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Highlights • There is no uniformly accepted indication to perform the correct management of hibernoma. • Only the complete surgical resection of the known axillary lesion, could be diagnostic and, in most case, curative. • A full multidisciplinary team is essential to focus on all aspects for the management of hibernoma and MEN-1 syndrome., Introduction The present study reports the case of an axillary hibernoma in a patient with lobular homolateral breast cancer and multiple endocrine neoplasia type1 (MEN-1). Hibernoma is a rare benign adipose tissue tumor, and usually manifests as a slowly growing and painless rubbery mass. These tumors can arise in various sites, but mammary hibernomas remain extraordinarily uncommon. Although hibernomas are metabolically active and therefore “glucose-avid” on fluorodeoxyglucose CT-positron emission tomography (FDG CT-PET), imaging alone is inadequate in providing a reliable diagnosis and definitive differential diagnosis from other malignancy. Only complete surgical excision is diagnostic and, in most cases, curative. Presentation of case A 42-years-old woman was followed for MEN-1 syndrome associating with hyperparathyroidism, insulinoma, non-secretory adrenal adenoma and thyroid lump. A FDG CT-PET found high glucid hypermetabolism in thickened elongated area on the front axillary line. Hibernoma was diagnosed after realization of prophylactic left mastectomy, homolateral sentinel lymph node biopsy and exeresis of the known axillary lesion. Discussion Clinical importance lies in distinguishing hibernoma from other benign and malignant breast neoplasms, as well as inflammatory conditions that come into the histologic or radiologic differential. Hibernoma is not currently classified as a non-endocrine tumor related to MEN1, but this association could be not fortuitous for the linkage between modification of Menin protein function and pathogenesis of hibernomas. Conclusion Our case deserves extraordinary attention because, not only it’s a case of MEN1 syndrome associated with hibernoma, but in the context of this lesion there are multiple micro-foci of infiltrating lobular carcinoma.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use and cancer incidence (overall, and breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers specifically) in a large representative sample of US adults. Cross-sectional data on cancer diagnosis, timing of cancer diagnosis, ACE inhibitor use, and other characteristics were extracted from 49 512 adults aged ≥ 20years participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2016). Multivariable-logistic and propensity score matching (PSM) regressions examined the relationship between pre-diagnosis use of ACE inhibitors and diagnosis of all cancers, and breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers specifically. Overall, we observed an increased likelihood of cancer diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) 1.269, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.088–1.480] among those who used ACE inhibitors compared to non-ACE inhibitor use, and for prostate cancer diagnosis (OR 1.438, 95% CI 1.090–1.897), after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, physical activity, alcohol drinking status, smoking status, and high blood pressure. PSM regression retrieved more conservative estimates such that the increased likelihood of cancer diagnosis was only observed when comparing ACE inhibitor users with non-drug users (OR 1.022, 95% CI 1.016–1.027). Compared with non-ACE inhibitor use, ACE inhibitor use was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. In conclusion, in this large representative sample of US adults, it was found that ACE inhibitor use may have a marginal influence on some cancers. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Contains fulltext : 215605.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) BACKGROUND: Cancers with a defective DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) system contain thousands of mutations most frequently located in monomorphic microsatellites and are thereby defined as having microsatellite instability (MSI). Therefore, MSI is a marker of dMMR. MSI/dMMR can be identified using immunohistochemistry to detect loss of MMR proteins and/or molecular tests to show microsatellite alterations. Together with tumour mutational burden (TMB) and PD-1/PD-L1 expression, it plays a role as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy. METHODS: To define best practices to implement the detection of dMMR tumours in clinical practice, the ESMO Translational Research and Precision Medicine Working Group launched a collaborative project, based on a systematic review-approach, to generate consensus recommendations on the: (i) definitions related to the concept of MSI/dMMR; (ii) methods of MSI/dMMR testing and (iii) relationships between MSI, TMB and PD-1/PD-L1 expression. RESULTS: The MSI-related definitions, for which a consensus frame-work was used to establish definitions, included: 'microsatellites', 'MSI', 'DNA mismatch repair' and 'features of MSI tumour'. This consensus also provides recommendations on MSI testing; immunohistochemistry for the mismatch repair proteins MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 represents the first action to assess MSI/dMMR (consensus with strong agreement); the second method of MSI/dMMR testing is represented by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assessment of microsatellite alterations using five microsatellite markers including at least BAT-25 and BAT-26 (strong agreement). Next-generation sequencing, coupling MSI and TMB analysis, may represent a decisive tool for selecting patients for immunotherapy, for common or rare cancers not belonging to the spectrum of Lynch syndrome (very strong agreement). The relationships between MSI, TMB and PD-1/PD-L1 expression are complex, and differ according to tumour types. CONCLUSIONS: This ESMO initiative is a response to the urgent questions raised by the growing success of immunotherapy and provides also important insights on the relationships between MSI, TMB and PD-1/PD-L1.

Objective Ampulla of Vater carcinoma (AVC) has a broad spectrum of different prognoses. As such, new moderators of survival are urgently needed. We aimed at clarifying the prognostic role of perineural invasion in AVC. Methods Using PubMed and SCOPUS databases, we conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis on this topic. Results Analyzing 29 articles for a total of 2379 patients, we found that the presence of perineural invasion increased the risk of all-cause mortality more than 2 times (relative risk [RR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78-2.42 [P < 0.0001]; hazard ratio [HR], 2.72; 95% CI, 1.86-3.97 [P < 0.0001]), of cancer-specific mortality more than 6 times (RR, 6.12; 95% CI, 3.25-11.54 [P < 0.0001]; HR, 6.59; 95% CI, 2.29-3.49 [P < 0.0001]), and of recurrence more than 2 times (RR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.89-3.67 [P < 0.0001]; HR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.24-5.21 [P = 0.01]). Conclusions Perineural invasion is strongly associated with a poorer prognosis in AVC, influencing both survival and risk of recurrence. It should be reported in the final pathology report and should be taken into account by future oncologic staging systems, identifying a group of AVC with a more malignant biological behavior. © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

This case report describes the history of a 41 year-old woman with a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas and a metachronous abdominal desmoid tumor (DT) that occurred two years after the SPN surgical resection. At next-generation sequencing of 174 cancer-related genes, both neoplasms harbored a CTNNB1 somatic mutation which was different in each tumor. Moreover, two BRCA2 pathogenic mutations were found in both tumors, confirmed as germline by the sequencing of normal tissue. The BRCA2 mutations were c.631G>A, resulting in the amino-acid change p.V211I, and c.7008-2A>T, causing a splice acceptor site loss. However, as the two neoplasms showed neither loss of heterozygosity nor somatic mutation in the second BRCA2 allele, they cannot be considered as BRCA-dependent tumors. Nevertheless, this study highlights the important opportunities opened by extensive tumor molecular profiling. In this particular case, it permitted the detection of BRCA2-germline mutations, essential for addressing the necessary BRCA-related genetic counseling, surveillance, and screening for the patient and her family.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses pool data from individual studies to generate a higher level of evidence to be evaluated by guidelines. These reviews ultimately guide clinicians and stakeholders in health-related decisions. However, the informativeness and quality of evidence synthesis inherently depend on the quality of what has been pooled into meta-research projects. Moreover, beyond the quality of included individual studies, only a methodologically correct process, in relation to systematic reviews and meta-analyses themselves, can produce a reliable and valid evidence synthesis. Hence, quality of meta-research projects also affects evidence synthesis reliability. In this overview, the authors provide a synthesis of advantages and disadvantages and main characteristics of some of the most frequently used tools to assess quality of individual studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Specifically, the tools considered in this work are the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) for observational studies, the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT), the Jadad scale, the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2 (RoB2) for randomized controlled trials, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) and the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2), and AMSTAR-PLUS for meta-analyses. What is already known?: The informativeness and quality of evidence synthesis inherently depend on the quality of what has been pooled into meta-research projects. Beyond the quality of included individual studies, only a methodologically correct process, in relation to systematic reviews and meta-analyses themselves, can produce a reliable and valid evidence synthesis. What is new?: In this overview, the authors provide a synthesis of advantages and disadvantages and main characteristics of some of the most frequently used tools to assess quality of individual studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Potential impact: This overview serves as a starting point and a brief guide to identify and understand the main and most frequently used tools for assessing the quality of studies included in meta-research. The authors here share their experience in publishing several meta-research-related articles covering different areas of medical sciences. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Introduction High fidelity between non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) primary tumours and patient-derived tumour xenografts (PDTXs) is of paramount relevance to spur their application. Extensive proteomic and kinomic analysis of these preclinical models are missing and may inform about their functional status, in terms of phosphopeptides and hyperactive signalling pathways. Methods We investigated tumour xenografts derived from patients with NSCLC to identify hyperactive signalling pathways. Fresh tumour fragments from 81 NSCLC surgical samples were implanted in Nod/Scid/Gamma mice, and engrafted tumours were compared with primary specimens by morphology, immunohistochemistry, gene mutation analyses, and kinase activity profiling. Four different tyrosine and serine/threonine kinase inhibitors were tested against primary tumour and PDTX lysates using the PamGene peptide microarray platform. Results The engraftment rate was 33%, with successful engraftment being more associated with poor clinical outcomes. Genomic profiles led to the recognition of hotspot mutations, some of which were initially undetected in donor samples. Kinomic analyses showed that characteristics of primary tumours were retained in PDTXs, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) responses of individual PDTX lines were either expected, based on the genetic status, or alternatively defined suitable targets unpredictable by single-genome fingerprints. Conclusions Collectively, PDTXs mostly resembled their parental NSCLC. Combining genomic and kinomic analyses of tumour xenografts derived from patients with NSCLC, we identified patients' specific targetable pathways, confirming PDTXs as a preclinical tool for biomarker identification and therapeutic algorithm'' improvement.

To assess efficacy and safety of trastuzumab biosimilars in comparison to the reference drug through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Open Grey and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Dichotomous data for efficacy and safety outcomes were pooled to obtain the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-analysis was performed with the Mantel–Haenszel method using Revman 5.3 software. Eight phase III RCTs including a total of 3913 patients with HER2 + breast cancer were identified that met the inclusion criteria. The pooled results for the comparison of trastuzumab biosimilars to the reference drug showed no differences of objective response rate (ORR) (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.98–1.12, P = 0.20) or overall survival (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.61–1.09, P = 0.17) in the intention-to-treat population, as well as no difference of ORR (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.97–1.10, P = 0.30) in the per-protocol population. Similarly, no significant difference was detected in any type of adverse event reported in at least three RCTs, including any serious treatment-emergent adverse effects (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.76–1.25, P = 0.83), heart failure (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.69–3.14, P = 0.32), neutropenia (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.96–1.15, P = 0.26), and infusion-related reaction (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.89–1.36, P = 0.38). This meta-analysis provides compelling evidence of clinical comparability between trastuzumab biosimilars and the originator product in terms of both efficacy and safety for the treatment of HER2 + breast cancer.

Strong prognostic markers able to stratify lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) patients are lacking. We evaluated whether a six-immunohistochemical markers panel (TTF1, SP-A, Napsin A, MUC5AC, CDX2 and CK5), defining the putative neoplastic “cell of origin,” allows to identify prognostic subgroups among lung ADC. We screened a large cohort of ADC specimens (2003–2013) from Torino Institutional Repository identifying: (i) marker positivity by immunohistochemistry, (ii) main morphological appearance by light microscopy, (iii) presence of “hotspot” mutations of candidate genes by Sequenom technology. To evaluate possible predictors of survival and time to recurrence, uni- and multivariable-adjusted comparisons were performed. We identified 4 different subgroups: “alveolar,” “bronchiolar,” “mixed” and “null type." Alveolar-differentiated ADC were more common in young (P =.065), female (P =.083) patients, frequently harboring EGFR-mutated (P =.003) tumors with acinar pattern (P

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells (UCOGC) is currently considered a morphologically and clinically distinct variant of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, we report clinical and pathological features of a series of 22 UCOGCs, including the whole exome sequencing of eight UCOGCs. We observed that 60% of the UCOGCs contained a well-defined epithelial component and that patients with pure UCOGC had a significantly better prognosis than did those with an UCOGC with an associated epithelial neoplasm. The genetic alterations in UCOGC are strikingly similar to those known to drive conventional PDAC, including activating mutations in the oncogene KRAS and inactivating mutations in the tumor suppressor genes CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4. These results further support the classification of UCOGC as a PDAC variant and suggest that somatic mutations are not the determinants of the unique phenotype of UCOGC. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a telomerase-independent mechanism used by a broad range of neoplasms to maintain telomere length, permitting uncontrolled replication during their progression. ALT has been described in different types of sarcoma, but a comprehensive analysis of its clinical significance is still lacking. Therefore, we provide here the first meta-analysis on this topic. Methods We searched SCOPUS and PubMed through July 2018 to identify all studies that investigated the prognostic role of ALT in sarcomas. We considered the risk of death (risk ratio, RR) calculated as the number of death vs. total participants during follow-up in ALT+ versus ALT- patients as the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was the hazard ratio (HR), adjusted for the maximum number of covariates available, using ALT- patients as reference. Results Eight articles comprising a total of 551 patients with sarcomas (226 ALT+ and 325 ALT-) were selected. The ALT+ group showed a higher mitotic count and a higher tumor grade compared with the ALT- group (p

CD200 has been recently indicated as a robust marker of well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms. Here, we evaluate its role in differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic neoplasms. We immunostained for CD200 22 solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs), 8 acinar carcinomas (ACs), 2 pancreatoblastomas (PBs), 138 neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs), and 48 ductal adenocarcinomas. All SPNs showed strong cytoplasmic and membranous staining for CD200, while only one case of AC had focal positivity. The two PBs showed focal CD200 positivity, mainly located in squamoid nests. The vast majority of PanNETs (96%) showed strong cytoplasmic and membranous staining for CD200, whereas all PDACs were negative. As both PanNETs and SPNs express CD200, it has no role in the differential diagnosis between these two entities.

Liquid biopsy (LB) is a non-invasive approach representing a promising tool for new precision medicine strategies for cancer treatment. However, a comprehensive analysis of its reliability for pancreatic cancer (PC) is lacking. To this aim, we performed the first meta-analysis on this topic. We calculated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). A summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) and area under curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the overall accuracy. We finally assessed the concordance rate of all mutations detected by multi-genes panels. Fourteen eligible studies involving 369 patients were included. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.70 and 0.86, respectively. The LR+ was 3.85, the LR- was 0.34 and DOR was 15.84. The SROC curve with an AUC of 0.88 indicated a relatively high accuracy of LB for molecular characterization of PC. The concordance rate of all mutations detected by multi-genes panels was 31.9%. LB can serve as surrogate for tissue in the molecular profiling of PC, because of its relatively high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. It represents a unique opportunity to be further explored towards its introduction in clinical practice and for developing new precision medicine approaches against PC. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

The aim of the present study was to map and grade evidence for the relationships between telomere length with a diverse range of health outcomes, using an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses. We searched for meta-analyses of observational studies reporting on the association of telomere length with any health outcome (clinical disease outcomes and intermediate traits). For each association, random-effects summary effect size, 95% confidence interval (CI), and 95% prediction interval were calculated. To evaluate the credibility of the identified evidence, we assessed also heterogeneity, evidence for small-study effect and evidence for excess significance bias. Twenty-one relevant meta-analyses were identified reporting on 50 different outcomes and including a total of 326 observational studies. The level of evidence was high only for the association of short telomeres with higher risk of gastric cancer in the general population (relative risk, RR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.68-2.26), and moderate for the association of shorter telomeres with diabetes or with Alzheimer’s disease, even if limited to meta-analyses of case-control studies. There was weak evidence for twenty outcomes and not significant association for 27 health outcomes. The present umbrella review demonstrates that shorter telomere length may have an important role in incidence gastric cancer and, probably, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time, conversely to general assumptions, it does not find strong evidence supporting the notion that shorter telomere length plays an important role in many health outcomes that have been studied thus far.

Biallelic inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) has been demonstrated in several cancers, but its prognostic role has not been completely explained. We aimed to investigate the risk associated with loss of BAP1 (BAP1-) for all-cause mortality, cancer-specific mortality and recurrence of disease in subjects with cancer. PubMed and SCOPUS were searched from database inception until 09/15/2015 without language restrictions. Prospective studies reporting data on prognostic parameters in subjects with cancer, comparing participants with presence of BAP1 (BAP1+) vs. BAP1- were included. Data were summarized using risk ratios (RR) for number of deaths/recurrences and hazard ratios (HR) for time-dependent risk related to BAP1- adjusted for potential confounders. From 261 hits, 12 studies (including 13 cohorts) with 3,447 participants (BAP1-: n = 697; BAP1+: n = 2,750), with a median follow-up over 60 months, were meta-analyzed. Compared to BAP1+, BAP1- significantly increased all-cause mortality, cancer-specific mortality and risk of recurrence in all the tumor types analyzed, except for mesothelioma, in which the presence of BAP1 mutations correlates with a better prognosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that BAP1 mutated colorectal and renal carcinomas are associated with high-tumor grading (P

Invasive breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Its most common site of metastasis is represented by the lymph nodes of axilla, and the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first station of nodal metastasis. Axillary SLN biopsy accurately predicts axillary lymph node status and has been accepted as standard of care for nodal staging in breast cancer. To date, the morphologic aspects of SLN metastasis have not been considered by the oncologic staging system. Extranodal extension (ENE) of nodal metastasis, defined as extension of neoplastic cells through the nodal capsule into the peri-nodal adipose tissue, has recently emerged as an important prognostic factor in several types of malignancies. It has also been considered as a possible predictor of non-sentinel node tumor burden in SLN-positive breast cancer patients. We sought out to clarify the prognostic role of ENE in SLN-positive breast cancer patients in terms of overall and disease-free survival by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Among 172 screened articles, 5 were eligible for the meta-analysis; they globally include 624 patients (163 ENE+ and 461 ENE−) with a median follow-up of 58 months. ENE was associated with a higher risk of both mortality (RR=2.51; 95% CI: 1.66–3.79, p&nbsp

Recent studies highlighted the role of mitochondrial dysregulation in cancer, suggesting that the different mitochondrial haplogroups might play a role in tumorigenesis and risk of cancer development. Our aim is to investigate whether any mitochondrial haplogroups carried a significant higher risk of cancer development in a large prospective cohort of North American people. The haplogroup assignment was performed by a combination of sequencing and PCR-RFLP techniques. Our specific outcome of interest was the incidence of any cancer during follow-up period. Overall, 3222 participants were included in the analysis. Women having I, J, K haplogroup reported a significant higher incidence of cancer compared to people with other haplogroups (p

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (UCOGC), a variant of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), has a striking genetic similarity to PDAC but a significantly improved overall survival. We hypothesize that this difference could be due to the immune response to the tumor, and as such, we investigated the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and CD163 in a series of UCOGC. To this aim, 27 pancreatic UCOGCs (11 pure and 16 PDAC-associated), 5 extrapancreatic tumors with osteoclast-like giant cells and 10 pancreatic anaplastic carcinomas were immunostained using antibodies against PD-1, PD-L1, and CD163. In pancreatic UCOGCs, PD-L1 was expressed in neoplastic cells of 17 (63%) of 27 cases, more often in cases with an associated PDAC (P =.04). Expression of PD-L1 was associated with poor prognosis, confirmed by multivariate analysis: patients with PD-L1–positive UCOGCs had a risk of all-cause mortality that was 3 times higher than did patients with PD-L1–negative UCOGCs (hazard ratio, 3.397; 95% confidence interval, 1.023-18.375; P =.034). PD-L1 expression on tumor cells was also associated with aberrant P53 expression (P =.035). PD-1 was expressed on rare lymphocytes in 12 UCOGCs (44.4%), mainly located at the tumor periphery. CD163 was expressed on histiocytes, with a diffuse and strong staining pattern in all UCOGCs. Extrapancreatic tumors with osteoclast-like giant cells showed very similar staining patterns for the same proteins. Anaplastic carcinomas have some similarities to UCOGCs, but PD-L1 has no prognostic roles. Our results may have important implications for immunotherapeutic strategies in UCOGCs; these tumors may also represent a model for future therapeutic approaches against PDAC. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

Extranodal extension (ENE) of nodal metastasis is defined as the extension of metastatic cells through the nodal capsule into the perinodal tissue. This morphological parameter, recently proposed as an important prognostic factor in different types of malignancy, has not been included in the TNM staging system for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this systematic review with meta-analysis, we weighted the prognostic role of ENE in patients with lymph node-positive NSCLC. Two independent authors searched SCOPUS and PubMed through 28 February 2017. Prospective and retrospective studies on NSCLC, comparing patients with presence of ENE (ENE+) ENE+) vs. only intranodal extension (ENE–) and including data regarding prognosis, were considered as eligible. Data were summarized using risk ratios (RR) for the number of deaths/recurrences, and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for time-dependent risk related to ENE+, adjusted for potential confounders. We identified 13 studies, including 1709 patients (573 ENE+ and 1136 ENE–) with a median follow-up of 60months. ENE was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality of all causes (RR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.18–1.65, P < 0.0001, I2= 70%; HR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01–1.67, P = 0.04, I2= 0%) and of disease recurrence (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04–1.68, P = 0.02, I2= 42%; HR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.53–2.44, P < 0.0001, I2= 0%). We conclude that in NSCLC, requirements for assessment of ENE should be included in gross sampling and ENE status should be included in the pathology report. Inclusion of ENE status in oncology staging systems will allow further assessment of its role as prognostic parameter. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

The extranodal extension (ENE) of nodal metastasis involves the extension of neoplastic cells through the lymph node capsule into the perinodal adipose tissue. This morphological feature has recently been indicated as an important prognostic factor in various cancer types, but its role in prostate cancer is still unclear. We aimed to clarify it, performing the first meta-analysis on this issue, comparing prognostic parameters in surgically treated, node-positive prostate cancer patients with (ENE+) vs. without (ENE−) ENE. Data were summarized using risk ratios (RRs) for number of deaths/recurrences and hazard ratios (HRs), with 95% confidence intervals (CI), for the time-dependent risk related to ENE positivity. Six studies followed-up 1,113 patients with N1 prostate cancer (658 ENE+ vs. 455 ENE−) for a median of 83 months. The presence of ENE was associated with a significantly higher risk of biochemical recurrence (RR = 1.15; 95%CI: 1.03–1.28; I2 = 0%; HR = 1.40, 95%CI: 1.12–1.74; I2 = 0%) and “global” (biochemical recurrence and distant metastasis) recurrence (RR = 1.15; 95%CI: 1.04–1.28; I2 = 0%; HR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.14–1.74; I2 = 0%). ENE emerged as a potential prognostic moderator, earmarking a subgroup of patients at higher risk of recurrence. It may be considered for the prognostic stratification of metastatic patients. New possible therapeutic approaches may explore more in depth this prognostic parameter.

Aims: Somatic mutations in genes encoding chromatin remodellers have been reported recently in several cancer types, including approximately half of cholangiocarcinomas. One of the most commonly mutated chromatin remodellers in cholangiocarcinoma is the Polybromo-1 (PBRM1) gene located on chromosome 3p21, which encodes a subunit of the SWI/SNF complex. The aim of this study was to determine the timing of PBRM1 mutations in biliary carcinogenesis. Methods and results: In order to accomplish this goal, we used immunohistochemistry to assess PBRM1 protein expression in a series of precursor lesions andinvasive biliary carcinomas. Previous studies havecorrelated loss of protein expression on immunohistochemistry with inactivating mutations in this tumour suppressor gene. We found that PBRM1 loss occurred in approximately 26% of invasive cancers, but PBRM1 expression was retained in all biliary intra-epithelial neoplasia (BilIN) specimens, including 25 intrahepatic BilINs and 19 gallbladder BilINs. Conclusions: These findings indicate that PBRM1 mutation (and resultant loss of expression) is a late event during biliary carcinogenesis. In addition, we confirm a lack of prognostic significance of PBRM1 status in invasive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. This study provides important insights into the basic mechanisms of chromatin remodelling genes in carcinogenesis. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Recent studies have definitively established that chromatin remodeling is a crucial epigenetic mechanism not only in physiological conditions but also in influencing cancer biology. It is a dynamic process in which the chromatin, the functional entity of DNA, can undergo specific modifications by obtaining transcriptional activation or transcriptional silencing. One of the most important recent discoveries in cancer genetics and genomics is that the genes involved in the establishment of chromatin structure, the so called chromatin remodelers, are frequently mutated in different types of human cancer. This review aims to summarize the main novelties related to this topic, describing also the contribution of such genes during oncogenesis. Particularly, we focus on the switch/sucrose non-fermentable complexes and on three of the most important chromatin remodeling genes in biliary and pancreatic cancer: ARID1A, PBRM1, and BAP1.

BACKGROUND Gains of a gene due to DNA polyploidy versus amplification of the specific locus are distinct molecular alterations in tumors. OBJECTIVE We quantified copy number gains of ALK gene due to unspecific polyploidy versus amplifications of the specific locus in a series of non-small cell lung cancers. METHODS The locus specific ALK copy (LSI) number status was evaluated in 205 cases by FISH. Ratio LSI ALK copy number corrected for control probes CEP2, CEP3 and CEP17 (CEPs) was scored. Amplification of the specific ALK locus was defined when ratio set to ≥ 2 while polyploidy was interpreted when the increase in gene copy resulted < 2 in ratio (LSI/control CEPs). RESULTS Twenty one cases (10.2%) showed ≥ 8 ALK signals, 68 cases (33.2%) 3-7 signals and 116 cases (56.6%) a mean of 2 signals. Only 2/21 cases of the cohort harboring ≥ 8 signals showed a ratio ≥ 2 after CEPs correction interpretable as amplified, showing numerous doubled fluorescent spots. All the remaining cases showed a mirrored number of fluorescent spots per each CEPs, interpretable as polyploidy. CONCLUSION We detected a high prevalence of ALK gene copy number usually due to polyploidy rather than ALK locus amplification, the latter visible prevalently as double minutes.

Aberrant function of Smad2, a crucial member of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, is associated with the development of malignancies, particularly in the gastrointestinal district. However, little is known about its possible prognostic role in such tumor types. With the first meta-analysis on this topic, we demonstrated that the lack of the activated form of Smad2 (phosphor-Smad2 or pSmad2), which was meant to be the C-terminally phosphorylated form, showed a statistically significant association with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with gastrointestinal cancers (RR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.05–2.37, p = 0.029, I2 = 84%), also after having adjusted for potential confounders (RR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.24–2.18; p < 0.001; I2 = 4%). This finding highlights the importance of the TGF-β signaling in this type of cancer. In this line, further studies are needed to explore more in depth this important molecular pathway, focusing also on potential therapeutic strategies based on its effectors or molecular targets. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

