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This article discusses two novel tumors classified as extraventricular neurocytomas (EVN) that were found to have NTRK2 fusions instead of the usual FGFR1 alterations. The first case involved a 23-year-old woman with migraines and epileptic seizures, while the second case involved a 15-year-old girl with intracerebral calcifications. Both cases underwent total removal of the tumors and showed positive staining for synaptophysin and olig2. The study suggests that these findings have implications for diagnosis, therapy, and terminology, and further research is needed to better understand these tumors. [Extracted from the article]

To conclude, we report, for the first time, two embryonal tumors with I PLAG1 i fusions sharing clinico-radiological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and epigenetic similarities to CNS embryonal tumors with PLAG-family amplification. Central Nervous System (CNS) embryonal tumors with PLAG-family amplification have been isolated by a distinct DNA-methylation profile [[1]]. References 1 Keck M-K, Sill M, Wittmann A, Joshi P, Stichel D, Beck P. Amplification of the PLAG-family genes-PLAGL1 and PLAGL2-is a key feature of the novel tumor type CNS embryonal tumor with PLAGL amplification. [Extracted from the article]

DNA-methylation profiling using the CNS tumor Classifier supported the NB-FOXR2 diagnosis in 9/24 cases (37%), with a calibrated score (> 0.9) for nine of the samples. However, in recent years, thanks to molecular analyses, I forkhead box R2 i ( I FOXR2 i ) alterations have become associated with this tumor type and as a result, the WHO classification renamed the neoplasm "CNS neuroblastoma (NB), I FOXR2- i activated" [[4]]. [Extracted from the article]

Aims: NTRK gene fusions have been described in a wide variety of central nervous system (CNS) and soft tissue tumours, including the provisional tumour type 'spindle cell neoplasm, NTRK‐rearranged' (SCN–NTRK), added to the 2020 World Health Organisation Classification of Soft Tissue Tumours. Because of histopathological and molecular overlaps with other soft tissue entities, controversy remains concerning the lineage and terminology of SCN–NTRK. Methods and results: This study included 16 mesenchymal tumours displaying kinase gene fusions (NTRK fusions and one MET fusion) initially diagnosed as infantile fibrosarcomas (IFS), SCN–NTRK and adult‐type fibrosarcomas from the soft tissue, viscera and CNS. We used immunohistochemistry, DNA methylation profiling, whole RNA‐sequencing and ultrastructural analysis to characterise them. Unsupervised t‐distributed stochastic neighbour embedding analysis showed that 11 cases (two CNS tumours and nine extra‐CNS) formed a unique and new methylation cluster, while all tumours but one, initially diagnosed as IFS, clustered in a distinct methylation class. All the tumours except one formed a single cluster within the hierarchical clustering of whole RNA‐sequencing data. Tumours from the novel methylation class co‐expressed CD34 and S100, had variable histopathological grades and frequently displayed a CDKN2A deletion. Ultrastructural analyses evidenced a myofibroblastic differentiation. Conclusions: Our findings confirm that SCN‐NTRK share similar features in adults and children and in all locations combine an infiltrative pattern, distinct epigenetic and transcriptomic profiles, and ultrastructural evidence of a myofibroblastic lineage. Further studies may support the use of new terminology to better describe their myofibroblastic nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (DNT) is a glioneuronal tumour that is challenging to diagnose, with a wide spectrum of histological features. Three histopathological patterns have been described: specific DNTs (both the simple form and the complex form) comprising the specific glioneuronal element, and also the non‐specific/diffuse form which lacks it, and has unclear phenotype–genotype correlations with numerous differential diagnoses. Methods: We used targeted methods (immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridisation and targeted sequencing) and large‐scale genomic methodologies including DNA methylation profiling to perform an integrative analysis to better characterise a large retrospective cohort of 82 DNTs, enriched for tumours that showed progression on imaging. Results: We confirmed that specific DNTs are characterised by a single driver event with a high frequency of FGFR1 variants. However, a subset of DNA methylation‐confirmed DNTs harbour alternative genomic alterations to FGFR1 duplication/mutation. We also demonstrated that a subset of DNTs sharing the same FGFR1 alterations can show in situ progression. In contrast to the specific forms, "non‐specific/diffuse DNTs" corresponded to a heterogeneous