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The advent of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in modern oncology has significantly improved survival in several cancer settings. A subgroup of women with breast cancer (BC) has immunogenic infiltration of lymphocytes with expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). These patients may potentially benefit from ICI targeting the programmed death 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 signaling axis. The use of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as predictive and prognostic biomarkers has been under intense examination. Emerging data suggest that TILs are associated with response to both cytotoxic treatments and immunotherapy, particularly for patients with triple-negative BC. In this review from The International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group, we discuss (a) the biological understanding of TILs, (b) their analytical and clinical validity and efforts toward the clinical utility in BC, and (c) the current status of PD-L1 and TIL testing across different continents, including experiences from low-to-middle-income countries, incorporating also the view of a patient advocate. This information will help set the stage for future approaches to optimize the understanding and clinical utilization of TIL analysis in patients with BC.

Key Clinical Message: It is uncommon to see bladder cancer metastases in the hand. A 65‐year‐old man had bladder cancer surgery 3 years ago. His axilla and wrist swelled after surgery. Final amputation was necessary as the cancer had spread to hand. Transitional cell carcinoma was detected by immunohistochemistry with GATA‐3, CK7, CK20, and p63 positivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Comprehensive molecular assessment of cancers could open up new horizons for novel therapies. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene amplification has been previously demonstrated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of FGFR1 gene amplification and its association with clinical and demographic data in a group of NSCLC patients. Methods: The present study was performed on eighty-eight NSCLC patients who underwent bronchoscopy or surgery in Qaem Hospital, Mashhad, between 2010 and 2016. FGFR1 gene amplification was detected using real-time PCR assay on DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of patients. Also, patients' clinical and demographic data, such as their survival, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. Results: Seventeen (19.31%) out of eighty-eight patients with NSCLC presented FGFR1 gene amplification. Besides, we found a significant association between FGFR1 amplification and cigarette smoking (p-value= 0.01; OR: 4.08). Although cases with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) showed a higher prevalence of FGFR1 amplification compared to adenocarcinoma patients, the difference was not statistically significant (pvalue> 0.05). In addition, our findings showed no relationship between FGFR1 gene amplification and other clinical and demographic factors, including age, sex, grade, tumor operability, and survival. Conclusion: The frequency of FGFR1 amplification is estimated at 20% in the current study (26% in SCC versus 11% in adenocarcinoma; p-value= 0.07). Moreover, we found a direct association between FGFR1 amplification and cigarette smoking. However, no significant relationship with survival or other factors was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Skin damage is one of the most common challenges of radiation therapy. In the present study an attempt was made to evaluate the radio-protective effects of henna mixed with vinegar on the skin. Material and Methods: The rats were divided into Control (no treatment), R (receiving radiation alone), V (receiving vinegar alone), H (receiving henna mixed with vinegar), R + H (receiving henna mixed with vinegar and then radiation), and R + V (receiving vinegar and then radiation) groups. All rats were euthanized and their skins’ pathological damage and the level of super oxide dismutase (SOD) and Mallon dialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated. The rats were irradiated with 15 Gy (6MV) X-rays. Results: Increase MDA and decrease SOD were seen in R group. However, these changes were ameliorated in R + H group, although the difference was not significant. Vinegar significantly decreased MDA induced by radiation, but could not increase the SOD level. The rate of skin pathological damage in R group were higher than in Control. However, the level of these lesions was lower in R + H and R + V groups compared to R group. The rate of dermatitis and sweat gland atrophy in R + H and R + V groups were less than R group and similar to the level in the control group. Conclusion: Henna and vinegar could reduce the skin injuries induced by radiation. Regarding pathological injuries, the effects of vinegar alone was more than henna, but regarding antioxidant activity, the protective effect of henna mixed with vinegar was better than vinegar alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Fibromatosis is a rare tumor with a prevalence of 2–4 per million per year. Its occur-rence in the thyroid is very rare and to the best of our knowledge only five cases have been reported in the literature.

