DNA Methylation Profiling of Pediatric Ectomesenchymoma Supports Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma‐Like Epigenetic Identity

Ectomesenchymoma is a rare, biphenotypic pediatric tumor combining rhabdomyoblastic and neuroectodermal differentiation. We characterize two novel cases through integrated genomics and the first report of genome-wide DNA methylation profiling. Both tumors harbored RAS-pathway mutations (HRAS p.Gly13Arg; NRAS p.Gln61His). Methylation analysis, including microdissected components, consistently aligned ectomesenchymoma with the embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma superfamily, revealing a shared myogenic epigenetic program despite neural differentiation. Shared copy-number profiles across distinct histological regions supported a monoclonal origin. Overall, our data support a close biological relationship between ectomesenchymoma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and indicate that RAS-pathway testing and methylation profiling can significantly refine diagnostic precision.

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Publication Details

Journal
Pediatric Blood & Cancer
Published
2026-07-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/1545-5017.70592
Primary Topic
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
Type
article
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article

DNA Methylation Profiling of Pediatric Ectomesenchymoma Supports Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma‐Like Epigenetic Identity

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DNA Methylation Profiling of Pediatric Ectomesenchymoma Supports Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma‐Like Epigenetic Identity

Annalisa Tondo, Alessandro Semeraro, Enrico Ciardini, Laura Giunti, Angela Tamburini, Caporalini Chiara, Gianluca Mattei, Anna Maria Buccoliero
article en

Abstract

Ectomesenchymoma is a rare, biphenotypic pediatric tumor combining rhabdomyoblastic and neuroectodermal differentiation. We characterize two novel cases through integrated genomics and the first report of genome-wide DNA methylation profiling. Both tumors harbored RAS-pathway mutations (HRAS p.Gly13Arg; NRAS p.Gln61His). Methylation analysis, including microdissected components, consistently aligned ectomesenchymoma with the embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma superfamily, revealing a shared myogenic epigenetic program despite neural differentiation. Shared copy-number profiles across distinct histological regions supported a monoclonal origin. Overall, our data support a close biological relationship between ectomesenchymoma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and indicate that RAS-pathway testing and methylation profiling can significantly refine diagnostic precision.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
Meyer Children's Hospital (IT), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
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