Atypical neurofibromas reveal distinct epigenetic features with proximity to benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor entities.
DNA methylation
atypical neurofibroma
classification
diagnostic marker
peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Journal
Neuro-oncology
ISSN: 1523-5866
Titre abrégé: Neuro Oncol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100887420
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
05 09 2023
05 09 2023
Historique:
pmc-release:
02
03
2024
medline:
6
9
2023
pubmed:
4
3
2023
entrez:
3
3
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Plexiform neurofibromas can transform into atypical neurofibromas (ANF) and then further progress to aggressive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). ANF have been described to harbor distinct histological features and frequent loss of CDKN2A/B. However, histological evaluation may be rater-dependent, and detailed knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of malignant transformation is scarce. In general, malignant transformation can be accompanied by significant epigenetic changes, and global DNA methylation profiling is able to differentiate relevant tumor subgroups. Therefore, epigenetic profiling might provide a valuable tool to distinguish and characterize ANF with differing extent of histopathological atypia from neurofibromas and MPNST. We investigated 40 tumors histologically diagnosed as ANF and compared their global methylation profile to other peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Unsupervised class discovery and t-SNE analysis indicated that 36/40 ANF cluster with benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors with clear separation from MPNST. 21 ANF formed a molecularly distinct cluster in proximity to schwannomas. Tumors in this cluster had a frequent heterozygous or homozygous loss of CDKN2A/B and significantly more lymphocyte infiltration than MPNST, schwannomas, and NF. Few ANF clustered closely with neurofibromas, schwannomas, or MPNST, raising the question, whether diagnosis based on histological features alone might pose a risk to both over- and underestimate the aggressiveness of these lesions. Our data suggest that ANF with varying histological morphology show distinct epigenetic similarities and cluster in proximity to benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor entities. Future investigations should pay special respect to correlating this methylation pattern to clinical outcomes.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Plexiform neurofibromas can transform into atypical neurofibromas (ANF) and then further progress to aggressive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). ANF have been described to harbor distinct histological features and frequent loss of CDKN2A/B. However, histological evaluation may be rater-dependent, and detailed knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of malignant transformation is scarce. In general, malignant transformation can be accompanied by significant epigenetic changes, and global DNA methylation profiling is able to differentiate relevant tumor subgroups. Therefore, epigenetic profiling might provide a valuable tool to distinguish and characterize ANF with differing extent of histopathological atypia from neurofibromas and MPNST.
METHODS
We investigated 40 tumors histologically diagnosed as ANF and compared their global methylation profile to other peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
RESULTS
Unsupervised class discovery and t-SNE analysis indicated that 36/40 ANF cluster with benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors with clear separation from MPNST. 21 ANF formed a molecularly distinct cluster in proximity to schwannomas. Tumors in this cluster had a frequent heterozygous or homozygous loss of CDKN2A/B and significantly more lymphocyte infiltration than MPNST, schwannomas, and NF. Few ANF clustered closely with neurofibromas, schwannomas, or MPNST, raising the question, whether diagnosis based on histological features alone might pose a risk to both over- and underestimate the aggressiveness of these lesions.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that ANF with varying histological morphology show distinct epigenetic similarities and cluster in proximity to benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor entities. Future investigations should pay special respect to correlating this methylation pattern to clinical outcomes.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36866403
pii: 7067960
doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noad053
pmc: PMC10479771
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1644-1655Commentaires et corrections
Type : CommentIn
Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
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