Systematic review of the old and new concepts in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is defined as the transformation of an epithelial cell into a spindle cell with the loss of membrane E-cadherin expression and the gain of mesenchymal markers positivity. In the field of colorectal cancer (CRC), first data about EMT was published in 1995 and more than 400 papers had been written up to March 2016. Most of them are focused on the molecular pathways and experimentally-proved chemoresistance. In the present article, an update in the field of EMT in CRC based on the review of the literature and personal experience of the authors is presented. The information about the molecular and immunohistochemical (IHC) particularities of these processes and their possible role in the prognosis of CRC were also up-dated. This article focuses on the IHC quantification of the EMT, the immunoprofile of tumor buds and on the relation between EMT, angiogenesis, and stem cells activation. The EMT-induced chemoresistance vs chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-induced EMT and cellular senescence was also synthesized for both conventional and targeted therapy. As a future perspective, the EMT-angiogenesis-stemness link could be used as a possible valuable parameter for clinical follow-up and targeted therapeutic oncologic management of patients with CRC. Association of dexamethasone and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors combined with conventional chemotherapies could have clinical benefits in patients with CRC. The main conclusion is that, although many studies have been published, the EMT features are still incompletely elucidated and newly discovered EMT markers provide confusing data in understanding this complicated process, which might have significant clinical impact.

Epithelial Mesenchymal and Endothelial Mesenchymal Transitions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review

PURPOSE

To present a comprehensive review of the literature data, published between 2000 and 2019 on the PubMed and Web of Science databases, in the field of the tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All the data were combined with the personal experiences of the authors.

DESIGN

From 1002 representative papers, we selected 86 representative publications which included data on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), and molecular background of chemoresistance or resistance to radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Although the central event concerns activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, other signal pathways, such as c-Met/HGF/Snail, Notch-1/NF-κB, TGF-β/SMAD, and basic fibroblast growth factor-related signaling, play a role in the EMT of HCC cells. This pathway is targeted by specific miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, as explored in this paper. A central player in the tumor microenvironment proved to be the CSCs which can be marked by CD133, CD44, CD90, EpCAM, and CD105. CSCs can induce resistance to cytotoxic therapy or, alternatively, can be synthesized, de novo, after chemo- or radiotherapy, especially after transarterial chemoembolization- or radiofrequency ablation-induced hypoxia. The circulating tumor cells proved to have epithelial, intermediate, or mesenchymal features; their properties have a critical prognostic role.

CONCLUSION

The metastatic pathway of HCC seems to be related to the Wnt- or, rather, TGFβ1-mediated inflammation-angiogenesis-EMT-CSCs crosstalk link. Molecular therapy should target this molecular axis controlling the HCC microenvironment.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of gastrointestinal tract: Report of two cases

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is a rare tumor of the gastrointestinal tract that consists of a dual adenocarcinomatous and neuroendocrine differentiation, each component representing at least 30% of the tumor. To date, only seven cases have been reported in the cecum, and less than 40 in the stomach. Our first case was diagnosed in a 74-years-old female as a polypoid lesion of the cecum with direct invasion in the transverse colon, without lymph node metastases. The second case was diagnosed in the stomach of a 46-years-old male as a polypoid tumor of the antral region that invaded the pancreas and presented metastases in 22 regional lymph nodes. The metastatic tissue was represented by the glandular component. In both cases, the tumor consisted of a moderately-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma (with mucinous component in Case 1) intermingled with neuroendocrine carcinoma. Ki67 index was lower than 20% in Case 1, respectively higher than 20% in Case 2. The neuroendocrine component was marked by synaptophysin and neuron specific enolase, being negative for Keratins 7/20. The neuroendocrine component represented 60% in Case 1, and 40% in Case 2, respectively. The glandular components were marked by carcinoembryonic antigen, maspin and keratin 20/7 (Case 1/2). Both cases were proved to be microsatellite stable. Independently by the localization and tumor stage, MANECs appear to be highly malignant tumors, with high risk for distant metastases. The aggressiveness seems to depend on the endocrine component, independent of its proportion. The neuroendocrine component could be a dedifferentiated adenocarcinoma with a neuroendocrine phenotype.

Mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition in Kaposi sarcoma: a histogenetic hypothesis based on a case series and literature review

OBJECTIVES

Although several studies have been conducted regarding Kaposi sarcoma (KS), its histogenesis still remains to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to analyze the immunophenotype of Kaposi sarcoma and to present a hypothesis about the histogenesis of this tumor, based on a case series and a review of relevant literature.

METHODS

In 15 cases of KSs diagnosed during 2000-2011, the clinicopathological features were correlated with the immunoexpression of c-Kit, SMA, CD34, CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), COX-2, c-KIT, smooth muscle antigen (SMA), and stem cell surface marker CD105.

RESULTS

Both CD105 and c-KIT rate of the spindle-shaped tumor cell positivity increased in parallel to the pathological stage. All cases displayed CD105 and weak c-KIT positivity in the endothelial cells. SMA, VEGF, and COX-2 were focally expressed in all cases. CD34 marked both endothelium and spindle-shaped tumor cells. No c-KIT expression was noticed in KS of the internal organs.

CONCLUSIONS

KS seems to be a variant of myofibroblastic tumors that originates from the viral modified pluripotent mesenchymal cells of the connective tissue transformed in spindle-shaped KS cells, followed by a mesenchymal-endothelial transition and a myofibroblastic-like differentiation. This paper mailnly showed that KS cannot be considered a pure vascular tumor.

Aberrant pattern of the cytokeratin 7/cytokeratin 20 immunophenotype in colorectal adenocarcinomas with BRAF mutations

Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and 20 (CK20) are used for the differential diagnosis of metastases from colorectal carcinomas (CRC), which are usually CK7-/CK20+, and other tumors. In our study, we performed immunohistochemical staining with CK7 and CK20 in 52 randomly selected cases of CRC and analyzed microsatellite instability status and BRAF mutations to identify those factors that may determine the changing pattern of CK7/CK20 immunophenotype in these tumors. CK7 was negative in all microsatellite stable tumors (MSS), but all carcinomas presenting microsatellite instability (MSI) and BRAF mutations were diffusely positive for this marker. CK20 was diffusely expressed in 79.06% of MSS tumors. Regarding MSI, in case with no BRAF mutations, a progressive decrease in CK20 expression was noted, and in BRAF-mutated adenocarcinomas, no expression of CK20 was observed. It seems that in case of MSI located on the proximal colon, which also presents BRAF mutations, CK20/CK7 may present a changing immunophenotype pattern, which may complicate the differential diagnosis of metastatic tumors. This is the first reported study of the relationship between CK20/CK7 immunophenotype, BRAF mutations and microsatellite status in CRC.

Nuclear maspin expression: A biomarker for budding assessment in colorectal cancer specimens

AIM

To evaluate the maspin expression in colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and its possible role in quantification of the tumor budding.

METHODS

The tumor budding was prospectively quantified in 49 consecutive cases of patients that underwent surgical resection for CRC. The cases were divided in two groups: group A (n=23) - low budding (<5 tumor buds per high microscopic field) and group B (n=26) - high budding CRCs (≥5 buds). Maspin expression was evaluated in the tumor core and the buds from the hot spot area in 44 of the microsatellite stable adenocarcinomas. Its expression was quantified as negative, cytoplasmic only, nuclear only or mixed expression (cytoplasm and nucleus).

RESULTS

Compared with group A, a higher pT (p <0.0001) and pN stage (p=0.0001) and infiltrating aspect at macroscopic evaluation (p=0.0081) was identified in group B. No correlation between the maspin expression in the tumore core and the budding grade was noted (p=0.14). Compared with the tumor core, the cytoplasm to nuclear translocation of maspin was more frequently observed in cases from group B than A (n=0.0063).

