International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal neoplasms, whether benign and malignant, pose a significant challenge to clinicians and represent a model area for multidisciplinary collaboration in order to optimize patient care. The International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors (ICSNT) aims to summarize the best available evidence and presents 48 thematic and histopathology-based topics spanning the field.

METHODS

In accordance with prior International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology documents, ICSNT assigned each topic as an Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations, Evidence-Based Review, and Literature Review based on the level of evidence. An international group of multidisciplinary author teams were assembled for the topic reviews using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses format, and completed sections underwent a thorough and iterative consensus-building process. The final document underwent rigorous synthesis and review prior to publication.

RESULTS

The ICSNT document consists of four major sections: general principles, benign neoplasms and lesions, malignant neoplasms, and quality of life and surveillance. It covers 48 conceptual and/or histopathology-based topics relevant to sinonasal neoplasms and masses. Topics with a high level of evidence provided specific recommendations, while other areas summarized the current state of evidence. A final section highlights research opportunities and future directions, contributing to advancing knowledge and community intervention.

CONCLUSION

As an embodiment of the multidisciplinary and collaborative model of care in sinonasal neoplasms and masses, ICSNT was designed as a comprehensive, international, and multidisciplinary collaborative endeavor. Its primary objective is to summarize the existing evidence in the field of sinonasal neoplasms and masses.

Effectiveness and Safety of Trabectedin and Radiotherapy for Patients With Myxoid Liposarcoma: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Preclinical data about the synergistic activity of radiotherapy (RT) and trabectedin have been reported. The combination of trabectedin and RT in treating myxoid liposarcomas appears worth exploring.

Objective

To explore the effectiveness and safety of trabectedin combined with RT.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This international, open-label, phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial including 46 patients with myxoid liposarcoma was conducted in 4 centers in Spain, 1 in Italy, and 2 in France from July 1, 2016, to September 30, 2019. Eligible patients had to have a histologic, centrally reviewed diagnosis of localized resectable myxoid liposarcoma arising from an extremity or the trunk wall.

Interventions

Trabectedin was administered at the recommended dose stemming from the phase 1 trial (1.5 mg/m2), with intravenous infusion during 24 hours every 21 days for a total of 3 cycles. Radiotherapy was started after completion of the first trabectedin infusion (cycle 1, day 2). Patients received 25 fractions of radiation for a total of 45 Gy. Surgery was planned 3 to 4 weeks after the administration of the last preoperative cycle and not until 4 weeks after the end of preoperative RT. Pathologic specimens were mapped in tumor sections to estimate the histologic changes and the percentage of viable tumor after neoadjuvant treatment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary objective of the phase 2 part of the study was overall response. Secondary objectives were effectiveness measured by relapse-free survival and activity measured by functional imaging and pathologic response.

Results

A total of 46 patients were enrolled. Four patients were not evaluable. The median age was 43 years (range, 18-77 years), and 31 patients were male (67%). Overall, 9 of 41 patients (22%) achieved a partial response with neoadjuvant treatment with trabectedin and RT, with 5 of 39 patients (13%) achieving a complete pathologic response and 20 of 39 patients (51%) having 10% or less of a viable remaining tumor. Partial responses according to Choi criteria were observed in 24 of 29 evaluable patients (83%), and no patient had disease progression. Treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusions and Relevance

Although the primary end point of this phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial was not met (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors response in ≥70% of patients), results suggest this combination was well tolerated and effective in terms of pathologic response. Thus, trabectedin plus RT might be a treatment option regarding tolerability; further evidence should be generated in this setting.

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.

A global collaboRAtive study of CIC-rearranged, BCOR::CCNB3-rearranged and other ultra-rare unclassified undifferentiated small round cell sarcomas (GRACefUl)

BACKGROUND

Undifferentiated small round cell sarcomas (URCSs) represent a diagnostic challenge, and their optimal treatment is unknown. We aimed to define the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of URCS patients.

METHODS

URCS patients treated from 1983 to 2019 at 21 worldwide sarcoma reference centres were retrospectively identified. Based on molecular assessment, cases were classified as follows: (1) CIC-rearranged round cell sarcomas, (2) BCOR::CCNB3-rearranged round cell sarcomas, (3) unclassified URCSs. Treatment, prognostic factors and outcome were reviewed.

RESULTS

In total, 148 patients were identified [88/148 (60%) CIC-rearranged sarcoma (median age 32 years, range 7-78), 33/148 (22%) BCOR::CCNB3-rearranged (median age 17 years, range 5-91), and 27/148 (18%) unclassified URCSs (median age 37 years, range 4-70)]. One hundred-one (68.2%) cases presented with localised disease; 47 (31.8%) had metastases at diagnosis. Male prevalence, younger age, bone primary site, and a low rate of synchronous metastases were observed in BCOR::CCNB3-rearranged cases. Local treatment was surgery in 67/148 (45%) patients, and surgery + radiotherapy in 52/148 (35%). Chemotherapy was given to 122/148 (82%) patients. At a 42.7-month median follow-up, the 3-year overall survival (OS) was 92.2% (95% CI 71.5-98.0) in BCOR::CCNB3 patients, 39.6% (95% CI 27.7-51.3) in CIC-rearranged sarcomas, and 78.7% in unclassified URCSs (95% CI 56.1-90.6; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the largest conducted in URCS and confirms major differences in outcomes between URCS subtypes. A full molecular assessment should be undertaken when a diagnosis of URCS is suspected. Prospective studies are needed to better define the optimal treatment strategy in each URCS subtype.

Retrospective observational studies in ultra-rare sarcomas: A consensus paper from the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) community of experts on the minimum requirements for the evaluation of activity of systemic treatments

BACKGROUND

In ultra-rare sarcomas (URS) the conduction of prospective, randomized trials is challenging. Data from retrospective observational studies (ROS) may represent the best evidence available. ROS implicit limitations led to poor acceptance by the scientific community and regulatory authorities. In this context, an expert panel from the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS), agreed on the need to establish a set of minimum requirements for conducting high-quality ROS on the activity of systemic therapies in URS.

METHODS

Representatives from > 25 worldwide sarcoma reference centres met in November 2020 and identified a list of topics summarizing the main issues encountered in ROS on URS. An online survey on these topics was distributed to the panel; results were summarized by descriptive statistics and discussed during a second meeting (November 2021).

RESULTS

Topics identified by the panel included the use of ROS results as external control data, the criteria for contributing centers selection, modalities for ensuring a correct pathological diagnosis and radiologic assessment, consistency of surveillance policies across centers, study end-points, risk of data duplication, results publication. Based on the answers to the survey (55 of 62 invited experts) and discussion the panel agreed on 18 statements summarizing principles of recommended practice.

CONCLUSIONS

These recommendations will be disseminated by CTOS across the sarcoma community and incorporated in future ROS on URS, to maximize their quality and favor their use as control data when results from prospective studies are unavailable. These recommendations could help the optimal conduction of ROS also in other rare tumors.

Adjuvant Imatinib in Patients with GIST Harboring Exon 9 KIT Mutations: Results from a Multi-institutional European Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

The effect of high-dose imatinib (800 mg/day) on survival in the adjuvant treatment of patients with resected KIT exon 9-mutated gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is not established. Here, the association of dose and other clinicopathologic variables with survival was evaluated in a large multi-institutional European cohort.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Data from 185 patients were retrospectively collected in 23 European GIST reference centers. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse-probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to account for confounders. Univariate and multivariate unweighted and weighted Cox proportional hazard regression models were estimated for relapse-free survival (RFS), modified-RFS (mRFS) and imatinib failure-free survival (IFFS). Univariate Cox models were estimated for overall survival.

RESULTS

Of the 185 patients, 131 (70.8%) received a starting dose of 400 mg/d and the remaining 54 (29.2%) a dose of 800 mg/d. Baseline characteristics were partially unbalanced, suggesting a potential selection bias. PSM and IPTW analyses showed no advantage of imatinib 800 mg/d. In the weighted multivariate Cox models, high-dose imatinib was not associated with the survival outcomes [RFS: hazard ratio (HR), 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79-1.94; mRFS: HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 0.92-3.10; IFFS: HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.79-2.28]. The variables consistently associated with worse survival outcomes were high mitotic index and nongastric tumor location.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective series of patients with KIT exon 9-mutated GIST treated with adjuvant imatinib, a daily dose of 800 mg versus 400 mg did not show better results in terms of survival outcomes. Prospective evaluation of the more appropriate adjuvant treatment in this setting is warranted.

The contribution of Juan Rosai to the pathology of soft tissue tumors

The conceptual evolution in the field of soft tissue tumor pathology has been mostly driven by a relatively small group of individuals that includes giants of the past and the present such as James Ewing, Raffaele Lattes, Arthur Purdy Stout, Franz Enzinger, Sharon Weiss, Lennart Angervall, Harry Evans, Marku Miettinen, and Christopher Fletcher. Juan Rosai, not only exerted an immense impact on surgical pathology in general, but in consideration of his unique talent in identifying novel clinicopathologic entities, has also contributed remarkably to current understanding of mesenchymal neoplasms. The creation of desmoplastic small round cell tumor certainly ranks among his most relevant efforts, although he actually put his mark on a broad variety of soft tissue lesions, including vascular neoplasms. It would be impossible to include in a single article all the entities that he created or contributed to refine; therefore, this review is limited to a selection of what we believe represent true milestones.

Intra-Articular Tumors

The intra-articular space is a relatively rare site of occurrence of neoplastic diseases. The 2 distinct groups of clinicopathologic entities that exhibit an almost exclusive tropism for the joints are represented by synovial chondromatosis and tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT). Synovial chondromatosis is a locally aggressive chondrogenic neoplasm that very rarely can show malignant behavior. TGCT occur in 2 main variants, the localized variant and the more locally aggressive diffuse type. Malignant TCGT is exceedingly rare and is characterized by significant rates of both local recurrence and metastatic spread.

Ultra-rare sarcomas: A consensus paper from the Connective Tissue Oncology Society community of experts on the incidence threshold and the list of entities

BACKGROUND

Among sarcomas, which are rare cancers, many types are exceedingly rare; however, a definition of ultra-rare cancers has not been established. The problem of ultra-rare sarcomas is particularly relevant because they represent unique diseases, and their rarity poses major challenges for diagnosis, understanding disease biology, generating clinical evidence to support new drug development, and achieving formal authorization for novel therapies.

METHODS

The Connective Tissue Oncology Society promoted a consensus effort in November 2019 to establish how to define ultra-rare sarcomas through expert consensus and epidemiologic data and to work out a comprehensive list of these diseases. The list of ultra-rare sarcomas was based on the 2020 World Health Organization classification, The incidence rates were estimated using the Information Network on Rare Cancers (RARECARENet) database and NETSARC (the French Sarcoma Network's clinical-pathologic registry). Incidence rates were further validated in collaboration with the Asian cancer registries of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

RESULTS

It was agreed that the best criterion for a definition of ultra-rare sarcomas would be incidence. Ultra-rare sarcomas were defined as those with an incidence of approximately ≤1 per 1,000,000, to include those entities whose rarity renders them extremely difficult to conduct well powered, prospective clinical studies. On the basis of this threshold, a list of ultra-rare sarcomas was defined, which comprised 56 soft tissue sarcoma types and 21 bone sarcoma types.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, the incidence of ultra-rare sarcomas accounts for roughly 20% of all soft tissue and bone sarcomas. This confirms that the challenges inherent in ultra-rare sarcomas affect large numbers of patients.

Primary sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma of the spine: a single-institution experience

AIMS

To present our experience on spinal sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) and review the existing literature pertaining to SEF of the spine.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Six cases of spinal SEF were reviewed, and a literature search of all primary SEFs of the spine was performed. All tumours occurred in adults (median age, 41 years) and were located all along the spine, the lumbar vertebrae being the most commonly involved. All patients presented with pain that they had experienced for months. The mean tumour size at diagnosis was 52 mm. Five tumours showed a spectrum of microscopic features consistent with pure SEF, and one showed a hybrid morphology with areas of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. All were diffusely and strongly positive for mucin 4. Two cases were initially misdiagnosed as epithelioid haemangioendothelioma and aggressive chondroblastoma. Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation showed rearrangements of either FUS or EWSR1 in four cases. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed the presence of FUS-CREB3L1 and EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion transcripts in two cases and one case, respectively. Of five patients with follow-up data available, two developed one or more local recurrences and three patients had metastatic disease. Distant metastases were mainly to other osseous locations, followed by lungs and lymph nodes. At last follow-up, three patients had died of disease and one was alive with multiple metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

SEF is an aggressive sarcoma that can involve the spine. It is important to recognise the spine as the primary location of SEF, in order to avoid misdiagnosis as more common primary spinal neoplasms, which can impact on therapeutic approaches.

Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas and Abdominal Desmoid Tumor in a Patient Carrying Two Different BRCA2 Germline Mutations: New Horizons from Tumor Molecular Profiling

This case report describes the history of a 41 year-old woman with a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas and a metachronous abdominal desmoid tumor (DT) that occurred two years after the SPN surgical resection. At next-generation sequencing of 174 cancer-related genes, both neoplasms harbored a CTNNB1 somatic mutation which was different in each tumor. Moreover, two BRCA2 pathogenic mutations were found in both tumors, confirmed as germline by the sequencing of normal tissue. The BRCA2 mutations were c.631G>A, resulting in the amino-acid change p.V211I, and c.7008-2A>T, causing a splice acceptor site loss. However, as the two neoplasms showed neither loss of heterozygosity nor somatic mutation in the second BRCA2 allele, they cannot be considered as BRCA-dependent tumors. Nevertheless, this study highlights the important opportunities opened by extensive tumor molecular profiling. In this particular case, it permitted the detection of BRCA2-germline mutations, essential for addressing the necessary BRCA-related genetic counseling, surveillance, and screening for the patient and her family.

Synaptophysin expression in V600EBRAF-mutated advanced colorectal cancers identifies a new subgroup of tumours with worse prognosis

BACKGROUND

Neuroendocrine differentiation has been extensively associated with worse prognosis and to mechanisms of therapy resistance in several epithelial cancers. A high prevalence of neuroendocrine differentiation was recently described in ^V600EBRAF-mutated (BRAFmt) metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRCs) but no data are available about its prognostic impact in this setting.

METHODS

We assessed synaptophysin immunohistochemical expression in a multi-institutional series of 159 BRAFmt mCRCs with matched clinical and pathological information. Tumours were dichotomized as synaptophysin high and low. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

Thirty-five tumours (22.0%) showed any level of positivity for synaptophysin, and 18 (11.3%) were characterized by positivity in at least 20% of tumour cells. Four cases resulted 100% synaptophysin positive. The histotype of synaptophysin-positive tumours (i.e. ≥20%) was not otherwise specified in 11 cases (61.1%) and mucinous adenocarcinoma in 4 cases (22.2%). Four cases were DNA mismatch repair deficient (22.2%) and 7 (38.9%) were characterized by a high number of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. At multivariate analysis, high synaptophysin expression was a negative independent prognostic factor for both PFS (HR = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-3.33, p = 0.006) and OS (HR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.35-3.85, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among BRAFmt mCRCs, synaptophysin-positive tumours are characterized by worse PFS and OS. Further studies should investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the acquisition of the neuroendocrine phenotype to identify novel-targeted treatment strategies.

Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Combined Trabectedin and Low-Dose Radiotherapy for Patients With Metastatic Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: A Nonrandomized Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial

Importance

Active therapeutic combinations, such as trabectedin and radiotherapy, offer potentially higher dimensional response in second-line treatment of advanced soft-tissue sarcomas. Dimensional response can be relevant both for symptom relief and for survival.

Objective

To assess the combined use of trabectedin and radiotherapy in treating patients with progressing metastatic soft-tissue sarcomas.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Phase 1 of this nonrandomized clinical trial followed the classic 3 + 3 design, with planned radiotherapy at a fixed dose of 30 Gy (3 Gy/d for 10 days) and infusion of trabectedin at 1.3 mg/m2 as the starting dose, 1.5 mg/m2 as dose level +1, and 1.1 mg/m2 as dose level -1. Phase 2 followed the Simon optimal 2-stage design. Allowing for type I and II errors of 10%, treatment success was defined as an overall response rate of 35%. This study was conducted in 9 sarcoma referral centers in Spain, France, and Italy from April 13, 2015, to November 20, 2018. Adult patients with progressing metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma and having undergone at least 1 previous line of systemic therapy were enrolled. In phase 2, patients fitting inclusion criteria and receiving at least 1 cycle of trabectedin and the radiotherapy regimen constituted the per-protocol population; those receiving at least 1 cycle of trabectedin, the safety population.

Interventions

Trabectedin was administered every 3 weeks in a 24-hour infusion. Radiotherapy was required to start within 1 hour after completion of the first trabectedin infusion (cycle 1, day 2).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The dose-limiting toxic effects of trabectedin (phase 1) and the overall response rate (phase 2) with use of trabectedin plus irradiation in metastatic soft-tissue sarcomas.

Results

Eighteen patients (11 of whom were male) were enrolled in phase 1, and 27 other patients (14 of whom were female) were enrolled in phase 2. The median ages of those enrolled in phases 1 and 2 were 42 (range, 23-74) years and 51 (range, 27-73) years, respectively. In phase 1, dose-limiting toxic effects included grade 4 neutropenia lasting more than 5 days in 1 patient at the starting dose level and a grade 4 alanine aminotransferase level increase in 1 of 6 patients at the +1 dose level. In phase 2, among 25 patients with evaluable data, the overall response rate was 72% (95% CI, 53%-91%) for local assessment and 60% (95% CI, 39%-81%) for central assessment.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this study suggest that the recommended dose of trabectedin for use in combination with this irradiation regimen is 1.5 mg/m2. The trial met its primary end point, with a high overall response rate that indicates the potential of this combination therapy for achieving substantial tumor shrinkage beyond first-line systemic therapy in patients with metastatic, progressing soft-tissue sarcomas.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02275286.

The 2020 WHO Classification of Soft Tissue Tumours: news and perspectives

Mesenchymal tumours represent one of the most challenging field of diagnostic pathology and refinement of classification schemes plays a key role in improving the quality of pathologic diagnosis and, as a consequence, of therapeutic options. The recent publication of the new WHO classification of Soft Tissue Tumours and Bone represents a major step toward improved standardization of diagnosis. Importantly, the 2020 WHO classification has been opened to expert clinicians that have further contributed to underline the key value of pathologic diagnosis as a rationale for proper treatment. Several relevant advances have been introduced. In the attempt to improve the prediction of clinical behaviour of solitary fibrous tumour, a risk assessment scheme has been implemented. NTRK-rearranged soft tissue tumours are now listed as an "emerging entity" also in consideration of the recent therapeutic developments in terms of NTRK inhibition. This decision has been source of a passionate debate regarding the definition of "tumour entity" as well as the consequences of a "pathology agnostic" approach to precision oncology. In consideration of their distinct clinicopathologic features, undifferentiated round cell sarcomas are now kept separate from Ewing sarcoma and subclassified, according to the underlying gene rearrangements, into three main subgroups (CIC, BCLR and not ETS fused sarcomas) Importantly, In order to avoid potential confusion, tumour entities such as gastrointestinal stroma tumours are addressed homogenously across the different WHO fascicles. Pathologic diagnosis represents the integration of morphologic, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics and is a key element of clinical decision making. The WHO classification is as a key instrument to promote multidisciplinarity, stimulating pathologists, geneticists and clinicians to join efforts aimed to translate novel pathologic findings into more effective treatments.

Primary malignant ossifying fibromyxoid tumour of the bone. A clinicopathologic and molecular report of two cases

Objective

To report the exceptional occurrence of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour (OFMT) as a primary bone lesion. OFMT is a rare soft tissue tumour of uncertain differentiation and variable malignant potential, that occurs in adults with a slight male predominance. It is typically located in the subcutis or in the skeletal muscles of the extremities, followed by trunk or head and neck.

Methods

Two cases of OFMT proven to arise from bone are presented. The first is a 65-year old female with a history of rib "osteosarcoma", presenting with an inferior lobe left lung mass. The second is a man with a lytic lesion of the 5th cervical vertebra that recurred shortly after resection. Following H&E and immunohistochemical examination, tumour samples were analysed by NGS and by break-apart FISH to detect rearrangement of the PHF1 and TFE3 genes.

Results

PHF1 gene-rearrangement was identified by FISH on both the primary and the metastatic lesion of first patient. NGS identified a PHF1(intron1) and EPC1 (exon 10) fusion transcript later confirmed by positive PHF1 rearrangement on FISH in the second case.

Conclusions

The demonstration of PHF1 gene rearrangements represents a fundamental ancillary diagnostic test when presented with challenging examples of OFMT.

Activity of sirolimus in patients with progressive epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: A case-series analysis within the Italian Rare Cancer Network

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to report on a retrospective series of patients with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) who received treatment with sirolimus within the Italian Rare Cancer Network.

METHODS

From January 2005, 38 adult patients with advanced EHE received continuous-dosing sirolimus, 5 mg daily, until they developed either toxicity or disease progression. Disease progression in the 6 months before the start of treatment was required. Each pathologic diagnosis was reviewed. The daily dose of sirolimus was adjusted based on plasma levels. Response was retrospectively assessed by local investigators using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1 (RECIST). Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

All 38 patients (WW Domain Containing Transcription Regulator 1 [WWTR1]-positive, n = 37; transcription factor E3 [TFE3]-positive, n = 1) had disease progression before starting sirolimus (at baseline, 13 of 38 patients had the presence of serosal effusions and systemic symptoms). Thirty-seven patients were evaluable for response (there was 1 early interruption). The best RECIST responses were a partial response in 4 patients (10.8%), stable disease in 28 patients (75.7%), and disease progression in 5 patients (13.5%). At a 41.5-month median follow-up (interquartile range [IQR], 23.9-56.8 months), the median PFS was 13 months (95% CI, 3.7 months to not estimated [NE]), and the median OS was 18.8 months (95% CI, 10.6 months to NE). In patients who had serosal effusions at baseline, the median PFS was 4.8 months (IQR, 3.5-11.7 months), and the median OS was 10.6 months (IQR, 5.1-13.0 months), compared with 47.8 months (IQR, 11.4 months to NE) and 47.8 months (IQR, 15.7 months to NE), respectively, in patients without serosal effusions. Overall, sirolimus was fairly well tolerated, with 10 patients reporting irregular menstruation/ovary disfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results confirm that sirolimus is active in EHE, leading to prolonged stabilization in most patients who present without serosal effusions. Serosal effusions are confirmed as an unfavorable prognostic sign associated with short survival, and sirolimus displays limited activity in this subgroup.

