H3F3 mutation status of giant cell tumors of the bone, chondroblastomas and their mimics: a combined high resolution melting and pyrosequencing approach

Abstract

Behjati et al recently described recurrent mutations of H3F3 genes in giant cell tumors of the bone and chondroblastomas. Both these entities belong to the spectrum of giant cell-rich bone lesions, often presenting a diagnostic challenge for the pathologist. Our aim was to investigate the value of searching for H3F3 mutations in the diagnosis of giant cell tumors of the bone and giant cell-rich chondroblastomas. Two hundred eighty-one bone lesion samples, including 170 giant cell tumors of the bone, 26 chondroblastomas and 85 other giant cell-rich and/or epiphyseal tumors, were analyzed. Mutation status was determined using first high resolution melting screening and then mutation profiling pyrosequencing. Mutational status was compared with clinical data and, for giant cell tumors of the bone, with p63 immunostaining status. As histone methylation changes have been reported in association with H3F3 mutations, the methylation status of lysine 37 was investigated. H3F3A and H3F3B were found in 85% of giant cell tumors of the bone and 88% of chondroblastomas. In addition to the major G35W mutation, we found two rare H3F3A mutations: one G35R and one G35V. Among the other tumors studied, we only found H3F3A gene mutations in two cases of 'dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma mimicking giant cell tumor of the bone'. A H3F3B mutation was also observed in one case of dedifferentiated chondroblastoma. P63 expression in giant cell tumors of the bone seems to be associated with H3F3 gene mutations (P=0.004). H3F3 mutations did not correlate with clinical data, outcome or methylation changes in Lysin 37. In conclusion, H3F3 mutations are sensitive and specific markers of giant cell tumors of the bone and chondroblastomas. High resolution melting and pyrosequencing procedures are high-performance tools in this context. Determination of H3F3 mutation will allow reclassification of some entities belonging to the spectrum of giant cell-rich lesions.