This study aims at clarifying the prognostic role of high-grade tumor budding (TB) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with the first systematic review and meta-analysis on this topic. Furthermore, we analyzed with a systematic review the relationship between TB and a recently suggested TB-associated mechanism: the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Analyzing a total of 613 patients, 251 of them (40.9%) with high grade-TB, we found an increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.13-1.88, p = 0.004; HR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.79-3.91; p < 0.0001) and of recurrence (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.05-2.47, p = 0.03) for PDAC patients with high-grade TB. Moreover, we found that EMT is a central process in determining the presence of TB in PDAC. Thanks to this meta-analysis, we demonstrate the potential clinical significance of high-grade TB for prognostic stratification of PDAC. TB also shows a clear association with the process of EMT. Based on the results of the present study, TB should be conveyed in pathology reports and taken into account by future oncologic staging systems. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Background Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma with Enteric Differentiation (PAED) is a rare subtype of adenocarcinoma of emerging interest, recently introduced in the 2015 WHO classification. However, little is known about major molecular signatures of this class of adenocarcinomas and information about new biomarkers totally lack. Methods We examined the NRAS, PIK3CA, EGFR, KRAS and BRAF status through mass spectrometry sequencing and ALK rearrangement by FISH in a series of 8 PAEDs. Results 1/8 (12.5%) case had a simultaneous PIK3CA mutation (E545K) and an EML4-ALK translocation. KRAS gene showed a mutation in the codon 12 in 4/8 of PAED (50%), NRAS, BRAF and EGFR genes were wild type in all tumor samples. Conclusions We concluded that PIK3CA mutations and ALK rearrangement occur also in PAEDs, while NRAS mutations might be a very rare event similarly to pulmonary adenocarcinomas of conventional type. KRAS is the prevailing gene mutated in this class of adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: The extranodal extension (ENE) of nodal metastases (the extension of neoplastic cells through the nodal capsule into the perinodal soft tissue) is a histological feature that has been considered a prognostic factor in several cancers, but the role in gastric cancer was not yet investigated. We aimed to investigate the prognostic role of ENE in patients affected by gastric cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Material and Methods: Two independent authors searched major databases until 09/30/2015 to identify studies providing data on gastric cancer patients’ prognostic parameters and comparing patients with ENE (ENE+) vs intra-nodal extension (ENE−). The data were summarized using risk ratios (RRs) for the number of deaths/recurrences and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Nine studies followed up 3250 patients with gastric cancer (1064 ENE+ and 2186 ENE−). ENE+ was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (RR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.43–2.03, I2 = 66%; HR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.66–2.75, I2 = 0%), cancer-specific mortality (RR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.42–1.79; HR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.19–1.96), and disease recurrence (RR = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.80–6.54, I2 = 0%). Discussion: Judging from our results, ENE in gastric cancer patients should be considered for prognostic purposes from the gross sample to the pathology report. © 2016, The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the vulva is the fourth most common gynecological cancer, usually staged with the TNM or FIGO systems. Since 2009, FIGO staging has taken the extranodal extension (ENE) of lymph node metastases into account. ENE is defined as the spread of a lymph node metastasis into surrounding soft tissue. Although the TNM and FIGO systems acknowledge the importance of ENE in SCC, no comprehensive studies have analyzed the prognostic impact of this parameter. We therefore queried the PubMed and SCOPUS databases from their inception up until 04/01/2015, adopting no language restrictions: all prospective studies reporting on prognostic parameters in patients with vulvar SCC, and comparing participants with and without ENE were eligible for our analysis. Data were summarized using risk ratios (RR) for the number of deaths/recurrences and hazard ratios (HR) for the time-dependent risk related to ENE positivity, adjusting for potential confounders. Among 859 hits, 13 studies were found eligible and were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with ENE-negative (ENE-) cases, the ENE-positive (ENE+) patients had significantly higher rates of all-cause mortality (6 studies: RR = 3.18; 95%CI: 2.02-5.00, p < 0.0001, I2 = 56%), cancer-specific mortality (3 studies: RR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.12-3.69, p = 0.02, I2 = 80%), and recurrence (4 studies: RR = 2.69, 95%CI: 1.61-3.76, p < 0.0001, I2 = 57%). Using HRs after adjusting for potential confounders, ENE + carried a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (6 studies: HR = 3.08, 95%CI: 1.73-5.48, p < 0.0001, I2 = 66%), and recurrence (5 studies: HR = 3.93, 95%CI: 2.33-6.62, p < 0.0001, I2 = 28%). Our meta-analysis clarifies the prognostic significance of ENE in vulvar SCC, also pointing to its implications for gross sampling, histology and oncological staging. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.All rights reserved.

The extranodal extension (ENE) of nodal metastasis is the extension of neoplastic cells through the nodal capsule into the perinodal adipose tissue. This histological feature has recently been indicated as an important prognostic factor in different types of malignancies; in this manuscript, we aim at defining its role in the prognosis of oesophageal cancer with the tool of meta-analysis. Two independent authors searched SCOPUS and PubMed until 31 August 2015 without language restrictions. The studies with available data about prognostic parameters in subjects with oesophageal cancer, comparing patients with the presence of ENE (ENE+) versus only intranodal extension (ENE-), were considered as eligible. Data were summarised using risk ratios (RRs) for number of deaths/recurrences and HRs together with 95% CIs for time-dependent risk related to ENE+, adjusted for potential confounders. Fourteen studies were selected; they followed-up 1437 patients with oesophageal cancer for a median follow-up of 39.4months. The presence of ENE was associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR=1.33; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.50, p

