NTRK fusions are extremely rare in bone tumours

Because of the efficacy of tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) inhibitor therapy in tumours with rearrangements of the neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor genes (NRTK genes), there has been a surge in demand for NTRK fusion screening. To date, most studies involving mesenchymal tumours have focused on soft tissue tumours, and data on bone tumours are sparse. Hence, we aimed to explore the frequency of NTRK fusions in a large series of primary bone tumours.

Immunohistochemical expression of pan-Trk was successfully assessed in 354 primary bone tumours by the use of tissue microarrays. In a selection of positive cases, additional molecular analysis for NTRK fusions was performed with anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based targeted next-generation sequencing. Positivity was found in 19 cases (5%), which comprised Ewing sarcoma (n = 6, 33%), osteosarcoma (n = 11, 13%), and giant-cell tumour of bone (n = 2, 3%). In all except one case, cytoplasmic staining was observed. Weak staining was most often observed (n = 13), although five cases showed moderate staining and one case showed focal strong staining. Molecular analysis was successful in six cases, all of which were negative for NTRK fusions.

The likelihood of finding an NTRK fusion in bone tumours in clinical practice is extremely low. This may imply that, if more comprehensive large-scale molecular studies confirm this, routine predictive NTRK testing in bone tumour patients with advanced disease may be reconsidered.