Karyotypic characterization of infant embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

Despite embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (eRMS) representing the most frequent form of RMS, the karyotypic characterization of this tumor subtype is still incomplete. We report the karyotypic analysis of two new cases of infant-onset eRMS. Both cases had a hyperdiploid karyotype, including gain of chromosomes 2 and 8. Only one of the cases showed a structural aberration, an unbalanced rearrangement involving 4p. These cases, together with a review of the literature, suggest that a karyotypic subgroup exists in infant eRMS that is defined by hyperdiploidy (<53 chromosomes) and includes gain of chromosomes 2, 8, 11, and 17, with few or no structural aberrations. Hence, this report illustrates that distinct karyotypic subgroups may be found in eRMS, which ultimately may be shown to have prognostic relevance.     

A cytogenetic study of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

In the cytogenetic analysis of an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma after short-term culture, individual cells were found to contain multiple copies of chromosomes #2, #6, #8, #12, #13, #18, #20 and #21, and del(1)(:p21----qter). The tumor was hypotriploid (mode, 56 chromosomes). The relationship between these findings and published reports of karyotypes from rhabdomyosarcoma is discussed.     

Pleural effusion cytology of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

This case report concerns an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the testis in a 31-yr-old white male patient who underwent radical left orchiectomy, followed by combined irradiation and chemotherapy, and who 2 yr later presented with dyspnea at rest, nonproductive cough, and lower back pain for 1 wk. Chest radiographs demonstrated a bilateral pleural effusion and diffuse infiltrating lesion of the pleurae, mimicking a mesothelioma. The pleural fluid displayed noncohesive, malignant, small, round cells about 2–5 times larger than mature lymphocyes. They had large, darkly staining, pleomorphic nuclei and bubbly cytoplasm with poorly defined borders. The diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma was supported by a positive myosin immunostaining and ultrastructural findings of intracytoplasmic actin and myosin-type microfilaments. Our case is also notable in that the tumor was a pure rhabdomyosarcoma involving a testicular origin, and the patient is the oldest reported in the literature. Diagn. Cytopathol. 16:270–273, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Embryonal sarcoma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the orbit

A series of 34 cases of embryonal sarcoma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the orbit has been placed histologically into three groups according to their maximum degree of differentiation at any stage: (a) embryonal sarcoma, (b) non-striated embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and (c) striated embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The patients were then followed up. This paper presents a summary of the clinical course of the whole series and an account of eight typical cases; the age and sex incidence and survival rates are shown and the histology, treatment, and prognosis are discussed.     

Immunohistochemical study of alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

Paraffin-embedded sections of 11 alveolar and 12 embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas, 12 lymphomas, five neuroblastomas, five extraskeletal neoplasms resembling Ewing's sarcoma, and six epithelial tumors were tested for immunoreactivity against myosin, myoglobin, and isozymes BB and MM of creatine kinase with a peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Of the 23 cases of rhabdomyosarcomas 17 were positive for at least three of the antigenic determinants. In contrast, the other investigated tumors were consistently negative for all markers, with the exception of breast and prostatic carcinomas. Our results establish that the presence of three or four of the above markers in a tumor is strongly suggestive of a rhabdomyosarcoma and helpful in the distinction of alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas from lymphomas, neuroblastomas, and extraskeletal neoplasms resembling Ewing's sarcoma.     

Effects of RAS on the genesis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is a devastating cancer with specific features of muscle differentiation that can result from mutational activation of RAS family members. However, to date, RAS pathway activation has not been reported in a majority of ERMS patients. Here, we have created a zebrafish model of RAS-induced ERMS, in which animals develop externally visible tumors by 10 d of life. Microarray analysis and cross-species comparisons identified two conserved gene signatures found in both zebrafish and human ERMS, one associated with tumor-specific and tissue-restricted gene expression in rhabdomyosarcoma and a second comprising a novel RAS-induced gene signature. Remarkably, our analysis uncovered that RAS pathway activation is exceedingly common in human RMS. We also created a new transgenic coinjection methodology to fluorescently label distinct subpopulations of tumor cells based on muscle differentiation status. In conjunction with fluorescent activated cell sorting, cell transplantation, and limiting dilution analysis, we were able to identify the cancer stem cell in zebrafish ERMS. When coupled with gene expression studies of this cell population, we propose that the zebrafish RMS cancer stem cell shares similar self-renewal programs as those found in activated satellite cells.     

