NTRK-rearranged spindle cell sarcoma of the uterine cervix with a novel NUMA1::NTRK1 fusion

Virchows Arch. 2024 Mar;484(3):527-531. doi: 10.1007/s00428-023-03724-1. Epub 2023 Dec 28.

Abstract

NTRK-rearranged uterine sarcoma is a recently described entity that represents a subset of uterine sarcomas with distinct clinicopathological features. From a molecular point of view, this tumour is defined by NTRK gene rearrangement, resulting in overexpression or constitutive activation of Trk receptors. The presence of NTRK fusion is indicative of treatment response with a selective small-molecule inhibitor of the Trk kinases. Here, we report a case of an NTRK-rearranged sarcoma of the uterine cervix in a 43-year-old patient, measuring 80 mm in its largest dimension, with a novel NUMA1-NTRK1 fusion, not previously reported in NTRK-rearranged uterine sarcomas or other NTRK-rearranged tumours. The fusion, involving NUMA1 exon 14 (NM_006185.4) and NTRK1 exon 11 (NM_002529.4), was identified by next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies (FusionPlex Pan Solid Tumor v2 panel). Although the presence of NTRK fusion has been reported in a variety of neoplasms, a fusion involving NUMA1 (nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1) and a tyrosine kinase partner has previously been reported in human neoplasms only in a handful of cases. The resulting fusion protein comprises the oligomerization domain of NUMA1, which is predicted to cause constant activation of the tyrosine kinase domain of NTRK1. The recognition and accurate diagnosis of these tumours are important due to the availability of potential targeted therapeutic options.

Keywords: NTRK fusion; NUMA1::NTRK1; Uterine cervix; Uterine sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Fusion
  • Humans
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Receptor, trkA / genetics
  • Sarcoma* / genetics
  • Sarcoma* / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Uterine Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Uterine Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Receptor, trkA
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • NUMA1 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins