1.The evolving role of TRPS1 in dermatopathology: insights from the past 4 years
Mokhtar H. ABDELHAMMED ; Woo Cheal CHO
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2026;60(2):129-143
Over the past 4 years, trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) has rapidly gained attention among practicing pathologists, with numerous studies emerging that both support and question its diagnostic utility. Initially regarded as a highly specific marker for tumors of mammary origin, TRPS1 is now recognized to have broader expression patterns, including in a variety of cutaneous neoplasms. This is likely due to embryologic parallels between breast tissue and skin adnexal structures, an overlap that was underappreciated in early investigations. Although TRPS1 lacks absolute specificity—even among cutaneous neoplasms—it can still offer meaningful diagnostic value when interpreted alongside conventional immunohistochemical markers and within the appropriate morphologic context. Noteworthy diagnostic applications include mammary Paget disease, primary extramammary Paget disease, rare adnexal neoplasms such as endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma and primary cutaneous NUT adnexal carcinoma, and cutaneous metastases from breast carcinoma. In this review, we present the most comprehensive and up-to-date evaluation of the utility and limitations of TRPS1 immunohistochemistry in dermatopathology. Our aim is to deepen understanding of this emerging marker and provide practical guidance on its optimal integration with established immunohistochemical panels to enhance diagnostic accuracy in routine practice.
2.Gene fusions in melanocytic lesions: an updated comprehensive review
Volha LENSKAYA ; Larisa ERIKSON ; Victor G. PRIETO ; Woo Cheal CHO
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2026;60(3):285-306
The scope of gene fusions in melanocytic neoplasms is broader than previously recognized, extending well beyond the Spitz-lineage neoplasms where kinase fusions involving ALK, ROS1, NTRK1/2/3, RET, MET, BRAF, and MAP3K8 define biologically and morphologically distinct tumors. Emerging studies demonstrate that a meaningful proportion of conventional non-Spitz lineage melanomas harbor oncogenic fusions. Such fusions may impact clinical behavior, histopathologic presentation and provide opportunities for targeted therapy. The World Health Organization classification of skin tumors, 5th edition, now incorporates fusion status into taxonomy and risk stratification, yet some important questions remain for further investigation: fusion-associated neoplasms can mimic non-melanocytic neoplasm; Spitz-type fusions appear in non-Spitz lesions; and melanocytic differentiation may occur in some other fusion-driven lesions. Broad-panel next-generation sequencing (including RNAseq), together with targeted fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry enhances detection of known and novel fusion partners. Early clinical evidence of TRK, ALK, and ROS1 inhibitor efficacy underscores the translational promise of fusion testing and opens avenues for personalized therapy. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the genomics, histopathology, diagnosis, and therapeutic implications of fusion-driven melanocytic neoplasms, highlighting consensus points and remaining controversies.
3.TRPS1 expression in non-melanocytic cutaneous neoplasms: an immunohistochemical analysis of 200 cases
Yi A. LIU ; Phyu P. AUNG ; Yunyi WANG ; Jing NING ; Priyadharsini NAGARAJAN ; Jonathan L. CURRY ; Carlos A. TORRES-CABALA ; Doina IVAN ; Victor G. PRIETO ; Qingqing DING ; Woo Cheal CHO
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2024;58(2):72-80
Background:
Although trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) was initially thought to be highly sensitive and specific for carcinomas and mesenchymal tumors of mammary origin, more recent data suggest its expression is not limited to breast neoplasms but also can be seen in other cutaneous neoplasms, such as extramammary Paget disease and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ.
Methods:
Two-hundred cases of non-melanocytic cutaneous neoplasm, including basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) (n = 41), SCCs (n = 35), Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) (n = 25), and adnexal neoplasms (n = 99), were tested for TRPS1 expression using a monoclonal anti- TRPS1 rabbit anti-human antibody.
Results:
TRPS1 expression was present in almost all cases of SCC (94%), with a median H-score of 200, while it was either absent or only focally present in most BCCs (90%), with a median H-score of 5. The difference between BCCs and SCCs in H-score was significant (p < .001). All MCCs (100%) lacked TRPS1 expression. TRPS1 expression was frequently seen in most adnexal neoplasms, benign and malignant, in variable intensity and proportion but was consistently absent in apocrine carcinomas. All endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinomas (EMPSGCs) (100%, 6/6) showed diffuse and strong TRPS1 immunoreactivity, with a median H-score of 300, which was significantly different (p < .001) than that of BCCs.
Conclusions
Our study shows that TRPS1 may be an effective discriminatory marker for BCCs and SCCs. It also has a role in distinguishing BCCs from EMPSGCs.
4.Crystal-Storing Histiocytosis with Plasma Cell Neoplasm in the Setting of Chronic Carbamazepine Exposure
Woo Cheal CHO ; Safina HAFEEZ ; Peter SHEN
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2019;53(2):142-144
No abstract available.
Carbamazepine
;
Histiocytosis
;
Neoplasms, Plasma Cell
;
Plasma Cells
;
Plasma
5.Rare Manifestations of Churg-Strauss Syndrome with Mediastinal and Hilar Lymphadenopathies: Report of an Autopsy Case
Woo Cheal CHO ; Bharat RAMLAL ; Mary FIEL-GAN ; Xianyuan SONG
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2019;53(1):66-69
No abstract available.
Autopsy
;
Churg-Strauss Syndrome
6.Expression of CD34 and β-Catenin in Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver Mimicking Proximal-Type Epithelioid Sarcoma
Woo Cheal CHO ; Fabiola BALAREZO
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2018;52(3):195-197
No abstract available.
Liver
;
Rhabdoid Tumor
;
Sarcoma
7.The Change of Plasma Concentrations of Fibrinogen Degradation Products and Fibrin Degradation Products During the Open Heart Surgery.
Seong Cheal RYU ; Sung WOO ; Kang Hee CHO ; Yeong Gwon GOO ; Sung Sub PARK
Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 1993;26(3):499-505
There were many researches, which qualitative or quantitative assays were performed about fibrinolysis and the degree of activation of coagulation system. Authors measured fibrinogen degradation products(FbDP) and fibrin degradation products(FbDP) by monoclonal enzymeimmunoassay, instead of polyclonal method in 12 cases of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). 1) The increase of FgDP after sternotomy is verifying the significant fibrino(geno) lysis occured by stimulation of sternotomy. 2) By the result that FgDP was significantly increased compared with FbDP, primary fibrinogenolysis is more important phenomenon than secondary fibrinolysis during CPB. 3) FbDP and FgDP were most significantly increased immediately before the end of CPB and after CPB. 4) Increased FgDP was decreased after CPB but FbDP was still elevated 5 hours after CPB. According to the above results, CPB induced primary fibrinogenolysis and secondary fibrinolysis in open heart surgery.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
;
Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products*
;
Fibrin*
;
Fibrinogen*
;
Fibrinolysis
;
Heart*
;
Plasma*
;
Sternotomy
;
Thoracic Surgery*

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