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Chen J, Ln H. A review of prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: Evidence from the last decade. Semin Diagn Pathol 2024; 41:140-153. [PMID: 32988675 DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2020.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is a rare gynecologic cancer that is associated with significant patient morbidity and mortality, particularly for recurrent disease. This review summarizes the evidence and continued challenges, regarding the traditional clinicopathologic factors used to prognosticate vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Articles published within the last 10 years (2010-2020) were identified. Relevant articles concerning the following fifteen prognostic factors were reviewed: HPV/p16 status, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, patient age, tumor stage, tumor grade, tumor size, depth of invasion, stromal changes, histologic patterns of invasion, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), perineural invasion, lymph node metastases, tumour focality, margin status and lichen sclerosus (LS). The relationship between each prognostic factor and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), including hazard ratios, 95% confidence intervals and p-values, were extracted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Chen
- Medical Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | - Hoang Ln
- Department of Pathology, Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia, BC, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC), BC, Canada.
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2
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Yang H, Almadani N, Thompson EF, Tessier-Cloutier B, Chen J, Ho J, Senz J, McConechy MK, Chow C, Ta M, Cheng A, Karnezis A, Huvila J, McAlpine JN, Gilks B, Jamieson A, Hoang LN. Classification of Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Precursor Lesions by p16 and p53 Immunohistochemistry: Considerations, Caveats, and an Algorithmic Approach. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100145. [PMID: 36828360 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
There is emerging evidence that vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) can be prognostically subclassified into 3 groups based on human papillomavirus (HPV) and p53 status: HPV-associated (HPV+), HPV-independent/p53 wild-type (HPV-/p53wt), or HPV-independent/p53 abnormal (HPV-/p53abn). Our goal was to assess the feasibility of separating VSCC and its precursors into these 3 groups using p16 and p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC). A tissue microarray containing 225 VSCC, 43 usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (uVIN/HSIL), 10 verruciform acanthotic vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (vaVIN), and 34 differentiated VIN (dVIN), was stained for p16 and p53. Noncomplementary p16 and p53 patterns were resolved by repeating p53 IHC and HPV RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) on whole sections, and sequencing for TP53. Of 82 p16-positive VSCC, 73 (89%) had complementary p16 and p53 patterns and were classified into the HPV+ group, 4 (4.9%) had wild-type p53 staining, positive HPV ISH and were classified into the HPV+ group, whereas 5 (6.1%) had p53 abnormal IHC patterns (1 null, 4 overexpression), negativity for HPV ISH, and harbored TP53 mutations (1 splice site, 4 missense); they were classified as HPV-/p53abn. Of 143 p16-negative VSCC, 142 (99.3%) had complementary p53 and p16 patterns: 115 (80.4%) HPV-/p53abn and 27 (18.9%) HPV-/p53wt. One had a basal-sparing p53 pattern, positivity for HPV ISH and was negative for TP53 mutations-HPV+ category. The use of IHC also led to revised diagnoses-HSIL to dVIN (3/43), dVIN to vaVIN (8/34), and dVIN to HSIL (3/34). Overall, 215/225 VSCC (95.6%) could be easily classifiable into 3 groups with p16 and p53 IHC. We identified several caveats, with the major caveat being that "double-positive" p16/p53 should be classified as HPV-/p53abn. We propose an algorithm that will facilitate the application of p16 and p53 IHC to classify VSCC in pathology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yang
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Noorah Almadani
- Department of Pathology, Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, and King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emily F Thompson
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Julia Chen
- Medical Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julie Ho
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Janine Senz
- Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Christine Chow
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Monica Ta
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Angela Cheng
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony Karnezis
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, California
| | - Jutta Huvila
- Department of Pathology, University of Turku, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jessica N McAlpine
- Gynecologic Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Blake Gilks
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amy Jamieson
- Gynecologic Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lynn N Hoang
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada.
