1
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Ragazzi M, Besutti G, Mancuso P, Rossi PG, Ciarrocchi A, Donati B, Manzotti G, Giordano D, Frasoldati A, Chiaruccci F, de de Biase D, Coluccelli S, Maloberti T, De Leo A, Piana S, Tallini G. Accuracy of World Health Organisation-grade parameters (necrosis and mitotic activity) and foci of vascular invasion in predicting prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. A case-control validation study. Histopathology 2024. [PMID: 38477417 DOI: 10.1111/his.15173] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Tumour necrosis and/or increased mitoses define high-grade papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). It is unclear whether angioinvasion is prognostic for PTC. Cut-offs at five or more mitoses/2 mm2 and four or more angioinvasive foci have been empirically defined based upon data from all forms of aggressive non-anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Performance of tumour necrosis, mitoses and vascular invasion in predicting distant metastases when specifically applied to PTC is undefined. METHODS We analysed 50 consecutive PTC cases with distant metastases (DM-PTC): 16 synchronous and 34 metachronous. A total of 108 non-metastatic PTC (N-DM-PTC, 15.0-year median follow-up) were used as controls. Invasive encapsulated follicular variant PTC was excluded. Necrosis, mitoses and angioinvasion were quantified. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analyses determined best sensitivity and specificity cut-offs predictive of distant metastases. RESULTS Metastases correlated with necrosis (any extent = 43.8% all DM-PTC, 53.1% metachronous DM-PTC versus 5% N-DM-PTC; P < 0.001), mitoses (P < 0.001) and angioinvasion (P < 0.001). Mitoses at five or more per 2 mm2 was the best cut-off correlating with distant metastases: sensitivity/specificity 42.9%/97.2% all DM-PTC (AUC = 0.78), 18.8%/97.2% synchronous DM-PTC (AUC = 0.63), 54.6%/97.2% metachronous DM-PTC (AUC = 0.85). Angioinvasive foci at five or more was the best cut-off correlating with distant metastases: sensitivity/specificity 36.2%/91.7% all DM-PTC (AUC = 0.75), 25%/91.7% synchronous DM-PTC (AUC = 0.79) and 41.9%/91.7% metachronous DM-PTC (AUC = 0.73). Positive/negative predictive values (PPV/NPV) were: necrosis 22.6%/98.2%; five or more mitoses 32.3%/98.2%; five or more angioinvasive foci 11.8%/97.9%. After multivariable analysis, only necrosis and mitotic activity remained associated with DM-PTC. CONCLUSION Our data strongly support PTC grading, statistically validating World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria to identify poor prognosis PTC. Angioinvasion is not an independent predictor of DM-PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Besutti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Radiology Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Medicine, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Pamela Mancuso
- Epidemiology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Paolo Giorgi Rossi
- Epidemiology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Benedetta Donati
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gloria Manzotti
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Davide Giordano
- Otolaryngology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Andrea Frasoldati
- Endocrinology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Dario de de Biase
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Coluccelli
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Thais Maloberti
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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2
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De Leo A, Ruscelli M, Maloberti T, Coluccelli S, Repaci A, de Biase D, Tallini G. Molecular pathology of endocrine gland tumors: genetic alterations and clinicopathologic relevance. Virchows Arch 2024; 484:289-319. [PMID: 38108848 PMCID: PMC10948534 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-023-03713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumors of the endocrine glands are common. Knowledge of their molecular pathology has greatly advanced in the recent past. This review covers the main molecular alterations of tumors of the anterior pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid glands, adrenal cortex, and adrenal medulla and paraganglia. All endocrine gland tumors enjoy a robust correlation between genotype and phenotype. High-throughput molecular analysis demonstrates that endocrine gland tumors can be grouped into molecular groups that are relevant from both pathologic and clinical point of views. In this review, genetic alterations have been discussed and tabulated with respect to their molecular pathogenetic role and clinicopathologic implications, addressing the use of molecular biomarkers for the purpose of diagnosis and prognosis and predicting response to molecular therapy. Hereditary conditions that play a key role in determining predisposition to many types of endocrine tumors are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio De Leo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Ruscelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Thais Maloberti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Coluccelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Repaci
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
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3
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Repaci A, Salituro N, Vicennati V, Monari F, Cavicchi O, de Biase D, Ciarrocchi A, Acquaviva G, De Leo A, Gruppioni E, Pagotto U, Tallini G. Unexpected Widespread Bone Metastases from a BRAF K601N Mutated Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma within a Previously Resected Multinodular Goiter. Endocr Pathol 2022; 33:519-524. [PMID: 34843063 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-021-09698-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) represents the second most common malignant thyroid neoplasm after papillary carcinoma (PTC). FTC is characterized by the tendency to metastasize to distant sites such as bone and lung. In the last 20 years, the understanding of the molecular pathology of thyroid tumors has greatly improved. Uncommon BRAF non-V600E mutations have been identified and are generally believed to associate with follicular patterned tumors of low malignant potential, particularly non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTPs) (i.e., non-invasive encapsulated follicular variant PTC). We here report for the first time widespread bone metastases from a BRAF K601N mutated follicular tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Repaci
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Nicola Salituro
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Vicennati
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Monari
- Radiotherapy Unit, Policlinico Di Sant'Orsola, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ottavio Cavicchi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Policlinico Di Sant'Orsola, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giorgia Acquaviva
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Anatomic Pathology - Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Anatomic Pathology - Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Gruppioni
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna IRCCS Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Uberto Pagotto
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Anatomic Pathology - Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Sauer M, Barletta JA. Proceedings of the North American Society of Head and Neck Pathology, Los Angeles, CA, March 20, 2022: DICER1-Related Thyroid Tumors. Head Neck Pathol 2022; 16:190-199. [PMID: 35307774 PMCID: PMC9018915 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-022-01417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
