Malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFHs) are aggressive tumors without any definable line of differentiation.
Genetic finding are similar to that in well-differentiated liposarcomas, strongly suggests that these tumors actually correspond to undifferentiated liposarcomas.
Cytogenetics
amplifications of the 12q14-q15 chromosome region (20%)
1p32 band amplification
6q23 band amplification (amplification and overexpression of ASK1 or MAP3K5 gene)
Molecular biology
amplification and overexpression of ASK1 or MAP3K5 gene at 6q23 band (#15034865#)
Differential diagnosis
dedifferentiated liposarcomas (#15221942#, #12640106#)
References
Chibon F, Mariani O, Derre J, Mairal A, Coindre JM, Guillou L, Sastre X, Pedeutour F, Aurias A. ASK1 (MAP3K5) as a potential therapeutic target in malignant fibrous histiocytomas with 12q14-q15 and 6q23 amplifications. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2004 May;40(1):32-7. PMID: #15034865#
Chibon F, Mariani O, Derre J, Malinge S, Coindre JM, Guillou L, Lagace R, Aurias A. A subgroup of malignant fibrous histiocytomas is associated with genetic changes similar to those of well-differentiated liposarcomas. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2002 Nov;139(1):24-9. PMID: #12547153#