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Riesco-Martinez MC, Capdevila J, Alonso V, Jimenez-Fonseca P, Teule A, Grande E, Sevilla I, Benavent M, Alonso-Gordoa T, Custodio A, Anton-Pascual B, Hernando J, Polo E, Castillo-Trujillo OA, Lamas-Paz A, Teijo A, Rodriguez-Gil Y, Soldevilla B, Garcia-Carbonero R. Nivolumab plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy in treatment-naive patients with advanced grade 3 Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of gastroenteropancreatic or unknown origin: The multicenter phase 2 NICE-NEC trial (GETNE-T1913). Nat Commun 2024; 15:6753. [PMID: 39117670 PMCID: PMC11310219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50969-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with advanced high-grade (G3) digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) is rather poor. The addition of immune checkpoint inhibition to platinum-based chemotherapy may improve survival. NICE-NEC (NCT03980925) is a single-arm, phase II trial that recruited chemotherapy-naive, unresectable advanced or metastatic G3 NENs of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) or unknown origin. Patients received nivolumab 360 mg intravenously (iv) on day 1, carboplatin AUC 5 iv on day 1, and etoposide 100 mg/m2/d iv on days 1-3, every 3 weeks for up to six cycles, followed by nivolumab 480 mg every 4 weeks for up to 24 months, disease progression, death or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was the 12-month overall survival (OS) rate (H0 50%, H1 72%, β 80%, α 5%). Secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. From 2019 to 2021, 37 patients were enrolled. The most common primary sites were the pancreas (37.8%), stomach (16.2%) and colon (10.8%). Twenty-five patients (67.6%) were poorly differentiated carcinomas (NECs) and/or had a Ki67 index >55%. The ORR was 56.8%. Median PFS was 5.7 months (95%CI: 5.1-9) and median OS 13.9 months (95%CI: 8.3-Not reached), with a 12-month OS rate of 54.1% (95%CI: 40.2-72.8) that did not meet the primary endpoint. However, 37.6% of patients were long-term survivors (>2 years). The safety profile was consistent with previous reports. There was one treatment-related death. Nivolumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy was associated with prolonged survival in over one-third of chemonaïve patients with G3 GEP-NENs, with a manageable safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaume Capdevila
- Medical Oncology Department. Vall Hebron University Hospital, Vall Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicente Alonso
- Medical Oncology Department. Instituto Aragonés de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Paula Jimenez-Fonseca
- Medical Oncology Department. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alex Teule
- Medical Oncology Department., Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO) - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain
| | - Enrique Grande
- Medical Oncology Department, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Sevilla
- Medical Oncology Department, Investigación Clínica y Traslacional en Cáncer / Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Málaga (IBIMA) / Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Marta Benavent
- Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Ana Custodio
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jorge Hernando
- Medical Oncology Department. Vall Hebron University Hospital, Vall Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduardo Polo
- Medical Oncology Department. Instituto Aragonés de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Arantza Lamas-Paz
- Center of Experimental Oncology. Gastrointestinal and Neuroendrocrine Tumors Research Group. Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Teijo
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Beatriz Soldevilla
- Center of Experimental Oncology. Gastrointestinal and Neuroendrocrine Tumors Research Group. Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocio Garcia-Carbonero
- Medical Oncology Department. Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
- Center of Experimental Oncology. Gastrointestinal and Neuroendrocrine Tumors Research Group. Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain.
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain.
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2
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Multone E, La Rosa S, Sempoux C, Uccella S. PD-L1 expression, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and mismatch repair proteins status in digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms: exploring their potential role as theragnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Virchows Arch 2024:10.1007/s00428-024-03825-5. [PMID: 38771338 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03825-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Theragnostic biomarkers are still needed to select patients with digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) for an optimal management. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway plays a pivotal role in T cells activation and host immune response to cancer and PD-L1 expression in tumor and/or immune cells is used to identify patients who would benefit of treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, its role as a biomarker is still unclear in digestive NENs. We investigated PD-L1 expression in 68 well-characterized digestive NENs (32 NETs, 32 NECs and 4 MiNENs) and TPS and CPS scores were calculated. In addition, tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes and mismatch repair protein expression (MMR) were evaluated. All results were correlated with clinicopathological features. PD-L1 expression was higher in NECs than in NETs: TPS > 1% and/or CPS > 1 were observed in 16% of NETs, 68.8% of NECs and 50% of MiNENs (p: 0.05). The mean TPS score in positive cases was 6.3% in NETs, 16.2% in NECs and 5% in MiNENs. The CPS score was 4.8 in NETs, 8.1 in NECs and 6 in MiNENs. MMR-deficient neoplasms were more frequently observed in NECs than in NETs (p: < 0.05) as well as intra-tumor immune infiltration (p: 0.00001). No correlation between PD-L1 expression and survival or other clinicopathological parameters was observed. Our results suggest that treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors may have a potential role only in selected cases, mainly in NECs and MiNENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eléonore Multone
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stefano La Rosa
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, 21100, Varese, Italy.
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Oncology, ASST Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy.
| | - Christine Sempoux
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Uccella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Pathology Service, Istituti Di Ricovero E Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
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3
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Gürler F, Aktürk Esen S, Kurt İnci B, Sütçüoğlu O, Uçar G, Akdoğan O, Uncu D, Turhan N, Akyürek N, Özdemir N, Özet A, Yazıcı O. Retrospective Analyses of PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, OX40L Expressions and MSI Status in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Cancer Invest 2024; 42:141-154. [PMID: 38486421 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2024.2330102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
We investigated expressions of PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, and OX40L as immune checkpoint proteins, and MSI (repetitive short-DNA-sequences due to defective DNA-repair system) status were analyzed with immunohistochemistry from tissue blocks. Of 83 patients, PD-L1 expression was observed in 18.1% (n = 15) of the patients. None of the patients exhibited LAG-3 expression. TIM-3 expression was 4.9% (n = 4), OX40L was 22.9% (n = 19), and 8.4% (n = 7) of the patients had MSI tumor. A low-to-intermediate positive correlation was observed between PD-L1 and TIM-3 expressions (rho: 0.333, p < 0.01). Although PD-L1 expression was higher in grade 3 NET/NEC, MSI status was prominent in grade 1/2 NET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Gürler
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selin Aktürk Esen
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bediz Kurt İnci
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aksaray Training & Research Hospital, Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Osman Sütçüoğlu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Uçar
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Orhun Akdoğan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Doğan Uncu
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nesrin Turhan
- Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nalan Akyürek
- Department of Pathology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nuriye Özdemir
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Özet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ozan Yazıcı
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Ail DA, Paulose RR. A relook at gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours as per 2019 WHO classification-A tertiary centre experience. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:2065-2070. [PMID: 36409421 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-03217-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroendocrine neoplasm of GIT (gastrointestinal tract) and pancreas is heterogenous with variable clinical features and disease outcomes. Despite multiple attempts of risk stratification by grading and staging, some have unpredictable clinical courses. Well-differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine tumour (G3NET) is a recent subcategory introduced in the 2019 WHO classification based on morphology, molecular profile and prognosis distinguishing it from neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC). This study aimed at describing the spectrum of NENs encountered in a tertiary centre with focus on reclassifying previously reported G3 tumours into G3 NET and NEC and comparing the survival between them. METHODOLOGY This is an 8-year retrospective study of all gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms reclassified according to the 2019 WHO classification based on morphology and Ki-67 index with analysis of the survival rates between the categories. Minimum follow-up period was 20 months. RESULTS Eighty-six patients with NENs of gastro-entero-pancreas were included, with median age group of 40-60 years (age range 9 to 79 years) and male:female ratio of 1.7:1. The tumour grade correlated with the TNM staging and most of the syndromic NETs were low grade. Eleven percent of the tumours were reclassified as well-differentiated G3NETs. The survival of G3 NETs was higher than NEC. CONCLUSION Grading of NEN is vital for therapeutic decisions and for prognostication. Currently, morphology is the key to recognise the well-differentiated G3 NETs, but can be subject to interobserver variability. Molecular surrogates may play a role in accurately identifying these entities, the validity of which is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Achutha Ail
- GI and Liver Pathology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
- Department of Pathology, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, India
| | - Roopa Rachel Paulose
- Department of Pathology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India.
