Smooth muscle hyperplasia in protein kinase C-fused blue naevi: Report of 12 cases.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: PKC-fused blue naevi are a recently described group of melanocytic tumours that have distinctive morphological features, including a pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma-like junctional component or a dermal biphasic architecture associating with naevocytoid nests surrounded by dendritic and spindled pigmented melanocytes (so-called 'combined common and blue naevus'). There have been reports of smooth muscle hyperplasia in a hamartoma-like pattern in cases of combined blue naevi without genetic exploration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Herein, we describe 12 cases of protein kinase C (PKC)-fused blue tumours associated with a co-existing smooth muscle hyperplasia, identified from a total of 98 PKC-fused melanocytic tumours. Archived slides of PKC-fused blue naevi with haematoxylin, eosin and phloxin staining, immunohistochemistry and molecular confirmation of a PKC-fusion by fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) or RNAseq were re-evaluated for identification of notable smooth muscle hyperplasia. Fifty-one of these slides had already been studied in a previous publication from our group. RESULTS: The hyperplasia ranged from hypertrophic arrector pili muscles to extensive horizontal bundles of disorganised fibres constantly associated and limited within a biphasic dermal melanocytic component. At least one arrector pili muscle was always visible within the tumour, with occasionally direct extension of the hyperplastic fibres from the main muscle body. These muscle fibres were devoid of a PKC-fusion signal by FISH. PKC molecules are involved in the regulation of smooth muscle function, offering an explanatory framework. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest incorporating smooth muscle hyperplasia as a diagnostic morphological feature of PKC-fused blue melanocytic tumours.

Uncovering the WWTR1::NCOA2 Gene fusion in low-grade myoepithelial-rich neoplasm with HMGA2 expression: A case report.

We describe a case of a pleomorphic adenoma (PA) arising from the para-tracheal accessory salivary gland in a 44-year-old male harboring a novel WWTR1::NCOA2 gene fusion. To our knowledge, this novel gene fusion has not been described previously in salivary gland tumors. The patient presented with hoarseness of voice. The radiological exam revealed a mass in the upper third of the trachea involving the larynx. Histologically, the tumor consisted of bland-looking monocellular eosinophilic epithelial cells arranged in cords and sheets separated by thin fibrous stroma, focally forming a pseudo-tubular pattern. In immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells demonstrated positivity for CK7, PS100, SOX10, and HMGA2; and negativity for CK5/6, p40 p63, and PLAG1. In addition, the clustering analysis clearly demonstrates a clustering of tumors within the PA group. In addition to reporting this novel fusion in the PA spectrum, we discuss the relevant differential diagnoses and briefly review of NCOA2 and WWTR1 gene functions in normal and neoplastic contexts.

MED15::ATF1-Rearranged Tumor: A Novel Cutaneous Tumor With Melanocytic Differentiation.

We recently described novel dermal tumors with melanocytic differentiation and morphologic and biological similarities to cutaneous clear cell sarcoma, including CRTC1::TRIM11 cutaneous tumor, and clear cell tumors with melanocytic differentiation and either ACTIN::MITF or MITF::CREM. Here, we describe a series of 3 patients presenting with tumors reminiscent of CRTC1::TRIM11 cutaneous tumor, found to demonstrate a novel MED15::ATF1 fusion. All 3 patients were children (5-16 years old). Primary excision of case 1 showed a circumscribed wedge-shaped silhouette with peripheral intercalation into collagen fibers and scattered lymphoid aggregates. All 3 tumors abutted the epidermis; one showed a junctional component. Tumors were highly cellular and comprised of monomorphic, oval-to-round epithelioid cells arranged in vague nests and short fascicles in variably fibrotic stroma. Mitotic rate was high (hotspot 6-12/mm2), without atypical mitoses. Necrosis was focally present in case 3. All cases showed strong, diffuse nuclear staining for SOX10 and MITF (2/2) but showed variable expression for S100 protein (1/3) and other melanocytic markers-Melan-A (focal in 2/3), HMB45 (focal in 1/3), and Pan-Melanoma (patchy in 1/1). Whole-exome RNA sequencing demonstrated a MED15::ATF1 fusion without any other notable alterations. Cases 1 and 2 were completely excised without recurrence (12 months). Case 3 developed a grossly apparent regional lymph node spread shortly after primary biopsy. The patient was treated with wide excision, radiation, cervical lymph node dissection (4/46 with >75% lymph node replacement), and neoadjuvant and adjuvant nivolumab (alive without disease at cycle 11). This series is presented to aid in future diagnosis of this novel dermal tumor with melanocytic differentiation and emphasize the potential for aggressive biologic behavior, which should be considered in patient management planning.

SOX10-Internal Tandem Duplications and PLAG1 or HMGA2 Fusions Segregate Eccrine-Type and Apocrine-Type Cutaneous Mixed Tumors.

Cutaneous mixed tumors exhibit a wide morphologic diversity and are currently classified into apocrine and eccrine types based on their morphologic differentiation. Some cases of apocrine-type cutaneous mixed tumors (ACMT), namely, hyaline cell-rich apocrine cutaneous mixed tumors (HCR-ACMT) show a prominent or exclusive plasmacytoid myoepithelial component. Although recurrent fusions of PLAG1 have been observed in ACMT, the oncogenic driver of eccrine-type cutaneous mixed tumors (ECMT) is still unknown. The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization of these tumors. Forty-one cases were included in this study: 28 cases of ACMT/HCR-ACMT and 13 cases of ECMT. After morphologic and immunohistochemical characterization, all specimens were analyzed by RNA sequencing. By immunohistochemistry, all cases showed expression of SOX10, but only ACMT/HCR-ACMT showed expression of PLAG1 and HMGA2. RNA sequencing confirmed the presence of recurrent fusion of PLAG1 or HMGA2 in all cases of ACMT/HCR-ACMT, with a perfect correlation with PLAG1/HMGA2 immunohistochemical status, and revealed internal tandem duplications of SOX10 (SOX10-ITD) in all cases of ECMT. Although TRPS1::PLAG1 was the most frequent fusion, HMGA2::WIF1 and HMGA2::NFIB were detected in ACMT cases. Clustering analysis based on gene expression profiling of 110 tumors, including numerous histotypes, showed that ECMT formed a distinct group compared with all other tumors. ACMT, HCR-ACMT, and salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma clustered together, whereas myoepithelioma with fusions of EWSR1, FUS, PBX1, PBX3, POU5F1, and KLF17 formed another cluster. Follow-up showed no evidence of disease in 23 cases across all 3 tumor types. In conclusion, our study demonstrated for the first time SOX10-ITD in ECMT and HMGA2 fusions in ACMT and further refined the prevalence of PLAG1 fusions in ACMT. Clustering analyses revealed the transcriptomic distance between these different tumors, especially in the heterogenous group of myoepitheliomas.

Gene fusions in poroma, porocarcinoma and related adnexal skin tumours: An update.

Poroma is a benign sweat gland tumour showing morphological features recapitulating the superficial portion of the eccrine sweat coil. A subset of poromas may transform into porocarcinoma, its malignant counterpart. Poroma and porocarcinoma are characterised by recurrent gene fusions involving YAP1, a transcriptional co-activator, which is controlled by the Hippo signalling pathway. The fusion genes frequently involve MAML2 and NUTM1, which are also rearranged in other cutaneous and extracutaneous neoplasms. We aimed to review the clinical, morphological and molecular features of this category of adnexal neoplasms with a special focus upon emerging differential diagnoses, and discuss how their systematic molecular characterisation may contribute to a standardisation of diagnosis, more accurate classification and, ultimately, refinement of their prognosis and therapeutic modalities.

Translational Aspects of Epithelioid Sarcoma: Current Consensus.

