FGF23 Expression Is a Promising Immunohistochemical Diagnostic Marker for Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of Bone (UPSb)

Abstract

Background: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone (UPSb) is a rare primary bone sarcoma that lacks a specific line of differentiation. Distinguishing between UPSb and other malignant bone sarcomas, including dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma, is challenging due to their overlapping features. We have previously identified that UPSb tumours have elevated mRNA levels of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) transcripts compared to other sarcomas including osteosarcoma. In the present study, we evaluated the specificity and practicality of FGF23 immunoreactivity as a specific diagnostic tool to differentiate UPSb tumours from osteosarcomas and dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas. Methods: A total of 10 UPSb, 10 osteosarcoma, and 10 dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma cases (all high-grade), were retrieved and immunohistochemistry for FGF23 was performed. Results: FGF23 protein was expressed at high levels in 80–90% of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the bone cases, whereas it was expressed at significantly lower levels in dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma cases. A semiquantitative analysis, considering the intensity of immunoreactivity, confirmed significantly elevated FGF23 expression levels in UPSb tissues compared to those observed in osteosarcoma and dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma tissues. Conclusions: The results we present here suggest that FGF23 immunohistochemistry may be a useful tool to aid in differentiating UPSb from morphologically similar malignant bone sarcomas, especially in situations where sampling is restricted and there is limited clinical information available.