Impact of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes on Disease Progression in Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

We aim to explore the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes of patients with HPV(+)OPSCC. We hypothesize that TILS density at both sites is associated with disease-free survival in HPV(+)OPSCC.

STUDY DESIGN

Matched case-control study among HPV(+)OPSCC patients who underwent intent-to-cure surgery. Cases developed locoregional or distant recurrence. Controls were matched based on age, sex, pathologic T, N, and overall stage, year of surgery, type of adjuvant treatment received, and the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27) score.

SETTING

Single tertiary care center, May 2007 to December 2016.

METHODS

Tumoral TILs (tTILs) density was defined as % TILs; stromal TILs (sTILs) density was defined as absent/sparse or moderate/dense crowding. Associations between TILs and time to disease progression were assessed using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Forty-four case-control pairs (N = 88) were included: 42 (48%) AJCC pStage I, 39 (44%) pStage II, and 7 (8%) pStage III. tTILs density ≥10% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17-0.99, p = .048) and a moderate/dense sTILs density (HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06-0.75, p = .016) in the primary tumor were significantly associated with decreased risk of progression. TILs density in the lymph node was associated with decreased risk of progression but did not reach statistical significance. The tTILs and sTILs density correlated strongly between the primary tumor and lymph node. Concordance between the pathologists' was moderate (60%-70%).

CONCLUSIONS

In HPV(+)OPSCC, a higher density of tumoral and stromal TILs in the primary tumor and possibly the lymph node may predict a lower risk of disease progression.

Bystander CD4+ T cells infiltrate human tumors and are phenotypically distinct

Tumor-specific T cells likely underpin effective immune checkpoint-blockade therapies. Yet, most studies focus on Treg cells and CD8⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Here, we study CD4⁺ TILs in human lung and colorectal cancers and observe that non-Treg CD4⁺ TILs average more than 70% of total CD4⁺ TILs in both cancer types. Leveraging high dimensional analyses including mass cytometry, we reveal that CD4⁺ TILs are phenotypically heterogeneous, within each tumor and across patients. Consistently, we find different subsets of CD4⁺ TILs showing characteristics of effectors, tissue resident memory (Trm) or exhausted cells (expressing PD-1, CTLA-4 and CD39). In both cancer types, the frequencies of CD39^- non-Treg CD4⁺ TILs strongly correlate with frequencies of CD39^- CD8⁺ TILs, which we and others have previously shown to be enriched for cells specific for cancer-unrelated antigens (bystanders). Ex-vivo, we demonstrate that CD39^- CD4⁺ TILs can be specific for cancer-unrelated antigens, such as HCMV epitopes. Overall, our findings highlight that CD4⁺ TILs can also recognize cancer-unrelated antigens and suggest measuring CD39 expression as a straightforward way to quantify or isolate bystander CD4⁺ T cells.

Basal cell carcinoma: variation in invasion depth by subtype, sex, and anatomic site in 4,565 cases

Background

The depth of invasion by basal cell carcinoma (BCC) subtypes varies.

Objective

To investigate BCC invasion depth variation by subtype and anatomic site.

Method

A prospective consecutive case series of excised BCC from 2009 to 2014 in a single Australian clinic.

Results

Descending mean depths for a total of 4,565 BCC cases by subtype were as follows: nodulocystic, 1.9 mm (n = 84, 95% CI: 1.70-2.03, P = 0.66); nodular, 1.6 mm (n = 947, 95% CI: 1.53-1.63, P < 0.0001); aggressive, 1.5 mm (n = 925, 95% CI: 1.44-1.59, P < 0.0001); superficial combined with nodular, 0.9 mm (n = 1,081, 95% CI: 0.83-0.90, P < 0.0001); and superficial, 0.3 mm (n = 1,528, 95% CI: 0.32-0.36, P < 0.0001). Deeper invasion was associated with increased chronic sunlight exposed sites. The deepest aggressive BCCs occurred on the neck with a mean depth of 1.8 mm (n = 46, 95% CI: 1.47-2.21).

Conclusion

We found significant differences in the depth of invasion for BCCs by sex, subtype, and anatomic site. For BCC with characteristics matching this study, overall adequate microscopic excision depths are proposed: superficial, 1.0 mm; superficial combined with nodular, 2.0 mm; nodular, 3.0 mm; and aggressive, 3.0 mm.

Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis of Infiltrating Neoplastic Cells at the Migrating Front of Human Glioblastoma. Cell Rep. 2017;21:1399-1410. [PMID: 29091775 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.10.030]

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer in adults and is notoriously difficult to treat because of its diffuse nature. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on 3,589 cells in a cohort of four patients. We obtained cells from the tumor core as well as surrounding peripheral tissue. Our analysis revealed cellular variation in the tumor's genome and transcriptome. We were also able to identify infiltrating neoplastic cells in regions peripheral to the core lesions. Despite the existence of significant heterogeneity among neoplastic cells, we found that infiltrating GBM cells share a consistent gene signature between patients, suggesting a common mechanism of infiltration. Additionally, in investigating the immunological response to the tumors, we found transcriptionally distinct myeloid cell populations residing in the tumor core and the surrounding peritumoral space. Our data provide a detailed dissection of GBM cell types, revealing an abundance of information about tumor formation and migration.

