TRPS1 expression in cytologic specimens of salivary duct carcinoma and other salivary gland tumors

Ann Diagn Pathol. 2025 Feb:74:152406. doi: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2024.152406. Epub 2024 Nov 9.

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) is sensitive immunomarker for breast carcinoma (BC). Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) of salivary gland can share similar morphologic and immunophenotypic features with BC. This study aimed to assess the expression of TRPS1 in SDC and other salivary gland tumors (SGTs). Cytology cases and selected surgical specimens of SGTs were retrieved. Forty-three cases were selected and TRPS1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on cell blocks and some histologic specimens. Of those 43 cases, all 13 SDC cases showed TRPS1 expression except for one case. The remaining 30 cases include pleomorphic adenoma (n = 7), Warthin tumor (n = 4), basal cell adenoma (n = 3), adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 2), secretory carcinoma (n = 5), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 4), and acinic cell carcinoma (n = 5). Three of thirty cases were negative for TRPS1 while the remainder showed variable expression of TRPS1 ranging from focal weak to diffuse strong staining. The three negative cases include a case of secretory carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and Warthin tumor. Our study confirmed that TRPS1 expression is present in SDC and other SGTs, indicating an overlapping immunoprofile with breast cancer. Additionally, it may not help differentiate SDC or SGTs from each other. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed.

Keywords: Basal cell adenoma; Cytology; Malignant salivary gland tumors; Pleomorphic adenoma; Salivary duct carcinoma; Salivary gland; TRPS1; Warthin tumor.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Pleomorphic / diagnosis
  • Adenoma, Pleomorphic / metabolism
  • Adenoma, Pleomorphic / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Ductal / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Ductal / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Ductal / pathology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry* / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Repressor Proteins* / metabolism
  • Salivary Ducts / metabolism
  • Salivary Ducts / pathology
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Transcription Factors* / metabolism

Substances

  • TRPS1 protein, human
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors