Expanding the Immunophenotypic Spectrum of Neoplastic and Reactive Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

Blastic Plasmocytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN): Clinical Features and Histopathology with a Therapeutic Overview

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasms (BPDCNs) are a rare, highly aggressive hematological malignant neoplasm that primarily involve the skin, bone marrow, lymph nodes and even extra-nodal sites. The rarity and relative poor description of cases in the literature make it necessary to review and further studies that deeply investigate this entity not only in a histopathological but also molecular field. In August-September 2023, we searched MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), narrative and systematic reviews, meta-analyses, observational studies (either longitudinal or retrospective), and case series published in English in the last 25 years using the keywords BPDCN, PDCs, Blastic NK-cell lymphoma, agranular CD4+ NK leukemia/lymphoma, agranular CD4+ CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm/tumor. Despite the progress made in recent years in the diagnosis and biological understanding of the disease, until 2018 there was no clear consensus regarding its treatment and the main therapeutic schemes used were based on chemotherapy regimens already used in the treatment of lymphomas, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this narrative review, we address the definition and epidemiological features of BPDCN, provide the different theories on the etiopathogenesis with particular attention to the presumed cell of origin, discuss the main clinical manifestations that provide a sign of its presence, summarize the main histopathological and immunophenotypic characteristics with special attention to the most important markers, and finally, we provide some of the most effective information on the therapeutic treatment modalities of BPDCN.

USP10 promotes the progression of triple-negative breast cancer by enhancing the stability of TCF4 protein

Investigating the role of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Analyzed USP10 expression levels in tumors using public databases. Detected USP10 mRNA and protein levels in cell lines. Examined USP10 expression in tumor tissues from breast cancer patients. Conducted USP10 knockdown experiments and analyzed changes in cell proliferation and metastasis. Confirmed protein-protein interactions with USP10 through mass spectrometry, Co-IP, and fluorescence experiments. Assessed impact of USP10 on transcription factor 4 (TCF4) ubiquitination and validated TCF4's influence on TNBC cells. We initially identified a pronounced overexpression of USP10 across multiple tumor types, including TNBC. Subsequently, we observed a conspicuous upregulation of USP10 expression levels in breast cancer cell lines compared to normal breast epithelial cells. However, upon subsequent depletion of USP10 within cellular contexts, we noted a substantial attenuation of malignant proliferation and metastatic potential in TNBC cells. In subsequent experimental analyses, we elucidated the physical interaction between USP10 and the transcription factor TCF4, whereby USP10 facilitated the deubiquitination modification of TCF4, consequently promoting its protein stability and contributing to the initiation and progression of TNBC. Collectively, this study demonstrates that USP10 facilitated the deubiquitination modification of TCF4, consequently promoting its protein stability and contributing to the initiation and progression of TNBC.