Gene expression in mixed type liposarcoma.
OBJECTIVE
Mixed type liposarcomas are rare. Here, we analysed the characteristics of an unusual case of mixed type liposarcoma, which consisted of a well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDL) and a pleomorphic liposarcoma (PL), with a special emphasis on molecular alterations.


METHODS
Microscopic and immunohistochemical approaches were used to investigate this case of mixed type liposarcoma, and to identify molecular alterations in this tumour, gene expression was examined in PL, WDL, and normal adipose tissue (NA) samples using a 17,000 cDNA microarray.


RESULTS
The tumour mass, 9 x 5 x 5 cm, was located in the left upper arm of a 76-year-old man. Grossly, the proximal portion of the tumour was composed of a yellowish fatty lesion, whereas the distal portion of the tumour was whitish and necrotic in nature. Histologically, the tumour was composed of two distinct components. The proximal component of the tumour was a WDL and the distal component was a PL. Immunohistochemically, S100 protein immunoreactivity highlighted lipoblasts in both tumour portions. The Ki-67 proliferation index was <1% in the WDL and 20% in the PL. MDM2 was positive in the WDL, but negative in the PL. p53 was negative in both areas. Numerous differentially expressed genes were found, which included genes coding for signal transduction, transcription, cell cycle, enzyme, structural protein, immune system and others.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate that multiple genes are differentially expressed in mixed type liposarcoma and suggest that these genes are associated with the differences in the morphological characteristics and pathogenesis of mixed type liposarcoma.
Department of Orthopedics, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Jeung Il
JI
Kim
Kyung Un
KU
Choi
In Sook
IS
Lee
Tae Yong
TY
Moon
Chang Hun
CH
Lee
Hwal Woong
HW
Kim
Jee Yeon
JY
Kim
Do Youn
DY
Park
Mee Young
MY
Sol
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm