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- Title
KRAS, EGFR, PDGFR-α, KIT and COX-2 status in carcinoma showing thymus-like elements (CASTLE).
- Authors
Veits, Lothar; Schupfner, Rupert; Hufnagel, Petra; Penzel, Roland; Freitag, Jens; Ströbel, Philipp; Kern, Michael A.; Schröder, Sören; Neuhold, Nikolaus; Schmid, Kurt W.; Schirmacher, Peter; Hartmann, Arndt; Rieker, Ralf J.
- Abstract
Background CASTLE (Carcinoma showing thymus-like elements) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the thyroid resembling lymphoepithelioma-like and squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus with different biological behaviour and a better prognosis than anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid. Methods We retrospectively investigated 6 cases of this very rare neoplasm in order to investigate the mutational status of KRAS, EGFR, PDGFR-α and KIT, as well as the immunohistochemical expression pattern of CD117, EGFR and COX-2, and possibly find new therapeutic targets. Results Diagnosis was confirmed by a moderate to strong expression of CD5, CD117 and CK5/6, whereas thyroglobulin, calcitonin and TTF-1 were negative in all cases. Tumors were also positive for COX-2 and in nearly all cases for EGFR. In four cases single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could be detected in exon 12 of the PDGFR-α gene (rs1873778), in three cases SNPs were found in exon 20 of the EGFR gene (rs1050171). No mutations were found in the KIT and KRAS gene. Conclusions All tumors showed a COX-2 expression as well as an EGFR expression except for one case and a wild-type KRAS status. No activating mutations in the EGFR, KIT and PDGFR-α gene could be detected. Our data may indicate a potential for targeted therapies, but if these therapeutic strategies are of benefit in CASTLE remains to be determined.
- Subjects
THYMUS; SQUAMOUS cell carcinoma; PROGNOSIS; IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY; THYROGLOBULIN; SINGLE nucleotide polymorphisms
- Publication
Diagnostic Pathology, 2014, Vol 9, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1746-1596
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/1746-1596-9-116