Increased SOX10, p16, and Cyclin D1 Immunoreactivity Differentiates MAP Kinase-activated Low-grade Gliomas From Piloid Gliosis.

Low-grade gliomas and reactive piloid gliosis can present with overlapping features on conventional histology. Given the large implications for patient treatment, there is a need for effective methods to discriminate these morphologically similar but clinically distinct entities. Using routinely available stains, we hypothesize that a limited panel including SOX10, p16, and cyclin D1 may be useful in differentiating mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-activated low-grade gliomas from piloid gliosis. Reviewers blinded to clinical and pathologic data reviewed and quantified immunohistochemical expression patterns across 20 cases of piloid gliosis and 37 cases of MAP kinase-activated low-grade gliomas, including pilocytic astrocytoma and ganglioglioma. The majority of MAP kinase-activated low-grade glioma cases demonstrated extensive immunoreactivity for at least 2 of the 3 immunohistochemical markers, whereas none of the gliosis cases demonstrated significant immunoreactivity for more than one individual immunohistochemical marker. SOX10 and p16 demonstrated the highest individual sensitivity whereas cyclin D1 demonstrated the highest individual specificity to discriminate neoplastic from nonneoplastic cases in this cohort. A composite panel score based on significant immunoreactivity of at least 2 of the 3 markers provided specificity and a positive predictive value of 100% in differentiating MAP kinase-activated low-grade glioma from gliosis, as 0/20 (0%) of gliosis cases were scored positive compared with 24/37 (65%) of MAP kinase-activated low-grade glioma cases. We conclude that while the immunoreactivity of these markers may be suggestive of a low-grade glioma diagnosis, SOX10, p16, and cyclin D1 should be applied in combination to maximize diagnostic value.
Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: K.Y.Z. was supported by the Johns Hopkins Opportunities for Pathology Trainees in Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH (T32 CA193145). E.G. and C.G.L. were supported by the UCSF Training Program in Translational Brain Tumor Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH (T32 CA151022). For the remaining authors none were declared.
(Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)