165例胃肠道间质瘤中c-kit和PDGFRA基因突变的检测和临床诊断意义

目的探讨在中国较大样本的胃肠道问质瘤（GIST）中c-kit基因和PDGFRA基因的突变状况,为进一步的生物靶向治疗提供依据。方法用免疫组织化学EnVision法、聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增和直接测序的方法,检测165例GIST c-kit基因9、11、13和17号外显子突变以及PDGFRA基因12和18号外显子突变。结果病理组织学诊断的165例GIST病例中有155例（94％）免疫组织化学显示CD117阳性。在CD117阳性的GIST中,c-kit基因总突变率为76．1％（118／155）：分别为11号外显子67．1％（104／155）、9号外显子7．1％（11／155）、13号外显子1．3％（2／155）和17号外显子0．6％（1／155）。绝大多数为杂合性突变,少数为纯合性突变。11号外显子的突变位点多集中在5’端的经典热点,其次为3’端的框内串联重复。后者主要以核分裂象少的老年女性胃部病例多见。9号外显子突变代表一类发生在年轻男性体积较大的小肠病变。13号外显子发现一处新的突变点L641P。PDGFRA基因突变见于50％（5／10）CD117阴性病例,均为18号外显子突变,包括常见的D842V点突变和一个框内843-846处IMHD缺失伴有S847T的新突变。PDGFRA基因突变多见于发生在后腹膜／网膜的具有高度侵袭危险性的病例。结论中国GIST病例大多数存在c-kit基因和PDGFRA基因的突变,且在基因突变类型和肿瘤原发部位问有非随机的联系。除了发现几个新的突变形式外,国人的GIST似乎和西方国家有些不同的突变特点。靶向治疗需要基因突变分型的启示和指导。     

Epithelioid gastrointestinal stromal tumor with PDGFRA activating mutation and immunoreactivity.

The authors report a unique case of an intra-abdominal, epithelioid mesenchymal tumor that had an activating mutation of PDGFRA and a strong PDGFRA immunoreactivity but lacked both c-kit mutation and c-kit protein (CD117) expression. IHC study showed that the tumor cells were diffusely and strongly positive for PDGFRA, vimentin, CD34, and Bcl-2 but completely negative for CD117 as well as for muscle, epithelial, endothelial, endocrine, mesothelial, neural, and melanocytic cell markers. Molecular study revealed a mutation at the juxtamembrane domain of exon 12 in PDGFRA gene with GTC to GAC transition at codon 561 (V561D), as shown in the previous mutational studies on gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). This case likely represents an example of GIST with PDGFRA activating mutation and PDGFRA immunoreactivity without CD117 positivity, which has not been documented in the literature. STI 571 (imatinib mesylate [Gleevec]) might be an effective therapy in this case, since Gleevec targets both PDGFRA and c-kit oncoproteins.     

Mutations in Exon 11 of c-Kit Occur Preferentially in Malignant versus Benign Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and Do Not Occur in Leiomyomas or Leiomyosarcomas

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) comprise the largest subset of mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. These neoplasms differ histologically and immunohistochemically from typical leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas. Most GISTs express CD34 and CD117 (c-kit protein) but not desmin. Recently, gain-of-function mutations of c-kit proto-oncogene have been shown in five solitary GISTs and in tumors and leukocytes from a family with multiple GISTs. An in-frame deletion or a point mutation in exon 11 of c-kit was detected in these cases. Stable transfection of the mutant c-kit complementary DNA was also shown to induce malignant transformation of murine lymphoid cells, suggesting that the c-kit mutations contribute to tumor development. In this study, we evaluated 43 GISTs and 14 smooth muscle tumors for mutations in the exon 11 of c-kit by a PCR-assay. Half of the malignant GISTs (12/24) and only one benign GIST (1/19) revealed mutant bands. No mutant bands were found in 3 leiomyomas and 11 leiomyosarcomas. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of an in-frame deletion of 3–21 bp in all 13 GISTs with mutant bands. Wild-type bands from 8 malignant and 11 benign GISTs and 7 smooth muscle tumors without mutant bands were cloned and sequenced. Additional mutations were found in 3 malignant and 2 benign GISTs. There were no mutations in 3 leiomyomas and 4 leiomyosarcomas. The mutation status of exon 11 did not correlate with immunohistochemically detectable expression of the CD117, as virtually all GISTs with or without such mutations showed CD117 immunoreactivity. The c-kit mutations occur preferentially in malignant GISTs and might be a clinically useful adjunct marker in the evaluation of GISTs. The conservation of the c-kit mutation pattern, observed in consecutive lesions from the same patients, suggests that these mutations might be useful tumor markers in monitoring recurrence or minimal residual disease.     

