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Moran JMT, Le LP, Nardi V, Golas J, Farahani AA, Signorelli S, Onozato ML, Foreman RK, Duncan LM, Lawrence DP, Lennerz JK, Dias-Santagata D, Hoang MP. Identification of fusions with potential clinical significance in melanoma. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1837-1847. [PMID: 35871080 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01138-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Though uncommon in melanoma, gene fusions may have therapeutic implications. Next generation sequencing-based clinical assays, designed to detect relevant gene fusions, mutations, and copy number changes, were performed on 750 melanomas (375 primary and 375 metastases) at our institution from 2014-2021. These included 599 (80%) cutaneous, 38 (5%) acral, 11 (1.5%) anorectal, 23 (3%) sinonasal, 27 (3.6%) eye (uveal/ conjunctiva), 11 (1.5%) genital (vulva/penile), and 41 (5.5%) melanomas of unknown primary. Sixteen fusions (2%) were detected in samples from 16 patients: 12/599 (2%) cutaneous, 2/38 (5%) acral, 1/9 (11%) vulva, 1/23(4.3%) sinonasal; and 12/16 (75%) fusions were potentially targetable. We identified two novel rearrangements: NAGS::MAST2 and NOTCH1::GNB1; and two fusions that have been reported in other malignancies but not in melanoma: CANT1::ETV4 (prostate cancer) and CCDC6::RET (thyroid cancer). Additional fusions, previously reported in melanoma, included: EML4::ALK, MLPH::ALK, AGAP3::BRAF, AGK::BRAF, CDH3::BRAF, CCT8::BRAF, DIP2B::BRAF, EFNB1::RAF1, LRCH3::RAF1, MAP4::RAF1, RUFY1::RAF1, and ADCY2::TERT. Fusion positive melanomas harbored recurrent alterations in TERT and CDKN2A, among others. Gene fusions were exceedingly rare (0.2%) in BRAF/RAS/NF1-mutant tumors and were detected in 5.6% of triple wild-type melanomas. Interestingly, gene rearrangements were significantly enriched within the subset of triple wild-type melanomas that harbor TERT promoter mutations (18% versus 2%, p < 0.0001). Thirteen (81%) patients were treated with immunotherapy for metastatic disease or in the adjuvant setting. Six of 12 (50%) patients with potentially actionable fusions progressed on immunotherapy, and 3/6 (50%) were treated with targeted agents (ALK and MEK inhibitors), 2 off-label and 1 as part of a clinical trial. One patient with an AGAP3::BRAF fusion positive melanoma experienced a 30-month long response to trametinib. We show that, detecting fusions, especially in triple wild-type melanomas with TERT promoter mutations, may have a clinically significant impact in patients with advanced disease who have failed front-line immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob M T Moran
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Long P Le
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valentina Nardi
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Josephine Golas
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander A Farahani
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sylvia Signorelli
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maristela L Onozato
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ruth K Foreman
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lyn M Duncan
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donald P Lawrence
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jochen K Lennerz
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dora Dias-Santagata
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Mai P Hoang
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Salari B, Foreman RK, Emerick KS, Lawrence DP, Duncan LM. Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma: An Update and Review of the Literature. Am J Dermatopathol 2022; 44:424-432. [PMID: 35315370 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0000000000002157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Primary sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) is an aggressive tumor with high metastatic potential and poor outcomes. Presenting symptoms are nonspecific, and the nasal cavity is the most common site of origin followed by the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. Histopathologically, SNMMs are pleomorphic and predominantly composed of epithelioid cell type. Identifying these tumors requires a high index of suspicion for melanoma and the use of a panel of immunohistochemical markers when typical histopathological features are missing. Not infrequently, these tumors are undifferentiated and/or amelanotic. Currently, SNMM falls into 2 different staging systems proposed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer, one for carcinoma of the nasal cavity and sinuses and the other for head and neck melanoma. Although therapeutic standards do not exist, surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy may offer the best outcome. Lymphadenectomy including possible parotidectomy and neck dissection should be considered in patients with regional lymph node metastasis. However, the role of elective lymph node dissection is controversial. Genetic profiling has identified a number of recurrent gene mutations that may prove useful in providing targets for novel, emerging biological treatments. In this article, we provide an update on clinicopathological features, staging, molecular discoveries, and treatment options for SNMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Salari
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, MO
| | - Ruth K Foreman
- Pathology Service, Dermatopathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin S Emerick
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School; and
| | - Donald P Lawrence
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lyn M Duncan
- Pathology Service, Dermatopathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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