New invasive patterns as a prognostic factor for superficial esophageal cancer

Tumor budding is associated with poor prognosis and clinicopathologic factors in esophageal carcinoma: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Tumor budding is associated with the prognosis of several solid cancers, but further evidence is needed to identify its relation with esophageal cancer. Our study aims to assess the relationship between tumor budding and overall survival, disease-free survival, and clinicopathologic variables in EC.

METHODS

Multiple electronic databases were searched and 20 relevant studies containing 3370 patients were identified. The fixed effects and a random-effects model were used to perform a meta-analysis.

RESULT

Tumor budding was associated with poor overall survival in EC in both univariate analyses (HR:2.63; 95 % CI 2.06-3.38; p < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (HR: 2.00; 95 % CI 1.68 to 2.39; P < 0.001). Tumor budding was also associated with poor overall survival in subtypes of EC in subgroup analyses i.e. ESCC (HR:3.26; 95 % CI 2.48 to 4.29; P < 0.001), and EAC (HR:2.00; 95 % CI 1.36 to 2.95; P < 0.001) in univariate analysis and ESCC (HR: 2.95; 95 % CI 2.18 to 3.99; P < 0.001) and EAC (HR: 1.65; 95 % CI 1.33 to 2.04; P < 0.001) in multivariate analyses. In addition, tumor budding was also associated with poor DFS (HR: 3.39; 95 % CI 2.1 to 5.48; P < 0.001). Furthermore, tumor budding was associated with poor clinicopathologic factors like advanced T-stage, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion.

CONCLUSION

The findings of our study suggest that tumor budding is a promising independent prognostic factor and is correlated with poor clinicopathologic variables of esophageal carcinoma. The inclusion of tumor budding in future grading systems may help in improving currently available staging systems of esophageal carcinoma.

Correlation between tumor budding and the long-term follow-up outcomes after endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The effect of tumor budding (TB) on the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains unclear. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of patients with superficial ESCC after ESD and the risk factors of TB for the long-term prognosis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study in a Chinese hospital. All patients with ESCC treated by ESD and reported TB were included consecutively. Comparative analyses were conducted in three parts: specimen analysis, follow-up analyses of unmatched patients, and propensity score-matched (PSM) patients. Cox proportional hazard regression models were constructed to identify risk factors for overall survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

A total of 437 patients were enrolled [154 TB and 283 no tumor budding (NTB)], and 258 patients (52 TB and 206 NTB) were included in the follow-up analysis. Results showed that the invasion depth, differentiation type, and positive vascular invasion (all p < 0.001) of the TB group were significantly different from the NTB group. The all-cause mortality and the median RFS time between the two groups were comparable. RFS rate at 5 years were 84.6% and 80.6%, respectively (p = 0.43). Cox analyses identified that having other cancers but not TB, as a risk factor independently associated with overall survival and RFS after ESD.

CONCLUSION

TB tends to be associated with invasion depth, differentiation type, and positive vascular invasion. However, it might not affect the long-term outcomes of patients with superficial ESCC after ESD when other high-risk factors are negative.

Prognostic significance of tumour budding in noncolorectal gastrointestinal tract and pancreatobiliary tract: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tumour budding shows promise as a prognostic factor in various cancers, but its widespread application is hindered by the lack of large, validated studies and standardized criteria. This meta-analysis aims to review and examine the prognostic role of tumour budding specifically in noncolorectal gastrointestinal and pancreatobiliary tract cancers, broadening our perspective on its clinical relevance. The literature review was conducted through PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception till 20 February 2023. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the relation between tumour budding and clinicopathologic features, as well as overall survival. Each study was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and both heterogeneity and publication bias were analysed. In this meta-analysis of 57 studies across various cancer types, multivariate HR revealed worse overall survival in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (HR 3.34 [95% CI 2.21-5.04]), gastric adenocarcinoma (2.03 [1.38-2.99]), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (2.56 [2.02-3.25]), and biliary tract adenocarcinoma (3.11 [2.46-3.93]) with high-grade tumour budding. Additionally, high-grade tumour budding consistently correlated with adverse clinicopathological features, including lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, and distant metastasis without any observed inverse association. High heterogeneity was noted. Our study suggests that tumour budding is a valuable prognostic marker in various cancers. Nonetheless, standardized criteria tailored to specific organ types are necessary to enhance its clinical utility.

Type B2 vessels and infiltrative growth patterns b and c are associated with lymphatic invasion in pT1a-lamina propria mucosa esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Tumor growth pattern correlates with outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), however, the clinical significance of the tumor growth pattern in pT1a-lamina propria mucosa (LPM) type of ESCC was unclear. This study was conducted to clarify clinicopathological features of tumor growth patterns in pT1a-LPM type ESCC and the relationship between tumor growth patterns and magnifying endoscopic findings.

METHODS

Eighty-seven lesions diagnosed as pT1a-LPM ESCC were included. Clinicopathological findings including tumor growth pattern and narrow band imaging with magnifying endoscopy (NBI-ME) in the LPM area were investigated.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven lesions were classified as infiltrative growth pattern-a (INF-a): expansive growth (n = 81), INF-b: intermediate growth (n = 4) and INF-c: infiltrative growth pattern (n = 2). Lymphatic invasion was shown in one INF-b and one INF-c lesion. NBI-ME and histopathological images were matched for 30 lesions. The microvascular pattern was classified into types B1 (n = 23) and B2 (n = 7) using the JES classification. All 23 type B1 lesions were classified as INF-a without lymphatic invasion. Type B2 lesions were classified as INF-a (n = 2), INF-b (n = 4) and INF-c (n = 1), and lymphatic invasion was present in two lesions (INF-b and INF-c). The rate of lymphatic invasion was significantly higher in type B2 than type B1 (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

The tumor growth pattern of pT1a-LPM ESCC was mostly INF-a in type B1 patterns. Type B2 patterns are rarely present in pT1a-LPM ESCC, however lymphatic invasion with INF-b or INF-c was frequently observed. Careful observation before endoscopic resection with NBI-ME is important to identify B2 patterns to predict histopathology.

Stochastic differential equation modelling of cancer cell migration and tissue invasion

Invasion of the surrounding tissue is a key aspect of cancer growth and spread involving a coordinated effort between cell migration and matrix degradation, and has been the subject of mathematical modelling for almost 30 years. In this current paper we address a long-standing question in the field of cancer cell migration modelling. Namely, identify the migratory pattern and spread of individual cancer cells, or small clusters of cancer cells, when the macroscopic evolution of the cancer cell colony is dictated by a specific partial differential equation (PDE). We show that the usual heuristic understanding of the diffusion and advection terms of the PDE being one-to-one responsible for the random and biased motion of the solitary cancer cells, respectively, is not precise. On the contrary, we show that the drift term of the correct stochastic differential equation scheme that dictates the individual cancer cell migration, should account also for the divergence of the diffusion of the PDE. We support our claims with a number of numerical experiments and computational simulations.

Long-term clinical outcome after endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invading the muscularis mucosae without lymphovascular invasion

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Lymph node recurrence (LNR) after endoscopic resection (ER) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) pathologically invading the muscularis mucosae (pMM) without lymphovascular invasion (LVI) has been reported as non-negligible in the ER guidelines for esophageal cancer by the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. However, these data were not regarded as high-level evidence because several retrospective case series were tabulated without sufficient long-term follow-up. Hence, this guideline stated that the administration of additional treatment after ER could not be determined for this population. This study aimed to clarify the long-term clinical outcomes after ER of pMM ESCC without LVI.

METHODS

Between January 2009 and November 2017, we enrolled followed patients who underwent ER and were diagnosed with pMM ESCC without LVI with no additional treatments. We retrospectively investigated the cumulative recurrence rate and recurrence-free, overall, and disease-specific survival at 5 years after ER.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients were enrolled. During the median follow-up period of 64 months (range, 12-117), 3 patients developed lymph node and/or distant recurrence, and 2 of these cases occurred more than 3 years after ER; all 3 patients died of the primary disease. The 5-year cumulative recurrence rate was 4.3%, and the 5-year recurrence-free, disease-specific, and overall survival rates were 88.8%, 98.2%, and 91.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term outcome for patients with pMM ESCC without LVI was favorable after ER; however, this population had a risk of recurrence directly leading to death. Long-term follow-up is necessary, with attention to the timing of recurrence.

Infiltrative tumour growth pattern correlates with poor outcome in oesophageal cancer

Objective

Oesophageal cancer (OEC) is an aggressive disease with a poor survival rate. Prognostic markers are thus urgently needed. Due to the demonstrated prognostic value of histopathological growth pattern (HGP) in other cancers, we performed a retrospective assessment of HGP in patients suffering from invasive OEC.

