%0 Journal Article %A Koelsche, Christian %A Stichel, Damian %A Griewank, Klaus G %A Schrimpf, Daniel %A Reuss, David E %A Bewerunge-Hudler, Melanie %A Vokuhl, Christian %A Dinjens, Winand N M %A Petersen, Iver %A Mittelbronn, Michel %A Cuevas-Bourdier, Adrian %A Buslei, Rolf %A Pfister, Stefan %A Flucke, Uta %A Mechtersheimer, Gunhild %A Mentzel, Thomas %A von Deimling, Andreas %T Genome-wide methylation profiling and copy number analysis in atypical fibroxanthomas and pleomorphic dermal sarcomas indicate a similar molecular phenotype. %J Clinical Sarcoma Research %V 9 %N 1 %@ 2045-3329 %C London %I BioMed Central %M DKFZ-2019-01079 %P 2 %D 2019 %X Atypical fibroxanthomas (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcomas (PDS) are lesions of the skin with overlapping histologic features and unspecific molecular traits. PDS behaves aggressive compared to AFX. Thus, a precise delineation, although challenging in some instances, is relevant.We examined the value of DNA-methylation profiling and copy number analysis for separating these tumors. DNA-methylation data were generated from 17 AFX and 15 PDS using the Illumina EPIC array. These were compared with DNA-methylation data generated from 196 tumors encompassing potential histologic mimics like cutaneous squamous carcinomas (cSCC; n = 19), basal cell carcinomas (n = 10), melanoma metastases originating from the skin (n = 11), leiomyosarcomas (n = 11), angiosarcomas of the skin and soft tissue (n = 11), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (n = 19), dermatofibrosarcomas protuberans (n = 13), extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas (n = 9), myxoid liposarcomas (n = 14), schwannomas (n = 10), neurofibromas (n = 21), alveolar (n = 19) and embryonal (n = 17) rhabdomyosarcomas as well as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas (n = 12).DNA-methylation profiling did not separate AFX from PDS. The DNA-methylation profiles of the other cases, however, were distinct from AFX/PDS. They reliably assigned to subtype-specific DNA-methylation clusters, although overlap occurred between some AFX/PDS and cSCC. Copy number profiling revealed alterations in a similar frequency and distribution between AFX and PDS. They involved losses of 9p (22/32) and 13q (25/32). Gains frequently involved 8q (8/32). Notably, a homozygous deletion of CDKN2A was more frequent in PDS (6/15) than in AFX (2/17), whereas amplifications were non-recurrent and overall rare (5/32).Our findings support the concept that AFX and PDS belong to a common tumor spectrum. We could demonstrate the diagnostic value of DNA-methylation profiling to delineating AFX/PDS from potential mimics. However, the assessment of certain histologic features remains crucial for separating PDS from AFX. %F PUB:(DE-HGF)16 %9 Journal Article %$ pmid:30809375 %2 pmc:PMC6375211 %R 10.1186/s13569-019-0113-6 %U https://inrepo02.dkfz.de/record/143492