Detection of EWS-WT1 fusion mRNA in ascites of a patient with desmoplastic small round cell tumor by RT-PCR.
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare, aggressive malignancy characterized cytogenetically by a unique translocation of chromosomes 11 and 22 [t(11:22)(p13:ql2)], resulting in fusion of the EWS and WT1 genes. The presence of a unique fusion mRNA in DSRCT allows disease detection and diagnosis by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), as previously described in fixed paraffin-embedded material. In this report, EWS WT1 fusion mRNA was detected in ascites from a patient with DSRCT by RT-PCR. RT-PCR results confirmed the diagnoses of DSRCT and of malignant ascites at the molecular level. RT-PCR assays for specific molecular markers, such as EWS-WT1 fusion mRNA, are potentially powerful methods that can complement routine histological, cytological, and/or immunohistologic assays.
Division of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
R P
RP
Perez
P J
PJ
Zhang
D000328:Adult; D001201:Ascites / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
C106032:EWS1-WT1 fusion protein, human; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D012333:RNA, Messenger