Utility of RNA Expression to Determine the Tissue of Origin of Malignancies with an Inconclusive Histopathology

Abstract

We present 2 cases of cancer of unknown origin in which RNA-based cancer classification testing provided vital insight and directed treatment management. The tissue of origin could not be determined in both of these patients utilizing morphology and immunohistochemical analysis of the tissue samples. Next-generation sequencing and tumor-of-origin testing using an RNA-based molecular cancer classifier were performed to elucidate the possible tissue of origin. A 61-year-old male with a history of localized basal cell carcinoma presented with a 4.4-cm axillary lymph node in addition to upper extremity edema and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. RNA-based tumor origin testing revealed skin basal or squamous cell carcinoma as the likely tissue of origin, with a probability of 97%. He received vismodegib, a hedgehog inhibitor, after progression on cemiplimab and experienced a partial response by RECIST criteria, which is currently ongoing for over a year. A 74-year-old female patient with a remote history of ovarian cancer for which she underwent resection and adjuvant chemotherapy presented 15 years later with abdominal pain. The diagnostic workup revealed a 2-cm pancreatic mass and enlarged peritoneal lymph nodes. RNA sequencing revealed a 99% likelihood of the tissue of origin being serous ovarian carcinoma. Subsequently, she underwent surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy and is currently in remission with letrozole maintenance. Genomic data already plays a crucial role in therapeutic decision-making for individuals with cancer. These cases highlight the complementary role of genomic data in the diagnostic workup of cancer, leading to favorable patient outcomes.

Keywords

• rna sequencing
• tissue of origin
• carcinoma of unknown primary
• genomic data