Placental site and epithelioid trophoblastic tumours: diagnostic pitfalls

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical and histological pitfalls in the diagnosis of placental site trophoblastic tumours (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumours (ETT), two rare types of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).

METHODS

This retrospective, observational, study was carried out in the French Trophoblastic Disease Reference Centre, Lyon, between 2000 and 2011. Due to the many similarities in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of PSTT and ETT, these two types of tumour were investigated together. Twenty-two patients with PSTT or ETT were analysed.

RESULTS

The clinical presentation of these two types of tumour was irregular vaginal bleeding (55%) or amenorrhoea (27%), with a median plasma hCG level of 205IU/L. Seven of the 22 patients (32%) were initially misdiagnosed as an ectopic pregnancy. Median age at presentation was 35-years, with a median interval of 12months between the antecedent pregnancy and diagnosis of PSTT or ETT. The initial histological diagnosis was incorrect in 7/18 (39%) patients; there was a major disagreement with the referral pathologist in five of these seven patients (28%).

CONCLUSIONS

PSTT and ETT are the most difficult types of GTN to diagnose clinically and histologically. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to significant therapeutic deviations from the recommended first-line treatment, namely hysterectomy. Clinical and histological expertise is essential to avoid the pitfalls in the diagnosis of PSTT and ETT.

A randomized clinical trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and cisplatin followed by radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in patients with localized uterine sarcomas (SARCGYN study). A study of the French Sarcoma Group

BACKGROUND

There is no proven benefit of adjuvant treatment of uterine sarcoma (US). SARCGYN phase III study compared adjuvant polychemotherapy followed by pelvic radiotherapy (RT) (arm A) versus RT alone (arm B) conducted to detect an increase ≥ 20% of 3-year PFS.

METHODS

Patients with FIGO stage ≤ III US, physiological age ≤ 65 years; chemotherapy: four cycles of doxorubicin 50 mg/m² d1, ifosfamide 3 g/m²/day d1-2, cisplatin 75 mg/m² d3, (API) + G-CSF q 3 weeks. Study was stopped because of lack of recruitment.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients were included: 39 in arm A and 42 in arm B; 52 stage I, 16 stage II, 13 stage III; 53 leiomyosarcomas, 9 undifferenciated sarcomas, 19 carcinosarcomas. Gr 3-4 toxicity during API (/37 patients): thrombopenia (76%), febrile neutropenia (22%) with two toxic deaths; renal gr 3 (1 patient). After a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 41/81 patients recurred, 15 in arm A, 26 in arm B. The 3 years DFS is 55% in arm A, 41% in arm B (P = 0.048). The 3-year overall survival (OS) is 81% in arm A and 69% in arm B (P = 0.41).

CONCLUSION

API adjuvant CT statistically increases the 3 year-DFS of patients with US.

Metastatic tumors to the colon and rectum: a multi-institutional study

CONTEXT

Unlike the small bowel, the colorectal mucosa is seldom the site of metastatic disease. Objective.-To determine the incidence of truly colorectal metastases, and subsequent clinicopathologic findings, in a substantial colorectal cancer population collected from 7 European centers.

DESIGN

During the last decade, 10 365 patients were identified as having colorectal malignant tumors, other than systemic diseases. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical symptoms, treatment, the presence of metastases in other sites, disease-free interval, follow-up, and overall survival. All secondary tumors resulting from direct invasion from malignant tumors of the contiguous organs were excluded, as well as those resulting from lymph node metastases or peritoneal seeding.

RESULTS

Only 35 patients were included (10 men) with a median age of 59 years. They presented with obstruction, bleeding, abdominal pain, or perforation. The leading source of metastases was the breast, followed by melanoma. Metastases were synchronous in 3 cases. The mean disease-free interval for the remaining cases was 6.61 years. Surgical resection was performed in 28 cases. Follow-up was available for 26 patients; all had died, with a mean survival time of 10.67 months (range, 1-41 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal metastases are exceptional (0.338%) with the breast as a leading source of metastases; they still represent a late stage of disease and reflect a poor prognosis. Therefore, the pathologist should be alert for the possibility of secondary tumors when studying large bowel biopsies. Any therapy is usually palliative, but our results suggest that prolonged survival after surgery and complementary therapy can be obtained in some patients.

Metastatic tumors to the colon and rectum: a multi-institutional study

CONTEXT

Unlike the small bowel, the colorectal mucosa is seldom the site of metastatic disease. Objective.-To determine the incidence of truly colorectal metastases, and subsequent clinicopathologic findings, in a substantial colorectal cancer population collected from 7 European centers.

