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Updated: May 12, 2026

Induction of Invasive Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma in Immune Intact Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice: A Model for Immunotherapy Development
Published on: October 31, 2013
APC-Mutated MUC4-Positive Fibroblastoma With Cytoplasmic β-Catenin: A Novel Variant Expanding Its Immunophenotypic
Amanda Onalaja-Underwood1, Rana Naous1
1Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA.
Abstract:
MUC4-positive fibroblastoma is a newly characterized fibroblastic neoplasm, typically presenting as a bland spindle cell tumor with diffuse cytoplasmic MUC4 expression, nuclear β‑catenin positivity, and APC gene alterations. We report a novel case in a 34-year-old woman demonstrating diffuse cytoplasmic MUC4 expression but negative cytoplasmic β‑catenin staining, with molecular confirmation of biallelic APC inactivation. This finding broadens the known immunophenotypic spectrum of MUC4-positive fibroblastoma and challenges current assumptions regarding β‑catenin localization in APC-altered soft tissue tumors. Additional clinical, radiologic, and long-term follow-up data may help refine our understanding of the biological behavior and diagnostic boundaries of this emerging entity.

