YWHAE rearrangement identified by FISH and RT-PCR in endometrial stromal sarcomas: genetic and pathological correlations

Mod Pathol. 2013 Oct;26(10):1390-400. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2013.69. Epub 2013 Apr 19.

Abstract

Endometrial stromal sarcomas represent the second most common mesenchymal uterine tumor. The 2003 WHO classification distinguishes low-grade and undifferentiated endometrial stromal sarcomas with different prognoses. Endometrial stromal sarcomas are a genetically heterogeneous group of sarcomas harboring different cytogenetic anomalies. Recently, a fusion between the YWHAE and FAM22A/B genes subsequent to a t(10;17) (q22;p13) has been described in endometrial sarcomas with high-grade histology. We examined YWHAE rearrangements by FISH break-apart and RT-PCR in a series of 27 undifferentiated uterine stromal sarcoma without JAZF1 rearrangements. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was carried out with a panel of antibodies (estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors, CD10, Cyclin D1, β-catenin, p53, and Ki-67). We identified a subgroup of endometrial sarcomas with high-grade histology and uniform morphology harboring YWHAE rearrangements. FISH break-apart was interpretable in 20 cases (74%). Twelve cases (60%) showed <10% of tumor cells with a YWHAE rearrangement, 4 cases (20%) showed between 10 and ≤20%, and 4 (20%) >20%. RT-PCR was tested on 24/27 cases (88%) and 19 cases were interpretable (79%). Five cases (26%) showed a specific fusion transcript YWHAE-FAM22A/B sequence. The best concordance rate between FISH and RT-PCR (94%) was obtained with the threshold of 20% of cells with a YWHAE rearrangement. The YWHAE-rearranged cases showed high-grade morphology with uniform appearance, spindle or round epithelioid cells, low ER and PR, CD10 expression, and a high and diffuse positivity for Cyclin D1, p53, and nuclear β-catenin negativity. Cyclin D1 was the most sensitive marker for high-grade endometrial sarcomas with YWHAE rearrangement. All undifferentiated uterine sarcomas with pleomorphic appearances did not harbor any YWHAE rearrangements, except for one case. Overall, for endometrial sarcoma cases with high-grade morphology we recommend to test for YWHAE rearrangements by FISH break-apart, a cost- and time-efficient method, and to complete the investigation by RT-PCR in borderline cases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins / genetics*
  • 14-3-3 Proteins / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / genetics*
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / metabolism
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / pathology

Substances

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • YWHAE protein, human