Epithelioid sarcoma (EpS) is an ultra-rare malignant soft-tissue cancer mostly affecting adolescents and young adults. EpS often exhibits an unfavorable clinical course with fatal outcome in ∼50% of cases despite aggressive multimodal therapies combining surgery, chemotherapy, and irradiation. EpS is traditionally classified in a more common, less aggressive distal (classic) type and a rarer aggressive proximal type. Both subtypes are characterized by a loss of nuclear INI1 expression, most often following homozygous deletion of its encoding gene, SMARCB1-a core subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. In 2020, the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat was the first targeted therapy approved for EpS, raising new hopes. Still, the vast majority of patients did not benefit from this drug or relapsed rapidly. Further, other recent therapeutic modalities, including immunotherapy, are only effective in a fraction of patients. Thus, novel strategies, specifically targeted to EpS, are urgently needed. To accelerate translational research on EpS and eventually boost the discovery and development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutic options, a vibrant translational research community has formed in past years and held two international EpS digital expert meetings in 2021 and 2023. This review summarizes our current understanding of EpS from the translational research perspective and points to innovative research directions to address the most pressing questions in the field, as defined by expert consensus and patient advocacy groups.

Melanotic PEComa: A Rare But Distinctive Subtype Analyzed in a Series of 7 Cases.

Perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms (PEComas) are tumors of uncertain cell lineage that show a strong female predominance. Their hallmark is the presence of combined smooth muscle and melanocytic differentiation. In most cases, melanocytic differentiation is detectable only by immunohistochemistry, but there are rare reports of PEComa with extensive melanin accumulation (so-called "melanotic PEComa"). Here we report a clinicopathologic series of 7 melanotic PEComas that occurred across a wide patient age range of 21 to 82 years (median: 41 y) and with a wide anatomic distribution, including 2 cases in the pelvis and 1 case each in the gallbladder, cervix, eyelid, epidural space, and femur. All tumors were heavily pigmented and, like conventional PEComas, were composed of variably sized neoplastic cells with voluminous granular, or less commonly clear, cytoplasm with prominent nucleoli. All tumors expressed HMB45 by immunohistochemistry, and 6 of 7 showed nuclear TFE3 expression. Where tested, tumors were uniformly negative for Mart-1/Melan-A, S100, desmin, and smooth muscle actin. Molecular analysis identified TFE3 gene rearrangement in 5 of 7 cases, 4 of which were demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization and one by whole-exome RNA sequencing which revealed a SFPQ::TFE3 fusion. The one tumor negative for TFE3 by immunohistochemistry was found instead to harbor a SFPQ::TFEB fusion, the first reported example to our knowledge of TFEB fusion in a PEComa. Clinical follow-up was available for 6 of 7 patients (median: 2.5 y: range: 0.75 to 7 y). The patient whose tumor harbored SFPQ::TFEB died of metastatic disease 9 months after diagnosis. The other tumors behaved in an indolent fashion: 4 patients were alive without evidence of disease at the most recent follow-up and 1 patient died of an unrelated cancer 4 years after diagnosis of the melanotic PEComa. Our results expand the morphologic and molecular spectrum of melanotic PEComa, and awareness of this rare but distinctive subtype is important to ensure accurate diagnosis within the broader family of heavily pigmented neoplasms.

An Early Neoplasia Index (ENI10), Based on Molecular Identity of CD10 Cells and Associated Stemness Biomarkers, is a Predictor of Patient Outcome in Many Cancers.