CONCLUSION

For the colorectal carcinomas, the infiltrative aspect at macroscopic evaluation and nuclear maspin in the buds might be used as indicators of risk for lymph node metastases. Maspin nuclear expression in the buds may be helpful for a proper budding assessment and may serve as a negative prognostic factor.

The possible role of Mena protein and its splicing-derived variants in embryogenesis, carcinogenesis, and tumor invasion: a systematic review of the literature

The Ena/VASP (enabled/vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein) family includes the binding actin proteins such as mammalian Ena (Mena), VASP, and Ena-VASP-like. It is known that the perturbation of actin cycle could determine alteration in the mobility of cells and in consequence of organogenesis. Few recent studies have revealed that Mena protein could play a role in breast or pancreatic carcinogenesis. Based on our researches, we observed that the intensity of Mena expression increased from premalignant to malignant lesions in some organs such as large bowel, stomach, cervix, and salivary glands. These findings prove that Mena could be a marker of premalignant epithelial lesions. In premalignant lesions, it could be helpful to define more accurately the risk for malignant transformation. In malignant tumors, correlation of expression of its splice variants could indicate metastatic behavior. In conclusion, we consider that it is necessary to analyze the expression of Mena splice variants in a higher number of cases, in different epithelial lesions, and also in experimental studies to define its exact role in carcinogenesis and also its possible prognostic and predictive values.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas: Two case reports

RATIONALE

About 8384 cases of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPN) of pancreas have been published in English literature, from 1933 to 2018. This is a low-grade tumor that usually occurs in children but is rare in adults and, in exceptional cases, can show extrapancreatic localization. In this paper we present 2 unusual cases of SPNs, 1 with retroperitoneal location (case 1) and 1 that was firstly diagnosed as a G1 neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and showed hepatic metastases after 13 years (case 2).

PATIENT CONCERNS

No symptoms in first case. The tumor was incidentally diagnosed, during ultrasound examination. In the second case, the metastasis was observed during regular follow-up.

DIAGNOSES

The diagnosis was established based on the histological features and immunohistochemical profile that showed positivity for vimentin, nuclear β-catenin, cyclin D1, CD10, and SRY-related high-mobility group box 11 and negativity for maspin.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical excision, in both cases.

OUTCOMES

No recurrences in first case, at 5 months after diagnosis. Hepatic metastases in the second case, at 13 years after diagnosis, with portal invasion after another 15 months.

LESSONS

Without a complex immunoprofile, SPN can be misdiagnosed as NET. SPN can be a low-grade tumor but long-time follow-up is mandatory to detect delayed metastases. A correct diagnosis is necessary for a proper therapeutic management.

Current status of familial gastrointestinal polyposis syndromes

Because of the rarity of familial gastrointestinal cancer-predisposing syndromes, their exploration in literature is not extensive. In this review, an update of the clinicopathological and molecular criteria of gastrointestinal familial polyposis syndromes with potential malignant transformation is performed. In addition, a guide for screening and surveillance was synthesized and a distribution of gene mutations according to the specific syndromes and geographic distribution was included. The following inherited polyposes syndromes were analyzed: familial adenomatous polyposis, the hamartomatous familial polyposes (Juvenile polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, neurofibromatosis type I and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 2B), Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and MUTYH-associated adenomatous polyposis. For proper medical care, subspecialization of gastroenterologists, pathologists, and genticists in the field of familial diseases should be introduced in the medical curriculum.

