EML4-ALK fusion is linked to histological characteristics in a subset of lung cancers

J Thorac Oncol. 2008 Jan;3(1):13-7. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e31815e8b60.

Abstract

Introduction: Very recently, we have found a novel fusion product between the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like4 (EML4) and the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Tumors featuring EML4-ALK fusion constitute one subtype of NSCLC that might be highly sensitive to ALK inhibitors. Herein, we present results of a first large scale study of EML4-ALK fusion in lung cancers.

Methods: Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for EML4-ALK fusion mRNA, we investigated 149 lung adenocarcinomas, 48 squamous cell carcinomas, 3 large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, and 21 small-cell carcinomas. For EML4-ALK-positive cancers, we further investigated the presence of ALK fusion proteins by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Five of 149 adenocarcinomas (3.4%) showed EML4-ALK fusion mRNA, this being totally lacking in carcinomas of other types (0/72). In all the fusion-positive cases, ALK fusion protein could be detected in the cytoplasm immunohistochemically. The five fusion cases featured two EML4-ALK variant 1 fusions and three variant 2 fusions. Histologically, both variant 1 cases were mixed type adenocarcinomas, showing papillary with bronchioloalveolar components. Interestingly, all three variant 2 cases were acinar adenocarcinomas, the link being statistically significant (p = 0.00018). None of the five fusion-positive cases demonstrated any mutations of EGFR or KRAS, pointing to a mutually exclusive relationship (p = 0.014). There was no association with smoking habits.

Conclusions: In the present first investigation of EML4-ALK fusion in a large study of lung cancers (5/221), we found an interesting histotype-genotype relationship. Furthermore, we could detect the fusion protein by immunohistochemistry, pointing to possible clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Chromosome Inversion
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / chemistry
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / metabolism
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • EML4-ALK fusion protein, human
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • EML4 protein, human
  • Serine Endopeptidases