Correlation Between MYCN Gene Status and MYCN Protein Expression in Neuroblastoma: A Pilot Study To Propose the Use of MYCN Immunohistochemistry in Limited-Resource Areas

MYCN protein stability is a better prognostic indicator in neuroblastoma

Objective

MYCN oncogene amplification is associated with treatment failure and poor prognosis in neuroblastoma. To date, most detection methods of MYCN focus on DNA copy numbers instead of protein expression, which is the real one performing biological function, for poor antibodies. The current investigation was to explore a fast and reliable way to detect MYCN protein expression and evaluate its performance in predicting prognosis.

Methods

Several MYCN antibodies were used to detect MYCN protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and one was chosen for further study. We correlated the IHC results of MYCN from 53 patients with MYCN fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and identified the sensitivity and specificity of IHC. The relationship between patient prognosis and MYCN protein expression was detected from this foundation.

Results

MYCN amplification status detected by FISH was most valuable for INSS stage 3 patients. In the cohort of 53 samples, IHC test demonstrated 80.0–85.7% concordance with FISH results. Further analyzing those cases with inconsistent results, we found that patients with MYCN amplification but low protein expression tumors always had a favorable prognosis. In contrast, if patients with MYCN non-amplified tumors were positive for MYCN protein, they had a poor prognosis.

Conclusion

MYCN protein level is better than MYCN amplification status in predicting the prognosis of neuroblastoma patients. Joint of FISH and IHC could confirm MYCN protein stability and achieve better prediction effect than the singular method.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03449-1.

The MYCN gene test is most valuable for INSS stage 3 patients to predict prognosis.

Compared to gene status, MYCN protein expression is more relevant to prognosis.

Combining FISH with IHC, MYCN protein stability could be identified.

Tissue Multiplex Analyte Detection in Anatomic Pathology - Pathways to Clinical Implementation

Background: Multiplex tissue analysis has revolutionized our understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) with implications for biomarker development and diagnostic testing. Multiplex labeling is used for specific clinical situations, but there remain barriers to expanded use in anatomic pathology practice.

Methods: We review immunohistochemistry (IHC) and related assays used to localize molecules in tissues, with reference to United States regulatory and practice landscapes. We review multiplex methods and strategies used in clinical diagnosis and in research, particularly in immuno-oncology. Within the framework of assay design and testing phases, we examine the suitability of multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) for clinical diagnostic workflows, considering its advantages and challenges to implementation.

Results: Multiplex labeling is poised to radically transform pathologic diagnosis because it can answer questions about tissue-level biology and single-cell phenotypes that cannot be addressed with traditional IHC biomarker panels. Widespread implementation will require improved detection chemistry, illustrated by InSituPlex technology (Ultivue, Inc., Cambridge, MA) that allows coregistration of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and mIF images, greater standardization and interoperability of workflow and data pipelines to facilitate consistent interpretation by pathologists, and integration of multichannel images into digital pathology whole slide imaging (WSI) systems, including interpretation aided by artificial intelligence (AI). Adoption will also be facilitated by evidence that justifies incorporation into clinical practice, an ability to navigate regulatory pathways, and adequate health care budgets and reimbursement. We expand the brightfield WSI system “pixel pathway” concept to multiplex workflows, suggesting that adoption might be accelerated by data standardization centered on cell phenotypes defined by coexpression of multiple molecules.

Conclusion: Multiplex labeling has the potential to complement next generation sequencing in cancer diagnosis by allowing pathologists to visualize and understand every cell in a tissue biopsy slide. Until mIF reagents, digital pathology systems including fluorescence scanners, and data pipelines are standardized, we propose that diagnostic labs will play a crucial role in driving adoption of multiplex tissue diagnostics by using retrospective data from tissue collections as a foundation for laboratory-developed test (LDT) implementation and use in prospective trials as companion diagnostics (CDx).

Multinational Retrospective Central Pathology Review of Neuroblastoma: Lessons Learned to Establish a Regional Pathology Referral Center in Resource-Limited Settings

CONTEXT.—

Several countries of the Central America and Caribbean region have been sharing regional neuroblastoma (NB) treatment guidelines. However, there is no standardization in the diagnosis, subclassification, or tumor biology to aid in the risk stratification of these patients.

OBJECTIVE.—

To examine the histology and assess the accuracy of the local pathology reports; to evaluate the usefulness of manual MYCN immunohistochemistry (IHC); and to use NB as a model to identify the needs to establish a central pathology review (CPR) program in this region.

DESIGN.—

A retrospective CPR of specimens derived from patients with a diagnosis of NB and treated under the regional NB guidelines between 2012 and 2017 was conducted, allowing for a comparison between local diagnoses and the CPR diagnoses. Manual MYCN IHC was performed in the confirmed NB specimens and the results compared with known fluorescence in situ hybridization or automated IHC results, when available.

RESULTS.—

The 156 specimens reviewed included 460 blocks and 183 original slides. Neuroblastoma was confirmed in 138 samples (88.5%), but low concordance rates for Shimada classification (n = 39; 25.0%), mitotic-karyorrhectic index (n = 4; 2.5%), and International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (n = 18; 11.5%) were noted. Manual MYCN IHC performed on 120 specimens showed conclusive results in 89.2% (28 positive, 23.4%; 79 negative, 65.8%) and questionable results in 10.8% (n = 13).

CONCLUSIONS.—

This retrospective CPR highlights the need for a CPR program to serve this region, to ensure correct diagnosis and subclassification of NB, and to provide manual MYCN IHC-with reflexing to fluorescence in situ hybridization, if questionable. This approach can further regional collaboration, enhance test utilization, and ultimately improve patients' outcomes.