Novel TPR::ROS1 Fusion Gene Activates MAPK, PI3K and JAK/STAT Signaling in an Infant-type Pediatric Glioma.

Deland L, Keane S, Bontell TO, Fagman H, Sjögren H, Lind AE, Carén H, Tisell M, Nilsson JA, Ejeskär K, Sabel M, Abel F

Cancer Genomics Proteomics 19 (6) 711-726 [2022-11-01; online 2022-11-01]

Although fusion genes involving the proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase ROS1 are rare in pediatric glioma, targeted therapies with small inhibitors are increasingly being approved for histology-agnostic fusion-positive solid tumors. Here, we present a 16-month-old boy, with a brain tumor in the third ventricle. The patient underwent complete resection but relapsed two years after diagnosis and underwent a second operation. The tumor was initially classified as a low-grade glioma (WHO grade 2); however, methylation profiling suggested the newly WHO-recognized type: infant-type hemispheric glioma. To further refine the molecular background, and search for druggable targets, whole genome (WGS) and whole transcriptome (RNA-Seq) sequencing was performed. Concomitant WGS and RNA-Seq analysis revealed several segmental gains and losses resulting in complex structural rearrangements and fusion genes. Among the top-candidates was a novel TPR::ROS1 fusion, for which only the 3' end of ROS1 was expressed in tumor tissue, indicating that wild type ROS1 is not normally expressed in the tissue of origin. Functional analysis by Western blot on protein lysates from transiently transfected HEK293 cells showed the TPR::ROS1 fusion gene to activate the MAPK-, PI3K- and JAK/STAT- pathways through increased phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, STAT and S6. The downstream pathway activation was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry on tumor tissue slides from the patient. We have mapped the activated oncogenic pathways of a novel ROS1-fusion gene and broadened the knowledge of the newly recognized infant-type glioma subtype. The finding facilitates suitable targeted therapies for the patient in case of relapse.

Clinical Genomics Gothenburg [Service]

PubMed 36316040

DOI 10.21873/cgp.20354

Crossref 10.21873/cgp.20354

pmc: PMC9620451
pii: 19/6/711