The suitability of NONO-TFE3 dual-fusion FISH assay as a diagnostic tool for NONO-TFE3 renal cell carcinoma

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 1;10(1):16361. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73309-4.

Abstract

NONO-TFE3 RCC is a subtype of Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma (RCC). So far, only a small amount of NONO-TFE3 RCC have been reported owing to lack of effective diagnosis methods. Utilizing the novel dual-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe reported here, 5 cases of NONO-TFE3 RCC were identified and were ultimately confirmed by RT-PCR. Histopathology, all 5 cases were consisted by sheets of epithelial cells and papillary architecture. The cytoplasm was abundantly clear, and nucleoli was not prominent. Besides, the nuclear palisading, subnuclear vacuoles and psammoma bodies were identified. The most distinctive features were strong positive TFE3 staining but equivocal split signals of the TFE3 probe, which might lead to the misdiagnosis of Xp11.2 translocation RCC. The median age and median tumor size of the five patients were 41.2 years and 3.6 cm, respectively. A median following follow-up of 27 months showed moderate disease progression and prognosis in NONO-TFE3 RCC patients. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the effectiveness and reliability of the NONO-TFE3 dual-fusion FISH probe for diagnosing NONO-TFE3 RCC. Suspected cases of Xp11.2 translocation RCC showing biphasic pattern, strong positive TFE3 staining, and equivocal split signals in the TFE3 FISH assay indicated a possibility of NONO-TFE3 RCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Child
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence*
  • Kidney / pathology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • NONO protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • TFE3 protein, human