Detection of HPV16/18 E6 Oncoproteins in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using a Protein Immunochromatographic Assay

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The accurate diagnostic assessment of clinically relevant human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma represents an urgent unmet medical need. The aim of this study was to determine feasibility, accuracy, and clinical significance of HPV16/18 E6 oncoprotein detection on cytological specimens from oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and neck lymph node metastasis of SCC from unknown primary tumor (CUP) via a protein immunochromatographic assay.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Cytological specimens from primary tumor and neck metastases were collected from 34 patients with OPSCC or CUP and applied to a lateral flow format test that detects HPV16 and HPV18 E6 oncoproteins. E6 oncoprotein positivity or negativity in these specimens was compared to the specimens' "HPV-driven" reference status, defined by presence of HPV-DNA in combination with p16^INK4a overexpression and/or HPV E6 seropositivity.

RESULTS

Eighteen of 29 OPSCC (62%) and three of five CUP (60%) were HPV-driven according to our reference method. The E6 oncoprotein lateral flow test had a sensitivity of 94% (95% CI: 70%-100%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 66%-100%) on primary tumor, and a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI: 64%-99%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 74%-100%) on neck metastases. Test agreement between the E6 lateral flow test and the clinical reference method, HPV-DNA plus p16^INK4a was excellent, both for primary lesion and neck metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

We found the detection of HPV16/18 E6 oncoproteins to be a feasible, highly reliable, and low-invasive method to assess "HPV-driven" status in OPSCC and CUP.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II Laryngoscope, 131:1042-1048, 2021.

Clear cell sarcoma-like/malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor of the tongue: a clinicopathologic and molecular case report

Malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor (M-GNET) and clear cell sarcoma (CCS) of soft tissue represent closely related, extremely rare, malignant mesenchymal neoplasm of uncertain differentiation. Both entities are characterized genetically by the same molecular alterations represented by the presence of EWSR1-ATF1 and, more rarely, EWSR1-CREB1 fusion genes. The latter translocation seems to be more represented in M-GNET that, despite significant morphologic overlap with CCS, tends to lack overt features of melanocytic differentiation. Most M-GNET occur in the lower gastrointestinal tract, whereas occurrence in the upper tract has been reported only exceptionally. The differential diagnosis represents a major challenge, and accurate diagnosis impact significantly on therapeutic planning. We herein report the clinicopathologic features of a molecularly confirmed M-GNET that arose at the base of the tongue and review the pertinent literature.

Preoperative radiotherapy plus surgery versus surgery alone for patients with primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (EORTC-62092: STRASS): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Unlike for extremity sarcomas, the efficacy of radiotherapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma is not established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative radiotherapy plus surgery versus surgery alone on abdominal recurrence-free survival.

METHODS

EORTC-62092 is an open-label, randomised, phase 3 study done in 31 research institutions, hospitals, and cancer centres in 13 countries in Europe and North America. Adults (aged ≥18 years) with histologically documented, localised, primary retroperitoneal sarcoma that was operable and suitable for radiotherapy, who had not been previously treated and had a WHO performance status and American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 2 or lower, were centrally randomly assigned (1:1), using an interactive web response system and a minimisation algorithm, to receive either surgery alone or preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery. Randomisation was stratified by hospital and performance status. Radiotherapy was delivered as 50·4 Gy (in 28 daily fractions of 1·8 Gy) in either 3D conformal radiotherapy or intensity modulated radiotherapy, and the objective of surgery was a macroscopically complete resection of the tumour mass with en-bloc organ resection as necessary. The primary endpoint was abdominal recurrence-free survival, as assessed by the investigator, and was analysed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was analysed in all patients who started their allocated treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01344018.

FINDINGS

Between Jan 18, 2012 and April 10, 2017, 266 patients were enrolled, of whom 133 were randomly assigned to each group. The median follow-up was 43·1 months (IQR 28·8-59·2). 128 (96%) patients from the surgery alone group had surgery, and 119 (89%) patients in the radiotherapy and surgery group had both radiotherapy and surgery. Median abdominal recurrence-free survival was 4·5 years (95% CI 3·9 to not estimable) in the radiotherapy plus surgery group and 5·0 years (3·4 to not estimable) in the surgery only group (hazard ratio 1·01, 95% CI 0·71-1·44; log rank p=0·95). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were lymphopenia (98 [77%] of 127 patients in the radiotherapy plus surgery group vs one [1%] of 128 patients in the surgery alone group), anaemia (15 [12%] vs ten [8%]), and hypoalbuminaemia (15 [12%] vs five [4%]). Serious adverse events were reported in 30 (24%) of 127 patients in the radiotherapy plus surgery group, and in 13 (10%) of 128 patients in the surgery alone group. One (1%) of 127 patients in the radiotherapy plus surgery group died due to treatment-related serious adverse events (gastropleural fistula), and no patients in the surgery alone group died due to treatment-related serious adverse events.

INTERPRETATION

Preoperative radiotherapy should not be considered as standard of care treatment for retroperitoneal sarcoma.

FUNDING

European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, and European Clinical Trials in Rare Sarcomas.

Synovial chondrosarcoma: a single-institution experience with molecular investigations and review of the literature

AIMS

To evaluate the available diagnostic histological criteria for synovial chondrosarcoma and to screen for the presence of IDH1/IDH2 mutations in a series of cases of this malignant cartilaginous neoplasm.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ten cases of synovial chondrosarcoma diagnosed at our institute were reviewed. At presentation, all tumours occurred in adults (median age, 62 years). The most common location was the knee joint (five cases), and the size at diagnosis ranged from 30 mm to 170 mm. Eight patients had secondary synovial chondrosarcomas associated with pre-existing/recurrent or concomitant synovial chondromatosis. Five patients had local recurrences and three had lung metastases. All patients with intralesional excisions developed local recurrences, whereas those who underwent wide resections did not. At last follow-up (mean, 91 months), available for nine patients, seven patients were alive and disease-free, one patient had died of disease, and one was alive with paravertebral metastases. Frequent histological features observed included loss of clustering of chondrocytes (nine cases), the presence of variable amounts of myxoid matrix (eight cases), peripheral hypercellularity (eight cases), tumour necrosis (six cases), and spindling of chondrocytes (four cases). Of the seven cases for which it was possible to evaluate bone permeation, six showed infiltration of bone marrow. All seven cases screened for mutations of exon 4 of IDH1 and IDH2 were found to be wild-type.

CONCLUSIONS

Histological criteria in correlation with clinical and radiological features allow the recognition of synovial chondrosarcoma. IDH1/IDH2 mutations were not present in synovial chondrosarcoma. Adequate surgical margins are important for disease control.

Lipoblastoma-like tumor of the spermatic cord: case report and review of the literature

Lipoblastoma-like tumor is a very rare mesenchymal tumor believed to be restricted to female patients and only recently reported in the spermatic cord of a male patient. We describe herein an additional case of lipoblastoma-like tumor occurring in the spermatic cord, describing its histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features.