High-resolution melting amplicon analysis as a method to detect c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha activating mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

High-resolution melting amplicon analysis (HRMAA) was used to detect c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) activating mutations in 96 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). HRMAA detected mutations in 87 GISTs (91%). Of the 87 cases, 69 (79%) contained c-kit mutations and 18 (21%), PDGFRA mutations. One c-kit mutation-positive case contained an exon 9 mutation, ins FY at codon 503, that has not been previously described. One PDGFRA mutation-positive case contained mutation D842V del 843, also not previously described. Of 18 PDGFRA mutation-positive cases, 3 (17%) were strongly positive for kit expression as measured by CD117 immunohistochemical analysis. Of 69 c-kit mutation-positive cases, 66 (96%) showed strong kit immunohistochemical expression, but 3 (4%) showed negative to weak CD117 expression. Of 96 cases, 9 (9%) were wild type for c-kit and PDGFRA. Of the wild-type cases, 8 still showed strong immunohistochemical kit expression, whereas 1 showed weak kit expression. GISTs with PDGFRA mutations were found in the stomach, omentum, and peritoneum but not the small intestine. GISTs with c-kit exon 9 mutations were found primarily in the small intestine. HRMAA is a sensitive technique that can be used to rapidly identify c-kit and PDGFRA activating mutations in GISTs.     

Imatinib in the management of multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors associated with a germline KIT K642E mutation

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gut and are distinguished by expression of CD117 (c-Kit). Oncogenic mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA gene are detected in approximately 85% of sporadic GISTs. In recent years, examples of familial GIST have been reported in which germline mutations of KIT or PDGFRA result in multiple GISTs, skin disorders, and other abnormalities. The most common germline mutations are in KIT exon 11, mutations in exons 8 and 17 have also been described, and there are 2 families with germline PDGFRA mutations. We present a case in which a germline KIT exon 13 mutation (K642E) was discovered in a patient with multiple GISTs of rectum, small intestine, and esophagus, as well as diffuse hyperplasia of the interstitial cells of Cajal. To our knowledge, this is only the second germline example of this particular mutation. The patient's esophageal tumors were stabilized with imatinib.     

CD117阴性胃肠道间质瘤的临床病理及免疫组织化学研究

目的 探讨免疫组织化学在形态学典型、免疫组织化学CD117阴性胃肠道间质瘤(GIST)诊断中的意义.方法 对10例CD117阴性、形态学典型的GIST进行c-kit基因第9、11、13、17号外显子及血小板源性生长因子受体α(PDGFRA)基因第12和18号外显子的基因检测,同时所有病例均进行CD117、CD34、平滑肌肌动蛋白(SMA)、结蛋白、S-100蛋白、WT-1、DOG-1 的免疫组织化学染色(EnVision法).结果 10例中8例完成c-kit及PDGFRA基因的检测,仅1例有c-kit基因第9号外显子突变,余未发现基因突变.10例CD117阴性的病例9例CD34阳性,2例SMA局灶阳性.结蛋白和S-100蛋白均阴性.DOG1弥漫阳性者5例,1例弥漫弱阳性,2例局灶阳性,2例阴性.4例WT-1弥漫阳性,2例局灶阳性,1例有散在肿瘤细胞阳性,3例阴性.结论 对胃肠道及胃肠道外形态学典型、但CD117阴性的GIST病例,联合应用多种免疫组织化学标记有助于诊断.DOG-1和WT-1可作为补充加入到CD117阴性GIST的诊断中.     

CD117阴性胃肠道间质瘤的临床病理及免疫组织化学研究

目的 探讨免疫组织化学在形态学典型、免疫组织化学CD117阴性胃肠道间质瘤(GIST)诊断中的意义.方法 对10例CD117阴性、形态学典型的GIST进行c-kit基因第9、11、13、17号外显子及血小板源性生长因子受体α(PDGFRA)基因第12和18号外显子的基因检测,同时所有病例均进行CD117、CD34、平滑肌肌动蛋白(SMA)、结蛋白、S-100蛋白、WT-1、DOG-1 的免疫组织化学染色(EnVision法).结果 10例中8例完成c-kit及PDGFRA基因的检测,仅1例有c-kit基因第9号外显子突变,余未发现基因突变.10例CD117阴性的病例9例CD34阳性,2例SMA局灶阳性.结蛋白和S-100蛋白均阴性.DOG1弥漫阳性者5例,1例弥漫弱阳性,2例局灶阳性,2例阴性.4例WT-1弥漫阳性,2例局灶阳性,1例有散在肿瘤细胞阳性,3例阴性.结论 对胃肠道及胃肠道外形态学典型、但CD117阴性的GIST病例,联合应用多种免疫组织化学标记有助于诊断.DOG-1和WT-1可作为补充加入到CD117阴性GIST的诊断中.

Abstract：

Objective To study the immunophenotype and c-kit or platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha(PDGFRA)gene mutations in CD117-negative gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs).Methods Ten cases of GISTs with typical histologic features but no CD117 expression were retrieved from the archival of Department of Pathology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital,China.The Cages were further evaluated for the presence of c-kit exons 9.11, 13 and 17 mutations and PDGFRA exons 12 and 18mutations.DNA was extracted from the paraffin-embedded tuinor tissue.The PCR products were sequenced directly for the mutations.An immunohistochemical study for CD117,CD34,smooth muscle actin,desmin,S-100 protein.WT-1 and DOC-1 Was also performed.Results Eight of the 10 Cases had the mutation tests completed.C-kit mumfion in exon 9 Wag detected in only one case.Amongst the 10 cases studied, CD34Wag expressed in 9 cases. Smooth muscle actin was focally positive in 2 cases.None of them expressed desmin or S-100 protein.DOG-1 and WT-1 were diffusely positive in 5 and 4 Cages.respectively.In addition.DOG1 Was diffusely but weakly positive in 1 case and focally expressed in 2 cages.Three cases were focally positive for WT-1.Conclusion Pathologic diagnosis of CD117-negative GISTs can be facilitated with the application of a panel of immunohistochemical markers.including DOG-1 and WT-1.     

Molecular analysis of c-Kit and PDGFRA in GISTs diagnosed by EUS

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are characterized by overexpression and mutations of c-Kit. Approximately 80% of c-Kit mutations occur in exon 11, being a response factor to imatinib (Gleevec) therapy. Mutations of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRA) are observed in a subset of GISTs lacking c-Kit mutations.We aimed to assess whether c-Kit and PDGFRA mutation analysis of GISTs obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) could be routinely performed. Mutation analysis of c-Kit hotspot exons (9, 11, 13 and 17) and PDGFRA hotspot exons (12 and 18) was performed in aspirates of 33 GISTs and 18 non-GIST mesenchymal tumors.Of the GIST cases, 19 (58%) of 33 contained a mutation in exon 11, 1 (3%) in exon 9, and none in exons 13 and 17. No activating c-Kit mutations were identified in non-GIST cases. No PDGFRA mutation was detected.Mutation analysis is possible in these FNA cell blocks and can assist in the diagnosis and therapeutic decisions in GIST cases/     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): CD117, DOG-1 and PKCθ expression. Is there any advantage in using several markers?

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. Expression of CD117, DOG1 and PKCθ was investigated immunohistochemically in a series of 99 paraffin-embedded GISTs in order to determine the sensitivity and diagnostic value of these markers. KIT exons 9, 11, 13 and 17 and PDGFRA exons 12 and 18 were amplified by PCR and sequenced. A total of 94/99 (94%) GISTs stained positive for CD117, 81/99 (82%) for PKCθ and 90/99 (91%) for DOG-1. A significant correlation was noted between CD117 and DOG-1 expression (p=0.0001). All three markers were expressed in 74% (73/99) of GISTs. Of the five CD117-negative cases, two were PKCθ-negative/DOG1-negative and had mutations in KIT exon 11. Two were PKCθ-positive/DOG1-positive and had mutations in PDGFRA (one each in exons 12 and 18), and one was DOG1-negative/PKCθ-positive, with a PDGFRA exon 18 mutation. The most sensitive marker was CD117, followed by DOG-1 and PKCθ. Although PKCθ was less sensitive, and its staining is more challenging and difficult to interpret, the use of this marker is highly recommended, particularly in CD117-negative/DOG-1-negative GISTs.     