Design

A first cohort composed of 89 treatment-naïve operated patients with OEC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) public database was constituted, from which H&E images and RNA-sequencing data were retrieved. Next, a second cohort composed of 99 patients with OEC treated and operated in a Belgian hospital was established. H&E-stained sections and extracted tumorous RNA were obtained from the samples. HGP were assessed on H&E slides as infiltrative (IGP) or expansive (EGP). TCGA RNA-sequencing data were analysed through the gene set enrichment analysis and Cytoscape softwares. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) experiments were performed to assess gene expression in the Belgian cohort.

Results

IGP patients displayed a grim prognosis compared with EGP patients, while IGP was found as associated with numerous lymphovascular emboli and perinervous infiltrations. Analyses of the TCGA expression data showed that angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammation were significantly upregulated in IGP compared with EGP samples. qPCR experiments of three genes appearing as highly upregulated in each pathway showed no difference in expression according to the HGP.

Conclusion

The current study demonstrates the poor prognostic value carried by IGP in OC and suggests angiogenesis, EMT and inflammation as key carcinogenetic pathways upregulated in this pattern.

A novel 3D atomistic-continuum cancer invasion model: In silico simulations of an in vitro organotypic invasion assay

We develop a three-dimensional genuinely hybrid atomistic-continuum model that describes the invasive growth dynamics of individual cancer cells in tissue. The framework explicitly accounts for phenotypic variation by distinguishing between cancer cells of an epithelial-like and a mesenchymal-like phenotype. It also describes mutations between these cell phenotypes in the form of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse process mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). The proposed model consists of a hybrid system of partial and stochastic differential equations that describe the evolution of epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like cancer cells, respectively, under the consideration of matrix-degrading enzyme concentrations and the extracellular matrix density. With the help of inverse parameter estimation and a sensitivity analysis, this three-dimensional model is then calibrated to an in vitro organotypic invasion assay experiment of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Baseline lesion number as an efficacy predictive and independent prognostic factor and its joint utility with TMB for PD-1 inhibitor treatment in advanced gastric cancer

Background

We previously reported tumor mutation burden (TMB) as a potential prognostic factor for patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) receiving immunotherapy. We aimed to comprehensively understand the impact of tumor burden and TMB on efficacy and prognosis in immunotherapy-treated AGC patients.

Methods

A total of 58 patients with refractory AGC receiving PD-1 inhibitor monotherapy from a phase Ib/II clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02915432) were retrospectively included. Univariate and multivariate logistical regression analyses and the Cox proportional hazards model were performed for prognostic value of baseline factors. Factors reflecting baseline tumor burden, including baseline lesion number (BLN), the maximum tumor size (MTS) and the sum of target lesion size (SLS) were analyzed. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were compared by Chi-square test.

Results

In univariate analysis, high BLN was associated with poor median progression-free survival (mPFS) [1.7 months versus 3.4 months; hazard ratio (HR), 2.696, p < 0.05] and median overall survival (mOS) (3.2 months versus 7.6 months; HR, 1.997, p < 0.05), while high TMB was a positive prognostic factor. In multivariable analysis, both BLN and TMB were independent prognostic factors for mOS (BLN: HR, 2.782, p < 0.05; TMB: HR, 0.288, p < 0.05), while MTS or SLS had no association with survival. Better ORR and DCR were observed in the low BLN group (15.4% versus 5.3%, p > 0.05; 86.96% versus 54.29%, p < 0.05). When combining BLN and TMB, the best efficacy and survival were observed in the BLN^lowTMB^high group (ORR: 37.5%, DCR: 62.5%, mPFS and mOS: not reached). The worst efficacy and survival were shown in the BNL^highTMB^low group [ORR: 0% (0/15); DCR: 13.3%; mPFS: 1.7 months; mOS: 2.7 months (all p < 0.05)].

Conclusions

BLN, rather than factors regarding baseline tumor size, is perhaps a potential predictor for benefit from immunotherapy and its combination with TMB could further risk-stratify patients with AGC receiving immunotherapy.

Meta-analysis of prognostic factors of overall survival in patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Currently, the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) staging system is used for prognostication for oesophageal cancer. However, several prognostically important factors have been reported but not incorporated. This meta-analysis aimed to characterize the impact of preoperative, operative, and oncological factors on the prognosis of patients undergoing curative resection for oesophageal cancer.

