MAPK activation and HRAS mutation identified in pituitary spindle cell oncocytoma.

Oncotarget
Authors
Abstract

Pituitary spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) is an uncommon primary pituitary neoplasm that presents with mass effect on adjacent neurovascular structures, similar to non-hormone-producing pituitary adenomas. To determine the molecular etiology of SCO, we performed exome sequencing on four SCO cases, with matched normal controls, to assess somatic mutations and copy number alterations. Our analysis revealed a low mutation rate and a copy-neutral profile, consistent with the low-grade nature of this tumor. However, we identified a co-occurring somatic HRAS (p.Q61R) activating point mutation and MEN1 frameshift mutation (p.L117fs) present in a primary and recurrent tumor from one patient. Other SCOs demonstrated mutations in SND1 and FAT1, which are associated with MAPK pathway activation. Immunohistochemistry across the SCO cohort demonstrated robust MAPK activity in all cases (n=4), as evidenced by strong phospho-ERK staining, while phospho-AKT levels suggested only basal levels of PI3K pathway activation. Taken together, this identifies the MAPK signaling pathway as a novel therapeutic target for spindle cell oncocytoma, which may offer a powerful adjunct for aggressive tumors refractory to surgical resection.

Year of Publication
2016
Journal
Oncotarget
Volume
7
Issue
24
Pages
37054-37063
Date Published
2016 Jun 14
ISSN
1949-2553
URL
DOI
10.18632/oncotarget.9244
PubMed ID
27175596
PubMed Central ID
PMC5095058
Links
Grant list
K08 NS087118 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
T32 HL007627 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States