CD117阴性的胃肠道间质瘤的超微结构特点及基因突变检测

目的探讨CD117阴性的胃肠道间质瘤（GIST）的超微结构及c-kit和血小板源性生长因子受体A（PDGFRA）基因的突变情况。方法用免疫组织化学方法（EnVision法和SP法）从101例GIST中筛选到6例CD117阴性的GIST,观察了6例CD117阴性的胃肠道间质瘤的电镜变化,用PCR直接测序的方法检测6例CD117阴性的胃肠道间质瘤的c-kit基因外显子9、11、13、17和PDGFRA基因外显子12和18突变。结果电镜下观察到6例GIST的超微结构特点与卡哈尔细胞相似,通过PCR直接测序检测揭示c-kit基因9、11、13和17外显子均无突变,而3例GIST的PDGFRA有突变,其中2例D842V突变,1例R841S突变。结论PDGFRA基因的突变可能是CD117阴性的胃肠道间质瘤发生的重要分子基础。     

Use of tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry to standardize the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

We assessed the concordance among seven general pathologists with respect to histologic diagnosis and interpretation of c-kit proto-oncogene (KIT) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) immunostaining of 36 cases of primary spindle-cell tumor, predominantly of the gastrointestinal tract, mesentery, and retroperitoneum, based on review of a tissue microarray (TMA) subjected to immunohistochemistry with antibodies to KIT/CD117, PDGFRA, vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle action, CD34, and S-100 protein. Tumors included 20 molecularly analyzed gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 4 leiomyosarcomas, 4 schwannomas, 4 desmoid-type fibromatoses, and 4 solitary fibrous tumors. The mean overall concordance with original diagnosis for each histologic type was 91.1%, with a mean kappa value of 0.91. With respect to PDGFRA immunostaining, the four GISTs with PDGFRA mutation were interpreted as cytoplasm positive, but the 16 GISTs with c-kit mutation were interpreted as weak or positive. These results indicate that the overall concordance with original diagnosis in mesenchymal tumors with the use of immunohistochemical panels is high, despite the use of TMAs. To some extent, PDGFRA immunophenotyping may be useful in GISTs with PDGFRA mutation, but it was not highly reproducible or specific. Therefore, in KIT-negative or weakly positive GISTs, mutation analysis will be required.     

Mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors--a population-based study from Northern Norway

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. This tumor typically expresses KIT, and has KIT or PDGFRA activating mutation. In this study we evaluated 89 GISTs diagnosed in Northern Norway during a 30-year period. KIT exons 8, 9, 11, 13, and 17 were analyzed by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Subsequently PDGRA exons 12, 14, and 18 were evaluated in KIT wild-type cases. KIT mutations were found in 66 cases (75%), and PDGFRA mutations in 9 cases (10%). Most common were KIT exon 11 mutations, with 58 cases. Tumors with Kit exon 11 point mutations had a significantly better prognosis than those with deletions. There were five KIT exon 9 duplications, three exon 13 point mutations, and one point mutation in exon 17. There were nine PDGFGRA mutations: seven in exon 18 and two in exon 12. All but one PDGFRA mutant GISTs were gastric tumors with epithelioid morphology, and these tumors were on average smaller than those with KIT mutations. KIT and PDGFRA wild type was found in 15% of cases. Analysis of KIT and PDGFRA mutations is of significance for treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and may also have value when assessing the biological potential of GIST.     

GISTs with PDGFRA exon 14 mutations represent subset of clinically favorable gastric tumors with epithelioid morphology