molecular group encompassing diverse, newly‐described, molecularly distinct entities. Conclusions: Specific DNT is a homogeneous group of tumours sharing characteristics of paediatric low‐grade gliomas: a quiet genome with a recurrent genomic alteration in the RAS‐MAPK signalling pathway, a distinct DNA methylation profile and a good prognosis but showing progression in some cases. The "non‐specific/diffuse DNTs" subgroup encompasses various recently described histomolecular entities, such as PLNTY and diffuse astrocytoma, MYB or MYBL1 altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posterior fossa group A ependymomas (EPN_PFA) are characterized by a loss of H3 K27 trimethylation due to either EZHIP overexpression or H3 p.K27M mutation, similar to H3 K27-altered diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), but in reverse proportions. Very little data is available in the literature concerning H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA. Here, we retrospectively studied a series of nine pediatric tumors initially diagnosed as H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA to compare them to EZHIP-overexpressing EPN_PFA in terms of radiology, follow-up, histopathology, and molecular biology (including DNA-methylation profiling). Seven tumors clustered within EPN_PFA by DNA-methylation analysis and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding. Among the two remaining cases, one was reclassified as a DMG and the last was unclassified. H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA cases were significantly older than their counterparts with an EZHIP overexpression. Radiological and histopathological central review of our seven H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA cases found them to be similar to their counterparts with an EZHIP overexpression. Sequencing analyses revealed HIST1H3B (n = 2), HIST1H3C (n = 2), H3F3A (n = 1), and HIST1H3D (n = 1) K27M mutations (no sequencing analysis available for the last case which was immunopositive for H3K27M). Consequently, HIST1H3C/D mutations are more frequently observed in EPN_PFA than in classic pontine DMG, H3K27-mutant. Overall survival and event-free survival of EZHIP-overexpressing and H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA were similar. After surgery and radiation therapy, 5/7 patients were alive at the end of the follow-up. In summary, the diagnosis of EPN_PFA must include tumor location, growth pattern, Olig2 expression, and DNA-methylation profiling before it can be differentiated from DMG, H3 K27-altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1:CAS:528:DC%2BC1cXpsV2hu7k%3D. 10.1007/s00401-018-1865-4 6 Navarro RE, Golub D, Hill T, McQuinn MW, William C, Zagzag D. Pediatric midline H3K27M-mutant tumor with disseminated leptomeningeal disease and glioneuronal features: case report and literature review. Gliomas with concomitant mutations of H3K27M and I BRAF/FGFR1 i are supposed to be associated with a better prognosis than other DMG, H3K27-altered according to some publications [[7]]. Arguing for this hypothesis, a previously published monothalamic tumor classified as ganglioglioma, H3K27M- and I BRAF i V600E-mutant presented secondary leptomeningeal dissemination 7 years after the initial diagnosis [[10]]. [Extracted from the article]

Two cases presented H3K27M mutation, but no DNA-methylation was available, and moreover, because one of them presented an I EGFR i amplification, we suggest the diagnosis of DMG, H3K27-altered (with H3K27M mutation). Indeed, I EGFR i amplification has not been described in DMG H3K27-mutant [8] and only six cases with concomitant H3K27M and I EGFR i alterations (including amplification) have been classified as DMG I EGFR i -altered [3]. Consequently, for our two cases presenting H3K27M mutation without verification by DNA methylation profiling and without complete I EGFR i characterization (one case presented an I EGFR i amplification), we concluded a diagnosis of DMG, H3K27-altered. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: blastematous; choroid plexus tumour; DNA methylation profiling; mesenchymal EN blastematous choroid plexus tumour DNA methylation profiling mesenchymal 1 3 3 02/03/22 20220215 NES 220215 INTRODUCTION Choroid plexus tumours are intraventricular neoplasms derived from the choroid plexus epithelium. (F) Black scale bars represent 500 m for panel (B) and 50 m for panels (C)-(E) gl DNA-methylation profiling (Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip) using the Heidelberg central nervous system (CNS) tumour classifier3 showed the case to be a "choroid plexus tumour, subclass paediatric B" (calibrated score 0.99), and the similarity with this molecular subgroup was further confirmed by t-SNE analysis (Figure 1F). The high similarity of the DNA methylation profile with choroid plexus tumours of the molecular subclass paediatric B is characteristic for malignant choroid plexus tumours and may suggest that the tumour secondarily acquired blastematous features. [Extracted from the article]

