Publications by authors named "Rihab Azmani"

Oligodendrocytes are critical for CNS myelin formation and are involved in preterm-birth brain injury (PBI) and multiple sclerosis (MS), both of which lack effective treatments. We present a pharmacogenomic approach that identifies compounds with potent pro-oligodendrogenic activity, selected through a scoring strategy (OligoScore) based on their modulation of oligodendrogenic and (re)myelination-related transcriptional programs. Through in vitro neural and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) cultures, ex vivo cerebellar explants, and in vivo mouse models of PBI and MS, we identify FDA-approved leucovorin and dyclonine as promising candidates.

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This review focuses on uterine mesenchymal tumors that are defined on a molecular level by a single and unique genetic alteration, that is somehow necessary and sufficient to allow tumor growth and progression. Although diverse from a clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical point of view, the different entities we are going to talk about share both a simple genomic profile with a low number of chromosomal alterations observed by CGH Array (few deletions, gains or amplifications..

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Recently, FN1 fusions to receptor tyrosine kinase genes have been identified in soft tissue tumors with calcified chondroid matrix named calcifying chondroid mesenchymal neoplasms (CCMNs). We collected 33 cases of CCMN from the French network for soft tissue and bone tumors. We performed whole-exome RNA sequencing, expression analysis, and genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in 33, 30, and 20 cases of CCMN compared with a control group of tumors, including noncalcified tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT).

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Aims: NTRK-rearranged sarcomas of the female genital tract mainly occur in the uterus (more commonly cervix than corpus) and are characterized by a "fibrosarcoma-like" morphology and NTRK gene rearrangements. These neoplasms may exhibit histological overlap with other entities and can present diagnostic difficulties without molecular confirmation. Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry was developed to identify tumours harbouring NTRK rearrangements.

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DICER1-mutated rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare, emerging entity with a predilection for the gynecologic and genitourinary tracts. We report here a case of DICER1-mutated rhabdomyosarcoma of the ovary in a 14 years old girl which displayed interspersed mature teratoid glands, neuroectodermal rosettes and immature blastematous-like tubes. Morphologically the sarcomatous component predominated, corresponding to a high grade spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma with botryoid features.

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Article Synopsis
  • Neoplasms with the KAT6B/A::KANSL1 fusion were initially thought to be benign or low-grade malignancies but are now recognized as distinct and potentially aggressive tumors, warranting further study and diagnosis.
  • A detailed study of 16 tumors from 12 patients was conducted to explore the clinical, histopathologic, and molecular characteristics of these neoplasms, which predominantly occurred in peri-menopausal women and primarily in the uterine corpus.
  • The findings highlighted a range of overlapping features with other tumors, including the expression of hormone receptors and specific genomic patterns, confirming the need for KAT6B/A::KANSL1 fusion testing in routine pathological assessments.
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Giant cell tumors (GCTs) with high mobility group AT-Hook 2 ( HMGA2 )::nuclear receptor corepressor 2 ( NCOR2 ) fusion are rare mesenchymal tumors of controversial nosology, which have been anecdotally reported to respond to CSFR1 inhibitors. Here, we performed a comprehensive study of 6 GCTs with HMGA2::NCOR2 fusion and explored their relationship with other giant cell-rich neoplasms. Tumors occurred in 4 females and 2 males ranging in age from 17 to 32 years old (median 24).

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Article Synopsis
  • The ABL1 proto-oncogene gene fusion with GAB1 has been identified in soft tissue tumors, but these cases are rare and not well characterized, with previous reports only anecdotal.
  • Eight tumors carrying this GAB1::ABL1 fusion were studied, revealing similar morphologies and varying locations, with most tumors being mild in terms of cellular activity and appearance.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis showed specific markers and consistency in the presence of the GAB1::ABL1 fusion across all cases, leading to surgical interventions as the primary mode of treatment.*
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Aims: NTRK gene fusions have been described in a wide variety of central nervous system (CNS) and soft tissue tumours, including the provisional tumour type 'spindle cell neoplasm, NTRK-rearranged' (SCN-NTRK), added to the 2020 World Health Organisation Classification of Soft Tissue Tumours. Because of histopathological and molecular overlaps with other soft tissue entities, controversy remains concerning the lineage and terminology of SCN-NTRK.

Methods And Results: This study included 16 mesenchymal tumours displaying kinase gene fusions (NTRK fusions and one MET fusion) initially diagnosed as infantile fibrosarcomas (IFS), SCN-NTRK and adult-type fibrosarcomas from the soft tissue, viscera and CNS.

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Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS) is a rare soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the distal extremities and a tendency for local recurrence. Morphologically, MIFS consists of spindle and bizarre epithelioid cells resembling virocytes embedded in a fibrous to myxoid stroma with an abundant inflammatory infiltrate. Importantly, the molecular landscape of MIFS is wide and includes: VGLL3 amplification, BRAF fusion/amplification and OGA/TGFBR3 rearrangements.

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A subset of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors are "hybrid" combining several lines of differentiation, most often schwannian and perineurial features. The pathogenesis of these tumors was poorly described until the recent discovery of recurrent VGLL3 rearrangements in hybrid schwannoma/perineuriomas, supporting the hypothesis that this entity represents a distinct subgroup of tumors and not only a morphologic variation of other peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Following this finding, we investigated 10 cases of hybrid peripheral nerve sheath tumors with immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing, and array comparative genomic hybridization.

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Article Synopsis
  • - A new type of brain tumor called "neuroepithelial tumor (NET), PATZ1 fusion-positive" has been identified, characterized by specific genetic fusions and still unclear origins, potentially linked to glioneuronal or mesenchymal cells.
  • - Due to the limited number of cases, this tumor type is not included in the official 2021 classification of central nervous system tumors by the World Health Organization.
  • - This report presents a unique case with a novel LARGE1-AFF2 fusion, highlighting similarities in clinical and genetic traits to previously documented NET-PATZ1 cases, indicating that more research is needed to explore the diversity within this tumor group.
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Article Synopsis
  • Round cell sarcomas are complex, high-grade tumors that make diagnosis challenging for pathologists, often requiring extensive testing methods.
  • The most common type is Ewing sarcoma, but recent classifications have identified two new families of sarcomas with specific gene alterations (CIC and BCOR).
  • Ongoing research aims to clarify the role of various gene fusions in these tumors, including those with EWSR1, and to identify consistent biomarkers to assist in diagnosis.
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