Risk factors for relapse in patients with clinical stage I testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors

Overexpression of SerpinB9 in non-seminomatous germ cell tumors

Serpinb9 is an inhibitor of granzyme B and is potentially involved in the immune escape of tumor cells. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis using open databases suggested that SerpinB9 is overexpressed in testicular embryonal carcinoma. Immunohistological analysis was performed on 28 cases of testicular germ cell tumors to investigate the relationship between SerpinB9 expression in testicular germ cell tumors and the tumor immune environment. SerpinB9 was significantly upregulated in the non-seminoma group and inversely correlated with the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8-positive cells. In addition, yolk sac tumors were characterized by the loss of human leukocyte antigen-class I expression. These findings suggest that SerpinB9 contributes to the immune escape of testicular germ cell tumors. Targeting therapy for SerpinB9 might therefore be useful in immunotherapy for testicular germ cell tumors resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

H&E and OCT4/CD34 for the assessment of lympho-vascular invasion in seminoma and embryonal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a relevant prognostic factor in germ cell tumors of the testis (GCTT), and it is included in the pT stage. However, its detection on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides is very challenging, and previous studies reported fair to moderate inter-observer agreement among dedicated uropathologists. In the present study, we tested H&E and a recently developed in-house double staining for OCT4/CD34 to detect LVI in GCTT.

METHODS

Nine authors [5 non-uropathologists and 4 uropathologists] independently evaluated 34 consecutive and retrospectively enrolled cases of GCTT. We assessed the inter-observer agreement (Fleiss's Kappa) with both H&E and OCT4/CD34. Besides, we compared the consensus diagnosis on both H&E and OCT4/CD34-stained sections with the original diagnosis to evaluate the pT re-staging (McNemar test) and identify the sources of disagreement.

RESULTS

The inter-observer agreement among uropathologists plus non-uropathologists was fair with both H&E (KF=0.398; p < 0.001) and OCT4/CD34 (KF=0.312; p < 0.001). OCT4/CD34 (KF=0.290; p < 0.001) slightly reduces the inter-observer agreement compared to H&E (KF=0.321; p < 0.001) for non-uropathologists; in contrast, OCT4/CD34 (KF=0.293; p < 0.001) significantly reduces the inter-observer agreement compared to H&E (KF=0.529; p < 0.001) for uropathologists, changing it from moderate to fair. Consensus diagnosis with H&E modified the LVI status of the original diagnosis in 8/34 (23.5 %) cases (p: 0.070), with pT re-staging in 2/34 (5.9 %) cases (p: 0.500). Consensus diagnosis with OCT4/CD34 modified the LVI status of the original diagnosis in 8/34 (23.5 %) cases (p: 0.289), with pT re-staging in 3/34 (8.8 %) cases (p: 0.250). The consensus diagnosis with OCT4/CD34 modified the consensus diagnosis with H&E in 8/34 (23.5 %) cases (p: 0.727), and these findings resulted in pT-restaging in 3/34 (8.8 %) cases (p: 0.500). The sources of disagreement among uropathologists were: H&E [artefactual clefts misinterpreted as LVI in 4/6 (66.7 %) cases and true foci of LVI misinterpreted as clusters of histiocytes within the vessels in 2/6 (33.3 %) cases], OCT4/CD34 [artefactual clefts misinterpreted as LVI in 2/8 (25 %) cases, true LVI misinterpreted as artefactual clefts in 2/8 (25 %) cases or floaters in 4/8 (50 %) cases].

CONCLUSIONS

OCT4/CD34 does not improve the inter-observer agreement for the assessment of LVI in OCT4(+) GCTT. Consensus diagnosis with H&E modifies the LVI status in a significant number of cases, resulting in changes of the pT stage in a relatively small subgroup. Consensus diagnosis with OCT4/CD34 provides little additional benefit since it cannot exclude mimickers of LVI such as floaters and artefactual clefts. These results argue against the adoption of this diagnostic tool for the routine assessment of OCT4(+) GCTT.

Clinical features and prognostic factors in patients diagnosed with lymphovascular invasion of testicular germ-cell tumors: Analysis based on the SEER database

Background

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a high-risk factor for testicular germ-cell tumors (TGCT), but a prognostic model for TGCT-LVI patients is lacking. This study aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting the overall survival (OS) of TGCT-LVI patients.