Background: To implement the new marker in clinical practice, reliability assessment, validation, and standardization of utilization must be applied. This study evaluated the reliability of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) assessment through conventional microscopy by comparing observers' estimations. Methods: Intratumoral and tumor-front stromal TILs, and TSR, were assessed by three pathologists using 86 CRC HE slides. TSR and TILs were categorized using one and four different proposed cutoff systems, respectively, and agreement was assessed using the intraclass coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's kappa statistics. Pairwise evaluation of agreement was performed using the Fleiss kappa statistic and the concordance rate and it was visualized by Bland–Altman plots. To investigate the association between biomarkers and patient data, Pearson's correlation analysis was applied. Results: For the evaluation of intratumoral stromal TILs, ICC of 0.505 (95% CI: 0.35–0.64) was obtained, kappa values were in the range of 0.21 to 0.38, and concordance rates in the range of 0.61 to 0.72. For the evaluation of tumor-front TILs, ICC was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.32–0.67), the overall kappa value ranged from 0.24 to 0.30, and the concordance rate ranged from 0.66 to 0.72. For estimating the TSR, the ICC was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.35–0.60), the kappa value was 0.49 and the concordance rate was 0.76. We observed a significant correlation between tumor grade and the median of TSR (0.29 (95% CI: 0.032–0.51), p-value = 0.03). Conclusions: The agreement between pathologists in estimating these markers corresponds to poor-to-moderate agreement; implementing immune scores in daily practice requires more concentration in inter-observer agreements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oncocytic cysts of the larynx are benign, uncommon, and slow-growing lesions that usually occur in elderly people, especially in those with a history of smoking and chronic irritation. These lesions cause various clinical symptoms depending on their location and size, requiring physicians to consider a wide range of symptoms. Case Presentation: Here we present two men who were referred to us because of prolonged voice hoarseness. Conclusions: Medical assessments led us to the diagnosis of oncocytic cysts in the false and true vocal cords. Both patients were followed up after removing their laryngeal cysts and have had no clinical complaints since then. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (ESOS) is a very rare entity among renal malignancies. There are few reports of renal ESOS in the database. Renal ESOS was found to have a high rate of local recurrence and distant metastasis. In most reports, the overall survival of patients was less than 1 year. We present a 51-year-old man who presented with gross hematuria and a clinical diagnosis of a staghorn stone in the left kidney. He underwent radical nephrectomy. The pathologic diagnosis of osteosarcoma was evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carcinoid tumors of the testis are rare and orchiectomy is the preferred treatment. This type of testis tumors is rare and their differentiation from sex cord-stromal tumors is difficult. Case presentation: A 29‑year‑old man presented with right testicular mass and underwent radical orchidectomy. Histological examination showed neuroendocrine tumor, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy (Ethic code: IR.MUMS.REC.1400.237). Conclusion: Primary testicular neuroendocrine tumor is very rare. It is crucial to submit the entire gross specimen for histopathologic examination to rule out an existing of other germ cell elements. Our patient had a well-differentiated carcinoid tumor and after two years of follow-up (every three months), there was no recurrence or metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): To validate certain markers for cancer stem cell populations and their clinical importance in Wilms tumor (WT) Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical study for CD133 and CD56/NCAM was performed on forty-six cases of WT that were diagnosed between 1999 and 2015, and the association of these markers with survival and prognostic factors was analyzed. Results: Thirty-four (73.9%) of WTs were positive for CD133 and thirty-nine (84.8%) were positive for CD56/NCAM. A significant positive correlation between CD133 and CD56/NCAM expression and the National Wilms Tumor Stage (NWTS) and death was found. Moreover, overall survival time was significantly correlated with CD133 and CD56/NCAM H-score, NWTS stage, and death. Conclusion: It seems that CD133 and CD56/NCAM expressions can be used as strong prognostic parameters for the survival of patients with WT and can be used to predict WT patients' stage. Moreover, their targeted therapies can abolish cancer stem cells in children with recurrent tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]