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Fassan M, Kuwata T, Matkowskyj KA, Röcken C, Rüschoff J. Claudin-18.2 Immunohistochemical Evaluation in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinomas to Direct Targeted Therapy: A Practical Approach. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100589. [PMID: 39098518 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100589] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2) expression evaluated by immunohistochemistry is a new biomarker for gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas that will soon have market authorization for implementation into routine clinical practice. Despite successful testing in the setting of clinical trials, no specific practical testing guidelines have been proposed. Several preanalytical and analytical variables may interfere with adequate CLDN18.2 staining interpretation; thus, this article provides practical guidance on CLDN18.2 testing and scoring in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas to identify patients who may respond to targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies directed against CLDN18.2. Based on available data, moderate to strong (2+/3+) membrane staining in ≥75% of adenocarcinoma cells is the proposed cutoff for clinical use of monoclonal antibody anti-CLDN18.2 (zolbetuximab).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Takeshi Kuwata
- Department of Medical Genetics and Services, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Christoph Röcken
- Department of Pathology, University-Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Josef Rüschoff
- Discovery Life Sciences Biomarker Services, Kassel, Germany
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Angerilli V, Ghelardi F, Nappo F, Grillo F, Parente P, Lonardi S, Luchini C, Pietrantonio F, Ugolini C, Vanoli A, Fassan M. Claudin-18.2 testing and its impact in the therapeutic management of patients with gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas: A literature review with expert opinion. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155145. [PMID: 38277741 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2) is a member of the tight junction protein family and is a highly selective biomarker with frequent abnormal expression during the occurrence and development of various primary malignant tumors, including gastric cancer (GC) and esophago-gastric junction adenocarcinomas (EGJA). For these reasons, CLDN18.2 has been investigated as a therapeutic target for GC/EGJA malignancies. Recently, zolbetuximab has been proposed as a new standard of care for patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced and metastatic GC/EGJA. The use of CLDN18 IHC assays to select patients who might benefit from anti-CLDN18.2 therapy is currently entering clinical practice. In this setting, pathologists play a central role in therapeutic decision-making. Accurate biomarker assessment is essential to ensure the best therapeutic option for patients. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive overview of available evidence on CLDN18.2 testing and its impact on the therapeutic management of patients with GC/EGJA, as well as some practical suggestions for CLDN18.2 staining interpretation and potential pitfalls in the real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Angerilli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Ghelardi
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Floriana Nappo
- Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy.
| | - Paola Parente
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy.
| | - Sara Lonardi
- Medical Oncology 3, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Claudio Luchini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Ugolini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vanoli
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia and Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
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Giacometti C, Gusella A, Cassaro M. Gastro-Esophageal Junction Precancerosis: Histological Diagnostic Approach and Pathogenetic Insights. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5725. [PMID: 38136271 PMCID: PMC10741421 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245725] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Barrett's esophagus (BE) was initially defined in the 1950s as the visualization of gastric-like mucosa in the esophagus. Over time, the definition has evolved to include the identification of goblet cells, which confirm the presence of intestinal metaplasia within the esophagus. Chronic gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a significant risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, as intestinal metaplasia can develop due to GERD. The development of adenocarcinomas related to BE progresses in sequence from inflammation to metaplasia, dysplasia, and ultimately carcinoma. In the presence of GERD, the squamous epithelium changes to columnar epithelium, which initially lacks goblet cells, but later develops goblet cell metaplasia and eventually dysplasia. The accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations leads to the development and progression of dysplasia. The diagnosis of BE requires the identification of intestinal metaplasia on histologic examination, which has thus become an essential tool both in the diagnosis and in the assessment of dysplasia's presence and degree. The histologic diagnosis of BE dysplasia can be challenging due to sampling error, pathologists' experience, interobserver variation, and difficulty in histologic interpretation: all these problems complicate patient management. The development and progression of Barrett's esophagus (BE) depend on various molecular events that involve changes in cell-cycle regulatory genes, apoptosis, cell signaling, and adhesion pathways. In advanced stages, there are widespread genomic abnormalities with losses and gains in chromosome function, and DNA instability. This review aims to provide an updated and comprehensible diagnostic approach to BE based on the most recent guidelines available in the literature, and an overview of the pathogenetic and molecular mechanisms of its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Giacometti
- Pathology Unit, Department of Diagnostic Services, ULSS 6 Euganea, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (M.C.)