An accurate estimate of patient survival at diagnosis is critical to plan efficient therapeutic options. A simple and multiapplication tool is needed to move forward the precision medicine era. Taking advantage of the broad and high CD10 expression in stem and cancers cells, we evaluated the molecular identity of aggressive cancer cells. We used epithelial primary cells and developed a breast cancer stem cell­based progressive model. The superiority of the early-transformed isolated molecular index was evaluated by large-scale analysis in solid cancers. BMP2-driven cell transformation increases CD10 expression which preserves stemness properties. Our model identified a unique set of 159 genes enriched in G2­M cell-cycle phases and spindle assembly complex. Using samples predisposed to transformation, we confirmed the value of an early neoplasia index associated to CD10 (ENI10) to discriminate premalignant status of a human tissue. Using a stratified Cox model, a large-scale analysis (>10,000 samples, The Cancer Genome Atlas Pan-Cancer) validated a strong risk gradient (HRs reaching HR = 5.15; 95% confidence interval: 4.00­6.64) for high ENI10 levels. Through different databases, Cox regression model analyses highlighted an association between ENI10 and poor progression-free intervals for more than 50% of cancer subtypes tested, and the potential of ENI10 to predict drug efficacy. The ENI10 index constitutes a robust tool to detect pretransformed tissues and identify high-risk patients at diagnosis. Owing to its biological link with refractory cancer stem cells, the ENI10 index constitutes a unique way of identifying effective treatments to improve clinical care. SIGNIFICANCE: We identified a molecular signature called ENI10 which, owing to its biological link with stem cell properties, predicts patient outcome and drugs efficiency in breast and several other cancers. ENI10 should allow early and optimized clinical management of a broad number of cancers, regardless of the stage of tumor progression.

Histologic and Genetic Features of 51 Melanocytic Neoplasms With Protein Kinase C Fusion Genes.

Fusion genes involving homologs of protein kinase C (PKC) have been identified in a variety of tumors. We report the clinical and histologic presentation of 51 cutaneous melanocytic neoplasms with a PKC fusion gene (involving PRKCA in 35 cases, PRKCB in 15 cases, and PRKCG in a single case). Most tumors were in young adults (median age, 29.5 years; range, 1-73 years) but some presented in newborns. Histologically, 42 tumors were classified as benign, presenting predominantly as biphasic dermal proliferation (88%) with nests of small melanocytes surrounded by fibrosis with haphazardly arranged spindled and dendritic melanocytes, resembling those reported as "combined blue nevi." Most tumors (60%) were heavily pigmented and in 15%, hyperpigmented epithelioid melanocytes were present at the dermoepidermal junction. Two lesions were paucicellular and showed marked sclerosis. Three tumors, including 2 proliferating nodules, were considered intermediate grade. Six tumors had sheets of atypical melanocytes infiltrating the dermis and were classified as melanomas. Two of the melanomas displayed loss of BAP1 nuclear expression. The median follow-up time was 12 months, with 1 patient alive with metastatic disease and 1 dying of their melanoma. These results suggest that melanocytic tumors with PKC fusion genes have characteristic histopathologic features, which are more similar to blue nevi than to pigmented epithelioid melanocytomas. As is the case with GNA-mutated blue nevi, they can progress to melanomas via BAP1 inactivation and metastasize.

Sweat Gland Tumors Arising on Acral Sites: A Molecular Survey.

Recurrent oncogenic drivers have been identified in a variety of sweat gland tumors. Recently, integration of human papillomavirus type 42 (HPV42) has been reported in digital papillary adenocarcinoma (DPA). The main objectives of the present study were (i) to provide an overview of the prevalence of previously identified oncogenic drivers in acral sweat gland tumors and (ii) to genetically characterize tumors in which no recurrent genetic alteration has been identified yet. Cases of acral sweat gland tumors were identified from the database of the French network CARADERM. After histologic review, the presence of previously identified genetic alterations was investigated in the entire cohort (n=79) using a combination of immunohistochemistry and targeted DNA and RNA sequencing. Tumor entities with no recurrent genetic alterations were submitted to whole-transcriptome sequencing. CRTC1::MAML2 fusion was identified in cases of hidradenoma and hidradenocarcinoma (n=9/12 and n=9/12). A p.V600E mutation of BRAF was observed in all cases of tubular adenoma (n=4). YAP1:MAML2 and YAP1::NUTM1 fusions were observed in poroid tumors (n=15/25). ETV6::NTRK3 and TRPS1::PLAG1 fusion transcripts were identified in secretory carcinoma (n=1/1) and cutaneous mixed tumors (n=3/4), respectively. The HPV42 genome was detected in most cases of DPA (n=10/11) and in 1 adnexal adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified. Finally, whole-transcriptome analysis revealed BRD3::NUTM1 or NSD3::NUTM1 fusions in 2 cases of NUT adnexal carcinoma and NCOA4::RET and CCDC6::RET fusion transcripts in 2 cystadenoma/hidrocystoma-like tumors. Our study confirms distinctive cytogenetic abnormalities in a wide number of acral adnexal neoplasms and supports the use of molecular analysis as a valuable aid in the diagnosis of these rare and often difficult to diagnose group of neoplasms.

