Gliosarcomas lack BRAF super(V600E) mutation, but a subset exhibit beta -catenin nuclear localization

• Published in: Neuropathology 2016-10, Vol.36 (5), p.448-455
• Main Authors: Schwetye, Katherine E, Joseph, Nancy M, Al-Kateb, Hussam, Rich, Keith M, Schmidt, Robert E, Perry, Arie, Gutmann, David H, Dahiya, Sonika
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0919-6544; 1440-1789
• DOI: 10.1111/neup.12293

Gliosarcoma (GS) is a rare subtype of glioblastoma (GBM) characterized by both glial and mesenchymal components. Unlike GBM, there are no specific prognostic markers, and optimized treatments for patients with GS do not exist. Recent reports describe BRAF super(V600E) mutation in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and aberrant Wnt signaling and CTNNB1 ( beta -catenin gene) mutations have been described in GBM. We sought to determine whether GS tumors harbor BRAF super(V600E) mutations or aberrant Wnt signaling, as indicated by nuclear localization of beta -catenin, by immunohistochemical detection. Forty-eight (48) cases of primary and secondary adult GS (including recurrent ones) were evaluated by immunohistochemical techniques for the presence of nuclear beta -catenin and the BRAF super(V600E) mutation. A small subset (6/46, 13%) showed nuclear localization of beta -catenin. None of the cases harbored BRAF super(V600E) mutations (0/48). These results are the first to describe the presence of Wnt signaling pathway abnormalities, manifested by nuclear beta -catenin, in a subset, as well as the lack of BRAF super(V600E) mutation in GS. We propose a potential role for Wnt pathway alterations in the pathogenesis of a subset of GS.