DICER1 syndrome is an autosomal dominant tumor predisposition syndrome caused by germline DICER1 mutations. In the thyroid, DICER1 syndrome is associated with early-onset multinodular goiter and thyroid carcinomas. Subsequent studies have shown that somatic DICER1 mutations, though rare, can occur in follicular-patterned thyroid tumors, such as follicular adenomas and follicular thyroid carcinomas, with a higher rate seen in pediatric follicular thyroid carcinomas and in follicular thyroid carcinomas with a macrofollicular architecture. Somatic DICER1 mutations have also been reported in pediatric papillary thyroid carcinomas lacking other alterations typically associated with thyroid tumorigenesis. Although thyroid carcinomas with underlying DICER1 mutations are usually indolent, recent studies have shown that pediatric poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma and thyroblastoma, both aggressive tumors, also harbor DICER1 mutations. This review will discuss mechanisms of DICER1 tumorigenesis and describe thyroid tumors associated with germline and somatic DICER1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Sauer
- University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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5
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Bellevicine C, Ciarrocchi A, Friedlaender A, Malapelle U, de Biase D. Editorial: Molecular Characterization of Thyroid Lesions in the Era of "Next-Generation" Techniques. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:955185. [PMID: 35846329 PMCID: PMC9278310 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.955185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Bellevicine
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alex Friedlaender
- Oncology Department, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland; Oncology Service, Clinique Générale Beaulieu, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Umberto Malapelle
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Dario de Biase,
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6
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Wang W, Shen C, Zhao Y, Sun B, Bai N, Li X. Identification and validation of potential novel biomarkers to predict distant metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1053. [PMID: 34422965 PMCID: PMC8339873 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Distant metastasis (DM) is not common in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). However, it is associated with a significantly poor prognosis. Early detection of high-risk DTC patients is difficult, and the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, the present study aims to establish a novel predictive model based on clinicopathological parameters and DM-related gene signatures to provide guidelines for clinicians in decision making. Methods Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to discover co-expressed gene modules and hub genes associated with DM. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify independent clinicopathological risk factors based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. An integrated nomogram prediction model was established. Finally, real hub genes were validated using the GSE60542 database and various thyroid cell lines. Results The midnightblue module was most significantly positively correlated with DM (R=0.56, P=9e-06) by as per WGCNA. DLX5 (AUC: 0.769), COX6B2 (AUC: 0.764), and LYPD1 (AUC: 0.760) were determined to be the real hub genes that play a crucial role in predicting DM. Meanwhile, univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that T-stage (OR, 15.03; 95% CI, 1.75-319.40; and P=0.024), histologic subtype (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.03-0.92; and P=0.042) were the independent predictors of DM. Subsequently, a nomogram model was constructed based on gene signatures and independent clinical risk factors exhibited good performance. Additionally, the mRNA expressions of real hub genes in the GSE60542 dataset were consistent with TCGA. Conclusions The present study has provided a reliable model to predict DM in patients with DTC. This model is likely to serve as an individual risk assessment tool in therapeutic decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Wang
- Thyroid Surgery Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Cong Shen
- Thyroid Surgery Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yunzhe Zhao
- Thyroid Surgery Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Botao Sun
- Thyroid Surgery Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ning Bai
- Thyroid Surgery Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinying Li
- Thyroid Surgery Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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7
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Wong KS, Dong F, Telatar M, Lorch JH, Alexander EK, Marqusee E, Cho NL, Nehs MA, Doherty GM, Afkhami M, Barletta JA. Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with High-Grade Features Versus Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: An Analysis of Clinicopathologic and Molecular Features and Outcome. Thyroid 2021; 31:933-940. [PMID: 33143568 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: Similar to poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC), papillary thyroid carcinoma with high-grade features (PTC HGF) demonstrates increased mitotic activity and/or necrosis; however, PTC HGF is excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of PDTC based on maintained nuclear features of PTC. Methods: Consecutive tumors that met criteria for PTC HGF, defined as tumors with maintained nuclear features of PTC and mitoses numbering 5 or more per 10 contiguous high-power fields and/or tumor necrosis, and PDTC (defined as per the WHO criteria) were identified. Clinicopathologic characteristics, follow-up data, and targeted next-generation sequencing results were compared between groups. Results: There were 15 PTC HGF and 47 PDTC. PTC HGF was associated with a higher rate of pT4 disease (53% vs. 13%, p = 0.0027) and lymph node metastases (73% vs. 38%, p = 0.049). The disease-specific survival was worse for patients with PTC HGF compared with those with PDTC using Kaplan-Meier estimation (p < 0.001) and was worse in subgroup analysis evaluating patients with widely invasive PDTC (i.e., those with a similar rate of pT4 disease) and PTC HGF (p = 0.040). PTC HGF had a higher BRAFV600E mutation rate (42% vs. 3%; p = 0.003), a trend toward more gene fusions (25% vs. 3%; p = 0.052), and a higher rate of relative gain of 1q (67% vs. 15%; p = 0.002) than PDTC. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that PTC HGF are important to recognize based on their aggressive behavior. The molecular differences between PTC HGF and PDTC suggest that PTC HGF should be considered a distinct group from PDTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine S Wong
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Milhan Telatar
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Jochen H Lorch
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erik K Alexander
- Division of Endocrinology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ellen Marqusee
- Division of Endocrinology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nancy L Cho
- Division of Endocrinology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew A Nehs
- Department of Surgery; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gerard M Doherty
- Department of Surgery; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michelle Afkhami
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Eszlinger M, Khalil M, Gillmor AH, Huang H, Stewardson P, McIntyre JB, Morrissy S, Paschke R. Histology-based molecular profiling improves mutation detection for advanced thyroid cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2021; 60:531-545. [PMID: 33749950 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced cancers frequently show histologic and molecular intratumoral heterogeneity. Therefore, we comprehensively characterized advanced, metastatic, radioiodine-resistant (RAIR) thyroid carcinomas at the molecular level in the context of histologic heterogeneity with the aim to identify potentially actionable mutations that may guide the use of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied to 29 macrodissected tissue samples of histologically heterogeneous and homogeneous areas, lymph node and lung metastases from six clinically and histologically well-characterized metastatic RAIR thyroid cancer patients with structural incomplete response to treatment. WES data were analyzed to identify potential driver mutations in oncogenic pathways, copy number alterations, microsatellite instability, mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity, and the relevance of histologic heterogeneity to molecular profiling. In addition to known driver mutations in BRAF, NRAS, EIF1AX, NCOA4-RET, and TERT, further potentially actionable drivers were identified in AKT1, ATM, E2F1, HTR2A, and MLH3. The analysis of the evolutionary history of the mutations and the reconstruction of the molecular phylogeny of the cancers show a remarkable association between histologic and molecular heterogeneity. A comprehensive molecular analysis of the primary tumor guided by histologic analysis may help to better stratify patients for precision medicine approaches. Given the association between the molecular and the histologic heterogeneity, the selection of tumor samples for molecular analysis should be based on meticulous histologic evaluation of the entire tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Eszlinger
- Departments of Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Moosa Khalil
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Aaron Hill Gillmor
- Department of Graduate Sciences and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Helen Huang
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul Stewardson
- Department of Medical Science and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - John B McIntyre
- Precision Oncology Hub Laboratory, Alberta Health Services, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sorana Morrissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ralf Paschke
- Departments of Medicine, Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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9
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Janovitz T, Williamson DFK, Wong KS, Dong F, Barletta JA. Genomic profile of columnar cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Histopathology 2021; 79:491-498. [PMID: 33783022 DOI: 10.1111/his.14374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Columnar cell variant (CCV) is a rare papillary thyroid carcinoma subtype. The majority of CCV occur in older patients and are large, invasive tumours that pursue an aggressive clinical course. Rare well-circumscribed CCV occur in younger female patients and are comparatively indolent. METHODS AND RESULTS We retrospectively identified CCV with material available to perform targeted next-generation sequencing and correlated molecular results with clinicopathological features and outcome. Our cohort was comprised of nine CCV. Nearly all were aggressive tumours; however, one was predominantly well-circumscribed and arose in a thyroglossal duct cyst of a 26-year-old woman who had no evidence of disease at last follow-up. Seven (78%) cases demonstrated activating oncogenic driver alterations in BRAF, including BRAF V600E, an activating N486_P490del deletion, and BRAF-AGK fusions. Activating RAS mutations were seen in two (22%) cases. Additionally, three (33%) cases had TERT promoter mutations, four (44%) had loss of the tumour suppressor CDKN2A and one (11%) case had a loss of function TP53 mutation. Most cases (89%) also demonstrated copy number alterations, including recurrent gain of chromosome 1q (five cases) and losses of chromosome 9p (three cases) and 22q (four cases). The one case without secondary pathogenic mutations or copy number alterations was the tumour in the 26-year-old woman. CONCLUSIONS We found that CCV is primarily a BRAF-driven tumour, with most also harbouring secondary oncogenic mutations and multiple chromosomal gains and losses. Moreover, our findings suggest that molecular analysis could potentially be used to help risk stratify CCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Janovitz
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Drew F K Williamson
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristine S Wong
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Volante M, Lam AK, Papotti M, Tallini G. Molecular Pathology of Poorly Differentiated and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: What Do Pathologists Need to Know? Endocr Pathol 2021; 32:63-76. [PMID: 33543394 PMCID: PMC7960587 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-021-09665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The molecular characterization of poorly and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas has been greatly improved in the last years following the advent of high throughput technologies. However, with special reference to genomic data, the prevalence of reported alterations is partly affected by classification criteria. The impact of molecular pathology in these tumors is multifaceted and bears diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive implications although its use in the clinical practice is not completely assessed. Genomic profiling data claim that genetic alterations in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas include "Early" and "Late" molecular events, which are consistent with a multi-step model of progression. "Early" driver events are mostly RAS and BRAF mutations, whereas "Late" changes include above all TP53 and TERT promoter mutations, as well as dysregulation of gene involved in the cell cycle, chromatin remodeling, histone modifications, and DNA mismatch repair. Gene fusions are rare but represent relevant therapeutic targets. Epigenetic modifications are also playing a relevant role in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, with altered regulation of either genes by methylation/deacetylation or non-coding RNAs. The biological effects of epigenetic modifications are not fully elucidated but interfere with a wide spectrum of cellular functions. From a clinical standpoint, the combination of genomic and epigenetic data shows that several molecular alterations affect druggable cellular pathways in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, although the clinical impact of molecular typing of these tumors in terms of predictive biomarker testing is still under exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Volante
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Alfred K Lam
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Mauro Papotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
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Gugnoni M, Manicardi V, Torricelli F, Sauta E, Bellazzi R, Manzotti G, Vitale E, de Biase D, Piana S, Ciarrocchi A. Linc00941 Is a Novel Transforming Growth Factor β Target That Primes Papillary Thyroid Cancer Metastatic Behavior by Regulating the Expression of Cadherin 6. Thyroid 2021; 31:247-263. [PMID: 32495722 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background: Papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) are common, usually indolent malignancies. Still, a small but significant percentage of patients have aggressive tumors and develop distant metastases leading to death. Currently, it is not possible to discriminate aggressive lesions due to lack of prognostic markers. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are selectively expressed in a context-dependent manner, are expected to represent a new landscape to search for molecular discriminants. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a multifunctional cytokine that fosters epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastatic spreading. In PTCs, it triggers the expression of the metastatic marker Cadherin 6 (CDH6). Here, we investigated the TGFβ-dependent lncRNAs that may cooperate to potentiate PTC aggressiveness. Methods: We used a genome-wide approach to map enhancer (ENH)-associated lncRNAs under TGFβ control. Linc00941 was selected and validated using functional in vitro assays. A combined approach using bioinformatic analyses of the thyroid cancer (THCA)-the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) dataset and RNA-seq analysis was used to identify the processes in which linc00941 was involved in and the genes under its regulation. Correlation with clinical data was performed to evaluate the potential of this lncRNA and its targets as prognostic markers in THCA. Results: Linc00941 was identified as transcribed starting from one of the TGFβ-induced ENHs. Linc00941 expression was significantly higher in aggressive cancer both in the TCGA dataset and in a separate validation cohort from our institution. Loss of function assays for linc00941 showed that it promotes response to stimuli and invasiveness while restraining proliferation in PTC cells, a typical phenotype of metastatic cells. From the integration of TCGA data and linc00941 knockdown RNA-seq profiling, we identified 77 genes under the regulation of this lncRNA. Among these, we found the prometastatic gene CDH6. Linc00941 knockdown partially recapitulates the effects observed upon CDH6 silencing, promoting cell cytoskeleton and membrane adhesions rearrangements and autophagy. The combined expression of CDH6 and linc00941 is a distinctive feature of highly aggressive PTC lesions. Conclusions: Our data provide new insights into the biology driving metastasis in PTCs and highlight how lncRNAs cooperate with coding transcripts to sustain these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mila Gugnoni
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Veronica Manicardi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Sauta
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bellazzi
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gloria Manzotti
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Vitale
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology and Advanced Technologies, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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12
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Ragazzi M, Torricelli F, Donati B, Ciarrocchi A, de Biase D, Tallini G, Zanetti E, Bisagni A, Kuhn E, Giordano D, Frasoldati A, Piana S. Coexisting well-differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in the same primary resection specimen: immunophenotypic and genetic comparison of the two components in a consecutive series of 13 cases and a review of the literature. Virchows Arch 2021; 478:265-281. [PMID: 32683537 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-020-02891-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic carcinoma (AC) is a rare but highly aggressive form of thyroid cancer. It mostly arises on a background of pre-existing well-differentiated cancer (WDC); however, whether it evolves directly from a WDC or originates as a second independent neoplasm is still to be defined. To obtain further insights into these mechanisms, we performed morphological, immunohistochemical, and next-generation sequencing analyses to compare AC and its associated WDC in a subset of 13 surgically resected specimens. Histologically, most WDC were of aggressive subtypes. Papillary carcinomas (8 cases; 62%) were tall cell (4/8), columnar (1/8), classic with hobnail features (1/8), classic and follicular variant in the remaining 2 cases; Hürthle cell and follicular carcinomas were present in 5 (38%) and in 1 (8%) patient, respectively. One patient harbored both a PTC, follicular variant, and a Hürthle cell carcinoma. We did not find any correlation between a histotype of WDC and a specific anaplastic growth pattern. Immunohistochemically, ACs retained pankeratin/PAX8 expression but with significantly lower levels than WDCs, and they tended to lose TTF1 expression, as can be expected within a dedifferentiation process. In addition, AC showed a more frequent expression of p63 and/or SMA, a mutated pattern of p53, and an abnormal expression of p16. Genetic analysis showed that the number of mutations was higher in AC than in the associated WDC, confirming a role of the progressive accumulation of genetic damage in this transition. We observed that mutations found in the WDCs were consistently identified in the anaplastic counterparts, further supporting the hypothesis of a developmental link.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Cell Differentiation
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Immunophenotyping
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
- Mutation
- Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed/chemistry
- Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed/genetics
- Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed/pathology
- Phenotype
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/chemistry
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/genetics
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/pathology
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/surgery
- Thyroid Neoplasms/chemistry
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery
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Affiliation(s)
- Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Benedetta Donati
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Azienda USL di Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Kuhn
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Biomedical, Surgical, and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Giordano
- Otolaryngology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Andrea Frasoldati
- Endocrinology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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13
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Deep Sequencing Analysis Identified a Specific Subset of Mutations Distinctive of Biphasic Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092454. [PMID: 32872534 PMCID: PMC7563974 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a heterogeneous disease. Morphologically, three different phenotypes are distinguishable: epithelioid (e-), sarcomatoid (s-) and biphasic (biph-) MPM, the latest, being a mixture of e- and s-MPM cells. Being an intermediate entity, management of biph-MPM, remains debatable and controversial, with different guidelines recommending distinct approaches. Identification of biph-MPM associated genetic alterations, through deep sequencing analysis, may provide useful tools to understand these lesions. A retrospective cohort of 69 surgically resected MPMs, 39 biph-MPMs (56.5%) and 30 e-MPMs (43.5%) was selected. A separate set of 16 biph-MPM was used as validation set. Deep sequencing analysis on an MPM-specific custom panel (MPM_geneset) comprising 1041 amplicons spanning 34 genes was performed. A total of 588 variants and 5309 mutational events were detected. In total, 91.3% of MPMs showed at least one mutation and 76.8% showed co-occurrence of more than one alteration. Mutations in MXRA5 (p = 0.05) and NOD2 (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with biph-MPM both in the training and validation cohort and correlated with the extent of the sarcomatoid component. Mutations in NOD2 and XRCC6 correlated with patients’ survival. We demonstrated that biph-MPM are associated with a specific mutation set, and that genetic analysis at diagnosis may improve patients’ risk stratification.
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de Biase D, Acquaviva G, Visani M, Sanza V, Argento CM, De Leo A, Maloberti T, Pession A, Tallini G. Molecular Diagnostic of Solid Tumor Using a Next Generation Sequencing Custom-Designed Multi-Gene Panel. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10040250. [PMID: 32340363 PMCID: PMC7236002 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10040250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Next generation sequencing (NGS) allows parallel sequencing of multiple genes at a very high depth of coverage. The need to analyze a variety of targets for diagnostic/prognostic/predictive purposes requires multi-gene characterization. Multi-gene panels are becoming standard approaches for the molecular analysis of solid lesions. We report a custom-designed 128 multi-gene panel engineered to cover the relevant targets in 22 oncogene/oncosuppressor genes for the analysis of the solid tumors most frequently subjected to routine genotyping. A total of 1695 solid tumors were analyzed for panel validation. The analytical sensitivity is 5%. Analytical validation: (i) Accuracy: sequencing results obtained using the multi-gene panel are concordant using two different NGS platforms and single-gene approach sequencing (100% of 83 cases); (ii) Precision: consistent results are obtained in the samples analyzed twice with the same platform (100% of 20 cases). Clinical validation: the frequency of mutations identified in different tumor types is consistent with the published literature. This custom-designed multi-gene panel allows to analyze with high sensitivity and throughput 22 oncogenes/oncosuppressor genes involved in diagnostic/prognostic/predictive characterization of central nervous system tumors, non-small-cell lung carcinomas, colorectal carcinomas, thyroid nodules, pancreatic lesions, melanoma, oral squamous carcinomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.d.B.); (C.M.A.); (T.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Giorgia Acquaviva
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (V.S.); (A.D.L.); (G.T.)
| | - Michela Visani
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (V.S.); (A.D.L.); (G.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-2144717; Fax: +39-051-6363689
| | - Viviana Sanza
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (V.S.); (A.D.L.); (G.T.)
| | - Chiara M. Argento
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.d.B.); (C.M.A.); (T.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (V.S.); (A.D.L.); (G.T.)
| | - Thais Maloberti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.d.B.); (C.M.A.); (T.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Annalisa Pession
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.d.B.); (C.M.A.); (T.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, viale Ercolani 4/2, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (V.S.); (A.D.L.); (G.T.)
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15
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Masoodi T, Siraj AK, Siraj S, Azam S, Qadri Z, Albalawy WN, Parvathareddy SK, Al-Sobhi SS, Al-Dayel F, Alkuraya FS, Al-Kuraya KS. Whole-Exome Sequencing of Matched Primary and Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2020; 30:42-56. [PMID: 31668133 PMCID: PMC6983753 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2019.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: Distant metastasis is a rare occurrence in thyroid cancer, and it can be associated with poor prognosis. The genomic repertoires of various solid malignancies have previously been reported but remain underexplored in metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Furthermore, whether distant metastases harbor distinct genetic alterations beyond those observed in primary tumors is unknown. Methods: We performed whole-exome sequencing on 14 matched distant metastases, primary PTC tumors, and normal tissues. Point mutations, copy number alterations, cancer cell fractions, and mutational signatures were defined using the state-of-the-art bioinformatics methods. All likely deleterious variants were validated by orthogonal methods. Results: Genomic differences were observed between primary and distant metastatic deposits, with a median of 62% (range 21-92%) of somatic mutations detected in metastatic tissues, but absent from the corresponding primary tumor sample. Mutations in known driver genes including BRAF, NRAS, and HRAS were shared and preferentially clonal in both sites. However, likely deleterious variants affecting DNA methylation and transcriptional repression signaling genes including SIN3A, RBBP1, and CHD4 were found to be restricted in the metastatic lesions. Moreover, a mutational signature shift was observed between the mutations that are specific or enriched in the metastatic and primary lesions. Conclusions: Primary PTC and distant metastases differ in their range of somatic alterations. Genomic analysis of distant metastases provides an opportunity to identify potentially clinically informative alterations not detected in primary tumors, which might influence decisions for personalized therapy in PTC patients with distant metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tariq Masoodi
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul K. Siraj
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Siraj
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saud Azam
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeeshan Qadri
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wafaa N. Albalawy
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Saif S. Al-Sobhi
- Department of Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fouad Al-Dayel
- Department of Pathology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fowzan S. Alkuraya
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Fowzan S. Alkuraya, MD, Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, MBC-03, PO Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khawla S. Al-Kuraya
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Address correspondence to: Khawla S. Al-Kuraya, MD, Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, MBC#98-16, PO Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
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16
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Yang J, Gong Y, Yan S, Chen H, Qin S, Gong R. Association between TERT promoter mutations and clinical behaviors in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocrine 2020; 67:44-57. [PMID: 31655978 PMCID: PMC6969012 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-02117-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations and some clinical behaviors in thyroid cancer remains controversial and requires additional investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the association between TERT promoter mutations and clinical behaviors (including clinicopathological features and prognosis) in differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC). METHODS We performed an up-to-date systematic review and current comprehensive meta-analysis. We searched three electronic databases for relevant studies. We used fixed- or random-effect models to calculate pooled estimated odds ratios (ORs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS We included 51 eligible studies incorporating 11,382 cases. Average frequencies of TERT promoter mutations in DTC, papillary (PTC), and follicular (FTC) thyroid carcinomas were 10.9%, 10.6%, and 15.1%, respectively. In DTC and PTC, TERT promoter mutations were significantly associated with sex, age, tumor size, vascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node and distant metastases, advanced tumor, nodes, and metastasis (TNM) stage, persistence/recurrence, and disease-specific mortality. In FTC, TERT promoter mutations were significantly associated with age, distant metastases, advanced TNM stage, persistence/recurrence, and disease-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS TERT promoter mutations could be considered as biomarkers assisting in risk stratification, prognostic prediction, and individualizing therapeutic options for DTC (PTC and FTC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanping Gong
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Shuping Yan
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Chen
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Siqin Qin
- Department of General Surgery, the Second People's Hospital of Deyang City, No. 340 West Minjiang Road, Deyang, 618000, Sichuan, China