DESIGN

During the last decade, 10 365 patients were identified as having colorectal malignant tumors, other than systemic diseases. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical symptoms, treatment, the presence of metastases in other sites, disease-free interval, follow-up, and overall survival. All secondary tumors resulting from direct invasion from malignant tumors of the contiguous organs were excluded, as well as those resulting from lymph node metastases or peritoneal seeding.

RESULTS

Only 35 patients were included (10 men) with a median age of 59 years. They presented with obstruction, bleeding, abdominal pain, or perforation. The leading source of metastases was the breast, followed by melanoma. Metastases were synchronous in 3 cases. The mean disease-free interval for the remaining cases was 6.61 years. Surgical resection was performed in 28 cases. Follow-up was available for 26 patients; all had died, with a mean survival time of 10.67 months (range, 1-41 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal metastases are exceptional (0.338%) with the breast as a leading source of metastases; they still represent a late stage of disease and reflect a poor prognosis. Therefore, the pathologist should be alert for the possibility of secondary tumors when studying large bowel biopsies. Any therapy is usually palliative, but our results suggest that prolonged survival after surgery and complementary therapy can be obtained in some patients.

Doxorubicin, cisplatin, and ifosfamide (API) as first-line therapy for relapsed or metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma

10098

Background: Uterine leiomyosarcomas (ULMS) are rare gynecologic malignancies characterized by a poor prognosis due to a high rate of local and metastatic recurrences. Chemotherapy (CT) with doxorubicin or ifosfamide or both is associated with a 10 to 30% objective response rate (ORR) and a cisplatin-based multiCT approach achieved a good response rate (DECAV therapy: API + dacarbazine + vindesine, 54% ORR in uterine sarcomas), though toxic. We aimed to determine efficacy and toxicity of doxorubicin, cisplatin and ifosfamide (API) combination as first line treatment of metastatic or relapsed ULMS (MRULMS). Methods: This monocentric study included MRULMS pts with a physiological age < 65 y. CT consisted in doxorubicin 50 mg/m² d1, ifosfamide 3 g/m²/d d1d2 + mesna, cisplatin 75 mg/m² d3, + G-CSF; q 3 weeks. Results: Results in 38 pts with MRULMS were analyzed; median age was 51 (40-64), median cycles of CT was 5; 8 (21%) pts were treated for local relapse, 21 (55.3%) for metastatic disease and 9 (23.7%) for both. Metastatic sites were: lungs in 16 pts (42.1%), pelvis in 7 pts (18.4%), liver in 7 pts (18.4%), peritoneum in 6 pts (15.8%) and bone in 5 pts (13.2%); 14 pts (36.8%) had a multisite metastatic disease. Main grade 3-4 toxicities in 38 pts were neutropenia (74%), thrombopenia (60%), anemia (55%), fatigue (18%) and vomiting (13%). Febrile neutropenia was observed in 35% of pts and 1 patient died of septic shock after cycle 1. Thirty four pts were evaluable for response (4 pts had complete surgery at relapse) and 16 pts responded (4 CR + 12 PR) (ORR: 47%); 23.5% and 29.4% of the pts had respectively stable and progressive disease. For all pts (38) and evaluable pts (34), median PFS were 9.8 and 9.5 months and OS 27 and 25.3 months respectively. Conclusions: Despite toxicity observed, API is an effective treatment which compares favorably with other first line therapies for MRULMS pts.

Efficacy and safety of the APE (actinomycin D, cisplatin, etoposide) regimen for the management of high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

5028

Background: Patients (pts) with high risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) or who fail low risk single agent chemotherapy (CT) require multi agent CT to be cured. The most common regimen is etoposide (E), methotrexate and actinomycin D (A) alternating weekly with cyclophophamide and vincristine (EMA/CO). Cisplatin (P) is a very active drug but its role is controversial and usually restricted to second line. We report results of a platinum based therapy: APE. Methods: We evaluated the efficacy and safety on 103 pts treated at Institut Gustave Roussy (IGR) (n=80) or other French centers (n=23) between 1983 and 2010 with APE for high risk GTN (defined by IGR criteria [Azab, Cancer, 1988] and/or FIGO score >6). Pts with brain metastasis were excluded. Results: Efficacy was evaluated on 59 pts treated for high risk GTN in first line, and on 39 pts in >2nd line including 13 pts after multi agent CT. We excluded pts with placental site trophoblastic tumors (n=2), or with FIGO score <7 and without IGR criteria (n=3). Complete remission (CR) rate was 95%. Seven pts (7 %) relapsed and a second CR was obtained for all with surgery and/or CT. Only one patient died due to GTN, after successive CRs obtained with 3 regimens. Five year overall survival (median follow-up 6.6 years) was 98%. Toxicity was evaluated on 95 pts. No toxic death occurred. Given good efficacy and to avoid acute hematotoxicity and long-term G>1 neuro and ototoxicity APE regimen was modified as detailed in the Table (below). Long-term neuro (5 pts, G1), oto (2 pts, G1 and 2 pts, G2) and renal toxicities (1 pt, G1 ) were recorded. No long-term G2 toxicities were observed with APE3. One pt developed an AML 4 after 4cy APE and 6 cy EMA/CO. 37 pts of 40 who wished to be pregnant succeeded and all of them had at least one live birth. Conclusions: With a 98% long-term overall survival rate, an excellent reproductive outcome, and no detectable long-term toxicity, APE-3 should be regarded as an alternative standard option to EMA/CO for high-risk GTN. [Table: see text]

Well-differentiated grade 3 digestive neuroendocrine tumors: Myth or reality? The PRONET study group

4129

Background: In contrast to the 2000 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of digestive neuroendocrine tumors (NET) in which morphologic differentiation was the first criterion, the 2010 WHO classification of NET is based mostly on histologic grade. NET are now classified into three main categories: NET G1 (mitotic count <2/10 HPF and/or ≤2% Ki67 index), NET G2 (2-20/10 HPF and/or 3-20%), and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of small or large cell type. While NET G1 and G2 are well-differentiated tumors, NEC are considered poorly differentiated G3 tumors. We looked at the agreement between grade and differentiation to determine whether all NET can be readily classified according to the 2010 WHO classification. Methods: We designed a 1-year prospective, epidemiologic study to assess the characteristics of newly diagnosed NET, including diagnostic pathology. From August 2010 to July 2011, all pathology laboratories in France were invited to register all incident cases of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) and thoracic NET, excluding small cell carcinoma. For GEP-NET, investigators were asked to indicate morphologic differentiation (according to WHO 2000) and elements of histologic grade (mitotic index, Ki67 index), according to ENETS. Results: Of 500 invited centers, 80 participated; 1417 incidental cases were included and 77 excluded (duplicates or exclusion criteria), totaling 1340 cases; 778 (58.1%) were GEP-NET; 660/778 (85%) were well differentiated, 72 (9%) poorly differentiated, and 46 (6%) adenocarcinoid, nonclassified, or not evaluable; 422 (54.2%) were G1, 220 (28%) G2, 104 (13.5%) G3, and 32 (4.1%) had missing grades. Of those deemed G3, 72 (69%) were described as poorly differentiated, 21 (20%) as well differentiated (mean Ki67 index 35%, range 25%-60%), and 11 (10.5%) as adenocarcinoid. Conclusions: In this prospective, epidemiologic study, overall agreement between grade and differentiation was good. However, a significant proportion of G3 NET were classified as well differentiated and thus unclassifiable by 2010 WHO classification. This group of tumor deserves to be included in future classifications to help the clinician decide whether they should be treated as NET G1/G2 or NEC G3.

Malignant germ cell-like tumors, expressing Ki-1 antigen (CD30), are revealed during in vivo differentiation of partially reprogrammed human-induced pluripotent stem cells

Because many of the genes used to produce induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells are either outright established oncogenes, such as c-myc and Klf4, or potentially related to tumorigenesis in various cancers, both the safety and the risks of tumorigenesis linked to iPSC generation require evaluation. In this work, we generated, by lentivirus-mediated gene transfer of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and Lin28, two types of iPSCs from human mesenchymal stem cells and human amniotic fluid-derived cells: fully reprogrammed iPSCs with silencing of the four transgenes and partially reprogrammed iPSCs that still express one or several transgenes. We assessed the behavior of these cells during both their differentiation and proliferation using in vivo teratoma assays in nonobese diabetic mice with severe combined immunodeficiency. In contrast to fully reprogrammed iPSCs, 43% of partially reprogrammed iPSC cases (6 of 14 teratomas) generated major dysplasia and malignant tumors, with yolk sac tumors and embryonal carcinomas positive for α-fetoprotein, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, and CD30. This correlated with the expression of one or several transgenes used for the reprogramming, down-regulation of CDK 1A mRNA (p21/CDKN1A), and up-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 mRNA. Therefore, the oncogenicity of therapeutically valuable patient-specific iPSC-derived cells should be scrupulously evaluated before they are used for any clinical applications.

P5-01-07: Identification of SORBS2 as a Candidate Marker To Predict Metastatic Relapse in Breast Cancer

Background

Elucidation of promising cancer biomarkers from gene expression data can provide important insight into the relationship between signaling networks and cancer. SORBS2, sorbin and SH3 domain containing 2, is a multi-adapter protein involved in signal transduction associated to the cytoskeleton and was reported to be strongly repressed in pancreatic and cervical cancers.

Methods: With the purpose of identifying genes involved in metastatic process, we compared gene expression profiling of 19 invasive ovarian cancers and 24 borderline tumors. Prognostic value of the selected genes was then tested in a gene expression array database that includes 1659 patients with early breast cancer (Gyorffy B et al. 2010). Upon isolation of SORBS2 as a predictor, its involvement in cell migration and tumor progression was investigated in vitro. Small interfering RNA targeting SORBS2 was used to downregulate its expression in T47D and Hela, two cell lines overexpressing SORBS2. Functional effect of siRNA-induced knockdown of SORBS2 on cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay and Trypan Blue exclusion test. Effect on cell migration was evaluated by wound-healing and transwell assays. Western blot analyses were also performed to examine the expressions of proteins involved in cell survival, death and migration.

Results: High-throughput analyses of genes that are differentially expressed between borderline ovarian tumors and invasive carcinoma demonstrated that SORBS2 is significantly downregulated in invasive carcinoma (FDR&lt;10e-10). Moreover, SORBS2 loss was a strong predictor of relapse in a gene expression array dataset of 1659 patients presenting an early breast cancer (HR=0.62, 0.52−0.72, p=6.4e-10). In vitro studies showed that SORBS2 specific downregulation stimulated cell proliferation, by an average of 40%, in T47D and Hela cell lines. SORBS2 knockdown had no effect on either cell migration rate or protein expressions of p-FAK and p-Paxillin, two focal adhesion proteins which are critical to cell adhesion and migration. No significant variations in protein expressions of Akt/mTOR pro-survival or caspases activation pathways were observed. Gene expression profiling before and after SORBS2 dowregulation is ongoing in the two cell lines.

Conclusion: This study is the first to provide evidence for an antiproliferative activity of SORBS2 with no effect on cell migration in breast cancer cells. Our clinical and in vitro data suggest that SORBS2 is a candidate marker to predict relapse in patients with early breast cancer. Molecular mechanisms mediating the antiproliferative effect of SORBS2 are currently being investigated.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-01-07.

Phase II study of cetuximab as first-line single-drug therapy in patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as a first-line monotherapy in patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SCCS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six patients received cetuximab (initial dose of 400 mg/m(2) followed by subsequent weekly doses of 250 mg/m(2)) for at least 6 weeks with a 48-week follow-up. The primary end point was the disease control rate (DCR) at 6 weeks (according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST] criteria). Secondary end points included best response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity assessment. Association of treatment efficacy with RAS mutations or FcγR genotypes was investigated.

RESULTS

Median age of the study population was 79 years. DCR at 6 weeks was obtained in 25 of 36 patients (69%; 95% CI, 52% to 84%) of the intention-to-treat population. The best responses were eight partial responses and two complete responses. There were no cetuximab-related deaths. There were three related serious adverse events: two grade 4 infusion reactions and one grade 3 interstitial pneumopathy. Grade 1 to 2 acne-like rash occurred in 78% of patients and was associated with prolonged PFS. One HRAS mutation was identified. Combined FcγRIIa-131H/H and/or FcγRIIIa-158V/V polymorphisms were not associated with the clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

As a first-line treatment in patients with unresectable SCCS, cetuximab achieved 69% DCR. A randomized phase III trial is warranted to confirm that cetuximab may be considered as a therapeutic option especially in elderly patients. The low frequency of RAS mutations in SCCS makes SCCS tumors attractive for EGFR inhibition.

Prognostic value of lymph node involvement in ovarian serous borderline tumors

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to evaluate the prognosis value of lymph node involvement (LN positive) lymph node involvement for borderline ovarian tumor (BOT).

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective study on 49 patients treated at our institution for advanced-stage serous BOT (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] III or IV). Pathological characteristics and survival were compared according to the lymph node status. The same analysis was performed on 1503 patients of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

RESULTS

In our institution, 14 patients were LN positive. Eight patients have been upstaged after lymph node dissection. No patient has died during follow-up (median 53 months). LN positivity was not associated with recurrence. In the SEER registry, 93 patients (6.2%) had LN positivity. These patients were younger and with more advanced local extension. Survival curves were similar after adjustment for FIGO stage.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node involvement does not appear as a prognosis factor for advanced-stage BOT.

[The accuracy of FDG-PET/CT in early-stage cervical and vaginal cancers]

OBJECTIVE

[(18)F]fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron-emission tomography combined with integrated computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is commonly used for advanced stage cervical cancer but its efficiency is discussed in early stage. The aim of this study was to evaluate false negative rate of FDG-PET/CT in early-stage cervical and vaginal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients treated between 2005 and 2008 for stage IB1 cervical cancer and stage I vaginal cancer who underwent a FDG-PET/CT followed by a pelvic lymphadenectomy were studied.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients were included with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy (16 cervical cancer, two vaginal cancer). The median age of patients was 41 years. Radical hysterectomy was performed for 16 patients, by a laparoscopic approach in 15 cases and by a laparotomic approach in one case. One patient had a simple hysterectomy and one had exclusive radiotherapy. No patient had pelvic or para-aortic fixation on FDG-PET/CT. Three patients have proven pelvic involvement and one had para-aortic metastases. The false-negative rate and negative predictive value of FDG-PET/CT were 17% and 83% respectively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The accuracy of FDG-PET/CT imaging in predicting the pelvic nodal status is very low in patients with early-stage cervical and vaginal cancer and is not able to replace surgical exploration.

Performance of (18)fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy for high Ki67 (≥10%) well-differentiated endocrine carcinoma staging

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the performance of (111)In-octreotide somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) and (18)fluorodesoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in aggressive well-differentiated endocrine carcinoma (WDEC) defined by a high Ki67 (≥10%).

METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients explored in a single hospital between November 2003 and 2008 for high Ki67 (≥10%) WDEC were prospectively included. WDEC were sporadic in 17 cases and secreting in 16 cases. FDG-PET, SRS, and computed tomography (CT) were performed within a maximum of 3 months and reviewed by two independent readers. For each patient, an analysis per organ and lesion was performed. Both the results of conventional imaging and the highest number of metastatic organs and distinct lesions visualized by all imaging methods including SRS, FDG-PET, and thoraco-abdomino-pelvic CT were considered for the determination of the standard. Correlation between tumor slope and maximum standardized uptake value, Ki67 value, and grade of uptake at SRS was evaluated.

RESULTS

FDG-PET, SRS, and CT showed at least one lesion in 18 (100%), 15 (83%), and 17 (94%) patients, respectively. A total of 254 lesions were diagnosed in 59 organs. FDG-PET, SRS, and CT detected 195 (77%), 109 (43%), and 195 (77%) lesions in 53 (90%), 30 (51%), and 39 (66%) organs, respectively. FDG-PET, compared to SRS, detected more, the same as, and less lesions in 14 (78%), one (6%), and three (17%) patients, respectively. A statistical trend was found between Ki67 value and tumor slope (P = 0.07). Median survival after diagnosis was 25 months (range, 6-71 months).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that FDG-PET is more sensitive than the SRS for high Ki67 WDEC staging.

Prognosis and prognostic factors of the micropapillary pattern in patients treated for stage II and III serous borderline tumors of the ovary

BACKGROUND

To determine the prognosis of a micropapillary (MP) pattern in patients with stage II and stage III serous borderline tumor of the ovary (SBOT).

METHODS

Review of patients with stage II and stage III SBOT treated or referred to our institution with characterization of an MP pattern and its clinical impact.

RESULTS

In 1969-2006, 168 patients were reviewed. Fifty-six patients had SBOT-MP. The rate of conservative surgery was lower in the SBOT-MP group than in the typical SBOT group, but the rate of patients with more than three peritoneal sites with implants was higher in the SBOT-MP group. The rate of invasive implants was not statistically different between the two groups. Eighteen recurrences were observed (six of them in the form of invasive disease) in the SBOT-MP group. Only one death was observed. The overall survival times and recurrence-free intervals were similar in both groups. The only prognostic factor for recurrence in the SBOT-MP group was the use of conservative surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present series, an MP pattern doesn't appear to signify a poor prognosis. The only prognostic factor for recurrence in SBOT-MP was the use of conservative surgery. Further studies on the MP pattern are needed to evaluate prognosis and the results of conservative surgery.