The molecular mechanisms underlying reduced E-cadherin expression in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast: high throughput analysis of large cohorts
MODERN PATHOLOGY
Authors: Alsaleem, Mansour; Toss, Michael S.; Joseph, Chitra; Aleskandarany, Mohammed; Kurozumi, Sasagu; Alshankyty, Ibrahim; Ogden, Angela; Rida, Padmashree C. G.; Ellis, Ian O.; Aneja, Ritu; Green, Andrew R.; Mongan, Nigel P.; Rakha, Emad A.
Abstract
E-cadherin is a tumor suppressor gene in invasive lobular breast cancer. However, a proportion of high-grade ductal carcinoma shows reduced/loss of E-cadherin. In this study, we assessed the underlying mechanisms and molecular implications of E-cadherin loss in invasive ductal carcinoma. This study used large, well-characterized cohorts of early-stage breast cancer-evaluated E-cadherin expression via various platforms including immunohistochemistry, microarray analysis using Illumina HT-12 v3, copy number analysis using Affymetrix SNP 6.0 arrays, and next-generation sequencing for differential gene expression. Our results showed 27% of high-grade invasive ductal carcinoma showed reduced/loss of E-cadherin membranous expression. CDH1 copy number loss was in 21% of invasive ductal carcinoma, which also showed low CDH1 mRNA expression (p = 0.003). CDH1 copy number was associated with copy number loss of TP53, ATM, BRCA1, and BRCA2 (p < 0.001). Seventy-nine percent of invasive ductal carcinoma with reduced CDH1 mRNA expression showed elevated expression of E-cadherin transcription suppressors TWIST2, ZEB2, NFKB1, LLGL2, CTNNB1 (p < 0.01). Reduced/loss E-cadherin expression was associated with differential expression of 2143 genes including those regulating Wnt (FZD2, GNG5, HLTF, WNT2, and CER1) and PIK3-AKT (FGFR2, GNF5, GNGT1, IFNA17, and IGF1) signaling pathways. Interestingly, key genes differentially expressed between invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal tumors did not show association with E-cadherin loss in invasive ductal carcinoma. We conclude that E-cadherin loss in invasive ductal carcinoma is likely a consequence of genomic instability occurring during carcinogenesis. Potential novel regulators controlling E-cadherin expression in invasive ductal carcinoma warrant further investigation.
Simplified Molecular Subtyping of Medulloblastoma for Reduced Cost and Improved Turnaround Time
APPLIED IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR MORPHOLOGY
Authors: Shuangshoti, Somruetai; Tadadontip, Paveen; Techavichit, Piti; Thorner, Paul S.; Shuangshoti, Shanop; Teerapakpinyo, Chinachote
Abstract
Molecular subtyping of medulloblastoma (MB) has become increasingly important for prognosis and management. Typically this involves detailed molecular genetic testing which may not be available in all centers. The purpose of the present study was to find a simplified approach to assign molecular subtypes of MB for routine use in centers with more limited resources. The molecular subtypes of MBs from 32 Thai patients, aged 0.5 to 35 years, were first determined by NanoString. These results were then compared with those obtained using a combination of limited immunohistochemistry (IHC) (beta-catenin, GAB-1, YAP-1, p75-NGFR, OTX2) andCTNNTBexon 3 mutation analysis. By NanoString assay, there were 6 MBs (19%) in the wingless (WNT) group, 8 (25%) in the sonic hedgehog (SHH) group, 7 (22%) in group 3, and 11 (34%) in group 4. Although beta-catenin immunostaining missed 4/6 WNT MBs,CTNNTBmutation analysis confirmed all WNT MB cases with amplifiable DNA. The IHC panel correctly assigned all the other molecular subtypes, except for 1 MB in group 4. Thus, our protocol was able to correctly categorized 31/32 cases or 97% of cases. Our study is the first to report molecular subtypes of MB in Southeast Asia. We found that molecular subgroups of MBs can be reliably assigned using a limited IHC panel of beta-catenin, GAB-1, YAP-1, p75-NGFR, OTX2, together withCTNNTBexon 3 mutation analysis. This simplified approach incurs lower cost and faster turnaround time compared with more elaborate molecular methodologies and should be beneficial to centers with reduced laboratory resources.