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Sidi FA, Bingham V, McQuaid S, Craig SG, Turkington RC, James JA, Humphries MP, Salto-Tellez M. Exploring the immune microenvironment in small bowel adenocarcinoma using digital image analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289355. [PMID: 37527282 PMCID: PMC10393147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare malignancy of the small intestine associated with late stage diagnosis and poor survival outcome. High expression of immune cells and immune checkpoint biomarkers especially programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) have been shown to significantly impact disease progression. We have analysed the expression of a subset of immune cell and immune checkpoint biomarkers in a cohort of SBA patients and assessed their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). METHODS 25 patient samples in the form of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue were obtained in tissue microarray (TMAs) format. Automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed using validated antibodies for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, PD-L1, ICOS, IDO1 and LAG3. Slides were scanned digitally and assessed in QuPath, an open source image analysis software, for biomarker density and percentage positivity. Survival analyses were carried out using the Kaplan Meier method. RESULTS Varying expressions of biomarkers were recorded. High expressions of CD3, CD4 and IDO1 were significant for PFS (p = 0.043, 0.020 and 0.018 respectively). High expression of ICOS was significant for both PFS (p = 0.040) and OS (p = 0.041), while high PD-L1 expression in tumour cells was significant for OS (p = 0.033). High correlation was observed between PD-L1 and IDO1 expressions (Pearson correlation co-efficient = 1) and subsequently high IDO1 expression in tumour cells was found to be significant for PFS (p = 0.006) and OS (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS High levels of immune cells and immune checkpoint proteins have a significant impact on patient survival in SBA. These data could provide an insight into the immunotherapeutic management of patients with SBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Abdullahi Sidi
- Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Bingham
- Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen McQuaid
- Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
- Cellular Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
- Northern Ireland Biobank, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie G Craig
- Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Richard C Turkington
- The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline A James
- Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
- Cellular Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
- Northern Ireland Biobank, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew P Humphries
- Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- University of Leeds, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Salto-Tellez
- Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, The Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
- Cellular Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute for Cancer Research, London, Greater London, United Kingdom
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6
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Bourdeleau P, Couvelard A, Ronot M, Lebtahi R, Hentic O, Ruszniewski P, Cros J, de Mestier L. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231179310. [PMID: 37323185 PMCID: PMC10262621 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231179310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are initially monoclonal neoplasms that progressively become polyclonal, with very different genotypic and phenotypic characteristics leading to biological differences, including the Ki-67 proliferation index, morphology, or sensitivity to treatments. Whereas inter-patient heterogeneity has been well described, intra-tumor heterogeneity has been little studied. However, NENs present a high degree of heterogeneity, both spatially within the same location or between different lesions, and through time. This can be explained by the emergence of tumor subclones with different behaviors. These subpopulations can be distinguished by the Ki-67 index, but also by the expression of hormonal markers or by differences in the intensity of uptake on metabolic imaging, such as 68Ga-somatostatin receptor and Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. As these features are directly related to prognosis, it seems mandatory to move toward a standardized, improved selection of the tumor areas to be studied to be as predictive as possible. The temporal evolution of NENs frequently leads to changes in tumor grade over time, with impact on prognosis and therapeutic decision-making. However, there is no recommendation regarding systematic biopsy of NEN recurrence or progression, and which lesion to sample. This review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge, the main hypotheses, and the main implications regarding intra-tumor spatial and temporal heterogeneity in digestive NENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Bourdeleau
- Department of Pancreatology and Digestive Oncology, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France
| | - Anne Couvelard
- Department of Pathology, Beaujon/Bichat Hospitals (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy/Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France, and Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
| | - Rachida Lebtahi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
| | - Olivia Hentic
- Department of Pancreatology and Digestive Oncology, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France
| | - Philippe Ruszniewski
- Department of Pancreatology and Digestive Oncology, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France
- Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Cros
- Department of Pathology, Beaujon/Bichat Hospitals (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy/Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
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7
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Capdevila J, Hernando J, Teule A, Lopez C, Garcia-Carbonero R, Benavent M, Custodio A, Garcia-Alvarez A, Cubillo A, Alonso V, Carmona-Bayonas A, Alonso-Gordoa T, Crespo G, Jimenez-Fonseca P, Blanco M, Viudez A, La Casta A, Sevilla I, Segura A, Llanos M, Landolfi S, Nuciforo P, Manzano JL. Durvalumab plus tremelimumab for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms of gastroenteropancreatic and lung origin. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2973. [PMID: 37221181 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38611-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Single immune checkpoint blockade in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) shows limited efficacy; dual checkpoint blockade may improve treatment activity. Dune (NCT03095274) is a non-randomized controlled multicohort phase II clinical trial evaluating durvalumab plus tremelimumab activity and safety in advanced NENs. This study included 123 patients presenting between 2017 and 2019 with typical/atypical lung carcinoids (Cohort 1), G1/2 gastrointestinal (Cohort 2), G1/2 pancreatic (Cohort 3) and G3 gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) (Cohort 4) NENs; who progressed to standard therapies. Patients received 1500 mg durvalumab and 75 mg tremelimumab for up to 13 and 4 cycles (every 4 weeks), respectively. The primary objective was the 9-month clinical benefit rate (CBR) for cohorts 1-3 and 9-month overall survival (OS) rate for Cohort 4. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival according to irRECIST, overall survival, and safety. Correlation of PD-L1 expression with efficacy was exploratory. The 9-month CBR was 25.9%/35.5%/25% for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The 9-month OS rate for Cohort 4 was 36.1%, surpassing the futility threshold. Benefit in Cohort 4 was observed regardless of differentiation and Ki67 levels. PD-L1 combined scores did not correlate with treatment activity. Safety profile was consistent with that of prior studies. In conclusion, durvalumab plus tremelimumab is safe in NENs and shows modest survival benefit in G3 GEP-NENs; with one-third of these patients experiencing a prolonged OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Capdevila
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall Hebron University Hospital, Vall Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain.
- Medical Oncology Department, IOB-Quiron-Teknon, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - J Hernando
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall Hebron University Hospital, Vall Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Teule
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO) - IDIBELL L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - C Lopez
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - R Garcia-Carbonero
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Imas12, UCM, CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Benavent
- Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Seville, Spain
| | - A Custodio
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Garcia-Alvarez
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall Hebron University Hospital, Vall Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Cubillo
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro, Madrid, Spain
| | - V Alonso
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IISA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - A Carmona-Bayonas
- Hematology and Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, UMU, IMIB, Murcia, Spain
| | - T Alonso-Gordoa
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Crespo
- Medical Oncology Department, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - P Jimenez-Fonseca
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - M Blanco
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Viudez
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - A La Casta
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - I Sevilla
- Medical Oncology Department, Investigación Clínica y Traslacional en Cáncer/Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Málaga (IBIMA)/Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - A Segura
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Llanos
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, San Cristobal de la Laguna, Spain
| | - S Landolfi
- Pathology Department, Vall Hebron University Hospital, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Nuciforo
- Molecular Oncology Group. Vall Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J L Manzano
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO) - Badalona, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
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8
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Lorenz A, Lenkiewicz S, Kozłowski M, Kwiatkowski S, Cymbaluk-Płoska A. Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Gastrointestinal Tract versus Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Gynaecological Tract-Comparison of the Risk Factors and Non-Surgical Treatment Efficacy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076853. [PMID: 37047829 PMCID: PMC10095130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumours of the gastrointestinal tract are rare. The incidence has increased in recent years due to improvements in diagnostic methods for detecting these lesions. These tumours have a poor prognosis, especially when detected at an advanced stage. The basis of the treatment is resection, and non-surgical treatments are also standard in the treatment process. The situation is similar in even rarer neuroendocrine tumours of the reproductive tract, which are associated with an equally poor prognosis. In this article, we focus on learning about the risk factors (including genetic mutations) that increase the risk of the disease and comparing the effectiveness of non-surgical treatments-chemotherapy, radiotherapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, somatostatin analogues, and immunotherapy. The efficacy of these treatments varies, and immunotherapy appears to be a promising form of treatment; however, this requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lorenz
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Gynecological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sebastian Lenkiewicz
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Gynecological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Mateusz Kozłowski
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Gynecological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sebastian Kwiatkowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Aneta Cymbaluk-Płoska
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Gynecological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
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9
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Mo S, Zong L, Chen X, Ban X, Li M, Lu Z, Yu S, Chen J. Expression and Prognostic Value of B7 Family Immune Checkpoints in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2023; 147:193-201. [PMID: 35671167 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2021-0377-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT.— Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are rare malignancies with heterogeneous clinical courses requiring novel prognosticators and therapies. B7 family molecules have an important role in various cancers; however, these have not been distinguished in PanNETs. OBJECTIVE.— To investigate the expression and clinical significance of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), programmed death ligand-2 (PD-L2), B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3), B7 homolog 4 (B7-H4), and V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) in 182 PanNETs (with a high proportion of functioning versus nonfunctioning PanNETs: 51% versus 49%). DESIGN.— Molecules were immunostained by using tissue microarrays from 182 patients with grade 1/2 PanNETs. VISTA-positive microvessel density (VISTA+ MVD) was evaluated in 4 high-power fields (HPFs) (×200) and mean count was calculated; immune cells with 1% or greater VISTA staining were considered positive. PD-L1 tumoral expression was considered positive in samples with 5% or more membranous staining. Tumoral VISTA, stromal PD-L1, PD-L2, B7-H3, and B7-H4 expression were deemed positive if any staining was observed. RESULTS.— VISTA+ MVD was high (≥10.8/HPF) in 45 patients (25%), while VISTA stained positively on immune and tumor cells in 121 (66%) and 0 patients, respectively. Positive PD-L1 tumoral and stromal expression was observed in 23 (13%) and 0 patients, with positive B7-H3 expression in 76 (42%) and 98 (54%) patients, respectively, in these cells; PD-L2 and B7-H4 were not detected. PD-L1 positivity rate was high in functioning PanNETs. Stromal B7-H3 and high VISTA+ MVD correlated with unfavorable clinicopathologic features. Moreover, high VISTA+ MVD was an independent predictor of shorter progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS.— VISTA may serve as a prognosticator and immunotherapeutic target for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwei Mo
- From the Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Mo and Zong contributed equally to this work
| | - Liju Zong
- From the Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Mo and Zong contributed equally to this work
| | - Xianlong Chen
- From the Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinchao Ban
- From the Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Li
- From the Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohui Lu
- From the Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangni Yu
- From the Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- From the Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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10
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Popa Ilie IR, Georgescu CE. Immunotherapy in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasia. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:262-278. [PMID: 34348340 DOI: 10.1159/000518106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The worldwide prevalence and incidence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) and of NENs, in general, have been increasing recently. While valuing the considerable progress made in the treatment strategies for GEP-NEN in recent years, patients with advanced, metastasized disease still have a poor prognosis, which calls for urgent novel therapies. The immune system plays a dual role: both host-protecting and "tumor-promoting." Hence, immunotherapy is potentially a powerful weapon to help NEN patients. However, although recent successes with checkpoint inhibitors have shown that enhancing antitumor immunity can be effective, the dynamic nature of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment presents significant hurdles to the broader application of these therapies. Studies led to their approval in NEN of the lung and Merkel cell carcinoma, whereas results in other settings have not been so encouraging. Oncolytic viruses can selectively infect and destroy cancer cells, acting as an in situ cancer vaccine. Moreover, they can remodel the tumor microenvironment toward a T cell-inflamed phenotype. Oncolytic virotherapy has been proposed as an ablative and immunostimulatory treatment strategy for solid tumors that are resistant to checkpoint inhibitors alone. Future efforts should focus on finding the best way to include immunotherapy in the GEP-NEN treatment scenario. In this context, this study aims at providing a comprehensive generalized review of the immune checkpoint blockade and the oncolytic virotherapy use in GEP-NENs that might improve GEP-NEN treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Rada Popa Ilie
- Department of Endocrinology, "Iuliu-Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Carmen Emanuela Georgescu
- Department of Endocrinology, "Iuliu-Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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11
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Fascaplysin Induces Apoptosis and Ferroptosis, and Enhances Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) by Promoting PD-L1 Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213774. [PMID: 36430250 PMCID: PMC9699238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fascaplysin is a natural product isolated from sponges with a wide range of anticancer activities. However, the mechanism of fascaplysin against NSCLC has not been clearly studied. In this study, fascaplysin was found to inhibit migration by regulating the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Further research showed that the anti-NSCLC effect of fascaplysin was mainly through the induction of ferroptosis and apoptosis. Fascaplysin-induced ferroptosis in lung cancer cells, evidenced by increased levels of ROS and Fe2+ and downregulation of ferroptosis-associated protein and endoplasmic reticulum stress, was involved in fascaplysin-induced ferroptosis. In addition, ROS was found to mediate fascaplysin-induced apoptosis. Fascaplysin significantly upregulated the expression of PD-L1 in lung cancer cells, and enhanced anti-PD-1 antitumor efficacy in a syngeneic mouse model. Therefore, these results suggest that fascaplysin exerts anticancer effects by inducing apoptosis and ferroptosis in vitro, and improving the sensitivity of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in vivo. Fascaplysin is a promising compound for the treatment of NSCLC.
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12
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Rösner E, Kaemmerer D, Sänger J, Lupp A. Evaluation of PD-L1 expression in a large set of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours and correlation with clinicopathological data. Transl Oncol 2022; 25:101526. [PMID: 36067541 PMCID: PMC9468575 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) or its ligand PD-L1 is a promising therapeutic approach for many types of cancer in which PD-L1 is overexpressed. However, data on PD-L1 expression levels in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are limited and contradictory. METHODS We evaluated PD-L1 expression in 457 archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded GEP-NEN samples from 175 patients by immunohistochemistry using the highly sensitive monoclonal anti-PD-L1 antibody 73-10. The immunostaining was semiquantitatively evaluated using a 12-point immunoreactivity score (IRS) taking both PD-L1-positive tumour cells and immune cells into account. Tumour samples with an IRS ≥ 3 were considered PD-L1-positive. Results were correlated with clinicopathological data and with the expression of several typical markers and receptors for neuroendocrine tumours. RESULTS Of the GEP-NEN samples, 73% were PD-L1-positive. The median IRS value across all samples was 4.0, corresponding to low expression. PD-L1 immunostaining was predominantly localised at the plasma membrane of the tumour cells. Positive correlations were observed between PD-L1 expression and tumour grading or Ki-67 index, between PD-L1 expression and the expression of chromogranin A, and between PD-L1 expression and the expression of each of the five somatostatin receptors. PD-L1 expression was lower in tumours with lymph node metastases at diagnosis than in those without regional metastasis and lower in high-stage than in earlier-stage tumours. No association was noted between PD-L1 expression and patient survival. CONCLUSIONS PD-L1 expression is common in GEP-NENs and increases with malignancy. Therefore, especially in high-grade GEP-NENs, targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis could be a promising additional therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Rösner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Drackendorfer Straße 1, Jena D-07747, Germany
| | - Daniel Kaemmerer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany
| | - Jörg Sänger
- Laboratory of Pathology and Cytology Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany
| | - Amelie Lupp
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Drackendorfer Straße 1, Jena D-07747, Germany.
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13
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Smolkova B, Kataki A, Earl J, Ruz-Caracuel I, Cihova M, Urbanova M, Buocikova V, Tamargo S, Rovite V, Niedra H, Schrader J, Kohl Y. Liquid biopsy and preclinical tools for advancing diagnosis and treatment of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 180:103865. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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14
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Bai R, Li W, Cui J. Potential new applications of immunotherapy for neuroendocrine neoplasms: immune landscape, current status and future perspectives. Cancer Biol Med 2022; 19:j.issn.2095-3941.2022.0489. [PMID: 36245210 PMCID: PMC9755960 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2022.0489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a highly heterogeneous class of tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells and peptidergic neurons. After failure of first-line treatment, patients have poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may be a powerful means of increasing therapeutic efficacy for such patients, but ICIs alone have low response rates and short disease control durations in most NENs and may be effective for only a portion of the population. ICIs combined with other immunotherapies, targeted therapies, or cytotoxic drugs have achieved some efficacy in patients with NENs and are worthy of further exploration to assess their benefits to the population. In addition, accumulating experimental and clinical evidence supports that the interaction between neuroendocrine and immune systems is essential to maintain homeostasis, and assessment of this broad neuroendocrine-immune correlation is essential for NEN treatment. In this review, we summarize the immune microenvironment characteristics, advances in immunotherapy, predictive biomarkers of ICI efficacy for NENs, and the effects of common endocrine hormones on the immune system, highlighting possible new application areas for this promising treatment in neglected NENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rilan Bai
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Wenqian Li
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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15
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Artificial Intelligence-Powered Whole-Slide Image Analyzer Reveals a Distinctive Distribution of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12102340. [PMID: 36292028 PMCID: PMC9600129 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12102340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the importance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and PD-L1 expression to the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response, a comprehensive assessment of these biomarkers has not yet been conducted in neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN). We collected 218 NENs from multiple organs, including 190 low/intermediate-grade NENs and 28 high-grade NENs. TIL distribution was derived from Lunit SCOPE IO, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) analyzer, as developed from 17,849 whole slide images. The proportion of intra-tumoral TIL-high cases was significantly higher in high-grade NEN (75.0% vs. 46.3%, p = 0.008). The proportion of PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 1 case was higher in high-grade NEN (85.7% vs. 33.2%, p < 0.001). The PD-L1 CPS ≥ 1 group showed higher intra-tumoral, stromal, and combined TIL densities, compared to the CPS < 1 group (7.13 vs. 2.95, p < 0.001; 200.9 vs. 120.5, p < 0.001; 86.7 vs. 56.1, p = 0.004). A significant correlation was observed between TIL density and PD-L1 CPS (r = 0.37, p < 0.001 for intra-tumoral TIL; r = 0.24, p = 0.002 for stromal TIL and combined TIL). AI-powered TIL analysis reveals that intra-tumoral TIL density is significantly higher in high-grade NEN, and PD-L1 CPS has a positive correlation with TIL densities, thus showing its value as predictive biomarkers for ICI response in NEN.
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16
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Liu M, Hu W, Zhang Y, Zhang N, Chen L, Lin Y, Wang Y, Luo Y, Guo Y, Chen M, Chen J. Clinical implications of immune checkpoint markers and immune infiltrates in patients with thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms. Front Oncol 2022; 12:917743. [PMID: 36203421 PMCID: PMC9531766 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.917743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential response of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms (T-NEN) is largely unknown and full of great expectations. The expression of immune checkpoint molecules and immune infiltrates greatly determine the response to ICB. However, studies regarding the immune landscape in T-NEN are scarce. This work was aimed to characterize the immune landscape and its association with clinical characteristics in T-NEN. The expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and the density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), monocytes, and granulocytes were determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining on tumor tissues from T-NEN. Immune landscapes were delineated and correlated with clinicopathological factors. We found that T-NEN with increased immune cell infiltration and enhanced expression of PD-1/PD-L1 tended to have restricted tumor size and less metastases. A higher density of CD8+ TILs was associated with a significantly lower rate of bone metastasis. In addition, we presented three cases of T-NEN who progressed after multiple lines of therapies and received ICB for alternative treatment. ICB elicited durable partial responses with satisfactory safety in two patients with atypical carcinoid, but showed resistance in 1 patient with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. This innovative study delineated for the first time the heterogeneous immune landscape in T-NEN and identified CD8+ TILs as a potential marker to predict bone metastasis. An “immune-inflamed” landscape with the presence of TILs predominated in T-NEN, making T-NEN a potentially favorable target for ICB treatment. Further judicious designs of “tailor-made” clinical trials of ICB in T-NEN are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanming Hu
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yixuan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luohai Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Oncology Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanji Luo
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minhu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Minhu Chen, ; Jie Chen,
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Minhu Chen, ; Jie Chen,
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17
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Jia R, Li Y, Xu N, Jiang HP, Zhao CH, Liu RR, Shi Y, Zhang YY, Wang SY, Zhou H, Xu JM. Sintilimab in Patients with Previously Treated Metastatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Oncologist 2022; 27:e625-e632. [PMID: 35647908 PMCID: PMC9355821 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of diseases that show high heterogeneity but have limited treatment options. This phase I study evaluated the safety and efficacy of sintilimab, anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, in treating advanced NENs. METHODS We prospectively enrolled patients pathologically diagnosed with NENs after standard treatment failure. Neuroendocrine neoplasms were classified into well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancers (NECs). Every patient received sintilimab, and response was assessed every 9 weeks. RESULTS Twenty-four patients with a median age of 57.0 years were enrolled from November 2016 to 2017. The median Ki-67 index was 60%. Five patients had NET, 1 had NET G3, 17 had NEC, and 1 had mixed adenocarcinoma-neuroendocrine carcinoma. The most common primary tumor sites were the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract in 7 and 10 patients, respectively. In phase Ia trial, 2 patients received sintilimab 1 mg/kg every 2 weeks, one received 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks, and 21 patients enrolled in the phase Ib trial received 200 mg every 3 weeks. The objective response rate was 20.8% in all enrolled patients and 27.8% in NEC patients. The median progression-free survival was 2.2 and 2.1 months in patients with NET and NEC, respectively. The median OS was not applicable (NA) and 10.8 months (95% CI, 4.3, NA) with NET and NEC, respectively. The duration of response (DOR) was not reached, with a median follow-up time of 20.7 months. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) occurred in 17 (70.8%) patients. The most frequent TRAE was thyroid dysfunction (41.7%), and a grade 3 pulmonary infection occurred in 1 patient. The programmed cell death 1-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive (tumor proportion score ≥1%) rate was 18.8% (3 out of 16) and the expression of PD-L1 did not correlate with response. CONCLUSION Sintilimab was well-tolerated and showed encouraging response in NECs. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER NCT02937116.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Jia
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Li
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nong Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Ping Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuan-Hua Zhao
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rong-Rui Liu
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Shi
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yao-Yue Zhang
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shu-Yan Wang
- Medical Science and Strategy Oncology, Innovent Biologics, Inc., Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Medical Science and Strategy Oncology, Innovent Biologics, Inc., Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian-Ming Xu
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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18
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Melone V, Salvati A, Palumbo D, Giurato G, Nassa G, Rizzo F, Palo L, Giordano A, Incoronato M, Vitale M, Mian C, Di Biase I, Cristiano S, Narciso V, Cantile M, Di Mauro A, Tatangelo F, Tafuto S, Modica R, Pivonello C, Salvatore M, Colao A, Weisz A, Tarallo R. Identification of functional pathways and molecular signatures in neuroendocrine neoplasms by multi-omics analysis. J Transl Med 2022; 20:306. [PMID: 35794609 PMCID: PMC9258165 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03511-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent a heterogeneous class of rare tumors with increasing incidence. They are characterized by the ability to secrete peptide hormones and biogenic amines but other reliable biomarkers are lacking, making diagnosis and identification of the primary site very challenging. While in some NENs, such as the pancreatic ones, next generation sequencing technologies allowed the identification of new molecular hallmarks, our knowledge of the molecular profile of NENs from other anatomical sites is still poor. METHODS Starting from the concept that NENs from different organs may be clinically and genetically correlated, we applied a multi-omics approach by combining multigene panel testing, CGH-array, transcriptome and miRNome profiling and computational analyses, with the aim to highlight common molecular and functional signatures of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NENs and medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) that could aid diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. RESULTS By comparing genomic and transcriptional profiles, ATM-dependent signaling emerged among the most significant pathways at multiple levels, involving gene variations and miRNA-mediated regulation, thus representing a novel putative druggable pathway in these cancer types. Moreover, a set of circulating miRNAs was also selected as possible diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers useful for clinical management of NENs. CONCLUSIONS These findings depict a complex molecular and functional landscape of NENs, shedding light on novel therapeutic targets and disease biomarkers to be exploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Melone
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Domenico Palumbo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Luigi Palo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giordano
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | | | - Mario Vitale
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Caterina Mian
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Immacolata Di Biase
- MeriGen Diagnostic & c sas, traversa M. Pietravalle 11, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Cristiano
- MeriGen Diagnostic & c sas, traversa M. Pietravalle 11, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Narciso
- MeriGen Diagnostic & c sas, traversa M. Pietravalle 11, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Cantile
- Pathology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Annabella Di Mauro
- Pathology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Tatangelo
- Pathology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Tafuto
- Sarcomas and Rare Tumors Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Modica
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Pivonello
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Salvatore
- IRCCS Synlab SDN s.p.a, Via Gianturco 113, 80143, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
- UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
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Xu S, Ye C, Chen R, Li Q, Ruan J. The Landscape and Clinical Application of the Tumor Microenvironment in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122911. [PMID: 35740577 PMCID: PMC9221445 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a role in promoting tumor progression. Elucidating the relationship between the TME and tumor cells will benefit current therapies. Therefore, this review summarizes the most recent relationship between the TME and tumor characteristics, discusses the differences in the TME at various sites along the digestive tract, and compares the TMEs of neuroendocrine tumors and neuroendocrine carcinomas. Microbial ecological changes in the TME were reviewed. The clinical application of the TME was summarized from bench to bedside. The TME can be used as a tumor drug target for diagnostic value, prognosis prediction, and efficacy evaluation, further revealing the potential of immune checkpoints combined with antiangiogenic drugs. The clinical application prospects of adoptive cell therapy and oncolytic viruses were described. The potential therapeutic approaches and strategies for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms are considered. Abstract Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms feature high heterogeneity. Neuroendocrine tumor cells are closely associated with the tumor microenvironment. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells are mutually educated by each other and by tumor cells. Immune cells have dual protumorigenic and antitumorigenic effects. The immune environment is conducive to the invasion and metastasis of the tumor; in turn, tumor cells can change the immune environment. These cells also form cytokines, immune checkpoint systems, and tertiary lymphoid structures to participate in the process of mutual adaptation. Additionally, the fibroblasts, vascular structure, and microbiota exhibit interactions with tumor cells. From bench to bedside, clinical practice related to the tumor microenvironment is also regarded as promising. Targeting immune components and angiogenic regulatory molecules has been shown to be effective. The clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy, and oncolytic viruses remains to be further discussed in clinical trials. Moreover, combination therapy is feasible for advanced high-grade tumors. The regulation of the tumor microenvironment based on multiple omics results can suggest innovative therapeutic strategies to prevent tumors from succeeding in immune escape and to support antitumoral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaishuai Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (S.X.); (C.Y.); (R.C.); (Q.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Chanqi Ye
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (S.X.); (C.Y.); (R.C.); (Q.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Ruyin Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (S.X.); (C.Y.); (R.C.); (Q.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Qiong Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (S.X.); (C.Y.); (R.C.); (Q.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jian Ruan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (S.X.); (C.Y.); (R.C.); (Q.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Correspondence:
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20
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De Keukeleire SJ, Vermassen T, Deron P, Huvenne W, Duprez F, Creytens D, Van Dorpe J, Ferdinande L, Rottey S. Concordance, Correlation, and Clinical Impact of Standardized PD-L1 and TIL Scoring in SCCHN. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2431. [PMID: 35626035 PMCID: PMC9139955 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has been thoroughly researched in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). To address the impact of intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity in these biomarkers, we explored the concordance of PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) and stromal TILs in different paired tissue sample types, while evaluating their internal relationship and prognostic impact. METHODS A total of 165 tissue blocks from 80 SCCHN patients were reviewed for TILs and PD-L1 CPS. Concordance between paired tissue samples was evaluated, and their association with several clinicopathological variables, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) was determined. RESULTS Biopsies and paired resection material were severely discordant in 39% and 34% of samples for CPS and TIL count, respectively, of which CPS was underscored in 27% of biopsies. In paired primary tumor-metastatic lesions, the disagreement was lower for CPS (19%) but not for TIL count (44%). PD-L1 CPS was correlated with prolonged OS when calculated from tissue acquirement, while extended OS and DFS were observed for high TIL density. CONCLUSION Intertumoral and, especially, intratumoral heterogeneity were confounding factors when determining PD-L1 CPS and TIL count on paired tissue samples, indicating the increasing necessity of assessing both biomarkers on representative tissue material. Although TILs hold valuable prognostic information in SCCHN, the robustness of PD-L1 as a biomarker in SCCHN remains ambiguous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Jeroen De Keukeleire
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (T.V.); (S.R.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Brussels, 1090 Jette, Belgium
| | - Tijl Vermassen
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (T.V.); (S.R.)
- Drug Research Unit Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Deron
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (P.D.); (W.H.)
| | - Wouter Huvenne
- Drug Research Unit Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (P.D.); (W.H.)
| | - Fréderic Duprez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - David Creytens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.); (J.V.D.); (L.F.)
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.); (J.V.D.); (L.F.)
| | - Liesbeth Ferdinande
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.); (J.V.D.); (L.F.)
| | - Sylvie Rottey
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (T.V.); (S.R.)
- Drug Research Unit Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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21
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Couvelard A, Cros J. An update on the development of concepts, diagnostic criteria, and challenging issues for neuroendocrine neoplasms across different digestive organs. Virchows Arch 2022; 480:1129-1148. [PMID: 35278097 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03306-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of heterogeneous neoplasms found throughout the digestive tract, with different behaviour and genetic background. In the last few years, nomenclature and WHO/UICC classifications of digestive NENs have changed, and molecular classifications have emerged, especially in pancreatic locations. Increasing patho-molecular details are needed to diagnose the different categories of NEN, including the use of helpful immunohistochemical markers. In this review, we address these topics in three successive chapters. We first briefly review recent updates in classifications, discuss important grading and proliferating issues and advances in the molecular understanding of NEN. Then, we provide an update on diagnosis, including the most important differential diagnoses of NEN, with a focus on high-grade neoplasms and mixed tumours. Finally, we highlight a variety of currently used and next-generation predictive and prognostic biomarkers as well as biomarkers of tumour origin and describe some site specificities of gastrointestinal NEN. We specifically focus on biomarkers available to pathologists with the potential to change the way patients with NEN are diagnosed and treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Couvelard
- Department of Pathology of Bichat and Beaujon AP-HP Hospitals, ENETS Centre of Excellence, Université Paris Cité, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, 75018, Paris, France.
| | - Jérôme Cros
- Department of Pathology of Bichat and Beaujon AP-HP Hospitals, ENETS Centre of Excellence, Université Paris Cité, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, 75018, Paris, France
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22
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Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Updates on Genomic Changes in Inherited Tumour Syndromes and Sporadic Tumours Based on WHO Classification. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 172:103648. [PMID: 35248713 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) are the neuroendocrine neoplasms with greatest rate of increase in incidence. Approximately 10% of PanNENs arise as inherited tumour syndromes which include multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, neurofibromatosis type1, tuberous sclerosis complex 1/2, Cowden syndrome, and Glucagon cell hyperplasia and neoplasia as well as familial insulinomatosis. In sporadic PanNENs, driver mutations in MEN1, DAXX/ATRX and mTOR pathway genes are associated with development and progression in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. The other changes are in VEGF pathway, Notch pathway, germline mutations in MUTYH, CHEK2, BRCA2, PHLDA3 as well as other genetic alterations. On the other hand, pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas share similar genetic alterations with ductal adenocarcinomas, e.g., TP53, RB1 or KRAS. In addition, microRNA and changes in immune microenvironment were noted in PanNENs. Updates on these genetic knowledges contribute to the development of management strategies for patients with PanNENs.
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23
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Prisciandaro M, Antista M, Raimondi A, Corti F, Morano F, Centonze G, Sabella G, Mangogna A, Randon G, Pagani F, Prinzi N, Niger M, Corallo S, Castiglioni di Caronno E, Massafra M, Bartolomeo MD, de Braud F, Milione M, Pusceddu S. Biomarker Landscape in Neuroendocrine Tumors With High-Grade Features: Current Knowledge and Future Perspective. Front Oncol 2022; 12:780716. [PMID: 35186729 PMCID: PMC8856722 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.780716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are classified based on morphology and are graded based on their proliferation rate as either well-differentiated low-grade (G1) to intermediate (G2–G3) or poorly differentiated high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC G3). Recently, in gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NETs, a new subgroup of well-differentiated high-grade tumors (NET G3) has been divided from NEC by WHO due to its different clinical–pathologic features. Although several mutational analyses have been performed, a molecular classification of NET is an unmet need in particular for G3, which tends to be more aggressive and have less benefit to the available therapies. Specifically, new possible prognostic and, above all, predictive factors are highly awaited, giving the basis for new treatments. Alteration of KRAS, TP53, and RB1 is mainly reported, but also druggable alterations, including BRAF and high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), have been documented in subsets of patients. In addition, PD-L1 demonstrated to be highly expressed in G3 NETs, probably becoming a new biomarker for G3 neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) discrimination and a predictive one for immunotherapy response. In this review, we describe the current knowledge available on a high-grade NET molecular landscape with a specific focus on those harboring potentially therapeutic targets in the advanced setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Prisciandaro
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Michele Prisciandaro,
| | - Maria Antista
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Raimondi
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Corti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Morano
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Centonze
- First Pathology Division, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sabella
- First Pathology Division, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofalo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Randon
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pagani
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Natalie Prinzi
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Niger
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Corallo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Massafra
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Di Bartolomeo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo de Braud
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Milione
- First Pathology Division, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Pusceddu
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Naik M, Al-Nahhas A, Khan SR. Treatment of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms with Radiolabeled Peptides-Where Are We Now. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:761. [PMID: 35159027 PMCID: PMC8833798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been one of the most successful and exciting examples of theranostics in nuclear medicine in recent decades and is now firmly embedded in many treatment algorithms for unresectable or metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) worldwide. It is widely considered to be an effective treatment for well- or moderately differentiated neoplasms, which express high levels of somatostatin receptors that can be selectively targeted. This review article outlines the scientific basis of PRRT in treatment of NENs and describes its discovery dating back to the early 1990s. Early treatments utilizing Indium-111, a γ-emitter, showed promise in reduction in tumor size and improvement in biochemistry, but were also met with high radiation doses and myelotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. Subsequently, stable conjugation of DOTA-peptides with β-emitting radionuclides, such as Yttrium-90 and Lutetium-177, served as a breakthrough for PRRT and studies highlighted their potential in eliciting progression-free survival and quality of life benefits. This article will also elaborate on the key trials which paved the way for its approval and will discuss therapeutic considerations, such as patient selection and administration technique, to optimize its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitesh Naik
- Department of Imaging, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK;
| | | | - Sairah R. Khan
- Department of Imaging, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK;
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25
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Arrivi G, Fazio N. Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (GEP NENs) : The Role of Checkpoint Inhibitors. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2022; 22:629-638. [PMID: 35034595 DOI: 10.2174/1568009622666220114124335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment options for GEP-NENs includes various drugs and is based on grading, morphology and location of the primary. <p> Objective: The aim of our work is to investigate the clinical impact of new immune checkpoint inhibitors in order to define a new possible strategy of use within GEP-NENs. <p> Method: A scientific literature search from 2015 to January 2020 was performed by using PubMed and Embase: reviews and prospective or retrospective studies with a minimum of twenty patients were selected; conference proceedings were included. <p> Results: several studies have been conducted to assess the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in NENs, but nowadays the current knowledge in this field is mainly based on a phase I-II studies. Immunotherapy showed limited antitumor activity, but higher response rate was reported in poor-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors. No specific biomarkers were identified for patient selection and response assessment. <p> Conclusion: Immunotherapy appears as a powerful possibility to help our patients, but nowadays we see many gaps in this field. We must balance therapeutic possibility offered by precision oncology with the understanding the limitations of application of testing and treatment in clinical practice. Future efforts should focus on research of the best patients to candidate for immunotherapy in term of disease characteristics and previous treatments, and how to select them with accurate biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Arrivi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Oncology Unit, Sant' Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Fazio
- Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology Unit, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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26
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Rico K, Duan S, Pandey RL, Chen Y, Chakrabarti JT, Starr J, Zavros Y, Else T, Katona BW, Metz DC, Merchant JL. Genome analysis identifies differences in the transcriptional targets of duodenal versus pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2021; 8:bmjgast-2021-000765. [PMID: 34750164 PMCID: PMC8576490 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) encompass a diverse group of neoplasms that vary in their secretory products and in their location within the gastrointestinal tract. Their prevalence in the USA is increasing among all adult age groups. Aim To identify the possible derivation of GEP-NETs using genome-wide analyses to distinguish small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours, specifically duodenal gastrinomas (DGASTs), from pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Design Whole exome sequencing and RNA-sequencing were performed on surgically resected GEP-NETs (discovery cohort). RNA transcript profiles available in the Gene Expression Omnibus were analysed using R integrated software (validation cohort). Digital spatial profiling (DSP) was used to analyse paraffin-embedded GEP-NETs. Human duodenal organoids were treated with 5 or 10 ng/mL of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) prior to qPCR and western blot analysis of neuroendocrine cell specification genes. Results Both the discovery and validation cohorts of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours induced expression of mesenchymal and calcium signalling pathways coincident with a decrease in intestine-specific genes. In particular, calcium-related, smooth muscle and cytoskeletal genes increased in DGASTs, but did not correlate with MEN1 mutation status. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) signalling pathways were elevated in the DGAST RNA-sequencing. However, DSP analysis confirmed a paucity of immune cells in DGASTs compared with the adjacent tumour-associated Brunner’s glands. Immunofluorescent analysis showed production of these proinflammatory cytokines and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) by the tumours and stroma. Human duodenal organoids treated with TNFα induced neuroendocrine tumour genes, SYP, CHGA and NKX6.3. Conclusions Stromal–epithelial interactions induce proinflammatory cytokines that promote Brunner’s gland reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Rico
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Suzann Duan
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Ritu L Pandey
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Yuliang Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jayati T Chakrabarti
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Julie Starr
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yana Zavros
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Tobias Else
- Department of Internal Medicine-Endocrinology, University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Bryson W Katona
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David C Metz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Juanita L Merchant
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Patterns and predictors of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor prognosis: Are no two leaves alike? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 167:103493. [PMID: 34653597 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are heterogeneous; thus, individual prognostic prediction is important. Clinicopathological features, like TNM stage, grade, and differentiation, are independent clinical predictors. However, single predictors are insufficient, as patients sharing similar clinicopathological features usually show distinct prognoses. Accordingly, novel nomograms and risk stratifications have been developed for more accurate PanNET prognostic prediction. Moreover, the exploration of molecular mechanisms has identified novel prognostic predictors for PanNET. Multi-analyte assays of molecular biomarkers provide a deeper understanding of PanNET features; however, the priority, and the optimal combination of classic and novel predictors for PanNET prognosis prediction remain unclear. In this review, we summarized the patterns and predictors of PanNET prognosis and discussed their clinical utility; we emphasized that PanNET at different stages have different superior predictor, and that multi-analyte assays are more sensitive than mono-analyte biomarkers. Therefore, combined biomarkers improve the accuracy of surveillance and optimize decision-making in clinical practice.
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28
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Young K, Lawlor RT, Ragulan C, Patil Y, Mafficini A, Bersani S, Antonello D, Mansfield D, Cingarlini S, Landoni L, Pea A, Luchini C, Piredda L, Kannan N, Nyamundanda G, Morganstein D, Chau I, Wiedenmann B, Milella M, Melcher A, Cunningham D, Starling N, Scarpa A, Sadanandam A. Immune landscape, evolution, hypoxia-mediated viral mimicry pathways and therapeutic potential in molecular subtypes of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Gut 2021; 70:1904-1913. [PMID: 32883872 PMCID: PMC8458094 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A comprehensive analysis of the immune landscape of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs) was performed according to clinicopathological parameters and previously defined molecular subtypes to identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities in this disease. DESIGN Differential expression analysis of 600 immune-related genes was performed on 207 PanNET samples, comprising a training cohort (n=72) and two validation cohorts (n=135) from multiple transcriptome profiling platforms. Different immune-related and subtype-related phenotypes, cell types and pathways were investigated using different in silico methods and were further validated using spatial multiplex immunofluorescence. RESULTS The study identified an immune signature of 132 genes segregating PanNETs (n=207) according to four previously defined molecular subtypes: metastasis-like primary (MLP)-1 and MLP-2, insulinoma-like and intermediate. The MLP-1 subtype (26%-31% samples across three cohorts) was strongly associated with elevated levels of immune-related genes, poor prognosis and a cascade of tumour evolutionary events: larger hypoxic and necroptotic tumours leading to increased damage-associated molecular patterns (viral mimicry), stimulator of interferon gene pathway, T cell-inflamed genes, immune checkpoint targets, and T cell-mediated and M1 macrophage-mediated immune escape mechanisms. Multiplex spatial profiling validated significantly increased macrophages in the MLP-1 subtype. CONCLUSION This study provides novel data on the immune microenvironment of PanNETs and identifies MLP-1 subtype as an immune-high phenotype featuring a broad and robust activation of immune-related genes. This study, with further refinement, paves the way for future precision immunotherapy studies in PanNETs to potentially select a subset of MLP-1 patients who may be more likely to respond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Young
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London and Surrey, UK
| | - Rita T Lawlor
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chanthirika Ragulan
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Centre for Molecular Pathology, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Yatish Patil
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Andrea Mafficini
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Samantha Bersani
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Antonello
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Department, Pancreas Institute, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - David Mansfield
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Sara Cingarlini
- Department of Medicine, Medical Oncology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Landoni
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Department, Pancreas Institute, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonio Pea
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Department, Pancreas Institute, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Luchini
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Liliana Piredda
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Nagarajan Kannan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gift Nyamundanda
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Ian Chau
- Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London and Surrey, UK
| | - Bertram Wiedenmann
- Institut für Pathologie, Charite, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michele Milella
- Department of Medicine, Medical Oncology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alan Melcher
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - David Cunningham
- Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London and Surrey, UK
| | - Naureen Starling
- Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London and Surrey, UK
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anguraj Sadanandam
