Morules But Not Squamous Differentiation are a Reliable Indicator of CTNNB1 (β-catenin) Mutations in Endometrial Carcinoma and Precancers

Although collectively regarded as squamous differentiation (SD) in endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (EEC) and atypical hyperplasia/endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia (AH/EIN), morules (often referred to as squamous morules) and true SD may represent two distinct phenomena. Here, we explored the distinction between morules versus SD and investigated the association of morules and SD with CTNNB1 mutations. A total of 270 cases of EEC and AH/EIN were studied, including EEC with (n=36) or without (n=36) morules and AH/EIN with (n=80) or without (n=118) morules. Cases were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and selected cases (n=20) by targeted next-generation sequencing panel. Near-perfect agreement was found between morules and glandular beta-catenin nuclear staining in AH/EIN and EEC. A strong positive association was found between morules and glandular beta-catenin nuclear staining ( P <0.0001, Phi=0.59 in AH/EIN; P <0.0001, Phi=0.85 in EEC). There was no association between (1) morules and glandular PAX2 or PTEN aberrant expression or (2) SD and aberrant expression of beta-catenin, PAX2 or PTEN (Phi=0.09, beta-catenin; Phi=0.16, PAX2; Phi=0.13, PTEN). CTNNB1 mutations were identified in all 20 selected morule-containing cases (100%). Next-generation sequencing was performed on 2 (preprogestin and postprogestin treatment) biopsies from 1 patient, revealing identical mutational profile in morules and glands. In conclusion, (1) SD and morules are distinct biological phenomena; (2) the presence of morules, but not SD, is a reliable indicator of CTNNB1 mutations in EEC and AH/EIN. Our findings demonstrate that SD and morules are distinct biological phenomena. Since morules but not SD are associated with beta-catenin mutations, the distinction is clinically relevant and should be included in diagnostic reports.

Automated summary

This study explored the distinction between morules and squamous differentiation (SD) in endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (EEC) and atypical hyperplasia/endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia (AH/EIN), as well as their association with CTNNB1 mutations. The findings demonstrated that morules and glandular beta-catenin nuclear staining were strongly associated in AH/EIN and EEC, while there was no association between morules and glandular PAX2 or PTEN aberrant expression, or between SD and aberrant expression of beta-catenin, PAX2 or PTEN. CTNNB1 mutations were identified in all morule-containing cases. This distinction is clinically relevant and should be included in diagnostic reports.