Occurrence of Sinonasal Intestinal-Type Adenocarcinoma and Non-Intestinal-Type Adenocarcinoma in Two Countries with Different Patterns of Wood Dust Exposure

Genome-wide somatic mutation analysis of sinonasal adenocarcinoma with and without wood dust exposure

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer, encompassing two different entities, the intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma (ITAC) and the non-intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma (non-ITAC). Occurrence of ITAC is strongly associated with exposure to hardwood dusts. In countries with predominant exposure to softwood dust the occurrence of sinonasal adenocarcinomas is lower and the relative amount of non-ITACs to ITACs is higher. The molecular mechanisms behind the tumorigenic effects of wood dust remain largely unknown.

METHODS

We carried out whole-genome sequencing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of sinonasal adenocarcinomas from ten wood dust-exposed and six non-exposed individuals, with partial tobacco exposure data. Sequences were analyzed for the presence of mutational signatures matching COSMIC database signatures. Driver mutations and CN variant regions were characterized.

RESULTS

Mutation burden was higher in samples of wood dust-exposed patients (p = 0.016). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage-related mutational signatures were almost exclusively identified in ITAC subtype samples (p = 0.00055). Tobacco smoke mutational signatures were observed in samples of patients with tobacco exposure or missing information, but not in samples from non-exposed patients. A tetraploidy copy number (CN) signature was enriched in ITAC subtype (p = 0.042). CN variation included recurrent gains in COSMIC Cancer Gene Census genes TERT, SDHA, RAC1, ETV1, PCM1, and MYC. Pathogenic variants were observed most frequently in TP53, NF1, CHD2, BRAF, APC, and LRP1B. Driver mutations and copy number gains did not segregate by subtype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis identified distinct mutational characteristics in ITAC and non-ITAC. Mutational signature analysis may eventually become useful for documentation of occupation-related cancer, while the exact mechanisms behind wood dust-driven carcinogenesis remain elusive. The presence of homologous recombination deficiency signatures implies a novel opportunity for treatment, but further studies are needed.

Primary intestinal-type adenocarcinoma: Report of a rare case involving a young patient

The aim of this report was to describe a rare example of sporadic intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the major salivary glands and oral cavity. A 23-year-old female patient presented an asymptomatic, progressive-growing mass involving the floor of mouth and the left submandibular gland. Fine-needle aspiration cytology, imaging exams, and surgical specimen findings were consisted with the diagnosis of primary intestinal-type adenocarcinoma, despite its similar immunohistochemical results with colorectal adenocarcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed, but the patient developed multiple metastatic lesions after one year of initial the intervention and deceased following 13 months of follow-up, despite several therapeutic efforts. We verified that sporadic cases of primary intestinal-type adenocarcinoma still lack information regarding etiology and tumorigenesis, especially in young and females. A complete diagnostic workflow is indispensable to rule out the presence of primary colorectal adenocarcinoma.

The Prognostic Role of the Immune Microenvironment in Sinonasal Intestinal-Type Adenocarcinoma: A Computer-Assisted Image Analysis of CD3+ and CD8+ Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes

The prognostic value of conventional histopathological parameters in the sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) has been debated and novel variables should be investigated. Increasing evidence demonstrated that the evolution of cancer is strongly dependent upon the complex interactions within tumor microenvironment. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the features of immune microenvironment in terms of CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ cells in a series of ITAC and explore their prognostic role, as well as their relations with clinicopathological variables. A computer-assisted image analysis of CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) density was conducted on surgical specimens of 51 patients with ITAC that underwent a curative treatment including surgery. ITAC displays variable TIL density, which is associated with OS. In a univariate model, the density of CD3⁺ TIL was significantly related to OS (p = 0.012), whereas the association with CD8+ TIL density resulted in being non-significant (p = 0.056). Patients with intermediate CD3⁺ TIL density were associated with the best outcome, whereas 5-year OS was the lowest for intermediate CD8⁺ TIL density. CD3⁺ TIL density maintained a significant association with OS in the multivariable analysis. TIL density was not significantly related to demographic and clinicopathological variables. CD3⁺ TIL density was independently associated with OS in a non-linear fashion and patients with intermediate CD3⁺ TIL density had the best outcome. Though based on a preliminary analysis on a relatively small series of patients, this finding makes TIL density a potential independent prognostic factor of ITAC.

Sinonasal Cancer: Improving Classification, Stratification and Therapeutic Options

The nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses are the site of origin of a wide spectrum of histologically and clinically distinct disease entities [...]

Sinonasal intestinal- and non-intestinal-type adenocarcinoma in China: a retrospective study of 14 cases

BACKGROUND

In China, reports on the epidemiology of adenocarcinomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are limited.

