Chun Jin1, Cheng Yan2, Yi Zhang1, Yong-Xing Zhang1, Jia-Hao Jiang1, Jian-Yong Ding1. 1. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. 2. Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multiple thymic squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a rare thymic epithelial tumor with a dismal prognosis. Mutational profiles of multiple TSCC may expand our understanding of tumorigenesis and treatment options for these tumors. METHODS: We sequenced the whole exomes of 3 TSCC nodules from a multiple TSCC patient and a paired peripheral blood sample and identified single-nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions, and also performed gene ontological and pathway analyses. RESULTS: The 3 TSCC nodules were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the results showed that these 3 nodules were highly similar with respect to histology. We identified 116, 94 and 98 non-synonymous somatic mutations in the 3 TSCC nodules, and 34 mutations, including mutations in TP53 and ARID1A, among others, were present in all 3 TSCC nodules. We then performed immunohistochemistry to assess two selected genes, TP53 and ARID1A, and found that the 3 TSCC nodules expressed similar levels of TP53 and ARID1A. Further gene ontological analysis and pathway analysis revealed that the 3 TSCC nodules also had similar significantly enriched pathways based on the identified genetic alterations. These results demonstrated that the 3 multiple TSCC nodules were spatially independent of each other but were highly similar with respect to histological sources and genetic characteristics, suggesting that 2 TSCC nodules were likely metastases of the third nodule. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TSCC cells can be transferred to other sites inside the thymus and that total thymectomy is a good treatment option for thymic epithelial tumors. 2019 Gland Surgery. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Multiple thymic squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a rare thymic epithelial tumor with a dismal prognosis. Mutational profiles of multiple TSCC may expand our understanding of tumorigenesis and treatment options for these tumors. METHODS: We sequenced the whole exomes of 3 TSCC nodules from a multiple TSCC patient and a paired peripheral blood sample and identified single-nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions, and also performed gene ontological and pathway analyses. RESULTS: The 3 TSCC nodules were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the results showed that these 3 nodules were highly similar with respect to histology. We identified 116, 94 and 98 non-synonymous somatic mutations in the 3 TSCC nodules, and 34 mutations, including mutations in TP53 and ARID1A, among others, were present in all 3 TSCC nodules. We then performed immunohistochemistry to assess two selected genes, TP53 and ARID1A, and found that the 3 TSCC nodules expressed similar levels of TP53 and ARID1A. Further gene ontological analysis and pathway analysis revealed that the 3 TSCC nodules also had similar significantly enriched pathways based on the identified genetic alterations. These results demonstrated that the 3 multiple TSCC nodules were spatially independent of each other but were highly similar with respect to histological sources and genetic characteristics, suggesting that 2 TSCC nodules were likely metastases of the third nodule. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TSCC cells can be transferred to other sites inside the thymus and that total thymectomy is a good treatment option for thymic epithelial tumors. 2019 Gland Surgery. All rights reserved.
Authors: Nicolas Girard; Ronglai Shen; Tianhua Guo; Maureen F Zakowski; Adriana Heguy; Gregory J Riely; James Huang; Christopher Lau; Alex E Lash; Marc Ladanyi; Agnes Viale; Cristina R Antonescu; William D Travis; Valerie W Rusch; Mark G Kris; William Pao Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2009-10-27 Impact factor: 12.531