Torres-Mora, Jorge

With the first series of PRRX1 -rearranged tumors published in 2019, the spectrum of these so-called fibroblastic tumors has been expanded. Since then, several smaller case series have been published; however, our understanding of them continues to be quite limited given their rarity. We herein studied 18 additional cases, the largest series to date. Eighteen tumors present in 9 male, 8 female, and 1 nonbinary patient with a median age of 35 years (range: 11 to 70 y) and involved the neck (5), the chest region (4), thigh (3), back (1), shoulder (1), forehead (1), lower leg (1), axilla (1), and the parapharyngeal region (1). Clinical follow-up (9/18 tumors; 50%; median: 10 mo; range: 4 to 40 mo) showed consistent indolent behavior without local recurrences or distant metastases. On morphology, these tumors were characterized by well-circumscription and distinctive peripheral crescent-shaped vessels. They were composed of uniform spindle and round cells growing in short fascicles within often densely hyalinized collagen lacking significant mitotic activity, necrosis, or cytologic atypia. Immunohistochemically, about half of the tested tumors expressed focal to rarely diffuse S100 with occasional co-expression of SOX10. Interestingly, almost half of the tested cases also showed complete loss of RB expression. All but 1 tumor harbored a PRRX1::NCOA1 fusion, while 1 case harbored a novel PRRX1::EP300 fusion. We herein provide additional data on these exceptionally uncommon tumors, expand their molecular spectrum, and compare them to their close morphologic mimics to aid in accurate diagnosis and avoid confusion with potentially more aggressive neoplasms.

ABSTRACT We report a case of a primary cutaneous spindle cell sarcoma (SCS) with FN1 :: FGFR1 fusion. The tumor lacked the typical histologic and immunohistochemical features associated with other FN1 ‐rearranged neoplasms, such as phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMT) and calcified chondroid mesenchymal neoplasms (CCMN). Unlike PMTs, which often feature a cartilaginous matrix and are associated with tumor‐induced osteomalacia (TIO), the present case lacked these characteristics and did not show FGF23 mRNA expression. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed patchy staining for CD34 but were negative for markers such as ERG, desmin, S100, and pan‐TRK. The fusion event in this case involves the loss of the FGFR1 Ig1 (D1) domain, a mechanism proposed to drive oncogenesis by releasing FGFR1 from autoinhibition. Despite the preservation of other FGFR1 domains, no evidence of FGF23 signaling was detected, and the patient had no clinical history of TIO. This case underscores the complexity of oncogenesis in FN1 :: FGFR1 ‐rearranged neoplasms, a form of “promiscuous” gene fusion, where similar fusions lead to diverse tumor phenotypes. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating molecular testing in diagnosing spindle cell sarcomas, particularly those occurring in acral sites, to identify this underrecognized entity.

Abstract One of the greatest barriers to curative treatment of neuroblastoma is its frequent metastatic outgrowth prior to diagnosis, especially in cases driven by amplification of the MYCN oncogene. However, only a limited number of regulatory proteins that contribute to this complex MYCN-mediated process have been elucidated. Here we show that the growth arrest-specific 7 (GAS7) gene, located at chromosome band 17p13.1, is preferentially deleted in high-risk MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. GAS7 expression was also suppressed in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma lacking 17p deletion. GAS7 deficiency led to accelerated metastasis in both zebrafish and mammalian models of neuroblastoma with overexpression or amplification of MYCN. Analysis of expression profiles and the ultrastructure of zebrafish neuroblastoma tumors with MYCN overexpression identified that GAS7 deficiency led to (i) downregulation of genes involved in cell–cell interaction, (ii) loss of contact among tumor cells as critical determinants of accelerated metastasis, and (iii) increased levels of MYCN protein. These results provide the first genetic evidence that GAS7 depletion is a critical early step in the cascade of events culminating in neuroblastoma metastasis in the context of MYCN overexpression. Significance: Heterozygous deletion or MYCN-mediated repression of GAS7 in neuroblastoma releases an important brake on tumor cell dispersion and migration to distant sites, providing a novel mechanism underlying tumor metastasis in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. See related commentary by Menard, p. 2815

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an uncommon low-grade malignant vascular tumor that may arise in soft tissue/bone or visceral sites such as the liver and lung. As this tumor exhibits epithelioid morphology, it frequently causes diagnostic confusion with other epithelioid vascular neoplasms as well as carcinoma. While 90% of classic EHE are driven by aWWTR1-CAMTA1fusion gene, a histologically distinctive subset of EHE has been recently shown to harbor a different fusion gene,YAP1-TFE3. This variant is likely underrecognized given its rarity and only recent description. Notably, EHE frequently involves the liver but only one case of hepaticYAP1-TFE3rearranged EHE has been reported to date. We present the second case ofYAP1-TFE3rearranged EHE affecting a 65-year-old woman and presenting as multiple liver masses, with characterization of the fusion gene at the transcriptomic and genomic levels. There are several educational points noted from this case.YAP1-TFE3rearranged EHE shows distinctly vasoformative foci, unlike classic EHE and mimicking angiosarcoma or epithelioid hemangioma. The tumors cells show a histiocytoid appearance with voluminous cytoplasm, similar to otherTFE3-rearranged tumors. Finally, in the liver, this tumor may in part mimic focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver which is an underrecognized diagnostic pitfall. This report highlights the key diagnostic and genetic features of this newly recognized variant of hepatic EHE to aid pathologists in appropriately classifying these tumors.