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Thompson EF, Wong RWC, Trevisan G, Tessier-Cloutier B, Almadani N, Chen J, Cheng A, Karnezis A, McConechy MK, Lum A, Senz J, McAlpine JN, Huntsman DG, Gilks B, Jamieson A, Hoang LN. p53-Abnormal "Fields of Dysplasia" in Human Papillomavirus-Independent Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma Impacts Margins and Recurrence Risk. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100010. [PMID: 36853783 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2022.100010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal p53 (p53abn) immunohistochemical (IHC) staining patterns can be found in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) and differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN). They can also be found in the adjacent skin that shows morphology that falls short of the traditional diagnostic threshold for dVIN. Vulvectomy specimens containing human papillomavirus-independent p53abn VSCC with margins originally reported as negative for invasive and in situ disease were identified. Sections showing the closest approach by invasive or in situ neoplasia to margins were stained with p53 IHC stains. We evaluated the following: (1) detection of morphologically occult p53abn in situ neoplasia, (2) rates of margin status change after p53 IHC staining, and (3) effect of p53abn IHC staining at margins on the 2-year local recurrence rates. Seventy-three human papillomavirus-independent p53abn VSCCs were included. Half (35/73, 48%) had documented an in situ lesion in the original report. The use of p53 IHC staining identified 21 additional cases (29%) with the p53abn in situ lesions that were originally unrecognized. The histology of in situ lesions in the p53abn "field" varied and became more subtle (morphologically occult) farther away from the VSCC. Fifteen (21%) cases had a morphologically occult and previously unrecognized p53abn in situ lesion present at a resection margin, which conferred an increased risk of local recurrence (5/7 [71.4%] vs 6/22 [27.3%], P = .036). The p53abn in situ lesions at a margin were confirmed to have TP53 mutations by sequencing. p53 IHC staining identified morphologically occult p53abn in situ lesions surrounding human papillomavirus-independent VSCC. p53abn IHC staining at a margin was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of local recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Thompson
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Richard W C Wong
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Giorgia Trevisan
- Cellular Pathology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Basile Tessier-Cloutier
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Noorah Almadani
- Department of Pathology, Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, and King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Julia Chen
- Medical Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Angela Cheng
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony Karnezis
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California
| | | | - Amy Lum
- Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Janine Senz
- Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jessica N McAlpine
- Gynecologic Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David G Huntsman
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Canexia Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Blake Gilks
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amy Jamieson
- Gynecologic Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lynn N Hoang
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Molecular Features of Preinvasive and Invasive Vulvar Neoplasms. J Low Genit Tract Dis 2023; 27:40-46. [PMID: 36083687 DOI: 10.1097/lgt.0000000000000701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neoplasms arising from the vulva are uncommon and comprise various subtypes. Given the recent advancements in the molecular aspects of oncologic pathology and how they have impacted cancer treatment, an understanding of recent innovations in the molecular features of vulvar lesions is important. MATERIALS AND METHODS Systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases for molecular and genetic characteristics of vulvar neoplasms. Peer-reviewed literature published in English is included. RESULTS Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its precursors are the predominant neoplasm at this site. Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of some of these lesions. Human papillomavirus-associated SCC follows the carcinogenic pathway driven by viral proteins E6 and E7 while HPV-independent SCC shows a high incidence of mutation of TP53 and CDKN2A genes. Mutations in the genes involving the PI3K-Akt pathway play an important role in the pathogenesis of both types of SCC. Among other vulvar malignancies, melanoma, and vulvar Paget disease (VPD) pose a significant clinical challenge and have unique molecular characteristics. Compared with dermal cutaneous melanoma, vulvar melanoma shows a higher rate of mutation of cKIT and NRAS genes and a lower rate of mutations in BRAF . Less than 20% of VPD shows amplification of ERBB2 and seldom shows mutation in genes involving the PI3K-Akt pathway. CONCLUSIONS Several potentially targetable molecular pathways have emerged as they have been shown to be involved in the tumorigenesis of SCC, melanoma, and VPD.
