Insulinoma-associated-1 (INSM1) expression in thymic squamous cell carcinoma

Thymic squamous cell carcinoma (TSC) presents distinct immunohistochemical features with its expression of CD5 and CD117, both of which are rarely expressed in squamous cell carcinoma in other organs. We found insulinoma-associated-1 (INSM1) expression in some TSCs; thus, a series of thymic tumors were examined retrospectively. Using surgically resected thymic tumors (TSC, n = 35; thymic atypical carcinoid [TAC], n = 4; and thymoma, n = 112) and non-neoplastic thymic tissue (n = 26), we evaluated immunohistochemically the expressions of INSM1, ASCL1, SOX2, NE markers (synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD56), and conventional TSC markers (CD5 and CD117). INSM1 was expressed in 22 TSCs (63%), whereas the positive frequencies of synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD56 were limited to 13, 10, and 1 cases, respectively. The discordance was highly contrasted with concordantly positive TACs. INSM1 and NE makers were rarely expressed in thymomas. INSM1 expression in TSCs was also associated with CD5 expression, which was significantly less frequent in INSM1-negative TSCs. INSM1, ASCL1, and SOX2 expressions were correlated with one another, but none of the single transcription factors or their combinations is associated with NE expression. The non-neoplastic medullary thymic epithelium was dispersedly positive for INSM1, particularly around Hassall's corpuscles. Despite positive INSM1, a significant decrease in the frequency of NE maker expression may present as a diagnostic pitfall in TSCs. Furthermore, the discordance, which was inherent in the non-neoplastic thymic epithelium, might be a characteristic feature in TSCs.