Detecting MYB and MYBL1 fusion genes in tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma by targeted RNA-sequencing

Primary tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all lung tumors. Many adenoid cystic carcinomas have been reported to have a specific chromosome translocation t(6;9)/MYB-NFIB. More recently, t(8;9)/MYBL1-NFIB gene fusion was reported in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinomas which lacked a t(6;9)/MYB-NFIB. Two prior studies showed t(6;9)/MYB-NFIB in tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma; however, only rare cases of MYBL1 rearrangement have been reported in this carcinoma. In this study, we used targeted RNA sequencing to investigate fusion genes in tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma at our institution. Fusions of either MYB or MYBL1 genes were detected in 7 of 7 carcinomas. Three cases had MYB-NFIB, and 3 had MYBL1-NFIB. The remaining case showed a rare MYBL1-RAD51B fusion. These findings suggest that rearrangement involving MYB or MYBL1 is a hallmark of tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma.