Loss of heterozygosity in clonal evolution with genetic progression and divergence in spindle cell carcinoma of the gallbladder

Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) of the gallbladder is a rare neoplasm that shows carcinoma with a variable component of sarcomatoid spindle cells. The clinical and pathological features of this neoplasm have been well documented, but the histogenesis has long been a matter of speculation. In an attempt to clarify the clonality and genetic relationships involved in the evolution of this neoplasm, we microdissected a total of 18 carcinomatous and sarcomatous foci from 2 gallbladder SpCCs and analyzed the allelic status with 42 microsatellite markers on chromosomal arms 1p, 1q, 3p, 4q, 5q, 6q, 8p, 9p, 10q, 11p, 11q, 13q, 16q, 17p, 17q, 18q, and 22q. The 2 cases examined had a polypoid tumor in the gallbladder, in which both adenocarcinomatous and sarcomatoid spindle cell components were identified histologically. In both SpCCs, homogenous allelic losses were identified in both the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components; 17p, 18q, and 5q in case 1 and 17p and 11q in case 2. These indicated that both SpCCs had a single clonal origin. In case 1, additional loss of heterozygosity (LOH; 6q) consisting of genetic progression occurred in both the carcinomatous and sarcomatoid components. In case 2, there was additional LOH (9p) in the carcinomatous components and additional microsatellite instability at D5S644 in both the carcinomatous and sarcomatoid components, indicating a monoclonal neoplasm with genetic progression and divergence. In the 2 cases, the genetic changes indicated that an original clone of a pure adenocarcinoma apparently acquired sarcomatoid spindle cell phenotype by successive genetic changes. On the other hand, we saw no evidence of tumors in which a sarcomatoid spindle cell appeared to give rise to a carcinomatous subclone in the examined cases. In conclusion, the current study includes the first LOH analyses of SpCC of the gallbladder. Our data support the concept that gallbladder SpCC is derived from a single clone originating from a carcinoma. Furthermore, we showed genetic heterogeneity accompanying the phenotypic divergence, with patterns of genetic alterations that are consistent with both the progression and divergence within the individual tumors. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.