Subcellular Expression of Maspin in Colorectal Cancer: Friend or Foe

In this review the authors aimed to emphasize the practical value of nuclear expression of the mammary serine protease inhibitor (maspin), also known as serpin B5 protein, in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), from pre-malignant disorders to carcinogenesis and metastasis. As the role of maspin is controversial and not yet understood, the present update highlights the latest data revealed by literature which were filtrated through the daily experience of the authors, which was gained at microscopic examination of maspin expression in CRCs and other tumors for daily diagnosis. Data regarding the subcellular localization of maspin, in correlation with the microsatellite status, grade of tumor dedifferentiation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon of the tumor buds were presented with details. An original observation refers to the maspin capacity to mark the tumor cells which are "at the point of budding" that were previously considered as having "hybrid EMT phenotype". It refers to the transitional status of tumor cell that is between "epithelial status" and "mesenchymal status". The second original hypothesis highlights the possible role of maspin in dysregulating the intestinal microbiota, in patients with idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and inducing IBD-related CRC. The dynamic process of budding and EMT of tumor buds, possible mediated by maspin, needs further investigation and validation in many human CRC samples. The histological and molecular data reveal that synthesis of maspin-based therapeutics might represent a novel individualized therapeutic strategy for patients with CRC.

The immunohistochemical profile of granular cell (Abrikossoff) tumor suggests an endomesenchymal origin

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is an uncommon soft tissue neoplasm which has an unclear histogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze its immunophenotype and hypothesize on the histogenesis of GCT. A database of 2,250 soft tissue tumors was examined to identify and characterize the particularities of GCTs. A large panel of antibodies was used. Of the 2,250 tumors, only 15 were GCTs (0.66 %); these were diagnosed in patients whose average age was 37 years. Among them, 5 had malignant potential, the remaining 10 were benign. One of these benign tumors was associated with a metachronous chondrosarcoma with metastases in the lungs. No recurrences were reported in these cases. The benign tumors displayed positivity for S-100, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), CD56, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and inhibin. In the atypical GCTs, NSE, S-100 protein, c-KIT, RET and EMA were positive, while inhibin and CD56 were negative; rare osteoclastic-like histiocytes, marked by CD68, were seen. All cases were negative for CD31, CD34, smooth muscle actin, desmin, maspin, and calretinin. Ovoid bodies expressed CD105, synaptophysin, and HER-2. All the cases were microsatellite-stable tumors. The immunoprofile suggests that the GCT seems to have an endomesenchymal origin. The c-KIT and RET positivity, associated with microsatellite stability, and the immunoprofile of the ovoid bodies have never reported before in GCTs.

Serrated pathway adenocarcinomas: molecular and immunohistochemical insights into their recognition

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC) developed through serrated pathway seem to present particular behavior compared with the non-serrated ones, but recognition of them is difficult to do. The aim of our paper was to establish some criteria to facilitate their identification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 170 consecutive CRCs, we performed immunohistochemical staining with Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and Cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and also with p53 and MLH-1. At the same time, we analyzed BRAF and K-ras mutations and the microsatellite status of CRC.

RESULTS

26.47% of cases expressed CK7, and 16.47% were CK20-negative. Diffuse positivity for CK7 was associated in the proximal colon with CK20 negativity or weak positivity, BRAF mutations, lack of K-ras mutations, and p53 and MLH-1 negativity. All these cases were microsatellite-unstable and were diagnosed in stage II. Those cases from the distal colon and rectum that expressed CK7 were K-ras-mutated and had low p53 index and MLH-1 positivity, independent of the CK20 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

CK7, associated with MLH-1 and p53 expression, and also with the microsatellite status, BRAF and K-ras pattern, might be used to identify the CRC potentially going through serrated pathway. The serrated pathway adenocarcinomas of the proximal colon that do not display the morphological features of this pattern are more frequent CK7+/p53-/MLH-1-/BRAF-mutated/K-ras-wt/MSI cases, but those located in the distal colorectal segments seem to be CK7+/CK20+/p53-/MLH-1+/BRAF wt/K-ras-mutated/MSS cases.

