Mutational analysis of the c-KIT AND PDGFRalpha in a series of molecularly well-characterized synovial sarcomas

Diagn Mol Pathol. 2005 Sep;14(3):134-9. doi: 10.1097/01.pas.0000176766.33671.b6.

Abstract

The c-KIT and the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRalpha) have been shown to be important for tumor growth and progression in several soft-tissue sarcomas, including synovial sarcomas (SSs). It has been suggested that these c-KIT-positive cases might benefit from a tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. In this study, we analyze a series of SSs to investigate the presence of c-KIT and PDGFRalpha mutations with the aim of selecting those for a more adequate and appropriate therapy. We analyzed fresh-frozen tissues from 12 SSs (8 primary tumors and 4 nude mice xenotransplants from primary tumors). RNA was extracted to identify the presence of the SYT-SSX gene fusion to confirm the SS diagnosis. Mutational analysis of exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 of c-KIT and exons 12 and 18 of PDGFRalpha was performed by direct sequencing. Immunohistochemical analysis of c-KIT, PDGFRalpha, and p-PDGFRalpha was also performed. All analyzed cases showed the presence of SYT-SSX gene fusion transcripts confirming the diagnosis of SS, 10 carried the SYT-SSX1 fusion, and 2 the SYT-SSX2. Immunohistochemical analysis showed expression of c-KIT in 3 cases in which no molecular alterations were detected. For the PDGFRalpha, we observed an in-frame deletion of codons 554 and 555 in a case which also showed a strong immunopositivity for the phosphorylated form of PDGFRalpha. PDGFRalpha expression was observed in 8 cases. We suggest that a more exhaustive mutational analysis of the c-KIT and PDGFRalpha genes should be performed to ascertain which cases would really benefit from a tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in SS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • DNA Mutational Analysis*
  • Exons
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / analysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / isolation & purification
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / analysis
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / genetics*
  • Sarcoma, Synovial / genetics*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Deletion

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SYT-SSX fusion protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha