Primary pancreas NTRK-rearranged neoplasm harboring an EVT6::NTRK3 fusion with a sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma morphology: a case report and comprehensive review of the literature

TL;DR

A rare pancreatic tumor with an NTRK3 gene fusion was successfully treated with larotrectinib, highlighting the importance of molecular testing for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Contribution

Reports a primary pancreatic NTRK-RSCN with a novel EVT6::NTRK3 fusion and reviews 164 cases to compare visceral and soft tissue tumors.

Findings

The tumor showed a sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma-like morphology and expressed CD34, S100, and pan-TRK.

EVT6 exon4::NTRK3 exon14 fusion was identified through next-generation sequencing.

Larotrectinib treatment led to no recurrence or metastasis over 22 months of follow-up.

Abstract

NTRK-rearranged spindle cell neoplasms (NTRK-RSCNs) are an emerging soft tissue tumor entity characterized by NTRK gene fusions, occurring predominantly in the extremities of children and young adults. The diagnosis of this tumor is challenging due to its nonspecific and highly variable morphology. Given the response to selective NTRK inhibitors, it remains critical to identify the rare cases occurring in the viscera of adults. Here, we report a 53-year-old woman who presented with a new abdominal mass of half a month’s duration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass localized in the body and tail of the pancreas, leading to a partial pancreatectomy. Histologically, the tumor showed that bland monomorphic spindle cells were arranged in single rows of lines along the collagen fiber, reminiscent of sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells focally expressed CD34 and S100 but lacked SOX10, MUC-4, Desmin, CK, and STAT6 expression. The tumor also showed cytoplasmic reactivity for pan-tyrosine receptor kinase (pan-TRK). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of NTRK1/NTRK2/NTRK3 gene break-apart probes identified NTRK3 rearrangement. Subsequent next-generation sequencing revealed EVT6 exon4::NTRK3 exon14 fusion. After surgery, the patient received continuous treatment with larotrectinib for 22 months and was followed up for 22 months without any signs of recurrence or metastasis. To further understand the clinical features, pathology, treatment and prognosis of this tumor, we searched the literature using different combinations of keywords ultimately obtaining 164 cases of NTRK-RSCNs (including the present case). Of these cases, 97 (59.1%) occurred in viscera, and 67 (40.9%) in soft tissues. There may be differences in age, histomorphology, immunophenotype, genetics, and prognosis between visceral and soft tissue NTRK-RSCNs. Appropriate immunohistochemical workup, including CD34, S100, and pan-TRK, and molecular tests, are indispensable in identifying this entity.

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