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Centre for Molecular Pathology, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Albertelli M, Dotto A, Nista F, Veresani A, Patti L, Gay S, Sciallero S, Boschetti M, Ferone D. "Present and future of immunotherapy in Neuroendocrine Tumors". Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2021; 22:615-636. [PMID: 33851319 PMCID: PMC8346388 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09647-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy, so promising in many neoplasms, still does not have a precise role in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). In this article, we provide an overview on the current knowledge about immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) applied to NENs, evaluating future perspectives in this setting of tumors.Evidence so far available for ICIs in gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NENs is definitively not as robust as for other tumors such as Small Cell Lung Cancer or Merkel Cell Carcinoma. In fact, with regard to the well-differentiated forms of NENs (NETs), the results obtained nowadays have been disappointing. However, the near future, might reserve interesting results for ICIs in GEP-NEN from a total of nine different ICI drugs, used throughout 19 randomised controlled trials. Such numbers highlight the growing attention gathering around NENs and ICIs, in response to the need of stronger evidences supporting such therapy.For the future, the most important aspect will be to study strategies that can make NETs more susceptible to response to ICI and, thus, enhance the effectiveness of these treatments. Therefore, the combination of conventional therapy, target therapy and immunotherapy deserve attention and warrant to be explored. A sequential chemotherapy, possibly inducing an increase in tumor mutational burden and tested before immunotherapy, could be a hypothesis deserving more consideration. A radiation treatment that increases tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, could be another approach to explore before ICIs in NENs. Equally essential will be the identification of biomarkers useful for selecting patients potentially responsive to this type of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Albertelli
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Andrea Dotto
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Nista
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Veresani
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Patti
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Gay
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Mara Boschetti
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Diego Ferone
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Hijioka S, Morizane C, Ikeda M, Ishii H, Okusaka T, Furuse J. Current status of medical treatment for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and future perspectives. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2021; 51:1185-1196. [PMID: 34038547 PMCID: PMC8326384 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyab076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) constitute a heterogeneous group of tumors. In this review, we summarize the results of various clinical trials that have been conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of various therapeutic options for NENs. Based on the encouraging results obtained from these trials, various therapeutic options have been established for the treatment of NENs, including somatostatin analogs (SSAs), molecularly targeted drugs and cytotoxic agents. In addition, peptide receptor radionucleotide therapy has recently been evaluated for the treatment of various NENs. We also discuss the approach for selecting the appropriate drugs and sequence of treatment with the various drug classes, as recommended by different treatment guidelines. Finally, we discuss the scope for future research in this field, especially into the merits of combination therapy with molecularly targeted drugs plus SSAs, along with ongoing studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Hijioka
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chigusa Morizane
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masafumi Ikeda
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ishii
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takuji Okusaka
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junji Furuse
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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MacFarlane AW, Yeung HM, Alpaugh RK, Dulaimi E, Engstrom PF, Dasari A, Campbell KS, Vijayvergia N. Impacts of pembrolizumab therapy on immune phenotype in patients with high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:1893-1906. [PMID: 33398390 PMCID: PMC8195815 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02811-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
High grade neuroendocrine neoplasms (G3 NENs) are rare aggressive tumors with limited treatment options. Twenty-one previously treated patients with metastatic extra-pulmonary G3 NENs were treated with pembrolizumab. Baseline tumor samples were assessed for PD-L1 and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Peripheral blood samples drawn pre-treatment, prior to cycle three, and at disease progression were analyzed by flow cytometry. One patient achieved partial response, two had stable disease, and 18 exhibited progressive disease. The partially responding patient did not progress after 392 days, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 59 days. Longer PFS correlated independently with higher pre-treatment peripheral blood T-cell counts and lower pre-treatment activation state (CD69 expression) of naïve T cells and NK cells. Peripheral T-cell viability was reduced in patients with greater TILs. Post-treatment, T cells had reduced numbers of CD4+ cells, reduced PD-1 expression, increased activation of effector (CD62L-) cells, and increased expression of TIGIT. Baseline TIGIT expression on peripheral T cells also correlated positively with Ki67 in tumor. Patients with higher baseline T-cell expression of TIM-3 had shorter PFS. Despite limited activity of pembrolizumab, this study highlights the immune phenotype in this rare tumor type before and after treatment. High baseline peripheral T-cell count and reduced activation of T and NK cell subsets were associated with improved outcomes. Furthermore, increased post-treatment TIGIT and elevated baseline TIM-3 expression suggest that these may limit the efficacy of pembrolizumab, providing a rationale for combination immunotherapy (PD-1 with TIGIT and/or TIM-3 antibodies) to treat extra-pulmonary G3 NENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W MacFarlane
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Ho-Man Yeung
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - R Katherine Alpaugh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Essel Dulaimi
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Paul F Engstrom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Arvind Dasari
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kerry S Campbell
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Namrata Vijayvergia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
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Jungels C, Deleporte A. State of the art and future directions in the systemic treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms. Curr Opin Oncol 2021; 33:378-385. [PMID: 33973550 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare and heterogeneous malignancies whose natural evolution may be defined according to various prognostic factors, including localization of the primitive tumour, hormone secretory status, histological grade, tumour burden, tumour growth rate, expression of somatostatin receptors and fluorodeoxyglucose-avidity. The treatment of these tumours in an advanced setting is based on relatively little robust data. RECENT FINDINGS A recent pathological classification introduced a new category of high-grade but well differentiated neuroendocrine tumours (NET G3), with markedly different behaviour from neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). Yet, the optimal treatment of those tumours is still uncertain. Advances are needed in molecular subtyping of NENs to understand better their heterogeneity and inform personalized therapies. SUMMARY The current review summarizes the current knowledge, indicates some exciting future directions and outlines the most interesting ongoing clinical trials likely to impact current practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Jungels
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Treatment recommendations for advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (GEP-NEC) are based on uncontrolled, mainly retrospective data. Chemotherapy can offer palliative relief, but long-lasting complete responses or cures are rare. The European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recommend platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment. This has been the golden standard since the late 1980s and has been evaluated in mostly retrospective clinical studies. However, progression is inevitable for most patients. Unfortunately, data on effective second-line treatment options are scant, and ENETS and ESMO recommendations propose fluorouracil- or temozolomide-based chemotherapy schedules. As such, there is a huge unmet need for improved care. Improved knowledge on GEP-NEC biology may provide a pathway towards more effective interventions including chemotherapy, targeted gene therapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The review summarises this current state of the art as well as the most promising developments for systemic therapy in GEP-NEC patients.
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Liverani C, Bongiovanni A, Mercatali L, Pieri F, Spadazzi C, Miserocchi G, Di Menna G, Foca F, Ravaioli S, De Vita A, Cocchi C, Rossi G, Recine F, Ibrahim T. Diagnostic and Predictive Role of DLL3 Expression in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Endocr Pathol 2021; 32:309-317. [PMID: 33409812 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-020-09657-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are a rare and heterogeneous subgroup of tumors with a challenging management because of their extremely variable biological and clinical behaviors. Due to their different prognosis, there is an urgent need to identify molecular markers which would enable to discriminate between grade 3 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), despite both being diagnosed mainly on the basis of proliferation index and cell differentiation. DLL3, a negative Notch regulator, is a promising molecular target highly expressed in several tumors with neuroendocrine features. We conducted a retrospective analysis of DLL3, RB1, and PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from 47 patients with GEP-NENs. Then, we correlated the results with patients' clinical features and outcome. The absence of DLL3 expression in 5 well-differentiated GEP-NETs with high-grade features (G3 NET), and the presence of DLL3 in 76.9% of poorly-differentiated NECs (G3 NEC), highlights DLL3 expression as a marker of G3 NECs (p = 0.007). DLL3 expression was correlated with RB1-loss (p < 0.001), negative 68 Ga-PET/CT scan (p = 0.001), and an unfavorable clinical outcome, with important implications for treatment response and patient's follow-up. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 22.7 months (95% CI 6.1-68.8) and 68.8 months (95% CI 26.0-78.1), respectively, in patients with DLL3-negative tumor compared with 5.2 months (95% CI 2.5-18.5) and 9.5 months (95% CI 2.5-25.2), respectively, in patients with DLL3-positive tumor (PFS p = 0.0083, OS p = 0.0071). Therefore, combined with morphological cell analysis, DLL3 could represent a valuable histological marker, for the diagnosis of poorly differentiated NECs. The high percentage of DLL3 expression in NEC patients also highlights a potential opportunity for a DLL3 targeted therapy in this tumor subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Liverani
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy.
| | - Alberto Bongiovanni
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Laura Mercatali
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Federica Pieri
- Pathology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy
| | - Chiara Spadazzi
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Giacomo Miserocchi
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Di Menna
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Flavia Foca
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Sara Ravaioli
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Vita
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Claudia Cocchi
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Giulio Rossi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL Della Romagna, S. Maria Delle Croci Teaching Hospital, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Federica Recine
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Toni Ibrahim
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
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Lee W, Kim MJ, Choi Y, Kim H. PD-L1 expression and patient outcomes in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasm: a meta-analysis. Transl Cancer Res 2021; 10:2210-2218. [PMID: 35116539 PMCID: PMC8798646 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-20-3482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a known prognostic and therapeutic marker in malignant tumors. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association of PD-L1 expression with the clinicopathological parameters and survival outcomes of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, OVID Medline, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies June 30, 2020. Studies reporting PD-L1 immunohistochemistry of gastrointestinal NEN with associated survival data or clinicopathological parameters were included. RESULTS In total, 10 studies were included. Odd ratios (ORs) were combined to evaluate association between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathological parameters. Hazard ratios (HR) and standard errors were combined to evaluate the association between PD-L1 expression and overall survival. PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with higher tumor grade [OR: 3.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.00-5.85, P<0.05] and lymph node metastasis (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.13-3.34, P=0.02). However, PD-L1 expression was not associated with age, sex, and tumor stage. The pooled hazard ratio (HR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.20-4.98, P<0.05) showed a significant association between PD-L1 expression and shorter overall survival. DISCUSSION The results of this meta-analysis show that PD-L1 expression in tumor cells of gastrointestinal NEN can be used as a biomarker of worse survival and important clinicopathological parameters. Further, it can also be used as a therapeutic biomarker for developing novel treatment modalities that can improve prognosis. Although the results of this meta-analysis are more robust than those of the individual studies analyzed, this study also has several limitations. Further studies with a larger study population and consistent method for evaluating PD-L1 expression are needed to validate our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojoo Lee
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ju Kim
- Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghee Choi
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunchul Kim
- Department of Pathology, CHA Ilsan Medical Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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Bräutigam K, Rodriguez-Calero A, Kim-Fuchs C, Kollár A, Trepp R, Marinoni I, Perren A. Update on Histological Reporting Changes in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Curr Oncol Rep 2021; 23:65. [PMID: 33855635 PMCID: PMC8046746 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01062-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Classification and nomenclature of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) have frequently changed over the last years. These changes reflect both increasing knowledge and international standardisation. RECENT FINDINGS The most recent changes in the Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic system induced the concept of well-differentiated NET with high proliferation rate (NET G3), explaining partially the heterogeneity of G3 NEN. Even if the nomenclature in pulmonary NEN is still different, the terms 'carcinoid' and 'atypical carcinoid' are widely overlapping with NET G1 and NET G2. Molecular data shows an additional heterogeneity both in well-differentiated NET and poorly differentiated NEC. However, no studies are available demonstrating clinical usefulness yet. The heterogeneity of NEN regarding the organ of origin, differentiation and molecular subtypes make development of personalised therapy a challenge needing more international and interdisciplinary collaborations and clinical trials allowing stratification according to biological subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Bräutigam
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Corina Kim-Fuchs
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Attila Kollár
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roman Trepp
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ilaria Marinoni
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurel Perren
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, 3008, Bern, Switzerland.
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Targeted Cancer Therapy: What's New in the Field of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071701. [PMID: 33916707 PMCID: PMC8038369 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous family of neoplasms of increasing incidence and high prevalence due to their relatively indolent nature. Their wide anatomic distribution and their characteristic ability to secrete hormonally active substances pose unique challenges for clinical management. They are also characterized by the common expression of somatostatin receptors, a target that has been extremely useful for diagnosis and treatment (i.e., somatostatin analogues (SSAs) and peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)). Chemotherapy is of limited use for NETs of non-pancreatic origin, and the only approved targeted agents for advanced progressive NETs are sunitinib for those of pancreatic origin, and everolimus for lung, gastrointestinal and pancreatic primaries. Despite recent therapeutic achievements, thus, systemic treatment options remain limited. In this review we will discuss the state-of-the-art targeted therapies in the field of NETs, and also future perspectives of novel therapeutic drugs or strategies in clinical development, including recently presented results from randomized trials of yet unapproved antiangiogenic agents (i.e., pazopanib, surufatinib and axitinib), PRRT including both approved radiopharmaceuticals (177Lu-Oxodotreotide) and others in development (177Lu-Edotreotide, 177Lu-Satoreotide Tetraxetan), immunotherapy and other innovative targeted strategies (antibody-drug conjugates, bites,…) that shall soon improve the landscape of personalized treatment options in NET patients.
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Hasegawa S, Kobayashi N, Okubo N, Tokuhisa M, Goto A, Kurita Y, Sato T, Hosono K, Endo I, Nakajima A, Ichikawa Y. Pathological Findings of the Host Immune Reaction in the Tumor Microenvironment of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Intern Med 2021; 60:977-983. [PMID: 33162477 PMCID: PMC8079921 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5648-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare and indolent diseases, but the efficacy of treatment without surgical resection is temporary and limited. Targeted immunotherapy is an important treatment strategy in several cancers. However, the tumor and host immune reactions in the NEN microenvironment are poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the immune checkpoint system and host immune response in pathological NEN specimens. Methods The expression of the mismatch repair proteins MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and MLH1 was immunohistochemically detected in archival tissue samples obtained from 20 patients with gastroenteropancreatic NENs. We additionally assessed the expression of programmed death (PD)-1, PD-L1, and the tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) markers CD8 and family of transcription factor P3 (FOXP3). Results All 20 NENs expressed the mismatch repair proteins MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and MLH1. The PD-L1 and/or PD-1 expression in the tumor cells and/or TILs was confirmed in 75% of the cases. PD-1-, CD8-, and FOXP3-positive TILs were more frequently associated with PD-L1-positive tumors than with PD-L1 negative tumors (PD-1: 19.5 vs. 7.3, CD8: 18.1 vs. 7.1, FOXP3: 13.2 vs. 3.2, p=0.438, p=0.419, P=0.603, respectively). The number of cells positive for PD-1 tended to gradually increase in increasing grade of NENs but did not reach significance (Grade 1: 5.8, Grade 2: 10.2, NEC: 18.1, p=0.903). Conclusion NENs consistently express mismatch repair proteins but have a high expression of PD-L1 and/or PD-1 in the tumor microenvironment. NEC and PD-L1-positive NENs may be immunologically "hot" tumors, so an immunological approach may be an appropriate treatment strategy for these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Hasegawa
- Oncology Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Naoki Okubo
- Oncology Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Ayumu Goto
- Oncology Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kurita
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Sato
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Hosono
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
| | - Itaru Endo
- Gastroenterological Surgery Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan
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Fang L, Arvind D, Dowlati A, Mohamed A. Role of immunotherapy in gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (gep-nens): Current advances and future directions. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12943. [PMID: 33724586 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are heterogeneous tumours originating from neuroendocrine cells (Pearse & Polak, Gut, 1971, 12,783). They were once considered as rare tumours, although their annual incidence has increased significantly and now exceeds seven cases in 100 000 in the USA (Dasari, et al., JAMA oncology, 2017, 3, 1335). They are a group of highly diverse neoplasms and can be classified into the spectrum of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours to poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas. This is entirely based on the tumour differentiation and grade (low, intermediate, high), which is determined by the Ki-67/mitotic index. The lower grades (G1/2) of the well-differentiated group are characterised by a relative indolent clinical course and the ability to secrete a variety of peptide hormones (Kloppel, Visceral medicine, 2017, 33, 324). Higher grades and poorly differentiated tumours tend to be more aggressive and have limited therapeutic options (Sorbye et al., Neuroendocrinology, 2019, 108, 54). In the modern era of immuno-oncology, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) that target programmed cell death 1 (pembrolizumab, nivolumab), programmed cell death-ligand1 (avelumab, atezolizumab and durvalumab) or cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (ipilimumab) have revolutionised the management of many solid tumours. In patients with gastro-enteropancreatic (GEP)-NENs, there is a limited data regarding the role of ICPIs either as a single agent or in combination regimens. Here, we review the current advances for ICPIs and where they fit in the management of GEP-NENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Fang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospitals, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Dasari Arvind
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Afshin Dowlati
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospitals, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Amr Mohamed
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospitals, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Borga C, Businello G, Murgioni S, Bergamo F, Martini C, De Carlo E, Trevellin E, Vettor R, Fassan M. Treatment personalization in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:29. [PMID: 33641005 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00825-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT The clinical scenario of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) is continuously changing due to significant improvements in the definition of their molecular landscapes and the introduction of innovative therapeutic approaches. Many efforts are currently employed in the integration of the genetics/epigenetics and clinical information. This is leading to an improvement of tumor classification, prognostic stratification and ameliorating the management of patients based on a personalized approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Borga
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gianluca Businello
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sabina Murgioni
- Unit of Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Bergamo
- Unit of Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Martini
- Endocrine-Metabolic Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Eugenio De Carlo
- Endocrine-Metabolic Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Trevellin
- Endocrine-Metabolic Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberto Vettor
- Endocrine-Metabolic Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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Giannetta E, La Salvia A, Rizza L, Muscogiuri G, Campione S, Pozza C, Colao AALI, Faggiano A. Are Markers of Systemic Inflammatory Response Useful in the Management of Patients With Neuroendocrine Neoplasms? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:672499. [PMID: 34367064 PMCID: PMC8339959 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.672499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the increasing incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) over the past few decades, a more comprehensive knowledge of their pathophysiological bases and the identification of innovative NEN biomarkers represents an urgent unmet need. There is still little advance in the early diagnosis and management of these tumors, due to the lack of sensible and specific markers with prognostic value and ability to early detect the response to treatment. Chronic systemic inflammation is a predisposing factor for multiple cancer hallmarks, as cancer proliferation, progression and immune-evading. Therefore, the relevance of inflammatory biomarkers has been identified as critical in several types of tumours, including NENs. A bidirectional relationship between chronic inflammation and development of NENs has been reported. Neuroendocrine cells can be over-stimulated by chronic inflammation, leading to hyperplasia and neoplastic transformation. As the modulation of inflammatory response represents a therapeutic target, inflammatory markers could represent a promising new key tool to be applied in the diagnosis, the prediction of response to treatment and also as prognostic biomarkers in NENs field. The present review provides an overview of the pre-clinical and clinical data relating the potentially usefulness of circulating inflammatory markers: neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), cytokines and tissue inflammatory markers (PD-1/PD-L1), in the management of NENs. (1) NLR and PLR have both demonstrated to be promising and simple to acquire biomarkers in patients with advanced cancer, including NEN. To date, in the context of NENs, the prognostic role of NLR and PLR has been confirmed in 15 and 4 studies, respectively. However, the threshold value, both for NLR and PLR, still remains not defined. (2) Cytokines seem to play a central role in NENs tumorigenesis. In particular, IL-8 levels seems to be a good predictive marker of response to anti-angiogenic treatments. (3) PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on tumour cells and on TILs, have demonstrated to be promising predictive and prognostic biomarkers in NENs. Unfortunately, these two markers have not been validated so far and further studies are needed to establish their indications and utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Giannetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Elisa Giannetta,
| | - Anna La Salvia
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Rizza
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology and Medical Specialities, AO San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Muscogiuri
- Endocrinology Unit Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II School of Medicine, Naples, Italy
| | - Severo Campione
- A. Cardarelli Hospital, Naples Department of Advanced Diagnostic-Therapeutic Technologies and Health Services Section of Anatomic Pathology, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlotta Pozza
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antongiulio Faggiano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Endocrine-Metabolic Unit, Sant’Andrea University Hospital “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Ali AS, Langer SW, Federspiel B, Hjortland GO, Grønbæk H, Ladekarl M, Welin S, Weber Vestermark L, Arola J, Osterlund P, Knigge U, Sørbye H, Micke P, Grimelius L, Grönberg M, Tiensuu Janson E. PD-L1 expression in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms grade 3. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243900. [PMID: 33315908 PMCID: PMC7735636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms grade 3 (GEP-NENs G3) are rare tumors. These highly aggressive neoplasms are traditionally treated with platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with etoposide. Immune checkpoint proteins such as programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1) may have a role in different cancers allowing them escape the immune system and hence, progress. We aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 in GEP-NEN G3 and evaluate its correlation to clinical parameters. In a cohort of 136 patients, 14 (10%) expressed PD-L1 immunoreactivity; four (3%) patients in the tumor cells and 10 (7%) had immunoreactive immune cells. PD-L1 expression did not correlate to clinical parameters, progression-free survival or overall survival. We conclude that PD-L1 expression is present only in a subset of GEP-NEN G3 patients. Further studies are needed to fully understand the role of PD-L1 in patients with GEP-NEN G3, including the future possibility for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abir Salwa Ali
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrine Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Seppo W. Langer
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Federspiel
- Department of Pathology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Henning Grønbæk
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Morten Ladekarl
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Staffan Welin
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrine Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Johanna Arola
- Pathology, HUSLAB, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pia Osterlund
- Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital and Helsinki University, Helsinki Finland
- Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital and Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ulrich Knigge
- Department of Surgery C and Endocrinology PE, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Halfdan Sørbye
- Department of Oncology, Haukeland University Hospital and Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Patrick Micke
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Grimelius
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Malin Grönberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrine Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Eva Tiensuu Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrine Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Arakelyan J, Zohrabyan D, Philip PA. Molecular profile of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs): Opportunities for personalized therapies. Cancer 2020; 127:345-353. [PMID: 33270905 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNENs) are the second most common epithelial tumors of the pancreas. Despite improvements in prognostic grading and staging systems, it remains a challenge to predict the clinical behavior of panNENs and the response to specific therapies given the high degree of heterogeneity of these tumors. Most panNENs are nonfunctional and present as advanced disease. However, systemic therapies provide modest benefits. Therefore, there is a need for predictive biomarkers to develop personalized treatment and to advance new drug development. The somatostatin receptors remain the only clinically established prognostic and predictive biomarkers in panNENs. Oncogenic drivers are at a very low frequency. Commonly mutated genes in panNENs include MEN1, chromatin remodeling genes (DAXX and ATRX), and mammalian target of rapamycin pathway genes. In contrast, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (panNECs), which carry a very poor prognosis, have distinctive mutations in certain genes (eg, RB1 and p53). Ongoing research to integrate epigenomics will provide tremendous opportunities to improve current understanding of the clinical heterogeneity of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and provide invaluable insight into the biology of these tumors, new drug development, and establishing personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma Arakelyan
- Department of Oncology, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia.,Adult Solid Tumor Chemotherapy Clinic, Professor Yeolan Hematology Center, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Davit Zohrabyan
- Department of Oncology, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia.,Adult Solid Tumor Chemotherapy Clinic, Professor Yeolan Hematology Center, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Philip A Philip
- Department of Oncology, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.,Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit, Michigan
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44
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Histological grades and prognostic markers of well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (WDPNET). JOURNAL OF PANCREATOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1097/jp9.0000000000000061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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45
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Busse A, Mochmann LH, Spenke C, Arsenic R, Briest F, Jöhrens K, Lammert H, Sipos B, Kühl AA, Wirtz R, Pavel M, Hummel M, Kaemmerer D, Baum RP, Grabowski P. Immunoprofiling in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Unveil Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3448. [PMID: 33228231 PMCID: PMC7699546 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results in a variety of tumors; however, in neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC), low response rates were reported. We aimed herein to investigate the tumor immune microenvironment in NET/NEC to determine whether checkpoint pathways like programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) might play a role in immune escape and whether other escape mechanisms might need to be targeted to enable a functional antitumor response. Forty-eight NET and thirty NEC samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and mRNA immunoprofiling including digital spatial profiling. Through IHC, both NET/NEC showed stromal, but less intratumoral CD3+ T cell infiltration, although this was significantly higher in NEC compared to NET. Expression of PD1, PD-L1, and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3) on immune cells was low or nearly absent. mRNA immunoprofiling revealed low expression of IFNγ inducible genes in NET and NEC without any spatial heterogeneity. However, we observed an increased mRNA expression of chemokines, which attract myeloid cells in NET and NEC, and a high abundance of genes related to immunosuppressive myeloid cells and genes with immunosuppressive functions like CD47 and CD74. In conclusion, NET and NEC lack signs of an activation of the adaptive immune system, but rather show abundance of several immunosuppressive genes that represent potential targets for immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Busse
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Liliana H. Mochmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
| | - Christiane Spenke
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
| | - Ruza Arsenic
- Institute of Pathology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (R.A.); (K.J.); (H.L.); (M.H.)
