Ciliated Muconodular Papillary Tumors of the Lung Harboring STRN::ALK Fusion: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Int J Surg Pathol. 2024 Oct;32(7):1357-1363. doi: 10.1177/10668969241226707. Epub 2024 Feb 6.

Abstract

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT) is a rare pulmonary tumor, typically occurring in middle-aged and elderly individuals. The molecular mutation spectrum of CMPT remains insufficiently explored. Commonly known driver gene alterations include KRAS, BRAF, EGFR, and ALK rearrangement. This report details the clinicopathological features of 2 patients presenting with CMPT as pulmonary nodules during clinical examinations. Microscopic analysis revealed tumors with glandular or papillary structures, consisting of mucinous cells, ciliated columnar cells, and basal cells. Notably, both patients exhibited STRN::ALK fusion, a finding not previously associated with CMPT. STRN::ALK fusion serves as a target for therapy in various tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer, thyroid cancer, and colon cancer. Consequently, we conducted a review of relevant literature, summarizing the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of CMPT to facilitate further research. Our insights enhance the understanding of this uncommon tumor and contribute to the expansion of its molecular alteration spectrum.

Keywords: STRN::ALK fusion; ciliated muconodular papillary tumor; lung.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase* / genetics
  • Calmodulin-Binding Proteins
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / surgery
  • Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics

Substances

  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • ALK protein, human
  • STRN protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Calmodulin-Binding Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins