Lack of Bcl10 mutations in malignant cartilaginous tumors

The Bcl10 gene was recently isolated from the breakpoint region of t(1;14)(p22;q32) in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. Somatic mutations of Bcl10 were found in not only t(1;14)-bearing MALT lymphomas, but also a wide range of other tumors. To clarify the actual frequency and spectrum of Bcl10 mutations in primary malignant chondrogenic tumors, we examined 89 cases of malignant chondrogenic tumors comprising 17 conventional chondrosarcomas, 33 mesenchymal chondrosarcomas, and 39 clear cell chondrosarcomas. Polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformation polymorphism and sequencing analyses were done. No Bcl10 mutations were found in our series of malignant chondrogenic tumors. While screening for mutations, we also found three polymorphisms at codons 8 exon 1 of the Bcl10 gene. Our results strongly suggest that somatic mutations of Bcl10 are extremly rare in malignant cartilaginous tumors and do not commonly contribute to their molecular pathogenesis.