A novel SMARCA2-CREM fusion expending the molecular spectrum of salivary gland hyalinazing clear cell carcinoma beyond the FET genes.

ABSTRACT

Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) is a rare salivary gland carcinoma with a generally indolent behavior, characterized by recurrent chromosomal translocation involving EWSR1 (22q12.2) leading to two fusion genes EWSR1ATF1 or EWSR1CREM. We report one case of HCCC with a novel SMARCA2CREM fusion, identified by targeted RNA next generation sequencing by LD-RT-PCR, which has until now never been described in salivary glands. The exon 4 of SMARCA2 is fused to exon 5 of CREM. This fusion has been described previously in only one tumor, a central nervous system tumor (intracranial mesenchymal tumor) but not in other FETCREB fused tumors. This fusion was confirmed by CREM break-apart FISH and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The tumor cells showed retained expression of INI1, SMARCA2, and SMARCA4 by immunohistochemistry. We compare its clinical, histopathological, immunophenotypic, genetic features with those previously described in HCCC, FETCREB fusion-positive. Our results added data suggesting that different histomolecular tumor subtypes seem to be included within the terminology "HCCC, FETCREB fusion-positive," and that further series of cases are needed to better characterize them.