METHODS

This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines and eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases up to 31 December 2018. A meta-analysis was conducted with the use of random-effects modeling to determine pooled univariable hazard ratios (HRs). The study was prospectively registered with the PROSPERO database (Registration: CRD42018157966).

RESULTS

One-hundred and seventy-one articles including 73,629 patients were assessed quantitatively. Of the 122 factors associated with survival, 39 were significant on pooled analysis. Of these. the strongly associated prognostic factors were 'pathological' T stage (HR: 2.07, CI95%: 1.77-2.43, P < 0.001), 'pathological' N stage (HR: 2.24, CI95%: 1.95-2.59, P < 0.001), perineural invasion (HR: 1.54, CI95%: 1.36-1.74, P < 0.001), circumferential resection margin (HR: 2.17, CI95%: 1.82-2.59, P < 0.001), poor tumor grade (HR: 1.53, CI95%: 1.34-1.74, P < 0.001), and high neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (HR: 1.47, CI95%: 1.30-1.66, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Several tumor biological variables not included in the AJCC 8th edition classification can impact on overall survival. Incorporation and validation of these factors into prognostic models and next edition of the AJCC system will enable personalized approach to prognostication and treatment.

Tumour budding in solid cancers

Tumour budding is an emerging prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer (CRC) and other solid cancers. Tumour buds are usually defined as isolated single cancer cells or clusters of up to four cancer cells located at the invasive tumour front. The prognostic value of tumour budding is now supported by a large body of evidence, whereas the utility of this phenotype as a predictive biomarker remains under investigation. The application of tumour budding indices in clinical practice requires a standardized scoring system that can be tailored to specific tumour types and clinical scenarios. In the context of CRC, tumour budding can be assessed according to the method agreed at the International Tumour Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) in 2016. Using the ITBCC scoring system, tumour budding is an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis in patients with pT1 CRC and of unfavourable survival in patients with stage II colon cancer. Regardless of the clinical scenario or tumour type, the assertion that 'the more tumour buds, the worse the clinical outcome' applies. In this Review, we provide an overview of tumour budding in solid cancers, highlighting the molecular and biological aspects of this phenomenon, including its associations with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and features of the tumour microenvironment. We also describe the available evidence demonstrating the value of tumour budding as a biomarker across various solid cancers.

Tumour budding and its clinical implications in gastrointestinal cancers

Tumour budding in colorectal cancer has become an important prognostic factor. Represented by single cells or small tumour cell clusters at the invasion front of the tumour mass, these tumour buds seem to reflect cells in a ‘hybrid’ state of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and evidence indicates that the presence of these entities is associated with lymph node metastasis, local recurrence and distant metastatic disease. The International Tumour Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) has highlighted a scoring system for the reporting of tumour budding in colorectal cancer, as well as different clinical scenarios that could affect patient management. Other organs are not spared: tumour budding has been described in numerous gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal cancers. Here, we give an update on ITBCC validation studies in the context of colorectal cancer and the clinical implications of tumour budding throughout the upper gastrointestinal and pancreatico-biliary tract.

Tumor infiltrative growth pattern correlates with the immune microenvironment and is an independent factor for lymph node metastasis and prognosis in stage T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

In this retrospective study, we analyzed the association between the tumor infiltrative growth pattern (INF) and tumor immune environment and its predictive value for lymph node metastasis and overall survival (OS) in stage T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In total, 593 patients with a diagnosis of stage T1 ESCC who underwent esophagectomy and regional lymphadenectomy between 2009 and 2018 were included. The INF type and elements of the tumor immune microenvironment, including tumor infiltrative lymphocytes (TILs) and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), were microscopically evaluated within the tumor invasive margin with hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained slices. The infiltrative-type INF (INFc) was associated with low-grade TILs and the absence of TLSs, deep tumor invasion, poorly differentiated phenotype. Multivariate logistic regression identified INFc as one of the independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis. INFc and low-grade TILs were independent inferior predictive factors for OS. A novel histologic risk stratification model was classified as INFa/b and high-grade TILs, INFa/b and low-grade TILs, INFc and high-grade TILs, and INFc and low-grade TILs. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that INFa/b and high-grade TILs were associated with the best prognosis, and INFc and low-grade TILs were associated with the worst prognosis, and there was significant difference between groups. In conclusion, INFc is an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis and an independent inferior prognostic factor for stage T1 ESCC. Furthermore, INFc is associated with immunosuppression, and the combination of the INF and TILs is useful for the risk stratification of prognosis.

Tumor budding is an adverse prognostic marker in intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma and seems to be unrelated to epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) of sinonasal tract is a rare malignant tumor with strong morphological, immunophenotypical, and molecular similarities to colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC). Tumor budding (TB) is a well-established adverse prognostic marker in CRC and some head and neck tumors, with features of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The aim of this study was to assess TB in ITAC and to evaluate its possible association with EMT markers in this setting. We selected 32 surgically resected specimens of non-mucinous/non-signet ring ITAC and evaluated them for TB according to the international recommendations developed for CRC. The expression of the EMT markers E-cadherin, ZEB1, ZEB2, SLUG, and SNAIL was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results were stratified using clinical and follow-up data (2/32 patients had metastatic disease and 4/32 died of disease). We observed TB in 13/32 (40.6%) ITAC cases including the 7 patients with relapse (p = 0.0005) and the 4 patients dead of disease (p = 0.02). Lymphovascular invasion was associated with TB (p = 0.008). Absence of TB was associated with low ZEB2 expression (p = 0.003). No other association with EMT markers emerged. Occupational exposure to wood and leather dust was not related to the presence of TB. TB interobserver concordance was substantial (proportion of agreement = 87%; Cohen's kappa = 0.73). This work suggests that TB is associated with a worse prognosis in ITAC, but our findings do not seem to support the involvement of EMT in this specific setting. Further larger studies are needed to address this point.

Prognostic significance of tumour infiltration growth pattern in patients with advanced gastric cancer

Aims

The prognostic significance of infiltration growth pattern (INF) in patients with gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of INF pattern on the prognosis of patients with advanced GC.

Methods

A total of 1455 patients with advanced GC who underwent curative gastrectomy in our institution were retrospectively analysed. All patients were histopathologically classified as INFa/b and INFc pattern according to the Japanese Classification of Gastric Cancer. The prognostic difference between two patterns was compared and clinicopathological features were analysed.

Results

The prognosis of the patients with INFc pattern was poorer than that of those with INFa/b pattern (5-year disease-free survival, INFa/b: 48.4% vs INFc: 33.5%, p < 0.001), even when they were stratified according to lymph node metastasis and the tumour, node, metastases stage. In addition, the subgroup analysis indicated that INFc pattern was significantly associated with poorer prognosis of T2–T3 stage patients (T2, INFa/b: 72.7% vs INFc: 55.4%; T3, INFa/b: 47.4% vs INFc: 33.5%; p<0.001). However, a similar result was not observed among T4a stage patients (INFa/b: 26.8% vs INFc: 24.8%, p>0.05). The prognosis of T2 stage patients with INFc pattern was similar to that of T3 stage patients with INFa/b pattern (p>0.05). Also, there was no significantly prognostic difference between T3 stage patients with INFc pattern and T4a stage patients (p>0.05). The multivariate analysis indicated that INF pattern was an independent prognostic factor for patients with advanced GC (HR 1.259, 95%CI 1.089 to 1.454).

Conclusion

In view of its prognostic significance, histopathological evaluation of INF pattern in surgically resected specimens should be recommended in patients with advanced GC.

Curative Criteria After Endoscopic Resection for Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas

BACKGROUND

According to the Japanese Esophageal Society (JES) guidelines, risk factors for lymph node (LN) metastasis in the muscularis mucosa (MM)/submucosa to a depth of up to 200 μm (SM1) in cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) include the presence of lymphatic invasion (ly), venous invasion (v), infiltration pattern (INF)c, and SM1. The long-term prognoses of these patients are unclear, and there are very few reports on the validation of the curative criteria for MM/SM1 ESCCs.

AIMS

To examine the long-term prognoses of these patients and the risk factors for LN metastasis of MM/SM1 ESCCs after endoscopic resection (ER).

METHODS

This study included patients with MM/SM1 ESCCs who underwent ER at Hiroshima University Hospital from December 1990 to November 2016. We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of 98 patients and overall survival, disease-specific survival, recurrence-free survival, and recurrence rates in the e-curative and non-e-curative groups.

RESULTS

The mean observation period was 75 months. There was no significant difference in disease-specific survival rate between the e-curative and non-e-curative groups (100 vs. 98%). There was no significant difference in disease-specific survival rates between the groups (100 vs. 98%). In contrast, the LN recurrence-free survival rate in patients with INFa, ly(-), and v(-) was significantly higher than that in patients with INFb/c, ly(+), or v(+) (100 and 87%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Contrary to the JES guidelines, our findings suggest that new criteria (MM/SM1, INFa, negative vertical margin (VM0), ly[-], and v[-]) may be associated with curative ER without additional treatment.

Comparison of two major staging systems of esophageal cancer-toward more practical common scale for tumor staging

The latest 8th edition of TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and 11th edition of Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer by Japan Esophageal Society (JES) are the two major classifications widely accepted as tools for clinical staging of esophageal cancer. Both systems consist of three main categories, i.e., T, N, and M, but large difference exists between the two. JES system has more detailed sub-classification of T1 tumors reflecting meticulous work by Japanese investigators on superficial esophageal cancer. N-category shows the largest difference. UICC defines the N-category according to only the number of the metastatic regional lymph nodes. The definition of regional nodes in UICC system is static and uniform, and supraclavicular nodes are definitely excluded. In JES system, regional nodes are subgrouped into five different patterns according to the main tumor location, and the supraclavicular nodes are always regional nodes for thoracic esophageal cancer. Japanese surgeons have described the evidence that regional nodes should be dynamically defined according to tumor location and supraclavicular nodes should be included in regional nodes. Compared to the simplified N-category, the staging matrix of UICC system is somewhat complicated. The clinical stage and pathological stage of UICC system are not identical and difference exists also between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma. It has another system of pathological prognostic grouping. We can imagine several reasons for the difference occurred between the two systems. One is the difference of major pathology. Another reason is the difference of basic concept of cancer treatment. The relative "dependence" on radical surgery in Japan has required the detailed definition of each lymph node station and the evaluation of "efficacy index" of each station. The strict and detailed definition of lymph node stations has been regarded as an obstacle to those who are not familiar with it. Some simplification can be done but maintaining dynamic definition of regional lymph nodes linked to tumor location. If UICC system can accept this concept, I think the two systems can be unified to realize more practical and useful staging system as an international common language.

Prognostic Significance of CD44 and Orthopedia Homeobox Protein (OTP) Expression in Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumours

CD44 and orthopedia homeobox protein (OTP) expressions have shown to be predictive of overall survival in pulmonary carcinoid (PC) tumours. The scope of the present study was to validate their role in PC patients and investigate potential application in clinical practice. Data was collected from patients presenting to a tertiary cancer centre diagnosed with PC between 2003 and 2015. Diagnosis was confirmed by central pathology review. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples collected at diagnosis were scored using immunohistochemistry (H score) for standard CD44 and nuclear and cytoplasmic OTP protein expression. The study included 108 patients. High CD44/nuclear OTP (nOTP) expression was strongly associated with typical carcinoid (TC) histology (p < 0.001). Eighty-six patients, who underwent radical surgical resection, were selected to assess the impact of patient and tumour parameters on relapse-free survival (RFS). Sixty-nine (80 %) had TC and 17 (20 %) had atypical carcinoid tumours. On multivariate analysis, high CD44 and nOTP expression, TC histology and non-infiltrative tumour growth were associated with superior RFS. Early stage TC (stage pT1aN0) patients (N = 32; 46 %) had excellent prognosis irrespective of CD44/nOTP status. Importantly, TC patients with locally advanced disease (defined as >pT1aN0) and high CD44/nOTP expression (N = 26; 38 %) had excellent RFS (p = 0.005) compared to those with the same stage but low CD44 and/or nOTP (N = 11; 16 %). Additionally, the combination of CD44/nOTP expression and tumour growth pattern led to a more accurate prognostic system compared to the established WHO classification of PC tumours (concordance index = 0.902 vs 0.811, respectively, p < 0.001). Assessment of CD44/nOTP expression combined with tumour growth pattern identifies clear groups with largely different prognosis. These findings provide important information on how patients with these resected cancers should be followed up.

Lymphatic invasion is a significant indicator of poor patient prognosis in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Pathological stage is the most important prognostic factor in patients with lung cancer, and is defined according to the tumor node metastasis classification system. The present study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance of lymphatic invasion in 103 patients who underwent surgical resection of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). The patients were divided into two groups, according to the degree of lymphatic invasion: Those with no or mild lymphatic invasion (ly0-1) and those with moderate or severe lymphatic invasion (ly2-3). Ly2-3 was associated with tumor size (P=0.028), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), venous invasion (P=0.001) and histological differentiation (P=0.047). Statistical analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test indicated that overall survival was significantly reduced in patients with ly2-3 compared with those with ly0-1 (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified ly2-3 as an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 2.580; 95% confidence interval, 1.376–4.839). In conclusion, moderate or severe lymphatic invasion (ly2-3) indicated a high malignant potential and may be considered an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with SqCC of the lung.

Characteristics of Postoperative Recurrence in Lymph Node-Negative Superficial Esophageal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the recurrence rates, timings, locations, and risk factors, and survival in patients with lymph node-negative superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs).

METHODS

We investigated 167 patients with pathological T1 thoracic ESCC who underwent curative esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy between 1986 and 2013. They were classified into lymph node-negative and lymph node-positive groups, each of which included 15 relapsed patients. The recurrence rates, timings, locations, and risk factors, and survival were examined retrospectively.

RESULTS

Significantly better recurrence (12.4 %) and the 5-year overall survival (85.7 %) rates were seen in patients with node-negative superficial ESCC compared with those with node-positive superficial ESCC. Relapsed patients with node-negative superficial ESCC showed a 5-month delay in the time to recurrence compared with relapsed patients with node-positive superficial ESCC, but the recurrence locations were similar. Upper thoracic tumors and the presence of lymph node metastases were independent risk factors for recurrence in superficial ESCC patients, but we did not determine any risk factors in patients who were node negative only. The 5-year overall survival rates did not differ between relapsed node-negative and node-positive patients. Furthermore, the mean times to death and the survival rates from recurrence to death were similar in the node-negative (20.3 months and 9.3 %, respectively) and in the node-positive patients (19.1 months and 13.6 %, respectively) who had relapsed.

CONCLUSIONS

Node-negative and node-positive superficial ESCC patients should be followed up similarly, because when recurrences occur, the prognoses and the times to death are similar in node-negative and node-positive superficial ESCC patients.

High-Grade Tumor Budding Stratifies Early-Stage Cervical Cancer with Recurrence Risk

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated prognostic significance of tumor budding in early-stage cervical cancer (ESCC) following radical surgery and its contribution to improve the stratification of patients with recurrence risk.

METHODS

The archival medical records and H&E-stained slides of 643 patients with IA2-IIA stage cervical cancer who underwent radical surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological parameters were noted, and tumor buds were counted using immunohistochemistry for each case. The prognostic significance of tumor budding was analyzed. Prediction models that comprised tumor budding were established, and the performance was compared between the novel models and classic criteria via log-rank test and receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

Tumors with high-grade tumor budding (HTB) exhibited a substantially increased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio = 4.287, P < 0.001). Nine predictive models for recurrence were established, in which HTB was combined with recognized risk factors. The model using of at least two risk factors of HTB, tumor size ≥ 4 cm, deep stromal invasion of outer 1/3, and lymphovascular space invasion to stratify patients with an intermediate risk was most predictive of recurrence compared with the classic criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor budding is an independent, unfavorable, prognostic factor for ESCC patients following radical surgery and holds promise for improved recurrence risk stratification.

Expression of podoplanin and vimentin is correlated with prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Podoplanin is a small membrane mucin, which is involved in cell migration and cancer cell invasion. However, the roles of podoplanin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are poorly understood. In the present study, 139 cases of surgically resected ESCC were analyzed and the clinicopathological significance of podoplanin membrane expression in ESCC was demonstrated. Podoplanin expression was positive in 66.2% (92/139) of ESCC samples; with weak expression in 32.4% (45/139), and strong expression in 33.8% (47/139). Membrane expression of podoplanin was significantly associated with tumor status (P=0.001), venous invasion (P=0.035) and Union for International Cancer Control stage (P=0.029). Patients who exhibited strong podoplanin expression, were shown to have a poorer prognosis [hazard ratio (HR), 3.949; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.001–7.794]. Expression of vimentin, a mesenchymal marker, was detected in 49 cases (35.3%) and was associated with venous invasion (P=0.020). Vimentin-positive cases were also more likely to have a worse prognosis than vimentin-negative cases (HR, 2.161; 95% CI, 1.300–3.592). Podoplanin membrane expression was significantly correlated with vimentin cytoplasmic expression in ESCC (P<0.001). The present study confirmed that podo-planin and vimentin are independent predictors of mortality (HR, 3.084; 95% CI, 1.543–6.164). These results suggest that podoplanin membrane expression results in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes aggressive invasion in human ESCC.

ALDH1A1 defines invasive cancer stem-like cells and predicts poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Invasion and metastasis are the major cause of deaths in patients with esophageal cancer. In this study, we isolated cancer stem-like cells from an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line EC109 based on aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1), and found that ALDH1A1(high) cells possessed the capacities of self-renewal, differentiation and tumor initiation, indications of stem cell properties. To support their stemness, ALDH1A1(high) cells exhibited increased potential of invasion and metastasis as compared with ALDH1A1(low) cells. ALDH1A1(high) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells expressed increased levels of mRNA for vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase 2, 7 and 9 (MMP2, MMP7 and MMP9), but decreased the level of E-cadherin mRNA, suggesting that epithelial-mesenchymal transition and secretary MMPs may be attributed to the high invasive and metastatic capabilities of ALDH1A1(high) cells. Furthermore, we examined esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens from 165 patients and found that ALDH1A1(high) cells were associated with esophageal squamous dysplasia and the grades, differentiation and invasion depth, lymph node metastasis and UICC stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, as well as poor prognosis of patients. Our results provide the strong evidence that ALDH1A1(high) cancer stem-like cells contribute to the invasion, metastasis and poor outcome of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Concordance of studies for nodal staging is prognostic for worse survival in esophageal cancer

Pretreatment clinical staging in esophageal cancer influences prognosis and treatment strategy. Current staging strategies utilize multiple imaging modalities, and often the results are contradictory. No studies have examined the implications of concordance of computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) when used for the evaluation of nodal disease. The objective of this study was to determine if concordance of CT, PET, or EUS for nodal disease predicts worse overall survival. We reviewed 615 esophageal cancer patients with pretreatment CT, PET, and EUS that underwent esophagectomy for survival outcomes based on concordance of studies for nodal disease. Concordant N+ is defined as two or three studies positive for nodal disease; non-concordant N+ is defined as only one positive study. Node-positive disease by any study predicted shorter survival than node-negative disease (42% vs. 73% 5-year survival; P<0.001). Additionally, non-concordant N+ patients had shorter survival than N- patients (52% vs. 73% 5-year survival; P<0.001). Concordant N+ patients had shorter survival than non-concordant N+ patients (38- vs. 61-month median survival; P=0.017). There were no statistically significant differences in survival based on specific combinations of studies. When PET was disregarded, patients with both CT+ and EUS+ had shorter survival than patients with either CT+ or EUS+ (39- vs. 58-month median survival; P=0.029). Pretreatment CT, PET, or EUS concordance for node-positive disease predicts shorter overall survival in patients that undergo esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Predicting survival in esophageal cancer should consider the synergistic capabilities of CT, PET, and EUS in evaluating nodal status.

EGFR inhibition promotes an aggressive invasion pattern mediated by mesenchymal-like tumor cells within squamous cell carcinomas

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) with an infiltrative invasion pattern carry a higher risk of treatment failure. Such infiltrative invasion may be mediated by a mesenchymal-like subpopulation of malignant cells that we have previously shown to arise from epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and resist epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting. Here, we show that SCCs with infiltrative, high-risk invasion patterns contain abundant mesenchymal-like cells, which are rare in tumors with low-risk patterns. This cellular heterogeneity was modeled accurately in three-dimensional culture using collagen-embedded SCC spheroids, which revealed distinct invasive fronts created by collective migration of E-cadherin-positive cells versus infiltrative migration of individual mesenchymal-like cells. Because EGFR expression by mesenchymal-like cells was diminished in the spheroid model and in human SCCs, we hypothesized that SCCs shift toward infiltrative invasion mediated by this subpopulation during anti-EGFR therapy. Anti-EGFR treatment of spheroids using erlotinib or cetuximab enhanced infiltrative invasion by targeting collective migration by E-cadherin-positive cells while sparing mesenchymal-like cells; by contrast, spheroid invasion in absence of mesenchymal-like cells was abrogated by erlotinib. Similarly, cetuximab treatment of xenografts containing mesenchymal-like cells created an infiltrative invasive front composed of this subpopulation, whereas no such shift was observed upon treating xenografts lacking these cells. These results implicate mesenchymal-like SCC cells as key mediators of the infiltrative invasion seen in tumors with locally aggressive behavior. They further show that EGFR inhibition can promote an infiltrative invasion front composed of mesenchymal-like cells preferentially in tumors where they are abundant before therapy.