Gastric cancer in young vs old Romanian patients: immunoprofile with emphasis on maspin and mena protein reactivity

Increasing number of early-onset gastric carcinomas (GCs) and controversial results regarding the differences among young and older patients with this type of cancer are the reasons why correlation of clinicopathological factors with molecular markers is necessary. The aim of our study was to compare the demographic, clinical and immunohistochemical (IHC) aspects in Romanian patients with GC diagnosed below and above 45 years old. In 191 samples provided from patients with GC, the clinicopathological parameters were correlated with a panel of 15 antibodies: E-cadherin, HER-2, VEGF, CD31, CD105, COX-2, maspin, bax, bcl-2, p53, Ki67, MLH-1, MSH-2, mena protein and vimentin. Compared to the conventional cases, GCs diagnosed below 45 years old were more frequently located at the gastroesophageal junction and presented a higher percentage of lymph node metastases. The diffuse type E-cadherin/mena/p53/Ki67/bax-negative cases that displayed nuclear maspin positivity were also more frequently in younger patients. The intestinal type early-onset GCs were the most angiogenic ones, the apoptotic rate being lower than in the intestinal type GCs of the aged. Compared to the conventional cases, in the early-onset GCs the nuclear maspin-mediated antiproliferative activity is more intense in diffuse type while the mena-dependent tumor cell proliferation is more characteristic for intestinal type GCs.

Angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma: An immunohistochemistry study

BACKGROUND

Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most vascular solid tumors, antiangiogenic therapy has not induced the expected results.

AIM

To uncover immunohistochemical (IHC) aspects of angiogenesis in HCC.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed and 50 cases of HCC were randomly selected. The angiogenesis particularities were evaluated based on the IHC markers Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and the endothelial area (EA) was counted using the antibodies CD31 and CD105.

RESULTS

The angiogenic phenotype evaluated with VEGF-A was more expressed in small tumors without vascular invasion (pT1), whereas COX-2 was rather expressed in dedifferentiated tumors developed in non-cirrhotic liver. The CD31-related EA value decreased in parallel with increasing COX-2 intensity but was higher in HCC cases developed in patients with cirrhosis. The CD105-related EA was higher in tumors developed in patients without associated hepatitis.

CONCLUSION

In patients with HCC developed in cirrhosis, the newly formed vessels are rather immature and their genesis is mediated via VEGF. In patients with non-cirrhotic liver, COX-2 intensity and number of mature neoformed vessels increases in parallel with HCC dedifferentiation.

Practical value of the new system for Maspin assessment, in colorectal cancer

Maspin is a serine protease which belongs to the serpin family and seems to play an important role in inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor proliferation. The significance of its expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been elucidated so far. In our study, we tried to identify, based on Maspin expression, four groups of CRC, with possible prognostic impact. In 121 CRC, we analyzed the Maspin expression in correlation with the clinico-pathological features, microsatellite status and other markers such as p53, bax, bcl-2, VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and CD31. Based on the percentage and intensity of Maspin expression in the tumor cells, the cases were grouped in four classes: negative, with cytoplasmic predominance, nuclear predominated, and cases with mixed (cytoplasmic-nuclear) expression. 9% of the cases were negative, 44% presented cytoplasmic predominance, the nuclear predominance was revealed in 24% of the cases, and the other 23% of CRC having a mixed Maspin positivity. The cytoplasmic predominance was correlated with a better prognosis, p53 negativity, bax positivity, and lack of tumor budding. Forty percent of microsatellite instable (MSI) cases presented mixed expression, this pattern being also related to a lower angiogenesis. Nuclear predominance was associated with p53 positivity, the lowest survival rate and intense VEGF expression. In conclusion, CRC with cytoplasmic predominance and mixed Maspin expression seems to present better prognosis whereas nuclear predominance is connected with high aggressivity.

Mena, a new available marker in tumors of salivary glands?

Mena (mammalian Ena) is an actin regulatory protein involved in cell motility and adhesion. Based on its potential role in malignant transformation revealed in other organs, we analyzed the Mena expression in normal salivary glands (SG) and salivary tumors. Mena expression was determined in normal SG (n=10) and also benign (n=20) and malignant (n=35) lesions of SG. For the immunohistochemical staining we used the anti-Mena antibody. All normal SG and the benign lesions (10 pleomorphic adenomas, 10 Warthin's tumors) were Mena negative. Salivary duct carcinomas (n=5), carcinomas in pleomorphic adenoma (n=5), acinic cell carcinomas (n=5), squamous cell carcinomas (n=10) and high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas (n=2) were positive. The lymphomas (n=5) and low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas (n=1) were Mena negative. In one case the lymphoblastic cells stained positive for Mena. Some of the endothelial cells, in the peritumoral vessels, were Mena positive. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in the literature about Mena expression in salivary tumors. Our study suggests that Mena protein seems to play a role in malignant transformation and its intensity is correlated with the type and grade of tumor and also with vascular invasion. Its positivity in endothelial cells may suggest its potential role in tumor angiogenesis.

Immunohistochemical-based molecular subtyping of colorectal carcinoma using maspin and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The aim of the present study was to classify colorectal carcinoma (CRC) into molecular subtypes, based on immunohistochemical (IHC) assessments. A total of 112 CRC samples were molecularly classified based on the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated IHC markers. A total of three molecular subtypes were defined: Epithelial, membrane positivity for E-cadherin and β-catenin, negative for vimentin; mesenchymal, E-cadherin-negative, nuclear β-catenin- and vimentin-positive; and hybrid cases, epithelial tumor core and mesenchymal tumor buds. Most of the cases were diagnosed as moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (n=89; 79.46%). The majority of cases (n=100; 89.28%) exhibited a mismatch repair proficient status (microsatellite stable CRCs). A predominance of epithelial-type (n=51; 45.54%) and hybrid CRCs (n=47; 41.96%) was observed, whereas a few cases (n=14; 12.50%) were classified as mesenchymal-type CRCs. This molecular classification was associated with pathological stage (P<0.01), pT stage (P=0.04), pN stage (P<0.01), the grade of tumor budding (P=0.04), and maspin expression in both the tumor core (P=0.04) and the invasion front (P<0.01). The mesenchymal-type cases predominantly exhibited lymph node metastases, high-grade budding and a tendency towards maspin nuclear predominance. All epithelial-type cases with maspin-only expression (n=18) were non-metastatic. Patients with CRC of the epithelial subtype and those with a lymph node ratio (LNR) ≤0.15 presented the best overall survival, followed by those with hybrid and mesenchymal subtypes. Nuclear maspin positivity was more frequent in cases with a high-budding degree compared with those with a low-budding degree (P=0.03). The EMT-associated molecular classification of CRCs may be used to identify the most aggressive CRCs, which show a mesenchymal phenotype, high-budding degree, maspin nuclear positivity and lymph node metastases. The pN stage, LNR and budding degree of patients, which can be evaluated with maspin expression, remain the most important prognostic factors.

Clinico-radiological diagnosis and grading of rapidly progressive osteoarthritis of the hip

Due to the current lack of standard definitions for rapidly progressive osteoarthritis of the hip (RPOH) in the literature, this observational study aimed to describe new diagnostic criteria and a grading system for the disease.From a consecutive series of patients undergoing total hip replacement, 2 groups were selected: 1 with RPOH and 1 with primary hip osteoarthritis (POH), and their clinical, paraclinical, and demographic data were compared. The newly proposed clinico-radiological diagnostic criteria are based on characteristics of pain, joint mobility, and radiological assessment. The radiological grading system's inter- and intraobserver reliability was assessed through serial evaluations by 2 blinded reviewers.From the total 863 cases, 82 cases (9.5%) of RPOH were identified and compared with 107 cases of POH. Mean age and disease bilaterality were similar, with a predominance of female patients in the RPOH group (P = 0.03). There were significant differences between the 2 groups in disease onset and aggravation, and intraoperative blood loss. The grading system showed significant inter- and intraobserver agreement (weighted kappa 0.93, and 0.89).Our study presents distinctive, easily recognizable clinico-radiological characteristics of RPOH and confirmed the inter- and intraobserver reliability of the newly proposed grading system.

