S100 and CD34 Expressing Mesenchymal Neoplasm With Rare PLEKHH2::ALK Fusion and Response to ALK Inhibition

Am J Surg Pathol. 2022 Sep 1;46(9):1309-1313. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000001887. Epub 2022 Mar 15.

Abstract

The PLEKHH2::ALK fusion is a rarely reported gene fusion identified predominantly in lung adenocarcinomas. Tumors with this fusion have been reported to be of durable response to ALK inhibitors. We herein present the case of a 21-year-old woman with a histomorphologically heterogenous mesenchymal neoplasm of the pelvis, expressing both s100 and CD34, with subsequently identified PLEKHH2::ALK fusion. To our knowledge, only a single mesenchymal neoplasm with this gene fusion has been previously reported. We propose that this tumor represents one with a novel ALK fusion in the emerging family of s100 and CD34 expressing mesenchymal neoplasms with oncogenic kinase alterations akin to NTRK -rearranged mesenchymal neoplasms, rather than inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Importantly, this tumor demonstrated a significant response to the ALK inhibitor brigatinib.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung*
  • Adult
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Fusion
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • S100 Proteins
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • S100 Proteins
  • plekhh2 protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases