Microcystic Stromal Tumor: A Distinctive Ovarian Sex Cord-Stromal Neoplasm Characterized by FOXL2, SF-1, WT-1, Cyclin D1, and β-catenin Nuclear Expression and CTNNB1 Mutations

Am J Surg Pathol. 2015 Oct;39(10):1420-6. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000000482.

Abstract

Since our first description of the microcystic stromal tumor (MST) of the ovary, a rare and distinctive neoplasm with a definitional, usually striking microcystic pattern and a CD10+/vimentin+/inhibin-/calretinin- immunophenotype, 3 examples with β-catenin nuclear localization, and CTNNB1 mutation have been reported. We undertook a detailed immunohistochemical study and molecular analysis of CTNNB1 and FOXL2 of 15 cases of MST to further characterize this neoplasm and establish its histogenesis. Diffuse nuclear staining for FOXL2, WT-1, cyclin D1, and β-catenin was present in all tumors tested, and 12/15 were positive for steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1). Heterozygous missense point mutations in exon 3 of CTNNB1 were detected in 8 of 14 cases, resulting in amino acid changes at codons 32, 34, 35, and 37. There was no correlation between CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation status and tumor immunophenotype. All 14 cases tested showed wild-type FOXL2. Our study establishes that MST of the ovary exhibits a characteristic FOXL2/SF-1/WT-1/cyclin D1/nuclear β-catenin-positive immunohistochemical profile, which may be useful in diagnosis and in the exclusion of histologic mimics. The presence of diffuse nuclear FOXL2 and WT-1 immunostaining in all cases and SF-1 in most supports the classification of MST within the sex cord-stromal category. Aberrant nuclear β-catenin expression, detected in all MSTs, appears to be the result of stabilizing CTNNB1 mutations in 57% of cases, providing further evidence that dysregulation of the Wnt/B-catenin pathway is involved in the tumorigenesis of MST and may involve activation of β-catenin with upregulation of cyclin D1.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / genetics
  • Cyclin D1 / analysis*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / analysis*
  • Female
  • Forkhead Box Protein L2
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / analysis*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / chemistry
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors / chemistry
  • Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors / diagnosis*
  • Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors / genetics
  • Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors / pathology
  • Transcription Factors / analysis*
  • WT1 Proteins / analysis*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway
  • beta Catenin* / analysis
  • beta Catenin* / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CCND1 protein, human
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FOXL2 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein L2
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • SF1 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • WT1 Proteins
  • WT1 protein, human
  • beta Catenin
  • Cyclin D1