GRM1 Gene Fusions as an Alternative Molecular Driver in Blue Nevi and Related Melanomas.

Activating mutations in GNAQ, GNA11, CYSLTR2, and PLCB4 genes are regarded as the main oncogenic drivers of blue nevi (BN) and blue malignant melanocytic tumors. Here we report 4 cases of blue melanocytic neoplasms devoid of these mutations but harboring GRM1 gene fusions. In this short series, there was no gender predominance (sex ratio, 1). The mean age at diagnosis was 40 years (range, 12-72). Tumors were located on the face (n = 2), forearm (n = 1), and dorsum of the foot (n = 1). Clinically, a plaque-like pre-existing BN was found in 2 cases, including a deep location; another case presented as an Ota nevus. Two cases were diagnosed as melanoma ex-BN, one as an atypical BN, and one as a plaque-like BN. Microscopic examination revealed a dermal proliferation of dendritic melanocytes in a sclerotic stroma. A dermal cellular nodule with atypia and mitotic activity was observed in 3 cases. Genetic investigation by whole exome RNA sequencing revealed MYO10::GRM1 (n = 2) and ZEB2::GRM1 (n = 1) fusions. A GRM1 rearrangement was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization in the remaining case. SF3B1 comutations were present in the 2 melanomas, and both had a MYO10::GRM1 fusion. Array comparative genomic hybridization was feasible for 3 cases and displayed multiple copy number alterations in the 2 melanomas and limited copy number alterations in the atypical BN, all genomic profiles compatible with those of classical blue lesions. GRM1 was overexpressed in all cases compared with a control group of blue lesions with other typical mutations. Both melanomas rapidly developed visceral metastases following diagnosis, with a fatal outcome in one case and tumor progression under palliative care in the other. These data suggest that GRM1 gene fusions could represent an additional rare oncogenic driver in the setting of BN, mutually exclusive of classical canonical mutations, especially in plaque-type or Ota subtypes.

Recurrent PAK2 rearrangements in poroma with folliculo-sebaceous differentiation.