Addition of Antiestrogen Treatment in Patients with Malignant PEComa Progressing to mTOR Inhibitors

PURPOSE

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComa) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms. mTOR inhibitors are the most active agents in PEComa and in patients progressing to mTOR inhibitors, other available therapies have limited benefit. Preclinical evidences showed a cross-talk between the mTOR pathway and estrogen receptor signaling. This provided a rationale for adding an antiestrogen treatment in female patients becoming resistant to mTOR inhibitors.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Since April 2018, female patients with advanced/metastatic PEComa progressing to mTOR inhibitors were treated with a combination of sirolimus and exemestane with or without LHRH analogue (based on menopausal status). This case series was retrospectively reviewed. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

A total of seven consecutive patients treated with the combination of sirolimus and antiestrogen treatment were retrospectively reviewed. Six (86%) received a combination of sirolimus and exemestane, whereas one patient (14%) received a combination of sirolimus, exemestane, and triptorelin since in premenopausal status. After a median follow-up of 13.1 months, three patients (43%) experienced a partial response, three patients (43%) experienced a stabilization of disease, and one patient (14%) had disease progression with an overall response rate of 43% and a disease control rate of 86%.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small retrospective case series, the addition of antiestrogen treatment in female patients with advanced PEComa progressing to mTOR inhibitors resulted in a remarkable clinical benefit in a setting where no other options are available.

Pan-cancer analysis of whole genomes

Cancer is driven by genetic change, and the advent of massively parallel sequencing has enabled systematic documentation of this variation at the whole-genome scale1-3. Here we report the integrative analysis of 2,658 whole-cancer genomes and their matching normal tissues across 38 tumour types from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We describe the generation of the PCAWG resource, facilitated by international data sharing using compute clouds. On average, cancer genomes contained 4-5 driver mutations when combining coding and non-coding genomic elements; however, in around 5% of cases no drivers were identified, suggesting that cancer driver discovery is not yet complete. Chromothripsis, in which many clustered structural variants arise in a single catastrophic event, is frequently an early event in tumour evolution; in acral melanoma, for example, these events precede most somatic point mutations and affect several cancer-associated genes simultaneously. Cancers with abnormal telomere maintenance often originate from tissues with low replicative activity and show several mechanisms of preventing telomere attrition to critical levels. Common and rare germline variants affect patterns of somatic mutation, including point mutations, structural variants and somatic retrotransposition. A collection of papers from the PCAWG Consortium describes non-coding mutations that drive cancer beyond those in the TERT promoter4; identifies new signatures of mutational processes that cause base substitutions, small insertions and deletions and structural variation5,6; analyses timings and patterns of tumour evolution7; describes the diverse transcriptional consequences of somatic mutation on splicing, expression levels, fusion genes and promoter activity8,9; and evaluates a range of more-specialized features of cancer genomes8,10-18.

Interferon-Gamma and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Weak Inducer of Apoptosis Expression in Neoangiogenesis in Colorectal Polypoid Lesions

BACKGROUND

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) molecules seem to have a potential effect on angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The aim of this study was to assess a possible interplay between IFNγ and TWEAK cytokines and VEGF machinery in the different steps of colorectal carcinogenesis.

METHODS

A total of 92 subjects with colonic adenoma or cancer who underwent screening colonoscopy or surgery were prospectively enrolled. Polypoid lesion tissue samples were collected and frozen. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for IFNγ, TWEAK, and VEGF-A mRNA expression was performed. Immunoassays for VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 were also performed. Nonparametric statistics, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and logistic multiple regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

IFNγ and TWEAK mRNA expression was higher in patients with T2 or more advanced colorectal cancer than in those with adenomas or T1 cancer (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). IFNγ and TWEAK mRNA expression levels directly correlated with VEGF-A mRNA expression levels (rho = 0.44, p < 0.001 and rho = 0.29, p = 0.004, respectively). On the contrary, IFNγ and TWEAK mRNA expression levels inversely correlated with VEGF-C protein levels (rho = -0.29, p = 0.04 and rho = -0.31, p = 0.03, respectively). Similarly, IFNγ and TWEAK mRNA expression levels inversely correlated with VEGFR2 protein levels (rho = -0.38, p = 0.033 and rho = -0.40, p = 0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that in colorectal polypoid lesions, IFNγ and TWEAK expressions are directly correlated to VEGF-A expression but inversely correlated with VEGFR2 levels, suggesting a possible feedback mechanism in the regulation of VEGF-A expression.

Role of Chemotherapy, VEGFR Inhibitors, and mTOR Inhibitors in Advanced Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumors (PEComas)

PURPOSE

Perivascular epitheliod cell tumors (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms for which the role of systemic treatments is not established as there are no published prospective clinical trials or sufficiently large retrospective case series. The aim of this study is to clarify the activity of conventional chemotherapy and biological agents in advanced/metastatic PEComas.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

This was an observational, retrospective, international study that included patients with advanced/metastatic PEComa treated with systemic therapy at 5 European sarcoma reference centers and within the Italian Rare Cancer Network. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox hazards regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patients were included. Cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens were active only in a small proportion of PEComas. Gemcitabine-based regimens [objective response rate (ORR): 20%, median progression-free survival (PFS): 3.4 months] seemed to have the same activity of anthracycline-based regimens (ORR: 13%, median PFS: 3.2 months). Antiangiogenic agents resulted in disease stabilization in some patients, with a number having density changes/tissue response on imaging, with an ORR of 8.3% and a median PFS of 5.4 months. mTOR inhibitors were the most active agents, with an ORR of 41% and a median PFS of 9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides data for the selection of systemic therapy in patients with advanced/metastatic PEComa: mTOR inhibitors are the most active agents. Antiangiogenics and chemotherapy with gemcitabine-based regimens or anthracycline-based regimens are options in further line, but with a lower response rate and PFS.

NR4A3 fusion proteins trigger an axon guidance switch that marks the difference between EWSR1 and TAF15 translocated extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare sarcoma histotype with uncertain differentiation. EMC is hallmarked by the rearrangement of the NR4A3 gene, which in most cases fuses with EWSR1 or TAF15. TAF15‐translocated EMC seem to feature a more aggressive course compared to EWSR1‐positive EMCs, but whether the type of NR4A3 chimera impinges upon EMC biology is still largely undefined. To gain insights on this issue, a series of EMC samples (7 EWSR1‐NR4A3 and 5 TAF15‐NR4A3) were transcriptionally profiled. Our study unveiled that the two EMC variants display a distinct transcriptional profile and that the axon guidance pathway is a major discriminant. In particular, class 4–6 semaphorins and axonal guidance cues endowed with pro‐tumorigenic activity were more expressed in TAF15‐NR4A3 tumors; vice versa, class 3 semaphorins, considered to convey growth inhibitory signals, were more abundant in EWSR1‐NR4A3 EMC. Intriguingly, the dichotomy in axon guidance signaling observed in the two tumor variants was recapitulated in in vitro cell models engineered to ectopically express EWSR1‐NR4A3 or TAF15‐NR4A3. Moreover, TAF15‐NR4A3 cells displayed a more pronounced tumorigenic potential, as assessed by anchorage‐independent growth. Overall, our results indicate that the type of NR4A3 chimera dictates an axon guidance switch and impacts on tumor cell biology. These findings may provide a framework for interpretation of the different clinical–pathological features of the two EMC variants and lay down the bases for the development of novel patient stratification criteria and therapeutic approaches. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Trabectedin and RAdiotherapy in Soft Tissue Sarcoma (TRASTS): Results of a Phase I Study in Myxoid Liposarcoma from Spanish (GEIS), Italian (ISG), French (FSG) Sarcoma Groups

BACKGROUND

Myxoid liposarcoma (ML) exhibits a special sensitivity to trabectedin (T) and radiation therapy (RT). Preclinical data suggest a synergistic effect. We aimed to study safety, feasibility and activity of the administration of pre-operative concurrent T and RT in patients affected by localized resectable ML.

METHODS

Patients received 3 cycles (C) of T in combination with RT (45 Gy) in 25 fractions (1.8 Gy/fraction). Dose Levels for T were: - 1 (1.1 mg/m2), 0 (1.3 mg/m2) and 1 (1.5 mg/m2). Primary endpoint was safety; antitumor activity was assessed by RECIST and Choi criteria. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02275286. The phase 1 part of the study is complete and phase 2 is ongoing.