The "isomorphic subtype of diffuse astrocytoma" was identified histologically in 2004 as a supratentorial, highly differentiated glioma with low cellularity, low proliferation and focal diffuse brain infiltration. Patients typically had seizures since childhood and all were operated on as adults. To define the position of these lesions among brain tumours, we histologically, molecularly and clinically analysed 26 histologically prototypical isomorphic diffuse gliomas. Immunohistochemically, they were GFAP-positive, MAP2-, OLIG2- and CD34-negative, nuclear ATRX-expression was retained and proliferation was low. All 24 cases sequenced were IDH-wildtype. In cluster analyses of DNA methylation data, isomorphic diffuse gliomas formed a group clearly distinct from other glial/glio-neuronal brain tumours and normal hemispheric tissue, most closely related to paediatric MYB/MYBL1-altered diffuse astrocytomas and angiocentric gliomas. Half of the isomorphic diffuse gliomas had copy number alterations of MYBL1 or MYB (13/25, 52%). Gene fusions of MYBL1 or MYB with various gene partners were identified in 11/22 (50%) and were associated with an increased RNA-expression of the respective MYB-family gene. Integrating copy number alterations and available RNA sequencing data, 20/26 (77%) of isomorphic diffuse gliomas demonstrated MYBL1 (54%) or MYB (23%) alterations. Clinically, 89% of patients were seizure-free after surgery and all had a good outcome. In summary, we here define a distinct benign tumour class belonging to the family of MYB/MYBL1-altered gliomas. Isomorphic diffuse glioma occurs both in children and adults, has a concise morphology, frequent MYBL1 and MYB alterations and a specific DNA methylation profile. As an exclusively histological diagnosis may be very challenging and as paediatric MYB/MYBL1-altered diffuse astrocytomas may have the same gene fusions, we consider DNA methylation profiling very helpful for their identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ependymoma with YAP1‐MAMLD1 fusion is a rare, recently described supratentorial neoplasm of childhood, with few cases published so far. We report on 15 pediatric patients with ependymomas carrying YAP1‐MAMLD1 fusions, with their characteristic histopathology, immunophenotype and molecular/cytogenetic, radiological and clinical features. The YAP1‐MAMLD1 fusion was documented by RT‐PCR/Sanger sequencing, and tumor genomes were studied by molecular inversion probe (MIP) analysis. Significant copy number alterations were identified by GISTIC (Genomic Identification of Significant Targets in Cancer) analysis. All cases showed similar histopathological features including areas of high cellularity, presence of perivascular pseudo‐rosettes, small to medium‐sized nuclei with characteristic granular chromatin and strikingly abundant cells with dot‐like cytoplasmic expression of epithelial membrane antigen. Eleven cases presented features of anaplasia, corresponding to WHO grade III. MRI showed large supratentorial multinodular tumors with cystic components, heterogeneous contrast enhancement, located in the ventricular or periventricular region. One of two variants of YAP1‐MAMLD1 fusions was detected in all cases. The MIP genome profiles showed balanced profiles, with focal alterations of the YAP1 locus at 11q22.1–11q21.2 (7/14), MAMLD1 locus (Xp28) (10/14) and losses of chromosome arm 22q (5/14). Most patients were female (13/15) and younger than 3 years at diagnosis (12/15; median age, 8.2 months). Apart from one patient who died during surgery, all patients are alive without evidence of disease progression after receiving different treatment protocols, three without postoperative further treatment (median follow‐up, 4.84 years). In this to date, largest series of ependymomas with YAP1‐MAMLD1 fusions we show that they harbor characteristic histopathological, cytogenetic and imaging features, occur mostly in young girls under 3 years and are associated with good outcome. Therefore, this genetically defined neoplasm should be considered a distinct disease entity. The diagnosis should be confirmed by demonstration of the specific fusion. Further studies on large collaborative series are warranted to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case studies of patients who developed paediatric glial and glioneuronal tumours due to BRAF V600E and H3F3A K27M mutations. The first patient had a large tumour in the pons and cerebellar hemisphere, the second patient had a large pineal tumour while the third patient had a glioma located in the brainstem.

