRCC shows distinct morphology, indolent clinical behavior, and similar immunohistochemical and cytogenetic features with PRCC, seems to be a variant in the PRCC group. Whether the strong expression of MET indicates a potential therapeutic target is still unknown and requires further investigation in clinical trials.

Oncocytic papillary renal cell carcinoma: a clinicopathological study emphasizing distinct morphology, extended immunohistochemical profile and cytogenetic features

Objectives: To investigate the clinicopathologic, immunophenotypic, ultrastructural, and molecular features of thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like elements (CASTLE).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathologic data of 10 patients with CASTLE and described the immunophenotypic and ultrastructural features of these tumors. The expression of Epstein-Barr virus–encoded RNA and the gene status of EGFR, C-KIT, and HER-2 were also assessed by molecular techniques.

Results: The tumor cells were positive for CD5, CD117, p63, HMWK, EGFR, GLUT-1, Pax8, E-cadherin, bcl-2, and p53 in all cases and for CA-IX, CEA, p16, HER-2, and neuroendocrine markers in some cases. Ultrastructural examination indicated that the tumor cells contained large quantities of tonofilament with abundant intercellular desmosomes, including intracytoplasmic neuroendocrine granules in one case. EGFR gene amplification in two patients and polyploidy of chromosome 7 in one patient were identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Sequencing analysis revealed that a synonymous mutation, Q787Q 2363 (G→A), occurred on exon 20 of the EGFR gene in three patients.

Conclusions: GLUT-1 can be used as a novel biomarker for CASTLE, and combined detection of GLUT-1 with CD5 and CD117 aids in the diagnosis of this tumor. Aberrant expression of Bcl-2, p53, p16, E-cadherin, EGFR, C-KIT, and HER-2 may play important roles in the development of CASTLE.

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Thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like elements: a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular analysis.

Aims

Malignant rhabdoid tumours (MRTs) are highly aggressive malignancies of early infancy characterized by inactivation of SMARCB1, a core member of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodelling complex. The aim of this study was to explore the status of multiple key subunits of the SWI/SNF complex in MRTs.



Methods and results

We screened the key subunits of the SWI/SNF complex, including SMARCB1, SMARCA2, PBRM1, SMARCA4, and ARID1A, in four MRTs by immunohistochemistry, sequencing, and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Complete loss of SMARCB1, SMARCA2 and PBRM1 expression and corresponding mutations in the same genes were observed in all cases. The mutations included seven missense, three same-sense, four frameshift and two truncating mutations. FISH revealed heterozygous deletion of SMARCB1 in one case, and monoploidy of chromosome 22, which harbours SMARCB1, in another case. Furthermore, trisomy of chromosome 9, which harbours SMARCA2, was observed in two cases. Abnormality of PBRM1 was not found in any case.



Conclusions

We report, for the first time, co-inactivation and frequent mutations of SMARCB1, SMARCA2 and PBRM1 in MRTs. Multiple subunit abnormalities of the SWI/SNF complex potentially act together to contribute to the tumorigenesis of MRTs, which provides unique insights into this disease.

Frequent co-inactivation of the SWI/SNF subunits SMARCB1, SMARCA2 and PBRM1 in malignant rhabdoid tumours.

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine the status of Brahma (BRM), a key SWI/SNF complex subunit, in clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), and to analyse the histopathology, immunophenotype, molecular features and prognosis of the BRM-negative cases.



Methods and results

We identified 19 cases of grade 4 tumours lacking BRM expression among 625 clear cell RCCs. All 19 cases exhibited features of poor differentiation: 13 showed pure poorly differentiated morphology, while six were composite tumours with an admixed typical low-grade component. Besides negative BRM expression, the immunophenotype of these cases was similar to clear cell RCC. VHL gene mutations were identified in nine of the 19 patients (47%). Chromosome 3p deletion was detected in 11 of 13 poorly differentiated RCCs and both areas of five of five composite tumours. All poorly differentiated tumour areas showed polysomy of chromosome 3. No losses or gains of chromosome 3 were observed in low-grade tumour areas of five of five composite RCCs.



Conclusions

We have shown that loss of BRM expression is a common feature among poorly differentiated tumours in clear cell RCCs. We hypothesize that loss of BRM expression is involved in tumor de-differentiation in clear cell RCCs and may play an important role during tumour progression.

Yan-fen Wang

Papers

Pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma: a study of the clinicopathologic and molecular status of nine cases.

Oncocytic papillary renal cell carcinoma: a clinicopathological study emphasizing distinct morphology, extended immunohistochemical profile and cytogenetic features

Thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like elements: a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular analysis.

Frequent co-inactivation of the SWI/SNF subunits SMARCB1, SMARCA2 and PBRM1 in malignant rhabdoid tumours.

Loss of BRM expression is a frequently observed event in poorly differentiated clear cell renal cell carcinoma.