| | - Rixiang Gong
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
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17
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Malvi D, de Biase D, Fittipaldi S, Grillini M, Visani M, Pession A, D'Errico A, Vasuri F. Immunomorphology and molecular biology of mixed primary liver cancers: is Nestin a marker of intermediate-cell carcinoma? Histopathology 2020; 76:265-274. [PMID: 31374137 DOI: 10.1111/his.13966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Primary mixed liver cancers (PLCs), combined hepatocellular-cholangiocellular (cHCC-CC) and intermediate-cell carcinomas are rare tumours characterised by different molecular mechanisms. Nestin is a marker of progenitor cells with a promising application in human tumours. The aims of the present paper are (i) to determine the expression of Nestin in mixed PLCs; and (ii) to correlate the PLC immunoprofile with the gene expression in each tumour component. METHODS AND RESULTS We selected 28 mixed PLCs, 13 (46.4%) cHCC-CC and 15 (53.6%) intermediate-cell carcinomas. The immunohistochemistry panel consisted of keratin 7, keratin 19, CD56 and Nestin. Next-generation sequencing analysis was performed on 17 cases (27 specimens) using a multi-gene custom panel. The differentiated HCC and CC components of cHCC-CC were negative for Nestin in all cases. The intermediate areas of cHCC-CC were immunoreactive for Nestin in 92.3% of cases, for CD56 in 76.9% and for K7/K19 in all cases. The immunoprofile of the intermediate-cell carcinomas showed 73.3% of cases positive for Nestin and 66.7% for CD56. TP53 and TERT were the most frequently mutated genes (31.3% and 17.6% of samples, respectively). Mutations were also found in IDH1, IDH2, PIK3CA and NRAS genes. Intermediate and HCC areas of cHCC-CC seemed to share the same mutational profile, and both harboured different mutations than the CC component. CONCLUSIONS According to our preliminary data, Nestin was not expressed by hepatocellular or cholangiocellular-cell components, but was expressed by most of the intermediate cells in PLCs, and therefore could be considered in the differential diagnosis of PLCs, together with mutational profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Malvi
- Pathology Unit, S.Orsola Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Pathology Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Fittipaldi
- Pathology Unit, S.Orsola Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Grillini
- Pathology Unit, S.Orsola Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Visani
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Azienda USL, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pession
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Pathology Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia D'Errico
- Pathology Unit, S.Orsola Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Vasuri
- Pathology Unit, S.Orsola Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
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18
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Sollini M, di Tommaso L, Kirienko M, Piombo C, Erreni M, Lania AG, Erba PA, Antunovic L, Chiti A. PSMA expression level predicts differentiated thyroid cancer aggressiveness and patient outcome. EJNMMI Res 2019; 9:93. [PMID: 31617002 PMCID: PMC6794333 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-019-0559-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed on the endothelial cells of tumor neo-vessels of several solid malignancies, including differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We aimed to test the potential role of PSMA as a biomarker for DTC aggressiveness and outcome prediction. We retrospectively screened all patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017 in our institution. Applying the inclusion (histological diagnosis of thyroid cancer and tissue availability) and exclusion criteria (no clinical or follow-up data or diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer), a cohort of 59 patients was selected. The monoclonal mouse anti-human PSMA antibody was used to stain tissue sections. A 3-point scale was used to score PSMA positivity: 0–5% expression was considered as negative (score 0), 6–50% as moderately positive (score 1), and 51–100% as highly positive (score 2). A cumulative score (0–10%, 11–79%, and 80–100%) was also explored. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to predict the presence of distant metastases, chosen as endpoint of aggressiveness. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Cox models were built to predict patient outcome in terms of recurrence, iodine refractoriness, and status at last follow-up, which were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier failure function. Results At immunostaining, 12, 25, and 22 patients had scores of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. According to the cumulative score, PSMA expression was ≤ 10% in 17 cases, 11–79% in 31 cases, and ≥ 80% in 11 cases. At multivariate analysis, age, sex, histotype, vascular invasion, T and N parameters, and PSMA positivity were significant predictors of distant metastases. The AUC was 0.92. Recurrence or progression occurred in 19/59 patients. Twelve patients developed radioiodine (RAI) refractoriness, after a median time of 17 months (range 2–32). One patient died of DTC; 46 of the 58 patients alive at last follow-up were disease free. Median DFS was 23 months (range 3–82). The final multivariate model to predict RAI refractoriness included as covariates the stage, high PSMA expression (≥ 80%), and the interaction between moderate PSMA expression (11–79%) and stage. Conclusions PSMA, a marker of neovasculature formation expressed by DTC, contributes in the prediction of tumor aggressiveness and patient outcome. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13550-019-0559-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Sollini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy. .,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.
| | - Luca di Tommaso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy.,Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Margarita Kirienko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Chiara Piombo
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Marco Erreni
- Department of Advanced Optical Microscopy, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Gerardo Lania
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy.,Department of Endocrinology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Paola Anna Erba
- Regional Center of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lidija Antunovic
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Arturo Chiti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
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19
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Telomerase and Telomeres Biology in Thyroid Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122887. [PMID: 31200515 PMCID: PMC6627113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere and telomerase regulation contributes to the onset and evolution of several tumors, including highly aggressive thyroid cancers (TCs). TCs are the most common endocrine malignancies and are generally characterized by a high rate of curability. However, a small but significant percentage develops distant metastasis or progresses into undifferentiated forms associated with bad prognosis and for which poor therapeutic options are available. Mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter are among the most credited prognostic marker of aggressiveness in TCs. Indeed, their frequency progressively increases passing from indolent lesions to aggressive and anaplastic forms. TERT promoter mutations create binding sites for transcription factors, increasing TERT expression and telomerase activity. Furthermore, aggressiveness of TCs is associated with TERT locus amplification. These data encourage investigating telomerase regulating pathways as relevant drivers of TC development and progression to foster the identification of new therapeutics targets. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about telomere regulation and TCs, exploring both canonical and less conventional pathways. We discuss the possible role of telomere homeostasis in mediating response to cancer therapies and the possibility of using epigenetic drugs to re-evaluate the use of telomerase inhibitors. Combined treatments could be of support to currently used therapies still presenting weaknesses.