- Institute für histologische und zytologische Diagnostik AG Aarau, 5000 Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Briest
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
| | - Korinna Jöhrens
- Institute of Pathology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (R.A.); (K.J.); (H.L.); (M.H.)
- Institute of Pathology, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hedwig Lammert
- Institute of Pathology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (R.A.); (K.J.); (H.L.); (M.H.)
| | - Bence Sipos
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
- Private Practice of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, 70176 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Anja A. Kühl
- iPATH Berlin—Immunopathology for Experimental Models, Core Unit of the Charité, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Ralph Wirtz
- Stratifyer Molecular Oncology GmbH, 50935 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Marianne Pavel
- Department of Endocrinology, Universitatsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Michael Hummel
- Institute of Pathology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (R.A.); (K.J.); (H.L.); (M.H.)
- Central Biobank, Berlin Institute of Health, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Kaemmerer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, 99437 Bad Berka, Germany;
| | - Richard P. Baum
- CURANOSTICUM Wiesbaden-Frankfurt in der DKD HELIOS Klinik, 65191 Wiesbaden, Germany;
| | - Patricia Grabowski
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Xu G, Wang Y, Zhang H, She X, Yang J. Immunotherapy and potential predictive biomarkers in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasia. Future Oncol 2020; 17:1069-1081. [PMID: 33136448 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasias (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of rare tumors scattered throughout the body. Surgery, locoregional or ablative therapies as well as maintenance treatments are applied in well-differentiated, low-grade NENs, whereas cytotoxic chemotherapy is usually applied in high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. However, treatment options for patients with advanced or metastatic NENs are limited. Immunotherapy has provided new treatment approaches for many cancer types, including neuroendocrine tumors, but predictive biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the treatment of NENs have not been fully reported. By reviewing the literature and international congress abstracts, we summarize the current knowledge of ICIs, potential predicative biomarkers in the treatment of NENs, implications and efficacy of ICIs as well as biomarkers for NENs of gastroenteropancreatic system, lung NENs and Merkel cell carcinoma in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases & Digestive Diseases of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, PR China
| | - Yuhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases & Digestive Diseases of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, PR China
| | - Hushan Zhang
- The Medical Department, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, 201114, PR China
| | - Xueke She
- The Medical Department, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, 201114, PR China
| | - Jianjun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases & Digestive Diseases of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, PR China
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Al-Toubah T, Cives M, Strosberg J. Novel immunotherapy strategies for treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5:54. [PMID: 33073049 PMCID: PMC7530319 DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2019.12.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are a heterogeneous family of neoplasms. Well-differentiated tumors are often slow growing and characterized by low tumor mutational burden. Poorly differentiated NECs are aggressive, with an increased mutational burden and higher propensity to express PD-L1. While the therapeutic landscape for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) has evolved substantially over the past decade, immunotherapy has been unexplored in NENs until recently. Checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 agents, bi-specific tumor-targeting antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy are examples of treatments that have demonstrated efficacy in other cancers and have recently been investigated in NENs. This review examines the immune landscape of NENs in detail, summarizes recent clinical study results, and discusses potential future directions for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taymeyah Al-Toubah
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mauro Cives
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Jonathan Strosberg
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
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de Hosson LD, Takkenkamp TJ, Kats-Ugurlu G, Bouma G, Bulthuis M, de Vries EGE, van Faassen M, Kema IP, Walenkamp AME. Neuroendocrine tumours and their microenvironment. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:1449-1459. [PMID: 32270230 PMCID: PMC7347684 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02556-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumours can escape the immune system by expressing programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1), which allows them to bind to PD-1 on T-cells and avoid recognition by the immune system. Regulatory T-cells (Tregs), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) also play a role in immune suppression. Knowledge about the interaction of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) with their immune microenvironment and the role of immunotherapy in patients with NET is scarce. Here, we investigated the immune microenvironment of serotonin-producing (SP) and non-serotonin-producing NETs (NSP-NETs). Tumours of 33 patients with SP-NET and 18 patients with NSP-NET were studied. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed for PD-L1, T-cells, IDO, TDO, mismatch repair proteins (MMRp) and activated fibroblasts. PD-L1 expression was seen in < 1% of tumour and T-cells. T-cells were present in 33% of NETs, varying between 1 and 10% T-cells per high power field. IDO was expressed in tumour cells in 55% of SP-NETs and 22% of NSP-NETs (p = 0.039). TDO was expressed in stromal cells in 64% of SP-NETs and 13% of NSP-NETs (p = 0.001). No tumours had loss of MMRp. TDO-expressing stromal cells also strongly expressed α-SMA and were identified as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Factors that are associated with a response to checkpoint inhibitor treatment were absent or only present to a limited extent in the tumour microenvironment of NETs. The expression of IDO and TDO in a substantial part of NETs and the presence of CAFs suggest two mechanisms that could be responsible for the cold immune microenvironment, which should be explored to enhance anti-tumour immunity and clinical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte D de Hosson
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, DA11, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tim J Takkenkamp
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, DA11, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gursah Kats-Ugurlu
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Grietje Bouma
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, DA11, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Bulthuis
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth G E de Vries
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, DA11, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn van Faassen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ido P Kema
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek M E Walenkamp
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, DA11, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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49
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Cavalcanti E, Galleggiante V, Coletta S, Stasi E, Chieppa M, Armentano R, Serino G. Altered miRNAs Expression Correlates With Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Grades. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1187. [PMID: 32766159 PMCID: PMC7379872 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are rare and heterogeneous tumors that present a wide spectrum of different clinical and biological characteristics. Currently, tumor grading, determined by Ki-67 staining and mitotic counts, represents the most reliable predictor of prognosis. This time-consuming approach fails to reach high reproducibility standards thus requiring novel approaches to support histological evaluation and prognosis. In this study, starting from a microarray analysis of paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, we defined the miRNAs signature for poorly differentiated NETs (G3) compared to well-differentiated NETs (G1 and G2) consisting of 56 deregulated miRNAs. We identified 8 miRNAs that were expressed in all GEP-NETs grades but at different level. Among these miRNAs, miR-96-5p expression level was progressively higher from grade 1 to grade 3; inversely, its target FoxO1 expression decreased from grade 1 to grade 3. Our results reveal that the miRNAs expression profile of GEP-NET is correlated with the tumor grade, showing a potential advantage of miRNA quantification that could aid clinicians in the classification of common GEP-NETs subtypes. These findings could reliably support the histological evaluation of GEP-NETs paving the way toward personalized treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Cavalcanti
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Vanessa Galleggiante
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Sergio Coletta
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Elisa Stasi
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Marcello Chieppa
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Raffaele Armentano
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Grazia Serino
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
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50
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Zhang MY, He D, Zhang S. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors G3 and pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas: Differences in basic biology and treatment. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2020; 12:705-718. [PMID: 32864039 PMCID: PMC7428799 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v12.i7.705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2017 the World Health Organization revised the criteria for classification of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) after a consensus conference at the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The major change in the new classification was to subclassify the original G3 group into well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors G3 (pNETs G3) and poorly differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (pNECs), which have been gradually proven to be completely different in biological behavior and clinical manifestations in recent years. In 2019 this major change subsequently extended to NENs involving the entire digestive tract. The updated version of the pNENs grading system marks a growing awareness of these heterogeneous tumors. This review discusses the clinicopathological, genetic and therapeutic features of poorly differentiated pNECs and compare them to those of well-differentiated pNETs G3. For pNETs G3 and pNECs (due to their lower incidence), there are still many problems to be investigated. Previous studies under the new grading classification also need to be reinterpreted. This review summarizes the relevant literature from the perspective of the differences between pNETs G3 and pNECs in order to deepen understanding of these diseases and discuss future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yi Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Du He
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
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