First Case Report of a Sporadic Adrenocortical Carcinoma With Gastric Metastasis and a Synchronous Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Stomach

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumor with high aggresivity that can associate systemic metastases. A 71-year-old man was hospitalized for gastric cancer. The abdominal computed tomography also revealed a tumor above the right kidney. Total gastrectomy and right adrenalectomy were performed. The encapsulated tumor of the adrenal gland weighed 560 grams and presented diffuse tumor architecture under microscope, with capsular, sinusoidal, and vascular invasion. The large tumor cells had a polygonal shape, with slight basophilic, eosinophilic, or vacuolated cytoplasm, pleomorphic nuclei, and a high mitotic rate. In the stomach, the protruded tumor was covered by normal mucosa; under microscope, the tumor cells were observed only in the submucosal layer. In primary adrenal tumor and gastric metastasis the tumor cells were marked by vimentin, inhibin, synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase, and calretinin. Based on these criteria, the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) with gastric metastasis and no lymph node metastases was established. A synchronous 10 × 10-mm-sized gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach, without mitoses, was also identified. So far, as we know, this is the 15th case of ever reported synchronous/metachronous sporadic ACCs; the ACC-related gastric metastases either synchronous ACC and GIST, has not been reported in the literature previously.

The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Pathway in Two Cases with Gastric Metastasis Originating from Breast Carcinoma, One with a Metachronous Primary Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Metastases to the stomach are extremely rare and the metastatic pathway is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

To present two unusual gastric metastases and a review of the literature regarding the pathway of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in the metastatic cells.

METHOD

The clinicopathological aspects of the two cases were presented in the light of the most recent patents. Data about patents were obtained from the online databases PubMed, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Google patents.

RESULTS

In the first case, in a 73-year-old female, total gastrectomy was performed for a Gastric Cancer (GC) that was proved to be, based on the immunohistochemical features (positivity for mammaglobin and estrogen receptor and negativity for E-cadherin, β-catenin, CD44 and maspin), a metastasis from an invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast, that was later confirmed. In the second case, a 67-year-old female with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, which benefited from chemotherapy and mastectomy, presented a metachronous gastric adenocarcinoma with collision-type metastatic breast ductal carcinoma. The aggressiveness of the GC cells was induced through the E-cadherin/maspin pathway, while the CD44-related stem-like properties of the tumor cells induced the aggressiveness of ductal carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

In females with breast cancer, a possible metastasis in the stomach should be taken into account. Maspin and VSIG1 are not involved in breast cancer histogenesis. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling is not involved in the lobular carcinoma progression. The CD44/HER2 positivity in ductal carcinoma cells might indicate high risk of distant metastasis and low response to chemotherapy.

Proposal of a Dukes-MAC-like staging system for gastric cancer

The aim of this study was to present an epidemiological update regarding the classical prognostic parameters of gastric cancer (GC) in 3 countries from Eastern Europe and to suggest a modification of the pTNM staging system. In 333 consecutive cases which were diagnosed between 2003 and 2012 in 3 departments of pathology from Romania, Hungary, and Poland, the following parameters were analyzed: age and gender of patients, tumor localization, macroscopic and microscopic aspects including the degree of discohesivity, depth of tumor infiltration, and pTNM stage. From all of the studied parameters, the following proved to have independent prognostic value, indicating a lower survival rate: presence of distant metastases (p=0.001), lymph node positivity (p=0.0009), depth of tumor infiltration (p=0.04), age over 50 (p=0.02), proximally located tumors (p=0.03), and ulceroinfiltrative or diffusely infiltrative macroscopic aspect (p=0.0002). The pT2N1-3 staged cases showed a worse prognosis compared with the pT3N0 ones (p=0.02). Regardless of depth of invasion, the lymph node status remains the strongest indicator of the survival rate in GC. The pTN staging system should be adapted and a Dukes-MAC-like staging system should include the following groups: stage A1-T1N0, stage A2-T1N1-3, stage B1-T2N0, stage B2-T2N1-3, stage C1-T3N0, stage C2-T3N1-3, and stage D-T4N0-3. The grade of discohesivity/budding is not a prognostic factor in GC.