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Activating KIT or PDGFRA (platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha) mutations have been shown to be a major force in GIST pathogenesis. Recently, a previously undescribed N659K PDGFRA exon 14 mutation has been reported in GISTs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of GISTs with PDGFRA exon 14 mutations and define the clinicopathologic profile of such tumors. In all, 200 GISTs negative for mutations in KIT exons 9, 11, 13 and 17 and PDGFRA exons 12 and 18 were evaluated for PDGFRA exon 14 mutations by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Mutations were found in 11 of 119 (9%) gastric GISTs. None of the 81 GISTs from other than gastric location had such a PDGFRA mutation. A majority of these mutations (eight cases) represented simple 2125C>A or C>G missense mutations, leading to substitution of the lysine for asparagine (N659K). However, in two cases, 2123A>T missense mutations leading to substitution of the tyrosine for asparagine (N659Y) was found instead. Of 11 PDGFRA N659-mutant GISTs, 10 had pure epithelioid morphology. One tumor had mixed, predominantly spindle and focally epithelioid cell morphology. Frequency of PDGFRA N659-mutant GISTs among pure epithelioid GISTs was almost 19%. Immunohistochemically, the majority (64%) of these tumors lacked KIT expression or showed only focal scattered KIT positivity. Tumor size ranged from 2.5 to 16 cm (average 7.1 cm). Low mitotic activity, 5 cm tumors. Based on mitotic activity and tumor size, six tumors were classified as probably benign with very low malignant potential. Low to moderate malignant potential and high malignant potential was suggested in three and two tumors, respectively. In four cases with moderate or high malignant potential GISTs, a long-term follow-up (average 235.5 months) showed favorable course of disease.     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: consistent CD117 immunostaining for diagnosis,and prognostic classification based on tumor size and MIB-1 grade

Gain-of-function c-kit gene mutations and immunoreactivity of the c-kit protein CD117 in many gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) seem to support the idea that GISTs form a biologically distinct entity. In this study, the clinicopathologic features of 171 cases of GIST at a single institution were investigated for accurate diagnosis, and their relative risk for mortality was estimated by multivariate analysis. A GIST was defined diagnostically as a mesenchymal spindle or epithelioid cell lesion arising in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract with consistent immunoreactivity for CD117. The 171 patients with GISTs comprised 96 males (56.1%) and 75 females (43.9%), with a mean age of 59.4 years. One hundred and forty-five tumors (84.8%) occurred in the stomach, 18 (10.5%) in the small intestine, 6 (3.5%) in the rectum, and 2 (1.2%) in the esophagus. The median tumor size was 4.5 cm (range, 1.2 to 38 cm). Spindle-cell GISTs were present in 132 cases (77.2%); mixed GISTs, in 25 cases (14.6%); and epithelioid GISTs, in 14 cases (8.2%). Ten cases (55.6%) of spindled small intestine GIST contained eosinophilic skeinoid fibers. Immunoreactivity for CD34, h-caldesmon, alpha-smooth-muscle actin (SMA), desmin, and S-100 was observed in 156 (91.2%), 131 (76.6%), 46 (26.9%), 7 (4.1%), and 14 (8.2%) tumors, respectively. The percentage of CD34 positivity (38.8%) was low, in contrast with the high percentage of reactivity for SMA (77.8%) and S-100 (44.4%) in small intestine GISTs. By our histologic grading system using tumor differentiation, MIB-1 score, and necrosis, 129 tumors (75.4%) were classified as low grade and 42 tumors (24.6%) were classified as high grade. With a median follow-up period of 83.5 months for 122 living patients, the 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 81.7% and 67.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that both tumor size >10 cm and high grade were significantly associated with a poor outcome. As a result, GISTs >10 cm or high grade, 5 to 10 cm and low grade, and < or =5 cm and low grade were regarded as high risk, intermediate risk, and low risk for mortality, respectively. In conclusion, it is important to recognize GISTs that have a specific molecular pathogenesis and to separate them from other mesenchymal tumors with optimal immunostaining for CD117 when making a diagnosis and prognostic classification based on tumor size and MIB-1 grade.     