[Basal cell carcinoma: about a historical case]

We here report the case of an 80 year old man, with clear phototype, villager, residing in one of the most isolated places in our kingdom, located at an altitude above 2400 metres. During humanitarian aid, he presented with ulcero-necrotic tumor infiltrating the nasal root and the right orbit with total destruction of the right eye. The patient reported that the lesion had progressed for two and a half years from a small bleeding papule on the nasal root with orbital spread. Clinical and histological appearance suggested the diagnosis of infiltrating basal cell carcinoma. Staging showed right naso-orbital bone invasion. Mutilating cancer surgery was indicated but the patient refused it. Basal cell carcinoma is reported to have a relatively good prognosis because of its slow and local evolution. However, some cancer types, such as infiltrative tumor occurring in some high-risk areas, including the naso-orbital region, can be rapidly devastating, mutilating and voluminous with aesthetic and functional impairements as well as difficult to manage.

Development of AlN/Epoxy Composites with Enhanced Thermal Conductivity

AlN/epoxy composites with high thermal conductivity were successfully prepared by infiltrating epoxy into AlN porous ceramics which were fabricated by gelcasting of foaming method. The microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of the resulting composites were investigated. The compressive strengths of the AlN/epoxy composites were enhanced compared with the pure epoxy. The AlN/epoxy composites demonstrate much higher thermal conductivity, up to 19.0 W/(m·K), compared with those by the traditional particles filling method, because of continuous thermal channels formed by the walls and struts of AlN porous ceramics. This study demonstrates a potential route to manufacture epoxy-based composites with extremely high thermal conductivity.

Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma on the Face is a Diagnostic Challenge

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer. The incidence of BCC is rising. The nodular, superficial spreading, and infiltrating variants are the three most commonly encountered types of BCC in descending order of prevalence. Superficial spreading basal cell carcinoma (SSBCC) accounts for 15-26% of all cases of BCC. It usually occurs on the trunk and upper extremities, but may be seen on the face. Surgical excision is the most commonly used treatment for BCC. Topical chemotherapy agents such as imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) may be various alternatives or adjuvants in the treatment of SSBCC. characteristically shows areas of uninvolved skin between tumor nests.[7]

Renal myopericytoma: a clinicopathologic study of six cases and review of the literature

To evaluate the morphologic features, immunohistochemical profiles, and biological behavior of renal myopericytoma. Six cases of renal myopericytoma are retrospectively retrieved and analyzed by H&E and immunohistochemical staining. Clinically, patient's age ranged from 33 to 70 years (median, 56 years). Male to female ratio was 5:1. Five of the six patients were asymptomatic of the urinary tract, the remained one presented with abdomen pain. Grossly, all six tumors were solitary masses with sizes ranging from 1.8 to 7.3 cm of maximum diameter (mean, 4.4 cm). Five tumors were described as well-circumscribed, and 1 case was showed as ill-defined. Histologically, in all cases, numerous thin-walled vessels and a perivascular arrangement of ovoid, spindled or round myoid tumor cells were seen. However, a broad morphologic spectrum ranging from fibroma-like (3 cases), glomangiopericytoma-like (3 cases), angioleiomyoma-like (2 cases), glomoid- like (2 cases), and myofibroma-like (2 cases) components were observed. In addition, 1 neoplasm with immature cellular features and another infiltrating myopericytoma were found. A coexisting papillary adenoma was detected in 1 case. Nuclear atypia was seen in 2 cases. Immunohistochemically, SMA, caldesmon, and MSA were positive in all 6 cases, whereas CD34 and desmin was partial positive in 1 case, respectively. Ki67 index was aproximately 5% in 1 case but less than 2% in the others. All patients are free of disease by follow-up ranging from 14 to 66 months (mean, 38.7 months).

Infiltrating lipomatosis of the face: A case series

Infiltrating lipomatosis of the face is a very rare entity which is characterized by the collection of non-encapsulated mature adipocytes infiltrating local tissues, resulting in craniofacial deformities. Psychomotor development of the patients is normal, esthetics often being the primary concern to seek treatment. The presentation is always unilateral with hypertrophy of hard and soft structures on the affected side of the face. The pathogenesis of the condition is unclear. This condition shows a wide phenotypic range, uncertain prognosis with high rates of recurrence after surgery, and variable post-op cosmetic improvement. The condition shows no gender predilection, with most of the cases presenting in and beyond the second decade of life. Here, we present a series of four cases presenting in varying age groups with history of recurrence in three cases.

Infiltrating hepatocellular carcinoma: seeing the tree through the forest

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It is traditionally difficult to cure, especially when discovered at later stages, making early diagnosis and intervention of paramount importance. HCC typically arises in the background of chronic liver disease and can have various morphologic appearances. One of the most difficult of these to recognize on early surveillance imaging is the infiltrative subtype, which can account for up to 13% of all HCC cases, and may be more closely associated with background hepatitis B infection.

DISCUSSION

Certain imaging characteristics can provide vital clues, including differing signal intensity on the T1 and T2 sequences of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the presence/appearance of portal vein thrombus. Owing to the diffuse and infiltrating properties of this tumor, surgical resection and transplantation are rarely if ever viable therapeutic options. Other forms of liver-directed therapy have been attempted with limited success, having minimal efficacy and high morbidity. To date, there is no data available to determine if the various HCC subtypes respond to systemic therapy differently, so this may be the most reasonable approach. Left untreated, observed patients commonly progress to hepatic failure fairly rapidly.

CONCLUSION

Infiltrative HCC can be extremely subtle, and therefore difficult to detect, especially in the background of cirrhosis. Providers caring for patients with hepatitis, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis must be extremely vigilant in the evaluation of surveillance imaging in order to potentially discover this HCC subtype as early as possible and initiate a multidisciplinary treatment plan.