title: Detection of SS18-SSX fusion transcripts in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded neoplasms: analysis of conventional RT-PCR, qRT-PCR and dual color FISH as diagnostic tools for synovial sarcoma.
abstract: Synovial Sarcoma consistently harbors t(X;18) resulting in SS18-SSX1, SS18-SSX2 and rarely SS18-SSX4 fusion transcripts. Of 328 cases included in our study, synovial sarcoma was either the primary diagnosis or was very high in the differential diagnosis in 134 cases: of these, amplifiable cDNA was obtained from 131. SS18-SSX fusion products were found in 126 (96%) cases (74 SS18-SSX1, 52 SS18-SSX2), using quantitative and 120 by conventional reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). One hundred and one cases in a tissue microarray, analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), revealed that 87 (86%) showed SS18 rearrangement: four RT-PCR positive cases, reported as negative for FISH, showed loss of one spectrum green signal, and 15 cases had multiple copies of the SS18 gene: both findings are potentially problematic when interpreting results. One of three cases, not analyzed by RT-PCR reaction owing to poor quality RNA, was positive by FISH. SS18-SSX1 was present in 56 monophasic and 18 biphasic synovial sarcoma: SS18-SSX2 was detected in 41 monophasic and 11 biphasic synovial sarcoma. Poorly differentiated areas were identified in 44 cases (31%). There was no statistically significant association between biphasic, monophasic and fusion type. Five cases were negative for SS18 rearrangement by all methods, three of which were pleural-sited neoplasms. Following clinical input, a diagnosis of mesothelioma was favored in one case, a sarcoma, not otherwise specified in another and a solitary fibrous tumor in the third case. The possibility of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor could not be excluded in the other two cases. We concluded that the employment of a combination of molecular approaches is a powerful aid to diagnosing synovial sarcoma giving at least 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity but results must be interpreted in the light of other modalities such as clinical findings and immunohistochemical data.
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa School of Medical Sciences and University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda C
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Amary
authors.forename: Fitim
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berisha
authors.forename: Fabiola Del Carlo
authors.initials: Fdel C
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Jorge Sérgio
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Reis-Filho
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tirabosco
authors.forename: Timothy C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Diss
authors.forename: Adrienne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Flanagan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D016707:Tissue Fixation
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C093961:SS18 protein, human; C116512:SYT-SSX fusion protein; C093962:synovial sarcoma X breakpoint proteins; D005557:Formaldehyde