Journal Article

DKFZ-2021-02291

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Genetic and epigenetic characterization of posterior pituitary tumors.

Schmid, S. ; Solomon, D. A. ; Perez, E. ; Thieme, A.DKFZ* ; Kleinschmidt-DeMasters, B. K. ; Giannini, C. ; Reinhardt, A.DKFZ* ; Asa, S. L. ; Mete, O. ; Stichel, D.DKFZ* ; Siewert, C.DKFZ* ; Dittmayer, C. ; Hasselblatt, M. ; Paulus, W. ; Nagel, C. ; Harter, P.DKFZ* ; Schittenhelm, J. ; Honegger, J. ; Rushing, E. ; Coras, R. ; Pfister, S. M.DKFZ* ; Buslei, R. ; Koch, A. ; Perry, A. ; Jones, D. T. W.DKFZ* ; von Deimling, A.DKFZ* ; Capper, D.DKFZ* ; Lopes, M. B.

2021
Springer Heidelberg

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1007/s00401-021-02377-1

Abstract: Pituicytoma (PITUI), granular cell tumor (GCT), and spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) are rare tumors of the posterior pituitary. Histologically, they may be challenging to distinguish and have been proposed to represent a histological spectrum of a single entity. We performed targeted next-generation sequencing, DNA methylation profiling, and copy number analysis on 47 tumors (14 PITUI; 12 GCT; 21 SCO) to investigate molecular features and explore possibilities of clinically meaningful tumor subclassification. We detected two main epigenomic subgroups by unsupervised clustering of DNA methylation data, though the overall methylation differences were subtle. The largest group (n = 23) contained most PITUIs and a subset of SCOs and was enriched for pathogenic mutations within genes in the MAPK/PI3K pathways (12/17 [71%] of sequenced tumors: FGFR1 (3), HRAS (3), BRAF (2), NF1 (2), CBL (1), MAP2K2 (1), PTEN (1)) and two with accompanying TERT promoter mutation. The second group (n = 16) contained most GCTs and a subset of SCOs, all of which mostly lacked identifiable genetic drivers. Outcome analysis demonstrated that the presence of chromosomal imbalances was significantly associated with reduced progression-free survival especially within the combined PITUI and SCO group (p = 0.031). In summary, we observed only subtle DNA methylation differences between posterior pituitary tumors, indicating that these tumors may be best classified as subtypes of a single entity. Nevertheless, our data indicate differences in mutation patterns and clinical outcome. For a clinically meaningful subclassification, we propose a combined histo-molecular approach into three subtypes: one subtype is defined by granular cell histology, scarcity of identifiable oncogenic mutations, and favorable outcome. The other two subtypes have either SCO or PITUI histology but are segregated by chromosomal copy number profile into a favorable group (no copy number changes) and a less favorable group (copy number imbalances present). Both of the latter groups have recurrent MAPK/PI3K genetic alterations that represent potential therapeutic targets.

Keyword(s): Brain tumor ; Granular cell tumor ; Molecular neuropathology ; Pituicytoma ; Posterior pituitary gland neoplasms ; Spindle cell oncocytoma

Note: 2021 Dec;142(6):1025-1043

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DKTK BE zentral (BE01)
2. KKE Neuropathologie (B300)
3. DKTK HD zentral (HD01)
4. DKTK FM zentral (FM01)
5. B062 Pädiatrische Neuroonkologie (B062)
6. Pediatric Glioma (B360)

Research Program(s):

1. 312 - Funktionelle und strukturelle Genomforschung (POF4-312) (POF4-312)

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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