Background. The role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer (BC) is still an issue for clinical research. Toward this end, a sensitivity analysis of neoadjuvant and adjuvant randomized clinical trials was performed according to disease subtypes. Methods. Pathological complete responses (pCRs) after neoadjuvant treatment according to the presence or absence of lymphocyte-predominant BC (LPBC) were extracted and cumulated as odds ratios (ORs) by adopting a random-effects model by subtype. Overall survival hazard ratios as a function of 10% incremental values of stromal TILs (sTILs) in adjuvant trials were extracted. The interaction test was adopted to determine the differential effect according to the subtype. Results. Eight trials (5,514 patients) were identified. With regard to neoadjuvant setting (4 studies), a significant interaction (p < .0001) according to LPBC was found. The presence of LPBC was associated with a 29.5% increase in pCR rate compared with non-LPBC (p < .0001). The pCR rate was significantly higher in patients with LPBC in triple-negative BC (TNBC) and HER2-positive BC settings, with an absolute difference of 15.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9%–26.2%) and 33.3% (95% CI, 23.6%–42.7%), respectively. With respect to the adjuvant setting (4 studies), a significant interaction (p < .0001) according to sTILs was found. A survival benefit was more likely to be determined for HER2-positive BC (p = .025) and TNBC (p < .0001), with no statistically significant difference for estrogen receptor-positive/HER2-negative disease. Conclusion. Despite the retrospective nature of this analysis, the presence of TILs may represent a robust predictive and prognostic marker for BC, particularly for TNBC and HER2-positive disease.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma with enteric differentiation (PAED) is a rare subtype of lung adenocarcinoma recently recognized in the WHO classification. It is defined as an adenocarcinoma in which the enteric component exceeds 50% and have to show the expression of at least 1 immunohistochemical marker of enteric differentiation. Although the definition of this tumor type is very important, above all in the differential diagnosis between a primary lung tumor and a metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma, this cancer still lacks a distinctive immunohistochemical and molecular signature. We recruited the largest series in the literature of PAEDs according to the morphology and the positivity for intestinal markers. Then, we evaluated the immunohistochemical and molecular profile of these adenocarcinomas. In our series, CDX-2 and CK7 were the immunohistochemical markers mostly expressed by PAEDs. There was an inverse relationship between the expression of pnuemocytes markers, such as TTF-1, and intestinal markers. Molecular analysis revealed KRAS as the most frequently mutated gene (>60% of cases), with very few cases harboring abnormalities affecting EGFR, BRAF, and ALK genes. PAEDs are morphologically very heterogenous. The immunohistochemical profile based on CDX-2 and CK7 positivity of PAEDs appears very robust to support this diagnosis, and it is applicable also on small biopsies. KRAS appears as the most important mutated gene in such tumors. © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Transferrin receptor/CD71 is a membrane protein expressed on nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) and trophoblasts. Here, we propose the first study to evaluate the usefulness of CD71 immunolabeling in the main fields of gestational pathology. To this aim, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of 45 orthotopic (23 spontaneous abortive and 22 molar pregnancies) and 11 ectopic pregnancies were immunostained for CD71. NRBCs were morphologically evident in 23 cases: 12/23 abortive, 4/11 ectopic, and 7/10 partial molar pregnancies. CD71 immunolabeling detected NRBCs in all 23 previous cases and in 8 new cases: 2 partial moles and 6 spontaneous abortive pregnancies. No NRBCs were detected in complete moles by means of either morphology or immunohistochemistry (IHC). In 4 cases with extensive necrotic changes, CD71 marked NRBCs and a few ghost villi, which were not certainly identifiable with standard histological evaluation. Furthermore, there was an inversely proportional relationship between total percentage of CD71-positive NRBCs and gestational age (R=0.69; P

Squamous lung carcinoma lacks specific “ad hoc” therapies. Amplification of chromosome 3q is the most common genomic aberration and this region harbours genes having role as novel targets for therapeutics. There is no standard definition on how to score and report 3q amplification. False versus true 3q chromosomal amplification in squamous cell lung carcinoma may have tremendous impact on trials involving drugs which target DNA zones mapping on 3q. Forty squamous lung carcinomas were analyzed by FISH to assess chromosome 3q amplification. aCGH was performed as gold-standard to avoid false positive amplifications. Three clustered patterns of fluorescent signals were observed. Eight cases out of 40 (20%) showed ≥8 3q signals. Twenty out of 40 (50%) showed from 3 to 7 signals. The remaining showed two fluorescent signals (30%). When corrected by whole chromosome 3 signals, only cases with ≥8 signals maintained a LSI 3q/CEP3 ratio >2. Only the cases showing 3q amplification by aCGH (+3q25.3−3q27.3) showed ≥8 fluorescent signals at FISH evidencing a 3q/3 ratio >2. The remaining cases showed flat genomic portrait at aCGH on chromosome 3. We concluded that: 1) absolute copy number of 3q chromosomal region may harbour false positive interpretation of 3q amplification in squamous cell carcinoma; 2) a case results truly “amplified for chromosome 3q” when showing ≥8 fluorescent 3q signals; 3) trials involving drugs targeting loci on chromosome 3q in squamous lung carcinoma therapy have to consider false versus true 3q chromosomal amplification.

The extranodal extension (ENE) of nodal metastasis (i.e. the extension of tumor cells through the nodal capsule into the perinodal adipose tissue) has recently emerged as an important prognostic factor in different types of malignancies. However, the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system for colorectal cancer does not consider it as a prognostic parameter. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prognostic role of ENE in patients with lymph node-positive colorectal cancer.Two independent authors searched PubMed and SCOPUS until 7 January 2015 without language restrictions. Prospective studies reporting data on prognostic parameters in subjects with colorectal cancer, comparing participants with the presence of ENE (ENE+) versus only intranodal extension (ENE-) were eligible. Data were summarized using risk ratios (RRs) for the number of deaths/recurrences and hazard ratios (HRs) together with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for time-dependent risk related to ENE+, adjusted for potential confounders.Thirteen studies including 1336 patients were identified with a median follow-up of 4.7 years. ENE was associated with a higher T stage and tumor grading. In addition, ENE was associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR = 1.75; 95% CI 1.42-2.16, P0.0001, I(2) = 60%; HR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.32-2.17, P0.0001, I(2) = 46%) and of recurrence of disease (RR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.65-2.61, P0.0001, I(2) = 47%; HR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.54-3.44, P0.0001, I(2) = 48%).Based of these results, in colorectal cancer, ENE should be considered from the gross sampling to the pathology report, as well as in future oncologic staging systems.