Somatic Genomic and Transcriptomic Characterization of Primary Ovarian Serous Borderline Tumors and Low-Grade Serous Carcinomas

Low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) may develop from serous borderline tumor (SBT) tissue, where the micropapillary type (mSBT) presents the highest risk for progression. The sensitivity of LGSC to standard chemotherapy is limited, so alternative therapeutic approaches, including targeted treatment, are needed. However, knowledge about the molecular landscape of LGSC and mSBT is limited. A sample set of 137 pathologically well-defined cases (LGSC, 97; mSBT, 40) was analyzed using capture DNA next-generation sequencing (727 genes) and RNA next-generation sequencing (147 genes) to show the landscape of somatic mutations, gene fusions, expression pattern, and prognostic and predictive relevance. Class 4/5 mutations in the main driver genes (KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, ERBB2, USP9X) were detected in 48% (14/29) of mSBT cases and 63% (47/75) of LGSC cases. The USP9X mutation was detected in only 17% of LGSC cases. RNA next-generation sequencing revealed gene fusions in 6 of 64 LGSC cases (9%) and 2 of 33 mSBT cases (9%), and a heterogeneous expression profile across LGSC and mSBT. No molecular characteristics were associated with greater survival. The somatic genomic and transcriptomic profiles of 35 mSBT and 85 LGSC cases are compared for the first time. Candidate oncogenic gene fusions involving BRAF, FGFR2, or NF1 as a fusion partner were identified. Molecular testing of LGSC may be used in clinical practice to reveal therapeutically significant targets.

Neuroendocrine Marker Expression in Primary Non-neuroendocrine Epithelial Tumors of the Ovary: A Study of 551 Cases

Expression of neuroendocrine (NE) markers in primary ovarian non-NE epithelial tumors has rarely been evaluated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of the most widely used NE markers in these neoplasms and to determine any prognostic significance of NE marker expression. The cohort consisted of 551 primary ovarian tumors, including serous borderline tumors, low-grade serous carcinomas, high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSC), clear cell carcinomas, endometroid carcinomas, mucinous borderline tumors, and mucinous carcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using antibodies against INSM1, synaptophysin, chromogranin, and CD56 on tissue microarray. Positivity for INSM1, synaptophysin, chromogranin, and CD56 was most frequently observed in mucinous tumors (48.7%, 26.0%, 41.5%, and 100%, respectively). The positivity for these NE markers was mostly restricted to nonmucinous elements distributed throughout the tumor. The mucinous borderline tumor and mucinous carcinomas groups had similar proportions of positivity (mucinous borderline tumor: 53%, mucinous carcinomas: 39%). In the other tumor types, except for HGSC, there was only focal expression (5%-10%) or negativity for NE markers. HGSC showed high CD56 expression (in 26% of cases). Survival analysis was only performed for CD56 in HGSC as this was the only group with sufficient positive cases, and it showed no prognostic significance. Except for mucinous tumors, expression of NE markers in non-NE ovarian epithelial tumors is low. CD56 expression in HGSC occurs frequently but is without diagnostic or prognostic value.

HER2 status as a potential predictive biomarker for ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a subtype of ovarian carcinoma characterized by unique biological features and highly malignant characteristics including low chemosensitivity. Therefore, new therapeutic targets are needed. These could include the downstream pathways of receptor tyrosine kinases, especially the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Our main objective was to characterize the HER2 status using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and FISH on 118 OCCCs, also considering the novel paradigm of HER2-zero and HER2-low status. Other aims included determination of the association between HER2 status and survival, HER2 gene DNA and RNA NGS analysis, HER2 gene expression analysis, and correlation between IHC and gene expression in HER2-zero and HER2-low cases. Cases with HER2 overexpression/amplification accounted for 5.1% (6/118), with additional 3% harbouring HER2 gene mutation. The remaining 112 (94.9%) cases were HER2-negative. Of these, 75% were classified as HER2-zero and 25% as HER2-low. This percentage of HER2 aberrations is significant concerning their possible therapeutic influence. Cases from the HER2-zero group showed significantly better survival. Although this relationship lost statistical significance in multivariate analysis, the results have potential therapeutic significance. HER2 gene expression analysis showed a significant correlation with HER2 IHC status in the entire cohort (HER2-positive vs. HER2-negative), while in the cohort of only HER2-negative cases, the results did not reach statistical significance, suggesting that gene expression analysis would not be suitable to confirm the subdivision into HER2-low and HER2-zero. Our results also emphasize the need for standardized HER2 testing in OCCC to determine the best predictor of clinical response.

Immunohistochemical expression of PRAME in 485 cases of epithelial tubo-ovarian tumors

Preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) is a cancer/testis antigen selectively expressed in somatic tissues and various solid malignant tumors and is associated with poor prognostic outcome. Our research aimed to comprehensively compare its expression in a large cohort of tubo-ovarian epithelial tumors and examine its correlation with our clinico-pathologic data, as well as to assess its potential use in diagnostics and therapy.We examined 485 cases of epithelial tubo-ovarian tumors including 107 clear cell carcinomas (CCC), 52 endometroid carcinomas (EC), 103 high grade serous carcinomas (HGSC), 119 low grade serous carcinomas (LGSC)/micropapillary variant of serous borderline tumors (mSBT), and 104 cases of mucinous carcinomas (MC)/mucinous borderline tumors (MBT). The immunohistochemical analysis was performed using TMAs.The highest levels of expression were seen in EC (60%), HGSC (62%), and CCC (56%), while expression in LGSC/mSBT (4%) and MC/MBT (2%) was rare. The clinico-pathologic correlations and survival analysis showed no prognostic significance.The results of our study showed that PRAME is neither prognostic nor a suitable ancillary marker in the differential diagnosis of tubo-ovarian epithelial tumors. Nevertheless, knowledge about the PRAME expression may be important concerning its potential predictive significance, because targeting PRAME as a potential therapeutic option is currently under investigation.

A comprehensive molecular analysis of 113 primary ovarian clear cell carcinomas reveals common therapeutically significant aberrations

BACKGROUND

Molecular aberrations occurring in primary ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) can be of diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic significance. However, a complex molecular study including genomic and transcriptomic analysis of large number of OCCC has been lacking.

METHODS

113 pathologically confirmed primary OCCCs were analyzed using capture DNA NGS (100 cases; 727 solid cancer related genes) and RNA-Seq (105 cases; 147 genes) in order to describe spectra and frequency of genomic and transcriptomic alterations, as well as their prognostic and predictive significance.

RESULTS

The most frequent mutations were detected in genes ARID1A, PIK3CA, TERTp, KRAS, TP53, ATM, PPP2R1A, NF1, PTEN, and POLE (51,47,27,18,13,10,7,6,6, and 4%, respectively). TMB-High cases were detected in 9% of cases. Cases with POLE^mut and/or MSI-High had better relapse-free survival. RNA-Seq revealed gene fusions in 14/105 (13%) cases, and heterogeneous expression pattern. The majority of gene fusions affected tyrosine kinase receptors (6/14; four of those were MET fusions) or DNA repair genes (2/14). Based on the mRNA expression pattern, a cluster of 12 OCCCs characterized by overexpression of tyrosine kinase receptors (TKRs) AKT3, CTNNB1, DDR2, JAK2, KIT, or PDGFRA (p < 0.00001) was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The current work has elucidated the complex genomic and transcriptomic molecular hallmarks of primary OCCCs. Our results confirmed the favorable outcomes of POLE^mut and MSI-High OCCC. Moreover, the molecular landscape of OCCC revealed several potential therapeutical targets. Molecular testing can provide the potential for targeted therapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic tumors.

A comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis of 26 markers in 250 cases of serous ovarian tumors

BACKGROUND

We examined a large cohort of serous tubo-ovarian tumors with 26 immunohistochemical markers, with the aim to assess their value for differential diagnosis and prognosis.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical analyses with 26 immunomarkers were performed on 250 primary tubo-ovarian tumors including 114 high grade serous carcinomas (HGSC), 97 low grade serous carcinomas (LGSC), and 39 serous borderline tumors (micropapillary variant, mSBT). The associations of overall positivity with clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated using the chi-squared test or Fisher's Exact test.

