title: Validation of potential therapeutic targets in alveolar soft part sarcoma: an immunohistochemical study utilizing tissue microarray.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The molecular signature of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a specific der(17)t(X;17)(p11.2;q25) translocation, resulting in a chimeric transcription factor (ASPSCR1-TFE3). When this disease is no longer amenable to surgical curative intervention, uniformly efficacious therapies are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of potential molecular therapeutic targets in a cohort of ASPS tumour samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemical analysis for hepatocyte growth factor, c-Met, phosphorylated c-Met, phosphorylated AKT, phosphorylated MEK, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), p53 and vimentin was performed on an ASPS tissue microarray, yielding complete data from 26 tumours. Activation of c-Met and its downstream effectors was noted, whereas only limited EGFR expression was seen. VEGF was expressed to varying degrees. Only one sample exhibited strong nuclear p53 expression, while 10 expressed low levels. Vimentin expression was negative in the vast majority of samples (96%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a crucial need for better anti-ASPS therapies. Activated c-Met and the phosphorylation of its downstream effectors validate an intact signalling cascade probably induced by the ASPSCR1-TFE3 chimeric transcription factor. The angiogenic phenotype of these tumours is supported by increased angiogenic factor expression. Combination therapies targeting both tumour cells and angiogenesis merit further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Sarcoma Research Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA. alazar@mdanderson.com
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lazar
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lahat
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Kerrington D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Changye
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Wei-Lien
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lopez-Terrada
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lev
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018234:Sarcoma, Alveolar Soft Part / Q000378:metabolism*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins