Ewing sarcoma with novel translocation t(2;16) producing an in-frame fusion of FUS and FEV.
Ewing family tumors are molecularly characterized by expression of chimeric transcripts generated by specific chromosomal translocations, most commonly involving fusion of the EWS gene to a member of the ETS family of transcription factors (including FLI1, ERG, ETV1, E1AF, and FEV). Approximately 85% of reported cases of Ewing sarcoma bear an EWS-FLI1 fusion. In rare cases, FUS can substitute for EWS, with translocation t(16;21)(p11;q24) producing a FUS-ERG fusion with no EWS rearrangement. We report a case of Ewing sarcoma, presenting as a pathological fracture of the distal clavicle in a 33-year-old male, in which cytogenetic analysis revealed a single t(2;16)(q35;p11) balanced translocation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using a commercially available diagnostic probe was negative for an EWS gene rearrangement; instead, break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization probes for FUS and FEV were positive for a translocation involving these genes. Cloning and sequencing of the breakpoint region demonstrated an in-frame fusion of FUS to FEV. In conclusion, this represents the first reported case of Ewing family tumors demonstrating a variant translocation involving FUS and FEV and highlights the need to consider alternative permutations of fusion partners for molecular diagnosis of sarcomas.
Ng
Tony L
TL
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 W. 10th Ave., Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 4E6.
O'Sullivan
Maureen J
MJ
Pallen
Catherine J
CJ
Hayes
Malcolm
M
Clarkson
Paul W
PW
Winstanley
Mark
M
Sorensen
Poul H B
PH
Nielsen
Torsten O
TO
Horsman
Douglas E
DE
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 / Q000235:genetics*; D002889:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014178:Translocation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
C419546:EWS-FEV fusion protein, human; C524590:EWS-FUS protein, human; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion