Kinase expression in angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma: panTRK is commonly expressed in the absence of NTRK rearrangement

J Clin Pathol. 2024 Mar 20;77(4):251-254. doi: 10.1136/jcp-2023-209225.

Abstract

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a soft tissue tumour of intermediate (rarely metastasising) malignant potential, which harbours EWSR1/FUS gene fusions. These tumours can express anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in the absence of gene rearrangement or copy number alteration and can also coexpresses Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry (IHC). All EWSR1/FUS-rearranged AFH were retrieved from the files of three institutions and Pan-TRK (EPR17341), ALK and BRAF V600E IHC were performed. Fourteen AFH cases were identified, which included three cases of intracranial mesenchymal tumours with FET-CREB fusions. PanTRK and ALK positive immunostaining was identified in 9 (64.2%) and 12 (85.7%) cases, respectively. No NTRK or ALK translocations or increased copy number/amplification were identified in all eight cases which had fluorescence in situ hybridisation and/or next generation sequencing for NTRK1-3 and ALK available for assessment. None of the cases expressed BRAF-V600E.Although our study is limited, our report is the first to document PanTRK expression in AFH in the absence of identifiable NTRK1-3 gene alterations.

Keywords: Biomarkers, Tumor; IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY; Soft Tissue Neoplasms.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous* / genetics
  • Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* / genetics
  • Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases

Supplementary concepts

  • Histiocytoma, Angiomatoid Fibrous