RESULTS

We found significantly different expression of p53, p16, ER, PR, PTEN, PAX2, Mammaglobin, RB1, Cyclin E1, stathmin, LMP2, L1CAM, CD44, and Ki67 in HGSCs compared to LGSCs. No significant differences were found between LGSC and mSBT. None of the other included markers (PAX8, ARID1A, HNF1B, Napsin A, CDX2, SATB2, MUC4, BRG1, AMACR, TTF1, BCOR, NTRK) showed any differences between the investigated serous tumors. Regarding the prognosis, only PR and stathmin showed a statistically significant prognostic meaning in LGSCs, with better overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in cases positive for PR, and worse outcome (RFS) for stathmin. None of the study markers showed prognostic significance in HGSCs.

CONCLUSION

We provided an extensive immunohistochemical analysis of serous ovarian/tubo-ovarian tumors. Although we found some differences in the expression of some markers in HGSCs compared to LGSCs, only p53, p16, and Ki67 seem to be useful in real diagnostic practice. We also suggested the best discriminative cut-off for Ki67 (10% of positive tumor cells) for distinguishing HGSC from LGSC. We found prognostic significance of PR and stathmin in LGSCs. Moreover, the high expression of stathmin could also be of predictive value in ovarian carcinomas as target-specific anti-stathmin effectors are potential therapeutic targets.

A comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis of IMP2 and IMP3 in 542 cases of ovarian tumors

BACKGROUND

IMP2 and IMP3 are mRNA binding proteins involved in carcinogenesis. We examined a large cohort of ovarian tumors with the aim to assess the value of IMP2 and IMP3 for differential diagnosis, and to assess their prognostic significance.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical analyses with antibodies against IMP2 and IMP3 were performed on 554 primary ovarian tumors including 114 high grade serous carcinomas, 100 low grade serous carcinomas, 124 clear cell carcinomas, 54 endometrioid carcinomas, 34 mucinous carcinomas, 75 mucinous borderline tumors, and 41 serous borderline tumors (micropapillary variant). The associations of overall positivity with clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated using the chi-squared test or Fisher's Exact test.

RESULTS

We found IMP2 expression (in more than 5% of tumor cells) in nearly all cases of all tumor types, so the prognostic meaning could not be analyzed. The positive IMP3 expression (in more than 5% of tumor cells) was most common in mucinous carcinomas (82%) and mucinous borderline tumors (81%), followed by high grade serous (67%) and clear cell carcinomas (67%). The expression was less frequent in endometrioid carcinomas (39%), low grade serous carcinomas (23%), and micropapillary variant of serous borderline tumors (20%). Prognostic significance of IMP3 could be evaluated only in low grade serous carcinomas in the case of relapse-free survival, where negative cases showed better RFS (p = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

Concerning differential diagnosis our results imply that despite the differences in expression in the different ovarian tumor types, the practical value for diagnostic purposes is limited. Contrary to other solid tumors, we did not find prognostic significance of IMP3 in ovarian cancer, with the exception of RFS in low grade serous carcinomas. However, the high expression of IMP2 and IMP3 could be of predictive value in ovarian carcinomas since IMP proteins are potential therapeutical targets.

Clinical and cytopathological factors affecting the cellularity of urinary cell blocks and the implication for diagnosis and follow-up of urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The methodology of cell blocks (CBs) has long been an integrated part of cytology. However, there are very few data on CBs derived from urine. Their main disadvantage is a lack of cellularity, which limits their broader clinical applicability. Factors affecting cellular adequacy in urine remain unclear. We assessed the impact of basic clinical and cytopathological factors on the adequacy of cellularity in urinary CBs.

METHODS

Freshly voided urine was collected from 401 consecutive individuals. Of these, 167 patients were diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma. The remaining 234 patients had various benign urological conditions. Papanicolaou classes were determined and CBs produced. Cellular adequacy was assigned to each CB (acellular, hypocellular, moderate cellularity, high cellularity), and moderately and highly cellular CBs were considered as adequate. Several factors were analysed to find any correlation with the adequacy of the cellularity.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, seven factors significantly correlated with the adequacy of the CBs. In the multivariate model, positive sediment (OR = 3.7), female sex (OR = 2.7), positive urinary cytology (OR = 2.6) and positive leucocyturia (OR = 2.1) were independent predictors of adequate cellularity. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the model were 65.0% and 77.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We determined four clinical and cytopathological factors which independently predict adequate cellularity in urinary CBs. Based on these results, several clinical situations have been proposed, in which the highest probability of adequate cellularity in urinary CBs can be achieved.

