Exome sequencing reveals candidate mutations implicated in sinonasal carcinoma and malignant transformation of sinonasal inverted papilloma.

We explored somatic mutations in dysplastic sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP), SNIP with concomitant sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC), and SNSCC without preceding SNIP. Ten SNIP and SNSCC samples were analyzed with exome sequencing and tested for human papillomavirus. The identified mutations were compared to the most frequently mutated genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the COSMIC database. Exome sequencing data were also analyzed for mutations not previously linked to SNSCC. Seven of the most commonly mutated genes in HNSCC and SNSCC in COSMIC harbored mutations in our data. In addition, we identified mutations in 23 genes that are likely to contribute to SNIP and SNSCC oncogenesis.