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20
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Kuhn E, Ragazzi M, Ciarrocchi A, Torricelli F, de Biase D, Zanetti E, Bisagni A, Corrado S, Uccella S, La Rosa S, Bongiovanni M, Losito S, Piana S. Angiosarcoma and anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid are two distinct entities: a morphologic, immunohistochemical, and genetic study. Mod Pathol 2019; 32:787-798. [PMID: 30723294 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-018-0199-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Angiosarcoma and anaplastic carcinoma are the most lethal neoplasms of the thyroid worldwide and share some similarities, which have led to a longstanding controversy on their etiopathological relationship. Thyroid angiosarcomas are characterized by vessel formation and an immunophenotype common to endothelial cells, while anaplastic carcinomas are partially or wholly composed of mesenchymal-like cells that have lost the morphologic and functional features of normal thyroid follicular cells. To investigate whether angiosarcomas represent the endothelial extreme of the differentiation spectrum of carcinomas or they are bona fide vascular neoplasms, we studied the clinico-morphologic and genetic characteristics of a series of 10 angiosarcomas and 22 anaplastic carcinomas. Immunohistochemically, among the endothelial markers, CD31 and ERG were the most consistently expressed in angiosarcomas. Among the markers of thyroid origin, PAX8 was the most reliable in anaplastic carcinomas, while TTF-1 reactivity was found in only 5% of anaplastic carcinomas and thyroglobulin was always negative. Pankeratin reacted with most angiosarcomas and anaplastic carcinomas and is therefore not useful in the differential diagnosis. Interestingly a mutated pattern of p53 immunostaining prompted a diagnosis of anaplastic carcinoma. To compare the genetic profile, we used the NGS approach to sequence hotspot regions within a panel of 57 genes. As a result, only a few mutations were found in angiosarcomas and all of them were single events (no TP53 or TERT mutation). On the other hand, anaplastic carcinomas were characterized by a higher number of mutations, and TP53 and TERT promoter mutations were the most frequent genetic alterations. The lack in angiosarcomas of the common mutations identified in anaplastic carcinomas supports a different genetic origin and strongly suggests that, in spite of a shared sarcomatous morphology and a similar clinical aggressiveness, angiosarcomas and anaplastic carcinomas rely on a completely different set of genetic alterations during their evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Kuhn
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie) - Molecular Pathology Unit, Azienda USL di Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Zanetti
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bisagni
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefania Corrado
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Uccella
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insumbria, Varese, Italy
| | - Stefano La Rosa
- Service of Clinical Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Bongiovanni
- Service of Clinical Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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21
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Meng Z, Matsuse M, Saenko V, Yamashita S, Ren P, Zheng X, Jia Q, Tan J, Li N, Zheng W, Zhao L, Mitsutake N. TERT
promoter mutation in primary papillary thyroid carcinoma lesions predicts absent or lower
131
i uptake in metastases. IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1030-1040. [PMID: 31026111 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Meng
- Department of Nuclear MedicineTianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Michiko Matsuse
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease InstituteNagasaki University Nagasaki Japan
| | - Vladimir Saenko
- Department of Radiation Molecular Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease InstituteNagasaki University Nagasaki Japan
| | - Shunichi Yamashita
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease InstituteNagasaki University Nagasaki Japan
- Department of Radiation Molecular Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease InstituteNagasaki University Nagasaki Japan
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management SurveyFukushima Medical University Fukushima Japan
| | - Peng Ren
- Department of Esophageal Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy of Tianjin City Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangqian Zheng
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy of Tianjin City Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Jia
- Department of Nuclear MedicineTianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Tan
- Department of Nuclear MedicineTianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Nuclear MedicineTianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Nuclear MedicineTianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical SciencesTianjin Medical University Tianjin People's Republic of China
| | - Norisato Mitsutake
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease InstituteNagasaki University Nagasaki Japan
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22
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Jeon MJ, Chun SM, Lee JY, Choi KW, Kim D, Kim TY, Jang SJ, Kim WB, Shong YK, Song DE, Kim WG. Mutational profile of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with extensive lymph node metastasis. Endocrine 2019; 64:130-138. [PMID: 30645724 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-01842-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has excellent outcomes, but extensive lymph node (LN) metastasis can be associated with fatal outcomes. We evaluated the mutational profiles of primary tumors and their metastatic LNs of PTMCs with extensive lateral cervical LN metastases. METHODS Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival samples from 16 sets of normal thyroid tissue, the primary PTMC, and the largest metastatic LN were used for targeted sequencing. RESULTS A total of seven somatic variants were confirmed in the PTMCs compared to the normal tissue. The BRAFV600E mutation was the most common and seen in 12 primary tumors (75%) and 11 metastatic LNs (69%). A nonsense mutation in AR and an in-frame deletion in ACVR2A were detected in one primary tumor and its metastatic LN (6%). Missense mutations in KMT2A, RAF1, and ROS1 were detected in one primary tumor (3%). A frameshift deletion mutation in JAK2 was detected in a metastatic LN (3%). In PTMCs without the BRAF mutation, an ALK and RET rearrangement (one PTMC and its metastatic LN, 6%) was detected. In one patient, the BRAF mutation was detected in the primary tumor, but only a RET rearrangement was detected in its metastatic LN. No mutations were detected in two patients. CONCLUSION The mutational frequency of PTMCs was really low, even in those with extensive LN metastasis. The mutational status of the primary tumor and its metastatic LNs were not significantly different, and this suggests a minor role for genetic alterations in the process of LN metastasis in PTMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ji Jeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Sung Min Chun
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Ji-Young Lee
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Kyeong Woon Choi
- Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Deokhoon Kim
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Tae Yong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Se Jin Jang
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Won Bae Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Young Kee Shong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Dong Eun Song
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea.
| | - Won Gu Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea.