Intraoperative consultation in gynecologic pathology

Intraoperative consultation represents an integral part of diagnostic protocols in gynecologic oncology. It may be indicated 1) to evaluate the biologic nature of a pathologic process (distinction between nonneoplastic lesions and tumors), 2) to classify the histologic type of tumor and assess its biologic behavior (typing), 3) to confirm or rule out the metastatic origin of a tumor, 4) to determine the degree of differentiation and extent of local spread of a malignant tumor (grading and staging), 5) to detect tumor deposits in lymph nodes, 6) to examine surgical resection margins, 7) to detect products of conception in uterine curettings when ectopic pregnancy is suspected and 8) to collect native tumor tissue for ancillary studies (molecular methods, flow cytometry). A frozen section of adnexal masses is commonly requested and focused primarily on the recognition of malignant tumors, the distinction between borderline tumors and carcinomas, and the identification of a metastatic process in the ovary. An intraoperative consultation may also be beneficial in the risk stratification of patients with endometrial carcinoma for the indication of lymphadenectomy, in the assessment of an endocervical surgical resection margin during fertility sparing and less radical surgery for the carcinoma of uterine cervix and in the detection of tumor spread into the lymph nodes (including sentinel lymph nodes). For the appropriate evaluation of a frozen section, awareness of the relevant clinical data and history of the patient, interpretation of the histologic findings in the context of macroscopic appearance of a specimen and an active interaction with the surgeon are required as essential conditions. Keywords: intraoperative consultation - frozen section - gynecologic pathology - tumors of ovary - metastases - sentinel lymph node.

Concordance of HPV-DNA in cervical dysplasia or genital warts in women and their monogamous long-term male partners

Transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a premise for development of cervical dysplasia and genital warts (GWs). This cross-sectional study assesses concordance of HPV types present in GWs or cervical dysplasia in women and genital infection of their monogamous male partners in conjunction with seroprevalence of HPV-6, -11, -16, and -18 antibodies. Blood was taken from both women and men, as well a smear of the urogenital area of men. HPV DNA detection in women was done in fixed paraffin embedded tissues under histological control. Of 143 couples who agreed to participate in the study, 68 met inclusion criteria. Type-specific concordance was observed in 32.5% (13/40) of couples in which women had genital warts and in 32.1% (9/28) of couples in which women had cervical dysplasia. In multivariate analysis only smoking in women was associated with concordance (P < 0.05). Prevalence of HPV-specific antibodies was high in male partners, but was not associated with presence of the same HPV type on their genitals. The same type-specific HPV antibodies were detected in 81.8% of men in couples with HPV-6 concordant genital warts, but only in 14.3% of men in couples with HPV-16 concordant cervical dysplasia (P < 0.01). These results suggest that type-specific HPV concordance in genital warts and cervical dysplasia lesions of women and genital infection of their male partners is common and similar. Higher seroconversion in couples with HPV-6 concordant genital warts compared with couples with HPV-16 concordant cervical dysplasia may be explained by viral load exposure.

[Oncopathological aspects of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes inactivation in tumors of ovary, fallopian tube and pelvic peritoneum]