74例胃肠道间质瘤临床病理与生物学行为评价

目的　探讨在胃肠道间质瘤(GIST)的病理诊断和预后分析上采用一种简单实用且重复性好的病理学“标准”,以利于GIST的日常病理诊断和生物学行为评价及指导治疗,并对Fletcher等推荐的GIST生物学行为评价表进行评估。方法　85例消化道间叶组织肿瘤,复习其病理形态学并应用CD117、CD34、平滑肌肌动蛋白(SMA)、结蛋白、S 100等进行免疫组织化学标记,结合 31例随访资料进行分析。结果　85例消化道间叶组织肿瘤中,GIST74例,平滑肌瘤和交界性平滑肌瘤 8例(食管),平滑肌肉瘤 1例(直肠 ),神经鞘瘤 1例 (胃 ),恶性纤维组织细胞瘤 1例 (肠系膜 )。74例GIST中,发生在胃和小肠的分别为 34例和 30例,占 86. 5%,食管 3例,胃肠道外(肠系膜、网膜、后腹膜)7例。年龄 23~80岁,平均 52 5岁, 40岁以上者占 85%,男性 45例,女性 29例。镜下观察:梭型细胞型 48例,上皮样细胞型 10例,混合细胞型 16例。瘤细胞呈长、短梭形和圆形,胞质丰富弱嗜酸性,排列呈旋涡状、栅栏状或弥漫巢状。免疫组织化学: 85例消化道间叶组织肿瘤波形蛋白均阳性,其中 74例表达CD117,诊断为GIST,表达形式有弥漫胞膜 /胞质强阳性、散在阳性、胞质点状着色等,其中 54例同时表达CD34 (阳性率 72. 9% ), 25例表达SMA, 5例表达结蛋白, 5例表达S 100蛋白。在 85例     

Pathology of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. It was found that most GIST expressed KIT, a receptor tyrosine kinase encoded by protooncogene c-kit. In normal gastrointestinal wall, KIT is expressed by interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), which are a pacemaker for autonomous gastrointestinal movement. Because both GIST and ICC are double-positive for KIT and CD34, and because familial and multiple GIST appear to develop from diffuse hyperplasia of ICC, GIST are considered to originate from ICC or their precursor cells. It was also found that approximately 90% of the sporadic GIST have somatic gain-of-function mutations of the c-kit gene, and that the patients with familial and multiple GIST have germline gain-of-function mutations of the c-kit gene. These facts strongly suggest that the c-kit gene mutations are a cause of GIST. Approximately half of the sporadic GIST without c-kit gene mutations were demonstrated to have gain-of-function mutations in platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRA) gene that encodes another receptor tyrosine kinase. Because KIT is immunohistochemically negative in a minority of GIST, especially in PDGFRA gene mutation-harboring GIST, mutational analyses of c-kit and PDGFRA genes may be required to diagnose such GIST definitely. Imatinib mesylate was developed as a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It inhibits constitutive activation of mutated KIT and PDGFRA, and is now being used for KIT-positive metastatic or unresectable GIST as a molecular target drug. Confirmation of KIT expression by immunohistochemistry is necessary for application of the drug. The effect of imatinib mesylate is different in various types of c-kit and PDGFRA gene mutations, and the secondary resistance against imatinib mesylate is often acquired by the second mutation of the identical genes. Mutational analyses of c-kit and PDGFRA genes are also significant for prediction of effectiveness of drugs including newly developed agents.     

Clinical significance of oncogenic KIT and PDGFRA mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite clinicopathological differences, GISTs share oncogenic KIT or platelet-derived growth factor-alpha ( PDGFRA ) mutations. Imatinib, KIT and PDGFRA inhibitor, has been successfully used in the treatment of metastatic GISTs. There are primary KIT or PDGFRA mutations diagnosed before imatinib treatment, linked to GIST pathogenesis, and secondary mutations detected during treatment, causing drug resistance. KIT exon 11 mutations are the most common. Gastric GISTs with exon 11 deletions are more aggressive than those with substitutions. KIT exon 11 mutants respond well to imatinib. Less common KIT exon 9 Ala502_Tyr503dup mutants occur predominantly in intestinal GISTs and are less sensitive to imatinib. An Asp842Val substitution in exon 18 is the most common PDGFRA mutation. GISTs with such mutation are resistant to imatinib. PDGFRA mutations are associated with gastric GISTs, epithelioid morphology and a less malignant course of disease. GISTs in neurofibromatosis 1, Carney triad and paediatric tumours generally lack KIT and PDGFRA mutations. Secondary KIT mutations affect exons 13–17. GISTs with secondary mutations in exon 13 and 14 are sensitive to sunitinib, another tyrosine kinase inhibitor. KIT and PDGFRA genotyping is important for GIST diagnosis and assessment of sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.     