FINDINGS

From February 2015 to May 2016, 14 patients (M/F 7/7), median age 36 years (range 24-70) and median tumor size 12.5 cm (range 7-17 cm), were enrolled. One dose limiting toxicity (G3 transaminitis) occurred at Level 0 and one (sepsis due to catheter infection) at Level 1. All patients completed RT. Five patients achieved PR (36%), 8 SD (57%), 1 distant PD (7%) by RECIST, while 12 achieved PR (86%), 1 SD (7%) and 1 distant PD (7%) by Choi criteria. Twelve patients underwent surgery. Median viable residual tumor was 5% (0-60).

INTERPRETATION

T in combination with RT showed a favorable safety profile and antitumor activity in localized ML. T dose of 1.5 mg/m2 is the recommended dose for the phase 2 study, which is ongoing.

FUNDING

This study was partially supported by Pharmamar.

The impact of chemotherapy on survival of patients with extremity and trunk wall soft tissue sarcoma: revisiting the results of the EORTC-STBSG 62931 randomised trial

BACKGROUND

This study was aimed at determining whether patients with high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS), as identified using the nomogram Sarculator, benefitted from adjuvant chemotherapy in the EORTC-STBSG 62931 randomised controlled trial (RCT), which failed to detect an impact for adjuvant doxorubicin plus ifosfamide (Adj) over observation (Obs).

METHODS

Patients with extremity and trunk wall STS in the EORTC-STBSG 62931 RCT were analysed (N = 290/351). Ten-year predicted probability of overall survival (pr-OS) was calculated using the prognostic nomogram Sarculator. Patients were grouped into three categories of predicted pr-OS: high (pr-OS>66%), intermediate (51<pr-OS≤66) and low (pr-OS≤51%). OS and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated.

RESULTS

Nomogram pr-OS was dispersed (median 72%, interquartile range 57-83%) and had prognostic value for OS and DFS (log-rank test: P < 0.001). One hundred seventy, 68 and 52 patients had high (58.6%, 90 Obs/80 Adj), intermediate (23.5%, 34 Obs/34 Adj) and low pr-OS (17.9%, 24 Obs/28 Adj), respectively. Adjuvant chemotherapy halved the risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24-0.89) and death (HR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.94) in the low pr-OS category, while no effect was detected in intermediate and high pr-OS categories. To strengthen these findings, study participants with pr-OS<60% were combined (N = 80, 27.6%, 39 Obs/41 Adj), and a significant DFS (HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.85) and OS (HR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.30-0.90) benefit was detected.

CONCLUSION

Patients of the EORTC-STBSG 62931 RCT with extremity and trunk wall STS and a low predicted pr-OS (high-risk patients) had better outcomes when treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. This may help reconcile the disparate results of clinical studies on adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy in STS.

Anthracycline, Gemcitabine, and Pazopanib in Epithelioid Sarcoma: A Multi-institutional Case Series

Importance

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is an exceedingly rare malignant neoplasm with distinctive pathologic, molecular, and clinical features as well as the potential to respond to new targeted drugs. Little is known on the activity of anthracycline-based regimens, gemcitabine-based regimens, and pazopanib in this disease.

Objective

To report on the activity of anthracycline-based regimens, gemcitabine-based regimens, and pazopanib in patients with advanced ES.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Seventeen sarcoma reference centers in Europe, the United States, and Japan contributed data to this retrospective analysis of patients with locally advanced/metastatic ES diagnosed between 1990 and 2016. Local pathological review was performed in all cases to confirm diagnosis according to most recent criteria.

Exposures

All patients included in the study received anthracycline-based regimens, gemcitabine-based regimens, or pazopanib.

Main Outcome and Measures

Response was assessed by RECIST. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were computed by Kaplan-Meier method. Classic and proximal subtypes were defined based on morphology (according to 2013 World Health Organization guidelines).

Results

Overall, 115 patients were included, 80 (70%) were men and 35 (30%) were women, with a median age of 32 years (range, 15-77 years). Of the 115 patients with ES, 85 were treated with anthracycline-based regimens, 41 with gemcitabine-based regimens, and 18 with pazopanib. Twenty-four received more than 1 treatment. Median follow-up was 34 months. Response rate for anthracycline-based regimens was 22%, with a median PFS of 6 months. One complete response (CR) was reported. A trend toward a higher response rate was noticed in morphological proximal type (26%) vs classic type (19%) and in proximal vs distal primary site (26% vs 18%). The response rate for gemcitabine-based regimens was 27%, with 2 CR and a median PFS of 4 months. In this group, a trend toward a higher response rate was reported in classic vs proximal morphological type (30% vs 22%) and in distal vs proximal primary site (40% vs 14%). In the pazopanib group, no objective responses were seen, and median PFS was 3 months.

Conclusions and Relevance

This is the largest retrospective series of systemic therapy in ES. We confirm a moderate activity of anthracycline-based and gemcitabine-based regimens in ES, with a similar response rate and PFS in both groups. The value of pazopanib was low. These data may serve as a benchmark for trials of novel agents in ES.

The pathology of soft tissue sarcomas

Soft tissue sarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of rare malignancies exhibiting mesenchymal differentiation with an overall incidence of around 5/100,000/year. Rarity and morphologic heterogeneity significantly affect diagnostic accuracy; therefore, expertise can be achieved only through access to large number of cases. Soft tissue sarcomas are currently classified on the basis of the 2013 WHO classification of soft tissue tumors that integrate conventional morphology with immunohistochemistry and molecular genetics. The morphologic diagnosis of sarcoma relies on the evaluation as well as the integration of four main features: the shape of the neoplastic cells; the pattern of growth; the quality of the background; the architecture of the vascular network. Immunohistochemical characterization plays a key role in the diagnostic workup of soft tissue sarcomas. The majority of classic differentiation markers tend to show good sensitivity, however, associated with rather limited specificity, making interpretation in context with morphology mandatory. Molecular genetics is increasingly used for diagnostic purposes to distinguish specific subtypes of sarcomas, to support diagnosis in non-canonical clinical presentations and also to distinguish true sarcomas from benign mimickers. With many exceptions, histologic typing does not provide sufficient information for predicting the clinical course of the disease and, therefore, grading systems based on histological parameters were introduced to provide a more accurate estimation of the degree of malignancy of tumors. The three-tiered system devised by the French Federation of Cancer Centers Sarcoma Group (FNCLCC) systems is widely adopted; however, several limitations exist that have led to the development of prognostic nomograms that incorporate the specific histotype as one of the relevant parameters.

Concomitant KIT/BRAF and PDGFRA/BRAF mutations are rare events in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

AIM

The BRAF mutation is a rare pathogenetic alternative to KIT/PDGFRA mutation in GIST and causes Imatinib resistance. A recent description of KIT and BRAF mutations co-occurring in an untreated GIST has challenged the concept of their being mutually exclusive and may account for ab initio resistance to Imatinib, even in the presence of Imatinib-sensitive KIT mutations. BRAF sequencing is generally limited to KIT/PDGFRA wild-type cases. Hence, the frequency of concomitant mutations may be underestimated.

METHODS

We screened for KIT (exon 9, 11, 13, 17), PDGFRA (exon 12,14, 18) and BRAF (exon 15) mutations a series of 407 GIST. Additionally, we evaluated the BRAF V600E mutation-specific antibody, VE1, as a surrogate for V600E mutation, on a series of 313 GIST (24 on whole sections, 288 cases on tissue array), including 6 cases molecularly ascertained to carry the BRAF V600E mutation.

