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The oncogene PIM2 is upregulated in several malignancies but has never been investigated in mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). PIM2 is a well‐known oncogene and is regulated by cell signaling pathways like the JAK/STAT‐ and NF‐kB‐pathway, key regulators in the pathogenesis of CTCL. The aim of this study was to examine the role of PIM2 in MF. PIM2 gene expression was measured in 81 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded skin biopsies from patients with MF and 46 control biopsies from healthy skin (HS) and benign inflammatory skin disease (BID). Validation of PIM2 protein expression was performed on selected biopsies with immunohistochemical staining. We found a significant difference in gene expression levels between both early stage MF and HS (p < 0.0001), and BID (p < 0.0001). In addition, the PIM2 gene expression was higher in advanced‐stage MF compared to early stage disease (p = 0.0001). No significant difference in gene expression levels was found between patients with and without disease progression. In conclusion, we found PIM2 expression is significantly increased in MF compared to controls, and in advanced‐stage MF compared to early stage MF. These findings could potentially have diagnostic value in discriminating early stage MF from BID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) affords comprehensive insights into the genomic landscape of lymphomas. We examined the mutational pattern in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) or lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) as well as the diagnostic and clinical utility of a tailored NGS lymphoma panel. A consecutive series of 45 patients was reviewed and NGS analysis was performed as part of a routine diagnostic setup. The custom designed NGS panel assayed all coding sequences of 59 genes of known clinical significance in lymphoid neoplasms. The most frequently mutated genes were MYD88, CXCR4, BIRC3, CD79B, and ARID1A. Additional somatic mutations were detected in 17 genes with four mutations categorized as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. BIRC3 and TP53 mutations were associated with adverse clinical phenotypes. NGS performance for the MYD88L265P variant was 96% when compared to qPCR. In conclusion, targeted NGS provided important diagnostic and prognostic information in a routine clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Melanoma is widely recognized to be an immunogenic tumor that often contains tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment. During cancer progression, expression of ligands that bind immune checkpoint (IC) proteins, such as PD-1, expressed on the surface of TILs, hinder them from exerting their antitumor functions. TILs consist of a heterogenous group of immune cells and their presence is associated with an improved overall survival in melanoma patients. Introduction of IC inhibitors has revolutionized management and prognosis of advanced melanoma. Unfortunately, the response rates have continued to be limited, resulting in growing interest in characterizing novel IC proteins, and developing combination therapy that includes inhibitors against multiple IC proteins. Methods: In a regional cohort of 166 patients diagnosed with cutaneous superficial spreading melanoma with different degree of TILs, we investigated the tumor immune-associated gene expression profile using NanoString Technology. We used multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) staining in a subset of tumors (N = 7), combining IC proteins T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and LAG3 with a melanoma cell marker (SOX10) and immune cell markers (CD8 [cytotoxic T cells], CD4 [T helper cells], FOXP3 [regulatory T cells/Tregs], PAX5 [B cells], and CD56 [NK/NKT cells]) and IC protein PD-1. Results: We found upregulation of 91 differentially expressed genes, including IC proteins, LAG3 and TIGIT in melanomas with brisk TILs compared to tumors where TILs were absent. mIF staining revealed LAG3 and TIGIT expression in the majority of CD8+ T cells. Only few Tregs and CD4+ T cells expressed LAG3, whereas majority of them expressed TIGIT. LAG3 and TIGIT were expressed in a small fraction of the NK/NKT cells and lacked in the B cells. The majority of PD-1+ cells co-localized with LAG3 and TIGIT. Conclusion: We report a variable expression of LAG3 and TIGIT on TILs subtypes and a coeval occurrence with PD-1. This knowledge places LAG3 and TIGIT in spatial and cellular context in melanoma. The data suggest that targeting multiple IC proteins might help overcome the current challenges with IC therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colonic stent is recommended as a bridge to elective surgery for malignant obstruction to improve short-term clinical outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer. However, since the oncological outcomes remain controversial, this study aimed to investigate the impact of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) on the tumor microenvironment. Methods: Patients treated with colonic stent as a bridge to surgery from 2010 to 2015 were identified from hospital records. Tumor biopsies and resected tumor samples of the eligible patients were retrieved retrospectively. Gene expression analysis was performed using the NanoString nCounter PanCancer IO 360 gene expression panel. Results: Of the 164 patients identified, this study included 21 who underwent colonic stent placement as a bridge to elective surgery. Gene expression analysis revealed 82 differentially expressed genes between pre- and post-intervention specimens, of which 72 were upregulated and 10 downregulated. Among the significantly upregulated genes, 46 are known to have protumor functions, of which 26 are specifically known to induce tumorigenic mechanisms such as proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation. In addition, ten differentially expressed genes were identified that are known to promote antitumor functions. Conclusion: SEMS induces gene expressional changes in the tumor microenvironment that are associated with tumor progression in colorectal cancer and may potentiate a more aggressive phenotype. Future studies are warranted to establish optimal timing of surgery after SEMS insertion in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the two-year end-of-study results from the phase 2 COMBI II clinical trial (#EudraCT2018-004150-13) investigating the combination treatment of ruxolitinib and low-dose pegylated interferon-α2a in patients with newly diagnosed polycythemia vera. The primary outcome was safety and key secondary endpoints were efficacy, based on hematological parameters, quality of life measurements, and JAK2V617F variant allele frequency (VAF). We used the 2013 ELN and IWG-MRT remission criteria. The remission criteria included remissions in symptoms, splenomegaly, peripheral blood counts, and bone marrow. We included 25 patients with PV with a median age of 70 years; 5 of those had prior thromboembolic events and three had CT-verified splenomegaly. Two patients stopped both study drugs, one of these due to progression to post-PV myelofibrosis; only that patient had a grade 3 infection. No events of herpes zoster infections were observed. No patients discontinued treatment due to psychiatric symptoms. The peripheral blood cell count remission rate was 92% at 24 months. Using the 2013 ELN and IWG-MRT remission criteria, 14 (56%) achieved remission at 24 months; 3 (12%) achieved complete remission, and 11 (44%) achieved partial remission. The following items from the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Total Symptom Score were significantly reduced: abdominal discomfort, night sweats, itching, and bone pain. The median JAK2V617F VAF decreased from 47% (95%CI, 35-59%) to 7% (95%CI, 3-15%), and 60% of patients achieved molecular remission. In conclusion, combination treatment improved cell counts; bone marrow cellularity, and fibrosis; and decreased JAK2V617F VAF; with acceptable toxicity in patients with polycythemia vera. EudraCT2018-004150-13., (Copyright © 2024 American Society of Hematology.)