Novel V600E BRAF mutations in imatinib-naive and imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BRAF and NRAS are commonly mutated in cancer and represent the most frequent genetic events in malignant melanoma. More recently, a subset of melanomas was shown to overexpress KIT and harbor KIT mutations. Although most gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) exhibit activating mutations in either KIT or PDGFRA, about 10% of the cases lack mutations in these genes. It is our hypothesis following the melanoma model that mutations in BRAF or NRAS may play a role in wild-type GIST pathogenesis. Alterations in RAS/MEK/ERK pathway may also be involved in development of imatinib resistance in GIST, particularly in tumors lacking secondary KIT or PDGFRA mutations. Imatinib-naive wild-type GISTs from 61 patients, including 15 children and 28 imatinib-resistant tumors without secondary KIT mutations were analyzed. Screening for hot spots mutations in BRAF (exons 11 and 15) and NRAS (exons 2 and 3) was performed. A BRAF exon 15 V600E was identified in 3 of 61 GIST patients, who shared similar clinical features, being 49- to 55-years-old females and having their tumors located in the small bowel. The tumors were strongly KIT immunoreactive and had a high risk of malignancy. An identical V600E BRAF mutation was also identified in one of 28 imatinib resistant GIST lacking a defined mechanism of drug resistance. In conclusion, we identified a primary BRAF V600E mutations in 7% of adult GIST patients, lacking KIT/PDGFRA mutations. The BRAF-mutated GISTs show predilection for small bowel location and high risk of malignancy. A secondary V600E BRAF mutation could represent an alternative mechanism of imatinib resistance. Kinase inhibitors targeting BRAF may be effective therapeutic options in this molecular GIST subset.     

c-kit mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors occur preferentially in the spindle rather than in the epithelioid cell variant.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) coexpress CD34 and the Kit tyrosine-kinase receptor (CD117). A subset of GISTs carry gain-of-function mutations of the c-kit proto-oncogene in its juxtamembrane domain. The relationship between the mutational status and histological as well as immunohistochemical features has not been assessed in detail. 36 GISTs and 14 other gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors were investigated for their morphology and immunophenotype as well as for the presence of c-kit mutations. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 of c-kit were analyzed by SSCP. Bands with altered mobility were excised, reamplified, and sequenced. C-kit mutations in Exon 11 encoding the juxtamembrane domain were identified in 19 cases (52.8%), with deletions in 12 cases, insertions in 3 cases (2 of these as duplications), and point mutations in 4 cases. The mutations clustered between Codons 553 and 561, pinpointing the critical region for deregulated Kit receptor activation. In both Exons 9 and 13, single mutations could be identified, whereas no mutations were found in Exon 17. There were c-kit mutations in 66.6% of benign GISTs (14/21), 83.3% of the malignant (5/6), and 40% of the cases of intermediate malignancy (2/5). A low frequency of mutations in benign GISTs, as reported previously by other researchers, could not be observed in our panel. Interestingly, all GISTs with c-kit mutations displayed a spindle cell phenotype, whereas mutations were absent in all 7 tumors with an epithelioid component (P =.03). This finding suggests a relationship between c-kit mutation and histological subtype in GISTs.     

Immunohistochemical profile and c-kit mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are low-grade sarcomas arising from the interstitial cells of Cajal, harboring mutation of c-kit. We investigated the morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular profile of 55 GISTs to establish the prevalence of mutations, their clinical significance, and diagnostic utility. c-kit mutations were investigated by evaluating the entire coding sequence of the gene with non-radioisotopic PCR-SSCP, and characterized with fluorescent cycle sequencing. Mutations were detected in 39 tumors (71%), the majority (67%) involving exon 11. Two tumors showed exon 9 mutations (one tumor located in the small intestine and one in the stomach), whereas two cases showed a polymorphism at the splicing site of exon/intron 1 present in healthy blood donors with a 3% frequency. CD117 was expressed in 53 tumors (96%); CD34 was positive in 42 cases (76%); 42 cases (76%) expressed both CD117 and CD34. c-kit mutations were similarly distributed in stromal tumors at low risk of aggressive behavior (78%), intermediate risk (66%), and high risk (71%). Fifteen tumors expressing CD117 showed wild-type kit gene, and on histological grounds, they were equally distributed among epithelioid and spindle cell morphology. One case neither expressed CD117 nor did it show c-kit mutation. Data suggest that both immunohistochemical and molecular evaluation may be useful in tumors likely to be classified as GISTs; molecular analysis appears valuable to support the diagnosis and to identify cases that can benefit from recent novel therapeutic tools.