RESULTS

No concomitant KIT/BRAF or PDGFRA/BRAF mutations were detected. BRAF mutation was detected only in one case, wild-type for KIT/PDGFRA. All the 6 BRAF-mutant cases stained positive with the VE1 antibody. A weak VE1 expression was observed in 14/287 (4.9%) BRAF wild-type cases, as observed also in 2/6 BRAF-mutant cases. Overall in our series, sensitivity and specificity of the VE1 antobody were 100% and 95.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The concomitance of BRAF mutation with either KIT or PDGFRA mutation is rare in GIST. In these tumors, moderate/strong VE1 immunoreactivity is a valuable surrogate for molecular analysis. Instead, genotyping is warranted in the presence of weak VE1 staining.

Corrigendum: Whole-genome landscape of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/nature21063.

Activity of anthracycline- and ifosfamide-based chemotherapy in a series of patients affected by advanced myxofibrosarcoma

BACKGROUND

We report on the activity of anthracycline-based and high-dose prolonged-infusion ifosfamide chemotherapy in a retrospective series of patients affected by advanced myxofibrosarcoma treated at Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan, Italy, and within the Italian Rare Cancer Network (RTR).

METHODS

Advanced myxofibrosarcoma patients treated with anthracycline + ifosfamide and high-dose prolonged-infusion ifosfamide as a single agent from November 2001 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. All pathological diagnosis were centrally reviewed by at least two expert pathologists. Response was evaluated by RECIST, and survival functions were computed.

RESULTS

Among 34 advanced myxofibrosarcoma patients, 13 were treated with front-line anthracycline + ifosfamide chemotherapy (male/female = 6/7, median age 54 years, range 33-72). Overall best response was: 4 partial responses, 3 stable diseases and 6 progressive diseases, with a median progression-free survival of 4 months. Twenty-eight patients received second/further line high-dose prolonged-infusion ifosfamide (male/female = 17/11, median age 55 years, range 27-75 years). We observed 10 partial responses, 4 stable diseases and 14 progressive diseases, with a median progression-free survival of 4 months. Median overall survival was 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective analysis suggests that the combination of anthracyclines and ifosfamide is active in myxofibrosarcoma. In patients already treated with a combination of anthracyclines and ifosfamide, high-dose prolonged-infusion ifosfamide showed activity as well.

Rare Neoplasm Mimicking Neuoroendocrine Pancreatic Tumor: A Case Report of Solitary Fibrous Tumor with Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare biological entities described mainly in the pleura. To date, in the pancreas, only 14 cases have been reported in the English literature.

CASE REPORT

A 52-year-old male was diagnosed incidentally with a suspected neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the pancreas. He underwent pancreatic enucleation of the mass, which, at final pathology, showed spindle cell proliferation set in a collagenous background and featuring the presence of hemangiopericytoma-like blood. Immunohistochemistry showed cytoplasmic expression of CD34 and nuclear expression of STAT6. As mitotic activity was of 1 mitoses/10 high-power fields (HPFs) a diagnosis of conventional SFT was made. The patient was discharged without major complications and is alive and free of disease after 24 months.

CONCLUSION

SFTs of pancreas are rare tumors, often mimicking pancreatic NET.

Colorectal polypoid lesions and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in a consecutive series of endoscopic and surgical patients

Colorectal cancer incidence in patients undergoing screening protocols is decreasing because of the higher rate of discovered preneoplastic colonic lesions; however, adenomatous polyps may not always be removable endoscopically and surgery may still be necessary. The aim of this study was to assess the vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the different steps of colorectal carcinogenesis to explore its potential role as a marker of malignancy in polypoid lesions. A total of 92 subjects with colonic adenoma or cancer who underwent screening colonoscopy or surgery were prospectively enrolled. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for VEGF-A messenger RNA expression and immunohistochemistry for VEGF-A were performed. Immunoassays for VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 were also performed. Non-parametric statistics, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and logistic multiple regression analysis were used. VEGF-A messenger RNA expression was higher in patients with high-grade dysplasia or colorectal cancer than in those with low-grade dysplasia adenomas (p = 0.01). At immunohistochemistry, VEGF-A expression was significantly higher in colorectal cancer patients compared to dysplastic adenomas (p < 0.001), and the accuracy of VEGF-A expression for prediction of malignancy was 91.7 (95% confidence interval = 78.7-97.9). VEGF-C protein expression was lower in colorectal cancer patients than in simple adenomas (p = 0.02). VEGF-A levels were directly correlated to polyp size (rho = 0.73, p = 0.0062). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that malignancy and polyp size were independent predictors of VEGF-A mucosal levels. This study demonstrated that the VEGF-A expression changes along the colorectal carcinogenesis pathway showing a neat step up at the passage from high-grade dysplasia to invasive cancer. This feature might potentially be useful to stratify colorectal polyps in different risks of progression classes. Moreover, the high level of VEGF-A expression predicted the presence of lymphovascular invasion with good accuracy.

Whole-genome landscape of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

The diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs) is increasing owing to more sensitive detection methods, and this increase is creating challenges for clinical management. We performed whole-genome sequencing of 102 primary PanNETs and defined the genomic events that characterize their pathogenesis. Here we describe the mutational signatures they harbour, including a deficiency in G:C > T:A base excision repair due to inactivation of MUTYH, which encodes a DNA glycosylase. Clinically sporadic PanNETs contain a larger-than-expected proportion of germline mutations, including previously unreported mutations in the DNA repair genes MUTYH, CHEK2 and BRCA2. Together with mutations in MEN1 and VHL, these mutations occur in 17% of patients. Somatic mutations, including point mutations and gene fusions, were commonly found in genes involved in four main pathways: chromatin remodelling, DNA damage repair, activation of mTOR signalling (including previously undescribed EWSR1 gene fusions), and telomere maintenance. In addition, our gene expression analyses identified a subgroup of tumours associated with hypoxia and HIF signalling.

Mismatch repair gene defects in sporadic colorectal cancer enhance immune surveillance

Background

There is evidence that colorectal cancers (CRC) with DNA mismatch repair deficiency (MMR-D) are associated with a better prognosis than the generality of large bowel malignancies. Since an active immune surveillance process has been demonstrated to influence CRC outcome, we investigated whether MMR-D can enhance the immune response in CRC.

Patients and Methods

A group of 113 consecutive patients operated for CRC (42 stage I or II and 71 with stage III or IV) was retrospectively analyzed. The expression of MMR genes (MSH2, MLH1, MSH6 and PSM2) and co-stimulatory molecule CD80 was assessed by tissue microarray immunohistochemistry. In addition, tumor infiltrating mononuclear cells (TIMC) and T cell subpopulations (CD4, CD8, T-bet and FoxP-3) were quantified. The effect of specific siRNA (siMSH2, siMLH1, siMSH6 and siPSM2) transfection in HT29 on CD80 expression was quantified by flow cytometry. Non parametric statistics and survival analysis were used.

Results

Patients with MMR-D showed a higher T-bet/CD4 ratio (p = 0.02), a higher rate of CD80 expression and CD8 lymphocyte infiltration compared to those with no MMR-D. Moreover, in the MMR-D group, the Treg marker FoxP-3 was not expressed (p = 0.05). MMR-D patients with stage I or II and T-bet expression had a significant better survival (p = 0.009). Silencing of MSH2, MLH1 and MSH6, but not PSM2, significantly increased the rate of CD80+ HT29 cells (p = 0.007, p = 0.023 and p = 0.015, respectively).

Conclusions

CRC with MMR-D showed a higher CD80 expression, and CD8+ and Th1 T-cell infiltration. In vitro silencing of MSH2, MLH1 and MSH6 significantly increased CD80+ cell rate. These results suggest an enhanced immune surveillance mechanism in presence of MMR-D.

