Rhabdomyosarcomas with TFCP2 fusions represent an emerging subtype of tumors, initially discovered by RNA-sequencing. We report herein the clinicopathological, transcriptional and genomic features of a series of 14 cases.Cases were retrospectively and prospectively recruited and studied by immunohistochemistry (MYF4, MYOD1, S100, AE1/E3, ALK), fluorescence in situ hybridization with TFCP2 break-apart probe (n=10/14), array-comparative genomic hybridization (Agilent), whole RNA-sequencing (Truseq Exome, Illumina) or anchored multiplex PCR based targeted next-generation sequencing (Archer® FusionPlex® Sarcoma kit). Patient's age ranged between 11 to 86 years, including 5 pediatric cases. Tumors were located in bone (n=12/14) and soft tissue (n=2/14). Most bone tumors invaded surrounding soft tissue. Craniofacial bones were over-represented (n=8/12). Median survival was 8 months and 5 patients are currently alive with a median follow-up of 20 months. Most tumors displayed a mixed spindle cell and epithelioid pattern with frequent vesicular nuclei. All tumors expressed keratins and showed a rhabdomyogenic phenotype (defined as expression of MYF4 and/or MYOD1). ALK was overexpressed in all but 3 cases without underlying ALK fusion on break-apart FISH (n=5) nor next generation sequencing (n=14).TFCP2 was fused in 5' either to EWSR1 (n=6) or FUS (n=8). EWSR1 was involved in both soft tissue cases. FISH with TFCP2 break-apart probe was positive in all tested cases (n=8), including one case with unbalanced signal. On array-CGH, all tested tumors displayed complex genetic profiles with genomic indexes ranging from 12.8 to 90 and CDKN2A deletion was recurrent (n=9/10). FET-TFCP2 rhabdomyosarcomas clustered together and distinctly from other rhabdomyosarcomas subgroups.Altogether, our data confirm and expand the spectrum of the new family of FET-TFCP2 rhabdomyosarcomas which are associated with a predilection for the craniofacial bones, an aggressive course and recurrent pathological features. Their association with ALK overexpression might represent a therapeutic vulnerability.

No abstract

Childhood SCT carry favorable prognosis. In ovarian SCT, surgery should be complete and non-mutilating. Adjuvant chemotherapy efficiently prevents recurrences in cases of tumor rupture. In childhood testicular SCT, the prognosis is excellent with an inguinal orchiectomy, prompting the debate on testis-sparing surgery.

In this retrospective study, we evaluate long-term complications in nearly all β-thalassemia-major patients who successfully received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in France. Ninety-nine patients were analyzed with a median age of 5.9 years at transplantation. The median duration of clinical follow up was 12 years. All conditioning regimens were myeloablative, most were based on busulfan combined with cyclophosphamide, and more than 90% of patients underwent a transplant from a matched sibling donor. After transplantation, 11% of patients developed thyroid dysfunction, 5% diabetes, and 2% heart failure. Hypogonadism was present in 56% of females and 14% of males. Female patients who went on to normal puberty after transplant were significantly younger at transplantation than those who experienced delayed puberty (median age 2.5 vs. 8.7 years). Fertility was preserved in 9 of 27 females aged 20 years or older and 2 other patients became pregnant following oocyte donation. In addition to patient’s age and higher serum ferritin levels at transplantation, time elapsed since transplant was significantly associated with decreased height growth in multivariate analysis. Weight growth increased after transplantation particularly in females, 36% of adults being overweight at last evaluation. A comprehensive long-term monitoring, especially of endocrine late effects, is required after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for thalassemia.

GCT with SMT constitutes a very rare entity in children and adolescents. Surgical removal of the tumor is the cornerstone of the treatment and might be sufficient in selected cases. In the remaining cases, the best management is still unknown and should take into account both components and their respective chemosensitivity. Long-term surveillance is advised for patient with unresected teratoma as late transformation can occur.