Ovarian carcinoma represents a heterogeneous group of malignant epithelial tumors which could be divided into two fundamental groups: Type I (endometrioid carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, low grade serous carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma and more rare seromucinous carcinoma and malignant Brenner tumor) and type II (high grade serous carcinoma - HGSC). HGSC is the most frequent ovarian carcinoma which may be etiologically linked to inactivation of tumor suppressor genes BRCA1/2 and TP53 and differs from type I carcinomas by higher aggressiveness, tendency to peritoneal spread and worse prognosis. A precursor lesion of HGSC was described as a serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) which is usually localized in fimbria of the fallopian tube from where tumor cells are capable to implant on ovary and pelvic peritoneum. Therefore, HGSC may present itself not only as a tuboovarian tumor but also as a primary peritoneal carcinoma. HGSC constitutes a dominant group within hereditary ovarian carcinomas as a manifestation of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer or site-specific ovarian cancer syndromes which are associated with germinal mutations of BRCA1/2 genes. BRCA1 deficient HGSC show characteristic histological appearance which encompasses SET features (Solid-pseudoEndometrioid-Transitional), significant nuclear atypia and mitotic activity, geographic necrosis, marked lymphocytic infiltration and abnormalities in TP53 expression. Use of immunohistochemistry as a screening method for BRCA1/2 inactivation is questionable at this time. Bilateral adnexectomy is considered to be a standard prophylactic treatment of women affected by germinal BRCA1/2 mutation. In that case, fallopian tubes should be submitted completely for the histological evaluation according to the SEE-FIM protocol (Sectioning and Extensively Examining the FIMbria) due to the risk of STIC or occult HGSC. Tumors with BRCA1/2 inactivation show a better therapeutic response to platinum-based chemotherapeutic compounds and a more favorable prognosis. Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) are the next generation of antitumor agents comprising olaparib which is implemented in clinical practice currently. Germinal or somatic inactivation of BRCA1/2 serves as a predictor for targeted oncologic therapy by PARP inhibitors, therefore evaluation of these genes in ovarian carcinoma patients will be carried out by departments of pathology and clinical genetics. Next generation sequencing seems to be an ideal method for the reduction of the time factor and optimization of BRCA1/2 analysis. Unfortunately, a routine test for the evaluation of homologous recombination functionality and detection of "BRCAness" in sporadic tumors is still not available.

[BRCA1 and BRCA2 - pathologists starting kit]

Dysfunction of tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 is involved in the pathogenesis of malignant tumors, especially breast and ovarian carcinoma. BRCA1/2 genes may be inactivated by germinal and somatic mutations or epigenetic changes. Germinal mutations are responsible for the hereditary breast and ovarian carcinoma syndrome. Defects of BRCA1/2 genes lead to the failure of homologous recombination, the basic mechanism for DNA double strand break repair. The resultant genomic instability is associated with a high risk of malignant transformation of the cell, but it also results in a higher sensitivity of tumors to platinum-based chemotherapeutic compounds which damage DNA structure directly. Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) are the next generation of antitumor agents aimed on the suppression of DNA single strand break repair. In homologous recombination deficient tumors, PARP inhibitors lead to accumulation of DNA damage and death of neoplastic cells through the mechanism of synthetic lethality. Platinum-based agents and PARP inhibitors are effective not only against tumors with germinal and somatic BRCA1/2 mutations but also against sporadic carcinomas with epigenetic BRCA1/2 inactivation or with defects of other independent genes involved in the control of homologous recombination. This phenomenon is represented by the term "BRCAness". Mutational analysis is used for the assessment of BRCA1/2 status, but it is complicated by the prominent length of BRCA1/2 genes and a wide spectrum of possible genetic alterations. Therefore, next generation sequencing seems to represent an optimal approach for BRCA1/2 evaluation nowadays. Development of reliable diagnostic tests for BRCAness in sporadic tumors and efforts to reverse platinum and PARP inhibitors resistance represent the key objectives of the forthcoming research.

[Vulvar squamous precancerous lesions History and current state of the topic]

This review article discribes the genesis and development of vulvar squamous precancerous lesions terminology and discusses the consensus of the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, College of American Pathologists and the World Health Organization on the current terminology. The article describes the different types of vulvar squamous precancerous lesions, according to their etiology, incidence and malignant potential.

[Ganglioneuroma, a rare cause of soft neck tissues tumor in adult age]

We present the case of a 26-year-old female patient with coincidental ultrasound finding of a neck tumour located below the left thyroid lobe. The tumour slightly increased in size over a year. Fine needle aspiration indicated the neuroectodermal origin of the tumour and surgical removal was performed. Although the tumour mass was carefully and successfully removed, post-operational Horners syndrome appeared. The tumour tissue was diagnosed as ganglioneuroma by histopathology.