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23
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Zhang K, Liu J, Li C, Peng X, Li H, Li Z. Identification and validation of potential target genes in papillary thyroid cancer. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 843:217-225. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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24
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Manzotti G, Torricelli F, Benedetta D, Lococo F, Sancisi V, Rossi G, Piana S, Ciarrocchi A. An Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transcriptional Switch Triggers Evolution of Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma (PSC) and Identifies Dasatinib as New Therapeutic Option. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 25:2348-2360. [PMID: 30587547 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare and aggressive form of NSCLC. Rarity and poor characterization have limited the development of PSC-tailored treatment protocols, leaving patients with inadequate therapeutic options. In this study, we investigated the gene expression profile of PSCs, with the aim to characterize the molecular mechanisms responsible for their evolution and to identify new drugs for their treatment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A training set of 17 biphasic PSCs was selected and tested for the expression of a large panel of 770 genes related to cancer progression using NanoString technology. Computational analyses were used to characterize a PSCs-gene specific signature from which pathways and drivers of PSC evolution were identified and validated using functional assays in vitro. This signature was validated in a separate set of 15 PSCs and 8 differentiated NSCLC and used to interrogate the cMAP database searching for FDA-approved small molecules able to counteract PSC phenotype. RESULTS We demonstrated that the transcriptional activation of an epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) program drives PSC phylogeny in vivo. We showed that loss of the epithelial-associated transcription factor (TF) OVOL2 characterizes the transition to sarcomatoid phenotype triggering the expression of EMT promoting TFs, including TWIST and ZEB and the expression of the membrane kinase DDR2. Finally, using a drug repurposing approach, we identified dasatinib as potential inhibitor of the PSC-gene expression signature and we confirmed in vitro that this drug efficiently restrains proliferation and reverts the sarcomatoid-associated phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide new insights into PSC evolution and provide the rationale for further clinical studies with dasatinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Manzotti
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale- IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale- IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Donati Benedetta
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale- IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Filippo Lococo
- Thoracic Surgery Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale- IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Valentina Sancisi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale- IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulio Rossi
- Operative Unit of Pathologic Anatomy, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale della Romagna, Hospital St. Maria delle Croci, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale- IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale- IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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25
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de Biase D, Torricelli F, Ragazzi M, Donati B, Kuhn E, Visani M, Acquaviva G, Pession A, Tallini G, Piana S, Ciarrocchi A. Not the same thing: metastatic PTCs have a different background than ATCs. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:1370-1379. [PMID: 30400028 PMCID: PMC6280609 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly aggressive form of thyroid cancer. By contrast, differentiated papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) only rarely behave aggressively and develop distant metastasis. Whether distantly metastatic PTC (DM-PTC) and ATC share a common genetic background is still to be defined. We used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to explore the genetic background of a cohort of ATC and DM-PTC and a group of well-differentiated PTCs that did not developed distant metastasis as control (ctrl-PTC). A panel of 128 amplicons within 21 thyroid cancer-related genes was analyzed in a set of 151 thyroid cancer samples including 66 ATCs and DM-PTCs. We showed that the ATC/DM-PTC group had an overall mutational load higher than ctrl-PTCs and that ATCs and DM-PTCs are characterized by a different genetic background, with the exception of mutations in the TERT promoter that were overrepresented in both ATCs (61.1%) and DM-PTCs (48.2%) vs non-aggressive ctrl-PTCs (7.6%). In ATCs, TERT promoter mutations were frequently associated with TP53 mutations, while in the DM-PTCs no significant co-occurrence was observed. No significant association of MED12 mutations with aggressiveness of thyroid cancer was observed in our analysis. Finally, correlation analysis showed that increasing number of mutations negatively impact on patient overall survival also within the ATC and DM-PTC group. In conclusions, overall our analysis further highlights the relevance of TERT promoter mutations in driving aggressiveness and provides new pieces of information in the definition of aggressiveness evolution of thyroid cancer lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie) – Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL di Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence should be addressed to A Ciarrocchi or D de Biase: or
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Benedetta Donati
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Kuhn
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Michela Visani
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale) – Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL di Bologna, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Acquaviva
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale) – Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL di Bologna, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pession
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie) – Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL di Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale) – Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Azienda USL di Bologna, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Correspondence should be addressed to A Ciarrocchi or D de Biase: or
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26
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Donati B, Lorenzini E, Ciarrocchi A. BRD4 and Cancer: going beyond transcriptional regulation. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:164. [PMID: 30466442 PMCID: PMC6251205 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0915-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 386] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BRD4, member of the Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) protein family, is largely acknowledged in cancer for its role in super-enhancers (SEs) organization and oncogenes expression regulation. Inhibition of BRD4 shortcuts the communication between SEs and target promoters with a subsequent cell-specific repression of oncogenes to which cancer cells are addicted and cell death. To date, this is the most credited mechanism of action of BET inhibitors, a class of small molecules targeting BET proteins which are currently in clinical trials in several cancer settings. However, recent evidence indicates that BRD4 relevance in cancer goes beyond its role in transcription regulation and identifies this protein as a keeper of genome stability. Indeed, a non-transcriptional role of BRD4 in controlling DNA damage checkpoint activation and repair as well as telomere maintenance has been proposed, throwing new lights into the multiple functions of this protein and opening new perspectives on the use of BETi in cancer. Here we discuss the current available information on non-canonical, non-transcriptional functions of BRD4 and on their implications in cancer biology. Integrating this information with the already known BRD4 role in gene expression regulation, we propose a “common” model to explain BRD4 genomic function. Furthermore, in light of the transversal function of BRD4, we provide new interpretation for the cytotoxic activity of BETi and we discuss new possibilities for a wide and focused employment of these drugs in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Donati
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Eugenia Lorenzini
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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