Gastrointestinal stromal tumors – Summary of mutational status of the primary/secondary KIT/PDGFRA mutations, BRAF mutations and SDH defects

Abstract

The most important findings revealing pathogenesis, molecular characteristics, genotyping and targeted therapy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are activated oncogenic mutations in KIT and PDGFRA genes. Imatinib mesylate (IM), which inhibits both KIT and PDGFRA receptors, significantly improved treatment of advanced (metastatic, recurrent, and/or inoperable) GISTs. However, in a significant number of patients the treatment fails due to the primary or secondary resistance to targeted therapy. Most common cause of secondary resistance is a presence of secondary mutations. Approximately 15% of adult patients with GISTs are negative for mutations in KIT or PDGFRA genes. These so-called wild-type GISTs appear to be characterized by other oncogenetic drivers, including mutations in BRAF, RAS, NF1 genes, and subunits of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex.In the present study we investigated 261 tumour specimens from 239 patients with GIST. Primary mutations were detected in 82 % tumor specimens. 66 of them were in KIT, and 16 % in PDGFRA genes. Remaining 18 % were KIT/PDGFRA wild-type. Secondary KIT mutations were detected in 10 from 133 (7 %) patients treated with IM. We examined secondary KIT mutations in exons 13 and 17 and secondary PDGFRA mutation in exon 18 in sixteen progressive tumors and/or metastasis (from overall 22 samples). We identified BRAF V600E point mutation in 4 % of KIT/PDGFRA wild-type GIST patients. Moreover, we analysed SDH complex mutations in 4 younger patients (15, 33, 37, and 45 years old) from 44 patients without KIT, PDGFRA, and BRAF mutations. Two patients (a 37-year old man, and a 33-year old woman) had defects of the SDH complex.Our findings of mutational status of the primary and secondary KIT/PDGFRA mutations in patients with GIST confirm mechanisms of primary and secondary resistance, and also intralesional and interlesional heterogeneity of secondary mutations within and between progressive lesions. Moreover, detection of V600E BRAF mutation and defects of SDH complex in KIT/PDGFRA wild-type GISTs confirm their activation and allow for a selection of targeted therapy.