Methods

A complete cohort of 3288 eligible TGCG-LVI patients (training cohort, 2300 cases; validation cohort, 988 cases) were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Variables screened by multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to construct a nomogram, which was subsequently evaluated using the consistency index (C-index), time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and calibration plots. The advantages and disadvantages of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system and the nomogram were assessed by integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and net reclassification improvement (NRI). Decision-analysis curve (DCA) was used to measure the net clinical benefit of the nomogram versus the AJCC staging system. Finally, Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate the ability to identify different risk groups between the traditional AJCC staging system and the new risk-stratification system built on the nomogram.

Results

Nine variables were screened by multivariate Cox regression analysis to construct the nomogram. The C-index (training cohort, 0.821; validation cohort, 0.819) and time-dependent ROC of 3-, 5-, and 9-year OS between the two cohorts suggested that the nomogram had good discriminatory ability. Calibration curves showed good consistency of the nomogram. The NRI values of 3-, 5-, and 9-year OS were 0.308, 0.274, and 0.295, respectively, and the corresponding values for the validation cohort were 0.093, 0.093, and 0.099, respectively (P<0.01). Additionally, the nomogram had more net clinical benefit as shown by the DCA curves, and the new risk-stratification system provided better differentiation than the AJCC staging system.

Conclusions

A prognostic nomogram and new risk-stratification system were developed and validated to assist clinicians in assessing TGCT-LVI patients.

Prognostic factors in patients with clinical stage I nonseminoma-beyond lymphovascular invasion: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate evidence on prognostic factors for tumor recurrence in clinical stage I nonseminoma patients other than lymphovascular invasion (LVI).

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search in the biomedical databases Medline (via Ovid) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (search period January 2010 to February 2021) for full text publications in English and German language, reporting on retro- or prospectively assessed prognostic factors for tumor recurrence in patients with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

RESULTS

Our literature search yielded eleven studies reporting on 20 potential prognostic factors. Results are based on cohort studies of mostly moderate to low quality. Five out of eight studies found a significant association of embryonal carcinoma (EC) in the primary tumor with relapse. Among the different risk definitions of embryonal carcinoma (presence, predominance, pure), presence of EC alone seems to be sufficient for prognostification. Interesting results were found for rete testis invasion, predominant yolk sac tumor, T-stage and history of cryptorchidism, but the sparse data situation does not justify their clinical use.

CONCLUSIONS

No additional factors that meet the prognostic value of LVI, especially when determined by immunohistochemistry, could be identified through our systematic search. The presence of EC might serve as a second, subordinate prognostic factor for clinical use as the data situation is less abundant than the one of LVI. Further efforts are necessary to optimize the use of these two prognostic factors and to evaluate and validate further potential factors with promising preliminary data.

A preliminary study investigating the detection of lymphovascular invasion in germ cell tumors of the testis with double staining for OCT4/CD34

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a relevant prognostic factor in germ cell tumors of the testis (GCTT) and it has been included in the AJCC staging system. Nevertheless, its histological assessment is challenging, with low/moderate interobserver agreement also among expert uropathologists. Few studies focused on the potential role of immunohistochemistry to solve this critical issue; as result, in current guidelines there is no indication for additional staining to detect this histological feature. In the present study, we investigated the detection of LVI invasion in a small cohort of GCTT with double staining for OCT4/CD34. Although our results need to be validated in larger case series with follow-up data, they suggest as OCT4/CD34 could be a useful tool for the histological assessment of these tumors, helping to identify some histological mimickers of LVI and modifying the pT/stage in a significant percentage of patients.

Prognostic factors and outcomes of nonseminomatous germ cell tumours of testis-experience from a tertiary cancer centre in India

Germ cell tumour of the testis is the most common cancer in young men in the western world. India has the lowest incidence globally, and hence Indian data are sparse. We report the outcomes of patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumours of testis treated at a tertiary cancer centre in South India over a period of 10 years. Patients with a histopathological diagnosis of nonseminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2016 were included in the study. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics and treatment details were retrieved from case records. Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Cox regression model was used to analyse the prognostic factors.

One hundred and nineteen patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis were included in the study. The median follow-up was 81 months. The estimated 4-year OS and progression-free survival were 87.1% and 84.5%, respectively. The four-year OS for good, intermediate and poor-risk groups was 93.6%, 87.5% and 52.6%, respectively. The PFS at 4 years was 91.4%, 87.8% and 47.4% for good, intermediate and poor-risk groups, respectively. The presence of nonpulmonary visceral metastasis and biochemical response after chemotherapy were significant predictors for OS and PFS in multivariate cox proportional hazards regression. The survival figures are comparable to the rest of the world except in the poor prognostic risk group. The inferior survival noticed in this group of patients may be due to the lack of good salvage procedures. High-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell support may be considered more often for this group of patients.

