Case report of a pediatric medulloblastoma with concurrent MYC and MYCN subclonal amplification in distinct populations of neoplastic cells.

Abstract

Medulloblastomas (MDBs) are classified into molecular groups showing peculiar immunohistochemical and genetic features and distinct DNA methylation profile. Group 3 and group 4 MDBs have the worst prognosis; the former is treated with high-risk protocols and features MYC amplification, whereas the latter receives standard-risk protocols and harbors MYCN amplification. Herein, we report a unique case of MDB showing histological and immunohistochemical features consistent with non-SHH/non-WNT classic MDB, with both MYCN (30% of tumor cells) and MYC (5-10% tumor cells) amplification in distinct subclones of neoplastic cells at fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), characterized by specific patterns. In spite of MYC amplification in only a small percentage of tumor cells, this case had DNA methylation profile consistent with group 3, emphasizing the importance to test both MYC and MYCN amplifications at a single cell level using highly sensitive methods, such as FISH, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.