Targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract Hypothesis Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) may harbor unique genomic alterations that may explain aggressive behavior and differentiate these tumors from cutaneous SCCs of other subsites. Background EAC SCCs arise in a non‐ultraviolet‐exposed region of th...

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Main Authors: Gregory J. Basura, Joshua D. Smith, Susan Ellsperman, Apurva Bhangale, John Chad Brenner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-10-01
Series:Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.654
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author Gregory J. Basura
Joshua D. Smith
Susan Ellsperman
Apurva Bhangale
John Chad Brenner
author_facet Gregory J. Basura
Joshua D. Smith
Susan Ellsperman
Apurva Bhangale
John Chad Brenner
author_sort Gregory J. Basura
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hypothesis Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) may harbor unique genomic alterations that may explain aggressive behavior and differentiate these tumors from cutaneous SCCs of other subsites. Background EAC SCCs arise in a non‐ultraviolet‐exposed region of the head and neck, are often locally aggressive and may metastasize to lymph nodes or distant sites. The genomic alterations underlying cutaneous SCC of other sites are well‐documented; however, mutational profiles of EAC SCC are less well characterized and may contribute to the unique anatomic site, high rates of recurrence and tumor spread. We performed targeted sequencing of a cohort of primary EAC SCCs to identify recurring and potentially targetable genomic alterations. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens of 7 EAC SCCs and subjected to targeted DNA sequencing using a 227‐gene panel. Somatic alterations and gene copy number alterations were annotated using our validated, in‐house bioinformatics pipelines. Results In our EAC SCCs, we found recurrent alterations in TP53 and genes of receptor tyrosine kinase (eg, EGFR, FGFR) and PI3K pathways (eg, PIK3CA), similar to cutaneous SCCs of other head and neck sites. We also observed a high frequency of telomerase reverse transcriptase amplification and DNA methyltransferase 1 alterations, both of which are rarely observed in cutaneous SCCs of other sites. Conclusion These data represent the first step toward precise molecular characterization of EAC SCCs that may lead to an enhanced understanding of tumor biology and modernized precision medicine approaches for unique tumors. Level of Evidence: NA
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spelling doaj.art-063931ca290644dd8492ef6b3fbc99a22022-12-21T17:43:52ZengWileyLaryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology2378-80382021-10-01651151115710.1002/lio2.654Targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomasGregory J. Basura0Joshua D. Smith1Susan Ellsperman2Apurva Bhangale3John Chad Brenner4Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USADepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USADepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USADepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USADepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USAAbstract Hypothesis Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) may harbor unique genomic alterations that may explain aggressive behavior and differentiate these tumors from cutaneous SCCs of other subsites. Background EAC SCCs arise in a non‐ultraviolet‐exposed region of the head and neck, are often locally aggressive and may metastasize to lymph nodes or distant sites. The genomic alterations underlying cutaneous SCC of other sites are well‐documented; however, mutational profiles of EAC SCC are less well characterized and may contribute to the unique anatomic site, high rates of recurrence and tumor spread. We performed targeted sequencing of a cohort of primary EAC SCCs to identify recurring and potentially targetable genomic alterations. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens of 7 EAC SCCs and subjected to targeted DNA sequencing using a 227‐gene panel. Somatic alterations and gene copy number alterations were annotated using our validated, in‐house bioinformatics pipelines. Results In our EAC SCCs, we found recurrent alterations in TP53 and genes of receptor tyrosine kinase (eg, EGFR, FGFR) and PI3K pathways (eg, PIK3CA), similar to cutaneous SCCs of other head and neck sites. We also observed a high frequency of telomerase reverse transcriptase amplification and DNA methyltransferase 1 alterations, both of which are rarely observed in cutaneous SCCs of other sites. Conclusion These data represent the first step toward precise molecular characterization of EAC SCCs that may lead to an enhanced understanding of tumor biology and modernized precision medicine approaches for unique tumors. Level of Evidence: NAhttps://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.654DNMT1external auditory canal (EAC)PI3Ksquamous cell carcinoma (SCC)TERT
spellingShingle Gregory J. Basura
Joshua D. Smith
Susan Ellsperman
Apurva Bhangale
John Chad Brenner
Targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomas
Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology
DNMT1
external auditory canal (EAC)
PI3K
squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
TERT
title Targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomas
title_full Targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomas
title_fullStr Targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomas
title_full_unstemmed Targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomas
title_short Targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomas
title_sort targeted molecular characterization of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinomas
topic DNMT1
external auditory canal (EAC)
PI3K
squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
TERT
url https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.654
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