CDKN2C homozygous loss identifies a distinct subtype of TP53/RB1-wildtype leiomyosarcoma with frequent CIC genomic alterations and 1p/19q-codeletion
PurposeLeiomyosarcomas (LMS) harbor frequent inactivation of TP53 and RB1, and extensive DNA copy number alterations. Here, we describe a distinct recurrent genomic signature in TP53/RB1-wildtype uterine LMS. MethodsTissues from 276,645 unique advanced cancers, including 2,570 uterine and soft tissue LMS were sequenced by hybrid-capture-based next-generation DNA and RNA sequencing/comprehensive genomic profiling of up to 406 genes. We characterized clinicopathologic features of relevant cases. ResultsWe identified 77 LMS with homozygous copy loss of CDKN2C at chromosome 1p32.3 (3.0% of LMS). Genomic alterations (GAs) in TP53, RB1, and ATRX were rare in comparison with the remainder of the LMS cohort (11.7% vs 73.4%, 0% vs 54.5%, 2.6% vs 24.5%, all p<0.0001). CDKN2C-null LMS cases were significantly enriched for GAs in CIC (40.3% vs 1.4%) at 19q13.2, CDKN2A (46.8% vs 7.0%), and RAD51B (16.9% vs 1.7%; all p<0.0001). Chromosome arm-level aneuploidy analysis of available LMS cases (n=1,251) found that 85% (n=33/39) of CDKN2C-null LMS cases exhibited 1p/19q-codeletion, with significant enrichment in comparison to the remainder of the evaluated LMS cohort (85% vs. 5.1%, p<0.0001). 99% of CDKN2C-null cases were in females; median age was 61 years at surgery (range, 36-81 years). 55 cases were of uterine primary, 4 cases non-uterine, and the remaining 18 of uncertain primary site. 6 patients had a prior history of leiomyomatosis or uterine smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential. 60% of cases showed at least focal epithelioid variant histology. Most cases were of known advanced stage, with 62% of confirmed uterine primary cases at FIGO stage IVB. ConclusionThe identification of this novel genomic subset may have prognostic and/or therapeutic clinical relevance, including use of specific cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.