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Eva L, Sadler L, Thompson JM, Sahota S, Fong KL, Jones RW, Bigby SM. HPV-independent and HPV-associated vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: two different cancers. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2022; 32:ijgc-2022-003616. [PMID: 35914776 DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2022-003616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We report the disease-specific survival of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and HPV-independent vulvar squamous cell carcinomas and determine whether differences exist and are independent of stage and age at diagnosis. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study with case note and pathology slide review of 265 consecutive women with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. These patients were treated over a 15 year period (2001-2016) at a centralized cancer center covering half the population of New Zealand. The women's cancers were categorized dependent on their adjacent pathology, immunohistochemistry and HPV status following expert slide review. Disease-specific survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier univariable and Cox proportional hazard (adjusting for stage, age, and HPV dependence) multivariable methods. RESULTS The survival analysis included 236 women with follow-up to 96 months; 124 of them were HPV-associated, 95 HPV-independent, and 17 were unclassifiable. Of the 236 women, 146 were stage 1 (92 HPV-associated, 49 HPV-independent, 5 unclassifiable), 13 stage II (7 HPV-associated, 6 HPV-independent), 62 stage III (20 HPV-associated, 34 HPV-independent, 8 unclassifiable) and 15 stage IV (5 HPV-associated, 6 HPV-independent, 4 unclassifiable). HPV-independent vulvar squamous cell carcinomas had significantly worse survival than HPV-associated vulvar squamous cell carcinomas independent of stage and age at diagnosis (HR 3.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6 to 8.2)). Tumors that were unclassifiable by HPV type also had significantly worse survival than HPV-associated tumors independent of stage and age at diagnosis (HR 6.2 (95% CI: 2.4 to 16.0)). CONCLUSIONS HPV-independent vulvar squamous cell carcinomas present more frequently in older women than HPV-associated tumors. However, the poorer prognosis is independent of age and stage, with worse outcomes even in early stage disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois Eva
- Gynaecological Oncology, National Women's Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Gynaecological Oncology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lynn Sadler
- University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Sukwinder Sahota
- Gynaecological Oncology, National Women's Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kah Leng Fong
- Gynaecological Oncology, National Women's Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ronald W Jones
- Gynaecological Oncology, National Women's Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Susan M Bigby
- Histopathology, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
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Pors J, Tessier-Cloutier B, Thompson E, Almadani N, Ho J, Gilks B, Huntsman D, Hoang L. Targeted Molecular Sequencing of Recurrent and Multifocal Non-HPV-associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2021; 40:391-399. [PMID: 33323855 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0000000000000742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are a poorly understood and aggressive group of treatment-resistant neoplasms. Currently, it remains unclear whether these are in fact recurrences of the same primary tumor, or the development of entirely new tumors. Here, to address this question, we examined the mutational profile of a series of patients with recurrent or multifocal non-human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated vulvar SCC. We performed a targeted 33-gene next-generation sequencing panel on a series of 14 patients with recurrent or multifocal non-HPV-associated vulvar SCC and precursor neoplasms. This amounted to 54 cases (33 SCC, 1 verrucous carcinoma, 13 differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, and 7 differentiated exophytic vulvar intraepithelial lesion), with 79 mutations detected altogether. TP53 [51/79 (65%)] was the most frequently mutated gene. Mutations in PIK3CA [16/79 (20%)), HRAS [6/79 (8%)], PTEN [4/79 (5%)], EGFR [1/79 (1%)], and GNAS [1/79 (1%)] were occasionally seen. Most patients with SCC [5/9 (56%)] recurrent, 4/5 (80%) multifocal] demonstrated a clonal relationship, and harbored the same mutations in the same genes in metachronous or synchronous tumors. A subset of the recurrent tumors [2/5 (40%)] recurred with additional mutations. These clonal relationships were shared between SCC and differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia in each case. By contrast, a small number of recurrent tumors [3/9 (33%)] demonstrated novel mutations, entirely different from the primary tumor. Thus, our findings suggest that recurrent non-HPV-associated vulvar SCC can arise from 2 mechanisms.
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Molecular characterization of invasive and in situ squamous neoplasia of the vulva and implications for morphologic diagnosis and outcome. Mod Pathol 2021; 34:508-518. [PMID: 32792599 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-020-00651-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-independent vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is an aggressive clinical entity. Current diagnostic guidelines for premalignant lesions are ambiguous, and their molecular profile and progression events are still unclear. We selected 75 samples, from 40 patients, including 33 VSCC, 8 verrucous carcinomas (VC), 13 differentiated-type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), 11 suspicious for dVIN (?dVIN), 6 differentiated exophytic vulvar intraepithelial lesions (DE-VIL), 2 vulvar acanthosis with altered differentiation (VAAD), and 2 usual-type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (uVIN/HSIL). Invasive and precursor lesions were matched in 29 cases. Clinical information, p16 immunohistochemistry, and mutation analysis were performed on all lesions. All dVIN, ?dVIN, DE-VIL, and VAAD were p16 negative, all uVIN/HSIL were p16 positive. In the HPV-independent group, mutations were identified in 6 genes: TP53 (n = 40), PIK3CA (n = 20), HRAS (n = 12), MET (n = 5), PTEN (n = 4), and BRAF (n = 1). TP53 mutations occurred in 73% (22/30) VSCC, 85% (11/13) dVIN, 70% (7/10) ?dVIN and no VC (0/8), DE-VIL (0/6) nor VAAD (0/2). Basal atypia was the only reliable feature of TP53 mutations. ?dVIN lesions that were non-acanthotic and atypical but obscured by inflammation, all harbored TP53 mutations. In lesions without TP53 mutations, PIK3CA (50% VC, 33% DE-VIL, 100% VAAD, 40% VSCC) and HRAS (63% VC, 33% DE-VIL, 0% VAAD, 20% VSCC) mutations were found. Mutational progression from in situ to invasive was seen (7/26, 27%) and usually involved TP53 (4/26, 15%). Cases with TP53 and PIK3CA co-mutations had the worse clinical outcomes (p < 0.001). We recommend testing for p53 in all HPV-independent lesions suspicious for dVIN, even in the presence of marked inflammation or non-acanthotic skin, particularly when close to a margin. VC, VAAD, and DE-VIL, were almost never mutated for TP53, but instead often harbored PIK3CA and HRAS mutations. In VSCC, combined TP53 and PIK3CA mutations may inform prognosis.
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Xing D, Fadare O. Molecular events in the pathogenesis of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Semin Diagn Pathol 2021; 38:50-61. [PMID: 33032902 PMCID: PMC7749059 DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (VSCC), which constitute over 90% of vulvar malignancies in adults, are classifiable into 2 subgroups that are mostly clinicopathologically distinct, a classification that is fundamentally based whether or not the tumors are HPV-mediated. In this review, we aim to summarize the recent advances in the understanding of molecular events in the pathogenesis of VSCC, including common and targetable mutations, copy number alterations, epigenetics, noncoding RNAs, and tumor immune microenvironment, which may provide insight into the future management of the disease. These events show substantial differences between the 2 subgroups, although significant areas of overlap exist. Recurrent, driver mutations appear to be substantially more prevalent in HPV(-) VSCC. TP53 mutations are the most common somatic mutations in VSCC overall, and are notably predominant in the HPV(-) VSCC, where 30-88% show a mutation. TP53 mutations are associated with worse patient outcomes, and co-mutations between TP53 and either HRAS, PIK3CA or CDKN2A appear to define subsets with even worse outcomes. A wide variety of other somatic mutations have been identified, including a subset with different mutational frequencies between HPV(+) and HPV(-) VSCC. CDKN2A mutations are common, and have been identified in 21 to 55% of HPV(-) VSCC, and in 2 to 25% of HPV(+) VSCC. Hypermethylation of CDKN2A is the most frequently reported epigenetic alteration in VSCC and the expression of some microRNAs may be associated with patient outcomes. The PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is commonly altered in HPV(+) VSCC, and is accordingly potentially targetable. HPV-positivity/p16 block expression by immunohistochemistry has been found to be an independent prognostic marker for improved survival in VSCC, and may have some predictive value in VSCC patients treated with definitive radiotherapy. 22-39.3% and 68% of VSCC show EGFR amplification and protein overexpression respectively, although the prognostic and predictive value of an EGFR alteration requires additional study. Recurrent chromosomal gains in VSCCs have been found at 1q, 2q, 3q, 4p, 5p, 7p, 8p, 8q, and 12q, and there may be differential patterns of alterations depending on HPV-status. At least one-third of VSCC patients may potentially benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition therapy, based on a high frequency of PD-L1 expression or amplification, or a high tumor mutational burden. Additional studies are ultimately required to better understand the global landscape of genetic and epigenetic alterations in VSCC, and to identify and test potential targets for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyin Xing