Prediction of relapse in stage I testicular germ cell tumor patients on surveillance: investigation of biomarkers

Background

Better biomarkers for assessing risk of relapse in stage I testicular germ cell tumor patients are needed, to complement classical histopathological variables. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of previously suggested biomarkers, related to proliferation (MIB-1 and TEX19) and to immune microenvironment (CXCL12, CXCR4, beta-catenin and MECA-79) in a surveillance cohort of stage I testicular germ cell tumor patients.

Methods

A total of 70 patients were included. Survival analyses were performed, including Cox regression models.

Results

Patients with vascular invasion and elevated human chorionic gonadotropin levels showed significantly poorer relapse-free survival in multivariable analysis (hazard ratio = 2.820, 95% confidence interval 1.257–6.328; hazard ratio = 3.025, 95% confidence interval 1.345–6.808). Patients with no vascular invasion but with MIB-1 staining in > 50% tumor cells showed significantly shorter relapse-free survival (p = 0.042). TEX19 nuclear immunoexpression was confirmed in spermatogonial cells, and weak cytoplasmic immunoexpression was depicted in 15/70 tumors, not significantly impacting survival. CXCL12 immunoexpression in tumor cells did not associate with relapse, but non-seminoma patients exhibiting vascular invasion and CXCL12-positive stromal/inflammatory cells showed significantly improved relapse-free survival (p = 0.015). Exclusively nuclear immunoexpression of CXCR4 associated with better relapse-free survival (p = 0.032), but not after adjusting for vascular invasion. Patients with higher beta-catenin scores showed a tendency for poorer relapse-free survival (p = 0.056). MECA-79 immunoexpression was absent.

Conclusions

The informative protein biomarkers (i.e., MIB-1, CXCL12, beta-catenin, and possibly CXCR4) may prove useful for risk-stratifying patients if validated in larger, multicentric and well-defined studies. Currently, classical histopathological features of testicular germ cell tumors remain key for relapse prediction.

Interobserver Agreement in Vascular Invasion Scoring and the Added Value of Immunohistochemistry for Vascular Markers to Predict Disease Relapse in Stage I Testicular Nonseminomas

Vascular invasion has been identified as an informative risk factor for relapse in stage I testicular nonseminomas, used to tailor treatment. We investigated interobserver agreement in vascular invasion reporting and studied the potential additional value of immunohistochemistry for vascular markers for predicting relapse. Patients (n=52) with stage I testicular nonseminomas undergoing surveillance (1993-2006) were included (median follow-up of 66 mo). Two formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks with >1 cm tissue and tumor/normal parenchyma interface were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and CD31, FVIII, and D2-40. Slides were assessed by 3 independent testicular germ cell tumor-dedicated pathologists, and agreement was assessed using Cohen κ statistic. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of vascular invasion scoring in predicting relapse were calculated. Agreement among testicular germ cell tumor-dedicated pathologists was moderate (κ=0.49 to 0.54), as was performance in predicting disease relapse (particularly, specificity of 86%). Immunohistochemistry increased overall sensitivity (71%), but decreased specificity (71%) in predicting relapse. All patients (n=8) with both blood and lymphatic vascular invasion developed a relapse. In multivariable analysis (including age, tumor size, rete testis invasion, and serum tumor markers), only vascular invasion had an independent impact in predicting relapse. Assessment of vascular invasion by testicular germ cell tumor-dedicated pathologists is good and is clinically meaningful, predicting disease relapse. Immunohistochemistry for vascular markers improves sensitivity of detecting disease relapse and allows for the identification of high-risk patients with both blood and lymphatic vascular invasion simultaneously, potentially of interest for tailored chemotherapy.

Clinical Outcome of Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection after Chemotherapy in Patients with Pure Embryonal Carcinoma in the Orchiectomy Specimen

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pathologic findings and clinical outcome of patients with pure embryonal carcinoma (EC) of the testis who were diagnosed with testis cancer from January 1989 to January 2013 who underwent an orchiectomy, cisplatin-based chemotherapy and a postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND).

METHODS

We compared those patients with 100% EC with those with mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor pathology who underwent a PC-RPLND.

RESULTS

Of 1105 patients who underwent a PC-RPLND, 145 had pure EC. Twenty-six percent of patients presented with metastatic disease outside the retroperitoneum. Patients with mixed histologies tended to have worse International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group risk compared to those with EC at orchiectomy (P = .037). Histology at PC-RPLND revealed fibrosis or necrosis in 76%, mature teratoma in 19% and viable cancer in 4%. Over one-third of the patients had a residual mass of <1 cm prior to RPLND; of whom 15% harbored mature teratoma in PC-RPLND histology. The Kaplan-Meier estimated probability of recurrence at 5 years of follow-up was 3.1% (95% CI 1.2%, 8.0%) for EC histology, 7.3% lower than mixed histology. For cancer-specific mortality, the Kaplan-Meier estimated probability at 5 years was 4.6% (95% CI 3.3%, 6.3%) and 1.7% (95% CI 0.4%, 6.8%) for mixed and pure EC histologies, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 20% of patients with pure EC had teratoma at PC-RPLND. We have shown that those with a maximum node size of <1 cm should not be precluded from RPLND.

Do Histopathologic Variables Affect the Reporting of Lymphovascular Invasion in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors?

OBJECTIVES

Identification of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) is a challenging yet important aspect of cancer staging that can alter therapeutic management. Our study aimed to identify pathologic features that affect the reporting of LVI.

METHODS

Pathology report and slide review of orchiectomies performed at our institution between 2007 and 2013 for testicular GCTs were performed.

RESULTS

Seminomas grossed by residents had a higher rate of reported LVI compared with specimens grossed by pathology assistants (46% vs 15%). Tumor displacement artifact was more frequent in seminomas vs mixed GCTs (60% vs 38%). LVI concordance was high upon review (κ = 0.77), with displacement artifact present in all discrepancies. Tumor emboli from cases reported to have LVI had a higher frequency of tumor cohesiveness, smooth contours, and adherence to vessel walls compared with tumor emboli that were considered pseudo-LVI. Presence of fibrin and RBCs were features found at a similar frequency in emboli that were reported as LVI compared with those deemed artifactual.

CONCLUSIONS

Grosser type, tumor subtype, tumor displacement artifact, and characteristics of tumor emboli are pathologic features that affect the interpretation of LVI in testicular GCTs. Pathologists should be aware of these variables to more accurately diagnose LVI.

Disparities in Interpretation of Primary Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Pathology

OBJECTIVES

Accurate pathologic interpretation of testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) can be problematic due to low incidence and variation in histologic patterns. By analyzing changes in the diagnosis of testicular specimens after secondary review, we hoped to determine how these can affect prognosis and treatment.

METHODS

From 1999 to 2013, a total of 235 patients underwent radical orchiectomy at a referring facility and had pathology specimens reanalyzed by our center's pathologists with expertise in genitourinary malignancies. We identified discrepancies in pathologic reporting.

RESULTS

Fifty (21.3%) patients had variations in interpretation of their orchiectomy specimens. A clinically significant alteration was identified in 16 (6.8%) patients, most commonly due to recognition (or misrecognition) of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) associated with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). Changes in LVI status resulted in upstaging or downstaging from clinical stage 1A to stage 1B or vice versa in six patients with NSGCTs, with a subsequent change in therapeutic strategy. In addition, one patient with stage 1 pure seminoma had been misclassified with nonseminoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Inaccurate interpretation of orchiectomy specimens is not uncommon and may lead to incorrect tumor staging, imprecise assignment of progression risk, and inappropriate management recommendations. Secondary opinions of primary GCT orchiectomy specimens potentially facilitate appropriate counseling and therapeutic strategies.

Surveillance for patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors

PURPOSE

To assess the prognostic value of histological parameters in patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs) undergoing active surveillance post-orchiectomy.

METHODS

Prognoses and recurrence patterns were investigated in 78 patients with CSI NSGCT who underwent orchiectomy. Immediately following orchiectomy, patients participated in active surveillance between 1999 and 2013 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.

RESULTS

23.1 % of the 78 investigated patients with CSI NSGCT relapsed, within a median time of 5.6 months It was determined using multivariate analysis that lymph vascular invasion (LVI) (OR 6.521; 95 % CI 1.872-22.721; p = 0.003) and the predominant presence of yolk sac tumor (greater than 50 %) (OR 3.537; 95 % CI 1.076-11.628; p = 0.038) independently correlated with relapse-free survival (RFS). Patients were categorized accordingly into three risk groups: low risk [<50 % presence of yolk sac tumor and LVI (-); n = 41], intermediate risk [50 % or greater presence of yolk sac tumor and LVI (+); n = 29], and high risk [50 % or greater presence of yolk sac tumor and LVI (+); n = 8]. Relapse rates of the low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups were 7.3, 31.0, and 75.0 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

LVI and a predominant presence of yolk sac tumor are crucial risk factors for relapse of CSI NSGCT. For patients without either of these risk factors, active surveillance post-orchiectomy is a safe and effective approach for the initial management of CSI NSGCT.