Small subset of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the skin is associated with alterations of the MYBL1 gene similar to their extracutaneous counterparts
Abstract
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the skin is a rare malignant neoplasm histologically identical to homonymous tumors in other organs. Cutaneous ACC has been found to harbor MYB gene activations, either through MYB chromosomal abnormalities or by generation of the MYB-NFIB fusion.
In salivary gland ACC, in addition to the MYB gene, alterations in MYBL1, the gene closely related to MYB, have been reported. We studied 10 cases of cutaneous ACC (6 women, 4 men; and age range 51-83 years) for alterations in the MYB, NFIB, and MYBL1 genes, using FISH and PCR.
MYB break-apart and NFIB break-apart tests were positive in 4 and 5 cases, respectively. MYB-NFIB fusions were found in 4 cases.
The break of MYBL1 was found in 2 cases, and in one of them, the NFIB break-apart probe was positive, strongly indicating a MYBL1-NFIB fusion. In 2 cases, the MYB break-apart test was positive, whereas no MYB-NFIB was detected, strongly suggesting another fusion partner.
It is concluded that MYBL1 alterations are detected in primary cutaneous ACC but are apparently less common compared with MYB and NFIB alterations.