AIM

This study aimed to describe the experience of a single institution in China in treating these malignant tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses admitted between January 2019 and December 2021. Tumour staging was based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 8th edition, for sinonasal malignancies.

RESULTS

The series included 10 men and 4 women (mean age, 54.5 [range, 14-80] years). Epistaxis and nasal obstruction were the most common clinical manifestations in 10 (71.4%) patients. Ten (71.4%) had stage T4 disease at diagnosis, but no patient had lymph node or distant metastasis. The posterosuperior septum (100.0%) and middle turbinate (92.8%) were the two sites most vulnerable to tumour invasion. All patients underwent endoscopic resection as the initial treatment; one patient died.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

In China, these malignancies are related to exposure to certain substances; however, diagnosis can be delayed. Endoscopic resection is a suitable treatment option for adenocarcinomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Low levels of miR-34c in nasal washings as a candidate marker of aggressive disease in wood and leather exposed workers with sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (ITACs)

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MiR-34c targeting MUC2 is higher in ITACs compared to the corresponding normal mucosa.

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MiR-34c is higher in differentiated compared to mucinous ITACs.

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Low nasal washings miR-34c correlates with higher disease extension.

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Mir-34c targets critical targetable cancer and inflammatory related pathways.

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Mir-34c is a noninvasive candidate biomarker for ITAC patients and exposed workers.

Introduction

Sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (ITACs) are rare and aggressive tumors, closely related to professional exposure to wood dusts or leather. Here we explored the role of non-coding RNAs controlling MUC2 in liquid biopsies and tumors from ITAC patients with the aim of identifying biomarkers and molecular mechanisms to improve early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic approaches for this rare cancer.

Methods

MiR-34c-3p, lncRNA AF147447 and MUC2 were measured in tumors and normal mucosa, in nasal washings (NW) from the affected and non-affected nostril and in plasma from 17 ITAC patients. The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) was also evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Results

MiR-34c was higher in ITACs compared to the corresponding normal mucosa (p = 0.021). Differentiated tumors exhibited higher miR-34c levels (p = 0.025) and lower ADC values (p<0.001) compared to mucinous ones and these parameters were also inversely correlated (r = 0.87; p = 0.001). High MUC2 tumor expression was associated with orbital extension (p = 0.010). Low miR-34c levels in NW were associated with orbital (p = 0.009) and intracranial (p = 0.031) extension and with advanced TNM stage (p = 0.054). Functional analysis identified Wnt, Focal adhesion, MAPK and inflammatory signalings among the pathways most enriched in mir-34c targets.

Discussion

Our results suggest measuring miR-34c in NW as a biomarker for early diagnosis and monitoring of ITAC patients and for the surveillance of wood and leather exposed workers. Further research on the involvement of miR-34c regulated pathways in ITAC tumorigenesis may also allow the development of new therapeutic approaches for this rare cancer.

Development of head and neck pathology in Europe

This review gives a brief history of the development of head and neck pathology in Europe from a humble beginning in the 1930s to the explosive activities the last 15 years. During the decades before the introduction of immunohistochemistry in the 1980s, head and neck pathology grew as a subspeciality in many European countries. In the late 1940s, the Institute of Laryngology and Otology with its own pathology laboratory was founded in London, and in 1964 the World Health Organization (WHO) International Reference Centre for the Histological Classification of Salivary Tumours was established at the Bland-Sutton Institute of Pathology, also in London. International collaboration, and very much so in Europe, led to the publication of the first WHO Classification of Salivary Gland Tumours in 1972. In the 1960s, a salivary gland register was organised in Hamburg and in Cologne the microlaryngoscopy was invented enabling microscopic endoscopic examination and rather shortly afterwards a carbon dioxide laser attached to the microscope became established and laryngeal lesions could be treated by laser vaporisation. During the last three decades, the use of immunohistochemistry supplemented with cytogenetic and refined molecular techniques has greatly facilitated the pathological diagnostics of head and neck lesions and has had a huge impact on research. Collaboration between different European centres has drastically increased partly due to establishment of scientific societies such as the Head and Neck Working Group (HNWG) within the European Society of Pathology and the International Head and Neck Scientific Group (IHNSG). A very large number of European pathologists have contributed to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th WHO books, and are involved in the upcoming 5th edition. Accredited educational meetings and courses are nowadays regularly arranged in Europe. Numerous textbooks on head and neck pathology have been written and edited by European pathologists. The increased collaboration has created larger series of tumours for research and new entities, mainly defined by their genetic abnormalities, are continuously emerging from Europe, particularly regarding salivary gland neoplasms and "undifferentiated" sinonasal tumours. These findings have led to a better and more precise classification and open the possibilities for new treatment strategies.