Wang J, Zhang Z, Cai Y, Lu J, Zhang H, Pang J, Wu H, Liang Z. A Comprehensive Study of Heterogeneous Mismatch Repair Expression in Solid Tumors Reveals Different Immunohistochemical Patterns and Distinct Genetic Mechanisms.
Am J Surg Pathol 2024;
48:417-425. [PMID:
37997470 DOI:
10.1097/pas.0000000000002158]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Immunohistochemistry is routinely performed to detect mismatch repair deficiency in solid tumors. Heterogeneous MMR expression (MMR-het) has been reported occasionally but not systemically studied.
METHODS
In this study, we depicted MMR-het patterns of 40 tumors of different anatomical sites and analyzed MMR genetic alterations and tumor mutational burdens (TMB) through comprehensive genomic profiling.
RESULTS
The MMR-het patterns were classified into 4 subgroups: "single-loss" (3 cases), "MLH1/PMS2 double-loss" (16 cases), "MSH2/MSH6 double-loss" (8 cases), and "triple/tetra-loss" (13 cases). Seventeen MMR-het cases exhibited histological heterogeneity, in which MMR protein loss was generally confined to either poorly differentiated or well-differentiated tumor areas. All "single-loss" tumors had MMR somatic mutations and coexisting POLE exonuclease domain mutations. "MLH1/PMS2 double-loss" tumors unexceptionally harbored MLH1 hypermethylation without MMR germline mutations. In the "MSH2/MSH6 double-loss" subgroup, 4 cases had MSH2/MSH6 germline mutations, while another 4 cases had multiple MSH2/MSH6 somatic mutations. Additional POLE exonuclease domain mutations were identified in 2 cases. Tumors in the "triple/tetra-loss" subgroup generally had MLH1 abnormalities (8 MLH1 hypermethylation, 4 MLH1 germline mutation, 1 MLH1 double somatic mutations), and coexistent somatic mutations on MSH2/MSH6 . Thirty-one cases (83.8%) were TMB-H, and all POLE -mutated cases exhibited ultra-high TMB (111.4 to 524.2 mut/Mb).
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlighted the importance of accurately interpreting heterogeneous MMR protein staining patterns for developing a more efficient personalized genetic investigation strategy.
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