Abstract LB-329: Enhancing the resolution and accelerating the pace of translational fusion characterization in oncology by RNA sequencing

Chromosomal rearrangements are common markers of cancer progression across a wide range of cancer types, and therefore, identification of fusion transcripts in cancer biopsies may have potential to provide tumor-specific insight toward diagnosis, prognosis and precision treatment. Currently, routine methods for fusion detection using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) provide a low-resolution view of the aberrant fusion transcript. We describe an RNA-Seq approach designed to survey cancer fusions in a single assay by selectively enriching the cancer transcriptome using probes that target the coding regions of over 1385 cancer-associated genes.

We tested the performance of the 1385 gene, RNA-Seq Pan-Cancer panel on RNA extracted from 47 patient-derived samples from brain, sarcoma and leukemia, including blood, bone marrow, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. Each sample harbored at least one orthogonally verified gene fusion transcript, previously confirmed by FISH or Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). RNA-Seq libraries were prepared from 10-100 ng of total RNA from blood or bone marrow and 20-200 ng total RNA from FFPE tissue and subsequently enriched by hybridization to the Pan-Cancer panel. All samples yielded sufficient library and were sequenced with 76 base-pair paired-end reads on an Illumina MiSeq at 8 samples per flow cell (∼3 million reads per sample). Sequencing data was analyzed using RNA-Seq with STAR aligner and Manta fusion caller. Using this capture-based single-assay approach, we successfully detected fusions commonly associated with leukemia (BCR-ABL1, MLL-MLLT3, MLL-AFF1, RUNX1-ETV6, EBF1-PDGFRB, TCF3-PBX1, IKZF1-PAX5), sarcoma (EWSR1-ATF1, EWSR1-FLI1, JAZF1-SUZ12, SS18-SSX, FUS-DDIT3, FUS-KLF17, YWHAE-FAM22B) and brain cancer (KIAA1459-BRAF) consistent with previously confirmed RT-PCR or FISH results. Several examples of previously unknown fusion partners or additional structural information that were not identified from the FISH or RT-PCR testing were also uncovered in this study. These cases are described in detail.

In summary, we show that selective enrichment of RNA-Seq libraries with cancer-specific probes enables detection of known and novel fusions across a broad range of cancer pathologies in a single reaction, creating new opportunities for discovery and translational cancer studies.

Citation Format: Lisa C. Watson, Stephen M. Gross, Felix Schlesinger, Anthony Mai, Mariko Kellogg, Steve Lee, Claire Attwooll, Monica Brenca, David Swanson, Andrew Wong, Angelo P. Dei Tos, Claudia Haferlach, Torsten Haferlach, Wolfgang Kern, Roberta Maestro, Manja Meggendorfer, Niroshan Nadarajah, Maurizio Polano, Sabrina Rossi, Marta Sbaraglia, George S. Charames, Gary P. Schroth, Grace DeSantis. Enhancing the resolution and accelerating the pace of translational fusion characterization in oncology by RNA sequencing. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-329.

CIC-DUX4 fusion-positive round-cell sarcomas of soft tissue and bone: a single-institution morphological and molecular analysis of seven cases

AIMS

Round-cell sarcomas lacking specific translocations represent a diagnostic challenge. The aim of this study was to describe seven cases of CIC-DUX4 fusion-positive sarcomas, including the first reported example arising primarily in bone.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients ranged in age from 15 years to 44 years (median: 33 years). Six cases arose from the soft tissues, and one from the iliac bone. Morphologically, all cases showed an undifferentiated round-cell population with greater atypia and pleomorphism than Ewing sarcoma. Immunohistochemically, all tumours showed focal and weak positivity for CD99, and five of seven showed nuclear and/or cytoplasmic positivity for Wilms tumour 1. Five patients had lung metastases at presentation. All patients received chemotherapy according to Ewing sarcoma protocols. All but one patient (the one with a bone tumour) died of disease after a mean of 14.5 months from the diagnosis (range: 8-20 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Our series confirms that CIC-DUX4 fusion-positive sarcomas are aggressive tumours with an adverse prognosis, and with clinical, histological and genetic differences from Ewing sarcoma. The best therapeutic approach needs to be investigated.

Sirolimus in Advanced Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma: A Retrospective Case-Series Analysis from the Italian Rare Cancer Network Database

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to report on sirolimus activity in a series of patients with hemangioendothelioma (HE) treated at the National Cancer Institute, Milan (Istituto Nazionale Tumori; INT) and within the Italian Rare Cancer Network ("Rete Tumori Rari"; RTR).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with advanced and progressing epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) treated with sirolimus at the INT and/or within the RTR. Pathologic review and molecular analysis for WWTR1 rearrangement were performed. Sirolimus was administered until unacceptable toxicity or progression, with the dose being adjusted to reach target plasma levels of 15-20 ng/dL. Responses were assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria.

RESULTS

Since 2005, 18 patients (17 EHE, 1 retiform HE; 1 locally advanced, 17 metastatic; WWTR1 rearrangement: 16) have been identified, with 17/18 patients being evaluable for response. Mean sirolimus daily dose was 4.5 mg. According to RECIST, best responses in EHE were 1 partial response (PR), 12 stable disease (SD), and 3 progressive disease (PD); the patient with retiform HE also achieved a PR, lasting >2 years. Four patients with a reversed interval progression on interruption were observed. Median overall survival was 16 months, and median progression-free survival was 12 months (range 1-45), with four patients progression-free at 24 months. The clinical benefit (complete response [CR] + PR + SD >6 months) was 56 %. Seven patients receiving sirolimus experienced an increase in pleural/peritoneal effusion plus worsening of tumor-related symptoms; six of these patients died within 1-8 months from evidence of effusion progression, while a RECIST PD was assessed in two of seven patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A clinical benefit was achieved in 56 % of patients receiving sirolimus, which lasted >24 months in four patients. Most patients with pleural effusion did not benefit from sirolimus and had a poor outcome.

Evolution of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans to DFSP-Derived Fibrosarcoma: An Event Marked by Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-like Process and 22q Loss

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare and indolent cutaneous sarcoma. At times, a fibrosarcomatous transformation marked by a more aggressive clinical behavior may be present. We investigated the natural history and the molecular bases of progression from classic DFSP to the fibrosarcomatous form (FS-DFSP), looking, retrospectively, at the outcome of all patients affected by primary DFSP treated at our institution from 1993 to 2012 and analyzing the molecular profile of 5 DFSPs and 5 FS-DFSPs by an integrated genomics approach (whole transcriptome sequencing, copy number analysis, FISH, qRT-PCR, IHC). The presence of fibrosarcomatous features was identified in 20 (7.6%) patients out of 263 DFSP. All cases were treated with macroscopic complete surgery. A local relapse occurred in 4 of 23 patients who received a microscopic marginal surgery (2 classic DFSP, 2 FS-DFSP), while metastasis affected 2 patients, both FS-DFSP (10% of FS-DFSP), being the first event. DFSP evolution to FS-DFSP was paralleled by a transcriptional reprogramming. The recurrent loss of chromosome 22q appeared to contribute to this phenomenon by promoting the expression of epigenetic regulators, such as EZH2. Loss of the p16/CDKN2A/INK4A locus at 9p was also observed in two FS-DFSP metastatic cases.

IMPLICATIONS

FS-DFSP is a rare subgroup among DFSP, with a 10% metastatic risk, that was independent from local recurrence and that was not observed in DFSP, that were all cured by wide surgery. Chromosome 22q deletion might play a role in FS-DFSP, and p16 loss may convey a poor outcome. EZH2 dysregulation was also found and represents a druggable target. Mol Cancer Res; 14(9); 820-9. ©2016 AACR.