Claudin-1 is expressed in perineurioma-like low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma

Hum Pathol. 2009 Nov;40(11):1586-90. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2009.04.003. Epub 2009 Jun 21.

Abstract

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is a soft tissue sarcoma with recurrent and low metastatic potential, which has characteristic FUS-CREB3L2 or FUS-CREB3L1 fusions. Perineurioma is a peripheral nerve sheath neoplasm, which is usually benign. Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma and perineurioma can appear morphologically similar, particularly in small biopsy specimens, and distinction between the 2 entities is important for appropriate treatment. Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is negative for most immunohistochemical markers, whereas perineuriomas stain variably for epithelial membrane antigen, CD34 and claudin-1, a tight-junction associated protein. We studied 15 cases of genetically proven low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma that at least focally resembled perineurioma, with antibodies to claudin-1 and epithelial membrane antigen. Of these, 11 showed positivity for epithelial membrane antigen and all 15 were positive for claudin-1; in all cases, expression of claudin-1 was equal to or greater than the corresponding epithelial membrane antigen expression. This study emphasizes that claudin-1 is significantly expressed in low-grade fibromyxoid sarcomas. This has implications toward the accurate diagnosis of both tumors, and, as positivity for claudin-1 in low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is not previously documented, suggests that there might be underdiagnosis of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Although positivity for claudin-1 remains useful as an adjunct marker for perineurioma, it should be taken in context with clinical findings, morphology, and the additional immunoprofile.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Child
  • Claudin-1
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fibrosarcoma / metabolism
  • Fibrosarcoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucin-1 / biosynthesis
  • Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CLDN1 protein, human
  • Claudin-1
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mucin-1