Clonal karyotypic evolution in an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma with trisomy 8 as the primary chromosomal abnormality

An embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma was analyzed cytogenetically. In primary cultures fed a serum-containing medium, 11 clones with karyotypic abnormalities were found. One had trisomy 8 only. The other 10 clones had trisomy 8 as well as additional evolutionary changes that included trisomy for part or all of chromosome 2, isochromosomes for the short and long arms of chromosome 11, isochromosomes for the long arm of chromosome 8, and extra copies of chromosome 8, some of which had an interstitial deletion in 8q. In those primary cultures that had grown in a chemically defined, serum-free medium and in all passaged cultures, trisomy 8 was the only aberration. Our findings and a survey of published information point to gain of one chromosome 8 as a frequent primary karyotypic abnormality in embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas. Trisomy for part or all of chromosomes 2 and 11 and additional gains of chromosome 8 material seem to be common secondary changes. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Noonan syndrome,the SOS1 gene and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

Noonan Syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by short stature, facial dysmorphisms, and congenital heart defects, and is caused by mutations in either PTPN11, KRAS, NRAS, SHOC2, RAF1, or SOS1. Furthermore, NS is known for its predisposition to develop cancer, particularly hematological malignancies and specific solid tumors, mainly neuroblastoma and embryonal rhabdomyosacroma (ERMS). Until recently, however, cancer predisposition in NS patients with SOS1 mutations was not reported. Here we present a NS patient with a de novo germline SOS1 mutation (p.Lys728Ile) and ERMS. This heterozygous germline mutation was homozygously present in the ERMS of this patient due to an acquired uniparental disomy (UPD) of chromosome 2. In addition, several other chromosomal aberrations were encountered, some of which are known to recurrently occur in ERMS. Sequence analysis of the SOS1 gene in 20 sporadic ERMS tumors failed to reveal any pathogenic mutations, implicating that SOS1 is not a major player in the development of this tumor outside the context of NS. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Unusual obliterative disease of the hepatic veins in an infant

Summary Hepatic fibrosis with obliterative lesions of the small hepatic veins occured in a three month old infant with fatal congenital leukaemia treated with cytostatic drugs. The vascular changes were characterized by an unusual, hitherto unreported angiomatoid, proliferation of the endothelium. The process is compared with the more common subendothelial-fibrous type of the veno-occlusive disease. An etiological interpretation is difficult, possibly the process is a secondary reaction of the endothelium to a cytostatic-induced lesion with hepatic fibrosis.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird berichtet über ein 3 Monate alt gewordenes Kind mit einer zytostatisch behandelten konnatalen LeukÄmie, bei dem im Bereich der kleinen Lebervenen ein obliterativer GefÄ\proze\ beobachtet wurde. Die GefÄ\verÄnderungen waren durch eine bisher nicht beschriebene angiomatoide, polsterförmige Endothelproliferation charakterisiert. Diese wird dem hÄufiger beobachteten subendothelial-fibrösen Typ, wie er charakteristisch für die Lebervenen-Verschlu\-Krankheit (veno-occlusive disease) ist, gegenübergestellt. Eine Ätiologische Deutung ist schwierig, möglicherweise handelt es sich um eine sekundÄre Reaktion des Endothels im Rahmen einer Zytostatika-induzierten LeberschÄdigung mit Leberfibrose.

     

儿童头面部胚胎性横纹肌肉瘤的临床病理特点及预后分析

目的探讨儿童头面部胚胎性横纹肌肉瘤的临床病理特征及其与预后的关系。方法按2002年国际病理学会的诊断标准收集复旦大学附属眼耳鼻喉科医院病理诊断确诊的头面部胚胎性横纹肌肉瘤病例,并将葡萄状型归入胚胎性的亚型。收集病理及免疫组化切片及临床资料,并请复旦大学附属肿瘤医院病理科软组织专家重新阅读病理片,对发生于儿童头面部的胚胎性横纹肌肉瘤进行临床病理学分析。结果2004~2007年共有18例患儿纳入分析,其中男12例,女6例;发病年龄5个月至18岁,<10岁者12例。临床表现为口、鼻或耳道肿物及鼻塞、声嘶、面瘫等肿瘤占位引起的相应症状和体征。依据美国横纹肌肉瘤研究组的分期标准,临床Ⅰ~Ⅱ期7例,Ⅲ~Ⅳ期11例。CT或MRI显示相应部位膨胀性生长的软组织占位,多伴有骨吸收破坏。术前有5例临床诊断为良性病变。组织病理学上,以出现不同分化阶段的横纹肌母细胞为特征,其中葡萄状亚型4例。行肿瘤完整或大部切除5例,部分切除2例,11例仅行手术探查或鼻内镜活检。随访到10例患儿,其中4例患儿病死,均为临床Ⅲ期,存活的6例均采用了手术结合化疗或放疗的综合治疗;余8例失访。结论儿童头面部胚胎性横纹肌肉瘤为高度恶性的软组织肿瘤,生长迅速...     

Orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in adults. Report of 2 cases

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent sarcoma of infancy. Embryonal RMS is generally correlated with a better response to chemotherapy. In the present paper two cases of embryonal RMS of the orbit affecting adult patients are reported. Both patients are male, aged 22 and 24 years respectively. In Case 1 the lesion arose primitively in the orbit, in Case 2 the orbit was affected by secondary involvement. Both patients presented a rapid response to chemotherapy, with reduction of the neoplastic mass and regression of symptoms.     

Karyotypic characterization of a new human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell line

Chromosomal analysis of an advanced recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma of the embryonal type was performed on cell cultures in the 9th passage of in vitro cultivation. This tumor showed a modal karyotype of 54 and was characterized by multiple numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities, all present in high frequencies. Abnormalities observed in 100% of the cells included a der(1) chromosome with a short unidentified insertion between q31 and q32; a der(1) chromosome, arising from insertion at the same breakpoint of a longer segment with a duplicated 1q31 band and translocation of 13q23----qter to 1p36, a deleted tetrasomic 13q23----qter, and a der(4) chromosome showing 1p36----pter translocated to 4p13. Other common abnormalities included trisomy of chromosomes 8, 13, and 9p, deletions of chromosomes 6, 10, 11, and 12, and presence of marker chromosomes. Characterization of the established line at the 38th passage evidenced the persistence of both the modal karyotype and all the numerical and structural abnormalities previously found. The results of this study provide further evidence of the major involvement of alterations in chromosome 1 in the progression of rhabdomyosarcoma.     

Botryoid-type of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of renal pelvis in an adult. A case report and review of the literature

A case of botryoid-type embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the renal pelvis in a 49-year-old woman is reported. The tumor led to hydronephrosis. The surgical resection specimen disclosed a translucent, polypoid mass attached to the wall of the renal pelvis by thin stalk. Light-microscopic examination revealed a large exophytic polypoid tumor with intact surface epithelium, which was negative for dysplasia or carcinoma in situ. There was a condensation of epithelioid to spindle cells underneath the basement membrane, forming a cambium layer. The core of the lesion contained interspersed epithelioid to spindle cells with myxoid change and edema. Cells of the cambium layer as well as interspersed cells in the core exhibited marked cytologic atypia with mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical stains for cytokeratin, S-100 and myoglobin were negative, stains for desmin and actin were positive. Although botryoid-type embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas have been reported to occur at various sites in the genital tract and lower urinary tract, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the tumor within the renal pelvis. Also, the occurrence of these tumors in adults is quite rare.     

Phosphorylation profiles of protein kinases in alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common pediatric soft-tissue sarcoma, which includes two major subtypes, alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The mechanism of its oncogenesis is largely unknown. However, the oncogenic process of rhabdomyosarcoma involves multi-stages of signaling protein dysregulation characterized by prolonged activation of tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases. To better understand this protein dysregulation, we evaluated the phosphorylation profiles of multiple tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases to identify whether these protein kinases are activated in rhabdomyosarcoma. We applied immunohistochemistry with phospho-specific antibodies to examine phosphorylation levels of selected receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70S6K, and protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes on alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma tissue microarray slides. Our results showed that the phosphorylation levels of these kinases are elevated in some rhabdomyosarcoma tissues compared to normal tissues. Phosphorylation levels of receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases are elevated between 26 and 68% in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and between 24 and 71% in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, respectively, compared to normal tissues. In addition, phosphorylation levels of mTOR and its downstream targets, p70S6K, S6, and 4EBP1, are increased between 50 and 72% in both subtypes of rhabdomyosarcoma. Further, phosphorylation levels of PKCalpha, PKCdelta, PKCtheta, and PKCzeta/lambda are upregulated between 57 and 69% in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and between 43 and 72% in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. This is the first report to create a phosphorylation profile of tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases involved in the mTOR and PKC pathways of alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. These protein kinases may play roles in the development or tumor progression of rhabdomyosarcomas and thus may serve as novel targets for therapeutic intervention.