- Departments of Pathology, Oncology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Oluwole Fadare
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Julia CJ, Hoang LN. A review of prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: Evidence from the last decade. Semin Diagn Pathol 2020; 38:37-49. [PMID: 33246713 DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is a rare gynecologic cancer that is associated with significant patient morbidity and mortality, particularly for recurrent disease. This review summarizes the evidence and continued challenges, regarding the traditional clinicopathologic factors used to prognosticate vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Articles published within the last 10 years (2010-2020) were identified. Relevant articles concerning the following fifteen prognostic factors were reviewed: HPV/p16 status, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, patient age, tumor stage, tumor grade, tumor size, depth of invasion, stromal changes, histologic patterns of invasion, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), perineural invasion, lymph node metastases, tumour focality, margin status and lichen sclerosus (LS). The relationship between each prognostic factor and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), including hazard ratios, 95% confidence intervals and p-values, were extracted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen J Julia
- Medical Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | - L N Hoang
- Department of Pathology, Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia, 1215 - 910 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC), BC, Canada.
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10
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Dasgupta S, Ewing-Graham PC, Swagemakers SMA, van der Spek PJ, van Doorn HC, Noordhoek Hegt V, Koljenović S, van Kemenade FJ. Precursor lesions of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma - histology and biomarkers: A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 147:102866. [PMID: 32058913 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.102866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The precursor lesion of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC), namely vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), is classified as: human papillomavirus (HPV)-related high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and HPV-independent differentiated VIN (dVIN). Traditionally, histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) have been the basis of diagnosis and classification of VIN. HSIL shows conspicuous histological atypia, and positivity on p16-IHC, whereas dVIN shows less obvious histological atypia, and overexpression or null-pattern on p53-IHC. For both types of VIN, other diagnostic immunohistochemical markers have also been evaluated. Molecular characterization of VIN has been attempted in few recent studies, and novel genotypic subtypes of HPV-independent VSCC and VIN have been identified. This systematic review appraises the VSCC precursors identified so far, focusing on histology and biomarkers (immunohistochemical and molecular). To gain further insights into the carcinogenesis and to identify additional potential biomarkers, gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets on VSCC were analyzed; the results are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shatavisha Dasgupta
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Sigrid M A Swagemakers
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Peter J van der Spek
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Helena C van Doorn
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Vincent Noordhoek Hegt
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Senada Koljenović
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Folkert J van Kemenade
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Xing D, Liu Y, Park HJ, Baek I, Tran H, Cheang G, Novo J, Dillon J, Matoso A, Farmer E, Cheng MA, Tsai YC, Lombardo K, Conner MG, Vang R, Hung CF, Wu TC, Song W. Recurrent genetic alterations and biomarker expression in primary and metastatic squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva. Hum Pathol 2019; 92:67-80. [PMID: 31437519 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Using a comprehensive next-generation sequencing pipeline (143 genes), Oncomine Comprehensive v.2, we analyzed genetic alterations on a set of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) with emphasis on the primary and metastatic samples from the same patient, to identify amenable therapeutic targets. Clinicopathologic features were reported and genomic DNA was extracted from 42 paraffin-embedded tumor tissues of 32 cases. PD-L1 expression was evaluated in 20 tumor tissues (10 cases with paired primary and metastatic tumors). Fifteen (88%) of 17 successfully analyzed HPV-unrelated SCCs harbored TP53 mutations. 