AIMS: Poroma is a benign adnexal neoplasm with differentiation towards the upper portion of the sweat gland apparatus. In 2019, Sekine et al. demonstrated recurrent YAP1::MAML2 and YAP1::NUTM1 fusion in poroma and porocarcinoma. Follicular, sebaceous and/or apocrine differentiation has been reported in rare cases of poroma and whether these tumours constitute a variant of poroma or represent a distinctive tumour is a matter to debate. Herein we describe the clinical, immunophenotypic, and molecular features of 13 cases of poroma with folliculo-sebaceous differentiation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Most of the tumours were located on the head and neck region (n = 7), and on the thigh (n = 3). All presented were adults with a slight male predilection. The median tumour size was 10 mm (range: 4-25). Microscopically, lesions displayed features of poroma with nodules of monotonous basophilic cells associated with a second population of larger eosinophilic cells. In all cases, ducts and scattered sebocytes were identified. Infundibular cysts were present in 10 cases. In two cases high mitotic activity was noted, and in three cases cytologic atypia and areas of necrosis were identified. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing demonstrated in-frame fusion transcripts involving RNF13::PAK2 (n = 4), EPHB3::PAK2 (n = 2), DLG1::PAK2 (n = 2), LRIG1::PAK2 (n = 1), ATP1B3::PAK2 (n = 1), TM9SF4::PAK2 (n = 1), and CTNNA1::PAK2 (n = 1). Moreover, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis revealed PAK2 rearrangement in an additional case. No YAP1::MAML2 or YAP1::NUTM1 fusion was detected. CONCLUSION: Recurrent fusions involving the PAK2 gene in all analysed poroma with folliculo-sebaceous differentiation in this study confirms that this neoplasm represents a separate tumour entity distinct from YAP1::MAML2 or YAP1::NUTM1 rearranged poromas.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes for children, adolescents and young adults with "CIC-fused" or "BCOR-rearranged" soft tissue sarcomas: A multi-institutional European retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: In certain rare undifferentiated small round cell sarcomas new specific molecular CIC-DUX4/other partner, BCOR-CCNB3/other partner, YWHAE fusions, or BCOR-ITD (internal tandem duplication) were identified. These new "CIC fused" (CIC-fused/ATXN1::NUTM1) and "BCOR rearranged" (BCOR fused/ITD/ YWHAE) soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are not well described. METHODS: Multi-institutional European retrospective analysis of young patients (0-24 years) with CIC-fused and BCOR rearranged STS. RESULTS: Overall, out of the 60 patients selected, the fusion status was CIC-fused (n = 29), ATXN1::NUTM1 (n = 2), BCOR::CCNB3 (n = 18), BCOR-ITD (n = 7), and YWHAE (n = 3), MAML::BCOR STS (n = 1). The main primaries were abdomen-pelvic (n = 23) and limbs (n = 18). Median age was 14 years (0.9-23.8) and 0.9 (0.1-19.1) for CIC-fused and BCOR-rearranged groups, respectively (n = 29; p < 0.001). IRS stages were I (n = 3), II (n = 7), III (n = 35), and IV (n = 15). Overall, 42 patients had large tumors (>5 cm) but only six had lymph node involvement. Patients received mainly chemotherapy (n = 57), local surgery (n = 50), and/or radiotherapy (n = 34). After a median follow-up of 47.1 months (range, 3.4-230), 33 (52%) patients had an event and 23 patients died. Three-year event-free survivals were 44.0% (95% CI 28.7-67.5) and 41.2% (95% CI 25.4-67.0) for CIC and BCOR groups (p = 0.97), respectively. Three-year overall survivals were 46.3% (95% CI 29.6-72.4) and 67.1% (95% CI 50.4-89.3; p = 0.24), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients often present with large tumors and metastatic disease, especially CIC sarcomas. Overall outcome is dismal. New treatment options are needed.

Targeted long-read sequencing of the Ewing sarcoma 6p25.1 susceptibility locus identifies germline-somatic interactions with EWSR1-FLI1 binding.

Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a rare bone and soft tissue malignancy driven by chromosomal translocations encoding chimeric transcription factors, such as EWSR1-FLI1, that bind GGAA motifs forming novel enhancers that alter nearby expression. We propose that germline microsatellite variation at the 6p25.1 EwS susceptibility locus could impact downstream gene expression and EwS biology. We performed targeted long-read sequencing of EwS blood DNA to characterize variation and genomic features important for EWSR1-FLI1 binding. We identified 50 microsatellite alleles at 6p25.1 and observed that EwS-affected individuals had longer alleles (>135 bp) with more GGAA repeats. The 6p25.1 GGAA microsatellite showed chromatin features of an EWSR1-FLI1 enhancer and regulated expression of RREB1, a transcription factor associated with RAS/MAPK signaling. RREB1 knockdown reduced proliferation and clonogenic potential and reduced expression of cell cycle and DNA replication genes. Our integrative analysis at 6p25.1 details increased binding of longer GGAA microsatellite alleles with acquired EWSR-FLI1 to promote Ewing sarcomagenesis by RREB1-mediated proliferation.

Spectrum of Melanocytic Tumors Harboring BRAF Gene Fusions: 58 Cases With Histomorphologic and Genetic Correlations.

We report a series of 58 melanocytic tumors that harbor an activating fusion of BRAF, a component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade. Cases were diagnosed as melanocytic nevus (n = 12, 21%), diagnostically ambiguous favor benign (n = 22, 38%), and diagnostically ambiguous concerning for melanoma (n = 12, 21%) or melanoma (n = 12, 21%). Three main histopathologic patterns were observed. The first pattern (buckshot fibrosis) was characterized by large, epithelioid melanocytes arrayed as single cells or "buckshot" within marked stromal desmoplasia. The second pattern (cords in whorled fibrosis) demonstrated polypoid growth with a whorled arrangement of cords and single melanocytes within desmoplasia. The third pattern (spindle-cell fascicles) showed fascicular growth of spindled melanocytes. Cytomorphologic features characteristic of Spitz nevi were observed in most cases (n = 50, 86%). Most of the cases (n = 54, or 93%) showed stromal desmoplasia. Histomorphology alone was not sufficient in distinguishing benign from malignant melanocytic tumors with BRAF fusion gene because the only histopathologic features more commonly associated with a diagnosis of malignancy included dermal mitoses (P = .046) and transepidermal elimination of melanocytes (P = .013). BRAF fusion kinases are targetable by kinase inhibitors and, thus, should be considered as relevant genetic alterations in the molecular workup of melanomas. Recognizing the 3 main histopathologic patterns of melanocytic tumors with BRAF fusion gene will aid in directing ancillary testing.

VGLL2-NCOA2 leverages developmental programs for pediatric sarcomagenesis.

Clinical sequencing efforts are rapidly identifying sarcoma gene fusions that lack functional validation. An example is the fusion of transcriptional coactivators, VGLL2-NCOA2, found in infantile rhabdomyosarcoma. To delineate VGLL2-NCOA2 tumorigenic mechanisms and identify therapeutic vulnerabilities, we implement a cross-species comparative oncology approach with zebrafish, mouse allograft, and patient samples. We find that VGLL2-NCOA2 is sufficient to generate mesenchymal tumors that display features of immature skeletal muscle and recapitulate the human disease. A subset of VGLL2-NCOA2 zebrafish tumors transcriptionally cluster with embryonic somitogenesis and identify VGLL2-NCOA2 developmental programs, including a RAS family GTPase, ARF6. In VGLL2-NCOA2 zebrafish, mouse, and patient tumors, ARF6 is highly expressed. ARF6 knockout suppresses VGLL2-NCOA2 oncogenic activity in cell culture, and, more broadly, ARF6 is overexpressed in adult and pediatric sarcomas. Our data indicate that VGLL2-NCOA2 is an oncogene that leverages developmental programs for tumorigenesis and that reactivation or persistence of ARF6 could represent a therapeutic opportunity.

Distinct regulations driving YAP1 expression loss in poroma, porocarcinoma and RB1-deficient skin carcinoma.

AIMS: Recently, YAP1 fusion genes have been demonstrated in eccrine poroma and porocarcinoma, and the diagnostic use of YAP1 immunohistochemistry has been highlighted in this setting. In other organs, loss of YAP1 expression can reflect YAP1 rearrangement or transcriptional repression, notably through RB1 inactivation. In this context, our objective was to re-evaluate the performance of YAP1 immunohistochemistry for the diagnosis of poroma and porocarcinoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: The expression of the C-terminal part of the YAP1 protein was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 543 cutaneous epithelial tumours, including 27 poromas, 14 porocarcinomas and 502 other cutaneous tumours. Tumours that showed a lack of expression of YAP1 were further investigated for Rb by immunohistochemistry and for fusion transcripts by real-time PCR (YAP1::MAML2 and YAP1::NUTM1). The absence of YAP1 expression was observed in 24 cases of poroma (89%), 10 porocarcinoma (72%), 162 Merkel cell carcinoma (98%), 14 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (15%), one trichoblastoma and one sebaceoma. Fusions of YAP1 were detected in only 16 cases of poroma (n = 66%), 10 porocarcinoma (71%) all lacking YAP1 expression, and in one sebaceoma. The loss of Rb expression was detected in all cases except one of YAP1-deficient SCC (n = 14), such tumours showing significant morphological overlap with porocarcinoma. In-vitro experiments in HaCat cells showed that RB1 knockdown resulted in repression of YAP1 protein expression. CONCLUSION: In addition to gene fusion, we report that transcriptional repression of YAP1 can be observed in skin tumours with RB1 inactivation, including MCC and a subset of SCC.