Meningeal solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) and hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are distinct entities in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors while they belong to the same spectrum of tumors in other locations. Well-defined histological prognostic factors are also lacking for these tumors. In order to clarify the relationship between SFT and HPC and to find histological and immunohistochemical prognostic factors, we carried out a retrospective study in 89 patients. The following histological parameters were recorded: hypercellularity, collagenic areas, cytonuclear atypias, necrosis, mitotic count per 10 high-power fields, vasculo-nervous adherences defined by engulfment of vessel or nerve by the tumor, brain infiltration. We found overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features between SFT and HPC. The most relevant histological prognostic factors in the whole cohort for both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis were hypercellularity, high mitotic count (>5 per 10 high-power fields) and necrosis. On the basis of these results, we propose a new grading scheme for these tumors which was of pronostic value for both PFS and OS in uni- and multivariate analysis. As extent of surgery was also a prognostic factor for both PFS and OS in univariate analysis, we propose that management of SFT/HPC might be based both on quality of removal and histological grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primitive brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. Tumor cells with stem-like properties (TSCs), thought to account for tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance, have been isolated from high-grade gliomas in adults. Whether TSCs are a common component of pediatric brain tumors and are of clinical relevance remains to be determined. Methodology/Principal Findings: Tumor cells with self-renewal properties were isolated with cell biology techniques from a majority of 55 pediatric brain tumors samples, regardless of their histopathologies and grades of malignancy (57% of embryonal tumors, 57% of low-grade gliomas and neuro-glial tumors, 70% of ependymomas, 91% of high-grade gliomas). Most high-grade glioma-derived oncospheres (10/12) sustained long-term self-renewal akin to neural stem cells (>7 self-renewals), whereas cells with limited renewing abilities akin to neural progenitors dominated in all other tumors. Regardless of tumor entities, the young age group was associated with self-renewal properties akin to neural stem cells (P = 0.05, chisquare test). Survival analysis of the cohort showed an association between isolation of cells with long-term self-renewal abilities and a higher patient mortality rate (P = 0.013, log-rank test). Sampling of low- and high-grade glioma cultures showed that self-renewing cells forming oncospheres shared a molecular profile comprising embryonic and neural stem cell markers. Further characterization performed on subsets of high-grade gliomas and one low-grade glioma culture showed combination of this profile with mesenchymal markers, the radio-chemoresistance of the cells and the formation of aggressive tumors after intracerebral grafting. Conclusions/Significance: In brain tumors affecting adult patients, TSCs have been isolated only from high-grade gliomas. In contrast, our data show that tumor cells with stem cell-like or progenitor-like properties can be isolated from a wide range of histological sub-types and grades of pediatric brain tumors. They suggest that cellular mechanisms fueling tumor development differ between adult and pediatric brain tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytologic pleomorphism has been described in a limited number of benign pineal tumors, namely pineocytoma (PC) and pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) of intermediate differentiation (PPTID). We examined the clinicopathologic features in a retrospective series of 14 cases (seven females and seven males aged from 10 to 65 years) of pleomorphic PPT. Seven cases were PC, with no mitoses and with areas of tumoral cells forming large pineocytomatous rosettes and other areas with giant cells containing hyperchromatic nuclei. The other seven were PPTID, presenting few mitoses (≤2), a Ki67 proliferation index between 3% and 7%, and predominantly composed of small neoplastic cells and scattered giant cells, sometimes multinucleated. In the 14 tumors, the proportion of pleomorphic areas was variable. Most tumoral cells showed extensive neuronal differentiation with strong expression of neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin and neurofilaments. Some of the neoplastic cells expressed S100 protein. The follow-up period ranged from 1.2 to 13 years and only one PC and one PPTID progressed after stereotactic biopsy or incomplete resection. The lack of invasiveness and the low proliferation index of these tumors suggest a benign clinical course despite the marked pleomorphism, the latter of which can lead to upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 3-month-old infant with an uncomplicated prenatal and perinatal history. His head circumference had progressively expanded since birth. A contrast-enhancing lesion in the left lateral ventricle was seen in neurorimaging. The diagnosis of hemangioblastoma was confirmed by pathological examination. No tumor recurrence was reported after surgery.