From Dukes-MAC Staging System to Molecular Classification: Evolving Concepts in Colorectal Cancer

This historical review aimed to summarize the main changes that colorectal carcinoma (CRC) staging systems suffered over time, starting from the creation of the classical Duke’s classification, modified Astler–Coller staging, internationally used TNM (T—primary tumor, N—regional lymph nodes’ status, M—distant metastases) staging system, and ending with molecular classifications and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) concept. Besides currently used staging parameters, this paper briefly presents the author’s contribution in creating an immunohistochemical (IHC)-based molecular classification of CRC. It refers to the identification of three molecular groups of CRCs (epithelial, mesenchymal and hybrid) based on the IHC markers E-cadherin, β-catenin, maspin, and vimentin. Maspin is a novel IHC antibody helpful for tumor budding assessment, which role depends on its subcellular localization (cytoplasm vs. nuclei). The long road of updating the staging criteria for CRC has not come to an end. The newest prognostic biomarkers, aimed to be included in the molecular classifications, exert predictive roles, and become more and more important for targeted therapy decisions.

Molecular classification of colorectal cancer: a dream that can become a reality

Despite thousands of studies about colorectal cancer (CRC) as much as extensively usage of prognostic antibodies÷genes and clinical trials that include the newest targeted drugs, this tumor still remains in the top of both incidence and cancer-related mortality. In this review, we intended to correlate our experience in field of colorectal cancer with the literature data and to present our vision about the prognostic and predictive role of some of the most used molecular and immunohistochemical examinations in the field. The prognostic and predictive values of parameters such as microsatellite instability, angiogenesis, Maspin gene/protein, K-ras and BRAF mutations are discussed in relationship to the classical antibodies such as Keratin 7/20, p53 or HER2. At the end, we correlated these informations and tried to realize a molecular classification of colorectal cancer, similar to breast carcinomas, in order to establish targeted groups of patients for targeted therapy.

Maspin-related Orchestration of Aggressiveness of Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

Although some hypotheses have been postulated on the genesis of gastric cancer (GC), the origin of this disease remains unclear. The aim of this study was to develop a hypothesis about gastric carcinogenesis based on our experience in the field of GC and on published reports on about 28 studies in the field of subcellular maspin expression in GC. In 180 cases of GC, the clinicopathologic features were correlated with the results obtained after paired immunohistochemical stains (tumor/normal mucosa) with 15 antibodies: E-cadherin, HER-2, VEGF, CD31, CD105, COX-2, maspin, bax, bcl-2, p53, Ki67, MLH-1, MSH-2, Mena protein, and vimentin.

RESULTS

Cytoplasmic maspin was observed in foveolar cells with intestinal metaplasia, whereas mixed (combined nuclear-cytoplasmic) expressions were more characteristic of the intramucosal foci of signet-ring cells and dysplastic cells. The tumor cells that expressed cytoplasmic maspin were mostly intestinal type bax/COX-2/Mena/E-cadherin-positive differentiated adenocarcinomas with nodular growth and more superficial invasion. The nuclear shift of maspin was more frequent in HER-2/p53-positive intestinal type adenocarcinomas with diffuse architecture at the invasion front, as well as for node-positive poorly cohesive carcinomas. Loss of maspin expression induced a higher risk of distant metastases, without differences in the survival rate.

CONCLUSIONS

In GC with associated metaplasia, cytoplasmic maspin is predominant; the nuclear shift induces local aggressiveness and risk of node metastases, whereas total loss can indicate a risk of distant metastases. In GC without associated metaplasia, nuclear expression of maspin is retained, indicating a more aggressive behavior.