2 different TP53 mutations had been detected in the same tumor in 4 of 15 cases. Other recurrent genetic alterations in this group of tumors included CDKN2a mutations (41%), HRAS mutations (12%), NOTCH1 mutations (12%) and BIRC3 (11q22.1-22.2) amplification (12%). Six HPV-related tumors harbored PIK3CA, BAP1, PTEN, KDR, CTNNB1, and BRCA2 mutations, of which, one case also contained TP53 mutation. Six cases showed identical mutations in paired primary site and distant metastatic location and four cases displayed different mutational profiles. PD-L1 expression was seen in 6 of 10 primary tumors and all 6 paired cases showed discordant PD-L1 expression in the primary and metastatic sites. Our results further confirmed the genetic alterations that are amenable to targeted therapy, offering the potential for individualized management strategies for the treatment of these aggressive tumors with different etiology. Discordant PD-L1 expression in the primary and metastatic vulvar SCCs highlights the importance of evaluation of PD-L1 expression in different locations to avoid false negative information provided for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyin Xing
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD; Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD.
| | - Yuehua Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Hyeon Jin Park
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York 10065, NY
| | - Inji Baek
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York 10065, NY
| | - Hung Tran
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York 10065, NY
| | - Gloria Cheang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York 10065, NY
| | - Jorge Novo
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Jessica Dillon
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Andres Matoso
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Emily Farmer
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Max A Cheng
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Ya-Chea Tsai
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Kara Lombardo
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Michael G Conner
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham 35233, AL
| | - Russell Vang
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Chien-Fu Hung
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD; Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Tzyy-Choou Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD; Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore 21231, MD
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York 10065, NY.
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12
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Cohen PA, Anderson L, Eva L, Scurry J. Clinical and molecular classification of vulvar squamous pre-cancers. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2019; 29:821-828. [PMID: 30737358 DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2018-000135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a precursor to vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and is defined histopathologically by the presence of atypia. VIN has been classified into two types: usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (uVIN), which is also referred to as a vulvar high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HSIL), and differentiated VIN (dVIN). The former is associated with chronic infection by sub-types of the human papilloma virus (HPV), whereas dVIN is HPV-independent and frequently associated with lichen sclerosus. The distinction is important because dVIN has a greater risk of, and more rapid transit to, vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, dVIN-associated vulvar cancers have an increased risk of recurrence and higher mortality than those arising from HSIL. Molecular characterization of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma precursors using next-generation sequencing is a relatively novel, but rapidly advancing field. This review appraises recent studies that have investigated the risks of progression to vulvar malignancy associated with HSIL and dVIN, the prognosis of HPV-dependent and HPV-independent vulvar squamous cell carcinomas, and conducted next generation sequencing mutation analyses to elucidate the genomic profiles underlying VIN. These studies suggest that HSIL and dVIN are characterized by different underlying molecular alterations that may have important implications for treatment and follow-up of women diagnosed with vulvar squamous cell cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Cohen
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, St John of God Hospital Bendat Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia .,Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lyndal Anderson
- Anatomical Pathology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith South, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lois Eva
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, National Women's Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Gynaecological Oncology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - James Scurry
- Pathology North, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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