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Proximal and classic epithelioid sarcomas are distinct molecular entities defined by MYC/GATA3 and SOX17/endothelial markers, respectively.

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Author information

Affiliations

  • 1. Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO Aviano) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy.
      Authors
    • Sigalotti L 1
    • Del Savio E 1
    • Baldazzi D 1
    • Valenti B 1
    • De Benedictis I 1
    • Doni M 1
    • Ciuffetti ME 1
    • Varano V 1
    • Maestro R 1
    (9 authors)
  • 2. Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
      Authors
    • Frezza AM 2
    • Stacchiotti S 2
    (2 authors)
  • 3. Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua School of Medicine, Padua, Italy.
      Authors
    • Sbaraglia M 3
    • Dei Tos AP 3
    (2 authors)
  • 4. Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padua, Italy.
      Authors
    • Bellan E 4
    • Cappello F 4
    (2 authors)
  • 5. Department of Pathology, IRCCS, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.
      Authors
    • Gambarotti M 5
    (1 author)
    • Show all (15)

ORCIDs linked to this article

Modern Pathology : an Official Journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc, 02 Nov 2024, :100647
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100647 PMID: 39491746 

Abstract 

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare tumor hallmarked by the loss of INI1/SMARCB1 expression. Apart from this alteration, little is known about the biology of ES. Despite recent advances in treatment, the prognosis of ES remains unsatisfactory. To elucidate the molecular underpinnings of ES, and to identify diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities, we performed an integrated omics profiling (RNA sequencing and methylation array) of 24 primary, untreated ESs. Transcriptome and methylome analysis identified two distinct molecular clusters that essentially corresponded to the morphologic variants of ES, classic ES (C-ES) and the more aggressive proximal ES (P-ES). The P-ES group was characterized by hyperactivation of GATA3 and MYC pathways, with extensive epigenetic rewiring associated with EZH2 overexpression. Both DNA methylation and gene expression analysis indicated a striking similarity with the "MYC subgroup" of ATRT, another SMARCB1-deficient tumor, implying a shared molecular background and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Conversely, the C-ES group exhibited an endothelial-like molecular profile, with expression of vascular genes and elevated pro-angiogenic SOX17 signaling. Immunohistochemistry validated the overexpression of the chromatin regulators GATA3 (9/12 vs. 0/16) and EZH2 (7/7 vs. 2/6) in P-ESs, and of the vascular factors SOX17 (8/8 vs. 1/10) and N-cadherin (5/9 vs 0/10) in C-ESs. Therefore, these molecules emerge as potential diagnostic tools to fill the gap represented by the lack of ES subtype-specific biomarkers. In summary, our study shows that P-ES and C-ES represent distinct molecular entities defined by MYC/GATA3 and SOX17/endothelial molecular traits, respectively. Besides providing insights into the biology of ES, our study pinpoints subtype-specific biomarkers and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.

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Read article at publisher's site: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100647

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