Identification of ALK gene alterations in urothelial carcinoma

Joaquim Bellmunt, Shamini Selvarajah, Scott Rodig, Marta Salido, Silvia De Muga, Irmgard Costa, Beatriz Bellosillo, Lillian Werner, Stephanie Mullane, André P. Fay, Robert O'Brien, Jordi Barretina, André E. Minoche, Sabina Signoretti, Clara Montagut, Heinz Himmelbauer, David M. Berman, Philip Kantoff, Toni K. Choueiri, Jonathan E. Rosenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic alterations have emerged as a potent predictor of benefit from treatment with ALK inhibitors in several cancers. Currently, there is no information about ALK gene alterations in urothelial carcinoma (UC) and its correlation with clinical or pathologic features and outcome. Methods: Samples from patients with advanced UC and correlative clinical data were collected. Genomic imbalances were investigated by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). ALK gene status was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). ALK expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and high-throughput mutation analysis with Oncomap 3 platform. Next generation sequencing was performed using Illumina Genome Analyzer IIx, and Illumina HiSeq 2000 in the FISH positive case. Results: 70 of 96 patients had tissue available for all the tests performed. Arm level copy number gains at chromosome 2 were identified in 17 (24%) patients. Minor copy number alterations (CNAs) in the proximity of ALK locus were found in 3 patients by aCGH. By FISH analysis, one of these samples had a deletion of the 59ALK. Whole genome next generation sequencing was inconclusive to confirm the deletion at the level of the ALK gene at the coverage level used. We did not observe an association between ALK CNA and overall survival, ECOG PS, or development of visceral disease. Conclusions: ALK genomic alterations are rare and probably without prognostic implications in UC. The potential for testing ALK inhibitors in UC merits further investigation but might be restricted to the identification of an enriched population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere103325
JournalPLoS One
Volume9
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Medicine

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