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Angerilli V, Parente P, Campora M, Ugolini C, Battista S, Cassoni P, Gambella A, Cavallin F, De Lisi G, Vanoli A, Grillo F, Mastracci L, Fassan M. HER2-low in gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma: a real-world pathological perspective. J Clin Pathol 2023; 76:815-821. [PMID: 37055161 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2023-208767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial, a novel HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan proved to be effective in HER2-low gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinomas. The aim of our study is to investigate the clinicopathological and molecular features of HER2-low gastric/gastro-oesophageal junction cancers in the real-world setting of a large multi-Institutional series. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 1210 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinomas which were analysed by immunohistochemistry for HER2 protein expression in 8 Italian surgical pathology units from January 2018 to June 2022. We assessed the prevalence of HER2-low (ie, HER2 1+ and HER2 2+ without amplification) and its correlation with clinical and histopathological features, other biomarkers' status, including mismatch repair/microsatellite instability status, Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER) and PD-L1 Combined Positive Score. RESULTS HER2 status could be assessed in 1189/1210 cases, including 710 HER2 0 cases, 217 HER2 1+, 120 not amplified HER2 2+, 41 amplified HER2 2+ and 101 HER2 3+. The estimated prevalence of HER2-low was 28.3% (95% CI 25.8% to 31.0%) overall, and was higher in biopsy specimens (34.9%, 95% CI 31.2% to 38.8%) compared with surgical resection specimens (21.0%, 95% CI 17.7% to 24.6%) (p<0.0001). Moreover, HER2-low prevalence ranged from 19.1% to 40.6% among centres (p=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS This work shows how the expansion of the HER2 spectrum might raise problems in reproducibility, especially in biopsy specimens, decreasing interlaboratory and interobserver concordance. If controlled trials confirm the promising activity of novel anti-HER2 agents in HER2-low gastro-oesophageal cancers, a shift in the interpretation of HER2 status may need to be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Angerilli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Parente
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Michela Campora
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology Unit, Public Healthcare Trust of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Clara Ugolini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Battista
- Department of Pathology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Udine, Italy
| | - Paola Cassoni
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pathology Unit, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gambella
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pathology Unit, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe De Lisi
- IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vanoli
- IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), Univeristy of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Mastracci
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), Univeristy of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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Fornaro L, Lonardi S, Catanese S, Nappo F, Pietrantonio F, Pellino A, Angerilli V, Signorini F, Salani F, Murgioni S, Neculaescu IA, Bruno R, Vivaldi C, Ricagno G, Masi G, Bergamo F, Ugolini C, Fassan M. Concordance of microsatellite instability and mismatch repair status in paired biopsies and surgical specimens of resectable gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: time for a call to action. Gastric Cancer 2023; 26:958-968. [PMID: 37382783 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-023-01411-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reliability of mismatch repair proteins and microsatellite instability assessment is essential in order to define treatment strategy and identify candidates to immune checkpoint inhibitors in locally advanced gastroesophageal carcinoma. We evaluated the concordance of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) status between endoscopic biopsies and surgical specimens. METHODS Consecutive patients with resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma classified as MSI-H/dMMR by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or immunohistochemistry (IHC) and operated at three referral Institutions were included. The primary endpoint was the rate of concordance between biopsy and surgical samples. If needed, central revision by IHC/PCR was performed by specialized pathologists from coordinating Institutions. RESULTS Thirteen (19.7%) out of 66 patients showed discordant MSI-H/dMMR results in the original pathology reports. In most cases (11, 16.7%) this was due to the diagnosis of proficient mismatch repair status on biopsies. Among the ten cases available for central review, four were due to sample issues, four were reclassified as dMMR, one case showed dMMR status but was classified as microsatellite stable by PCR, one was linked to misdiagnosis of endoscopic biopsy by the local pathologist. Heterogeneity of mismatch repair proteins staining was observed in two cases. CONCLUSIONS Available methods can lead to conflicting results in MSI-H/dMMR evaluation between endoscopic biopsies and surgical samples of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Strategies aiming to improve the reliability of assessment should be primarily focused on the optimization of tissue collection and management during endoscopy and adequate training of dedicated gastrointestinal pathologists within the multidisciplinary team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Fornaro
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Sara Lonardi
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Silvia Catanese
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Ospedale Misericordia, Azienda Toscana Sud-Est, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Floriana Nappo
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Pellino
- Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, Azienda Toscana Nord Ovest, Livorno, Italy
| | - Valentina Angerilli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Signorini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Salani
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sabina Murgioni
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | | | - Rossella Bruno
- Unit of Pathology 3, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ricagno
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gianluca Masi
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Bergamo
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Clara Ugolini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padua, Italy
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Angerilli V, Fassan M, Parente P, Gullo I, Campora M, Rossi C, Sacramento ML, Pennelli G, Vanoli A, Grillo F, Mastracci L. A practical approach for PD-L1 evaluation in gastroesophageal cancer. Pathologica 2023; 115:57-70. [PMID: 36537078 PMCID: PMC10462995 DOI: 10.32074/1591-951x-836] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PD-L1 is an established predictive immunohistochemical biomarker of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. At present, PD-L1 is routinely assessed on biopsy samples of advanced gastroesophageal cancer patients before initiating first-line treatment. However, PD-L1 is still a suboptimal biomarker, due to changing cut-off values and scoring systems, interobserver and interlaboratory variability. This practical illustrated review discusses the range of staining patterns of PD-L1 and the potential pitfalls and challenges that can be encountered when evaluating PD-L1, focusing on gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (G/GEA) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Angerilli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua (PD), Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua (PD), Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua (PD), Italy
| | - Paola Parente
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Irene Gullo
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), Portugal
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Michela Campora
- Public Healthcare Trust of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Santa Chiara Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology Unit, Trento, Italy
| | - Chiara Rossi
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, and IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Sacramento
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), Porto, Portugal
| | - Gianmaria Pennelli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua (PD), Italy
| | - Alessandro Vanoli
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, and IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Mastracci
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy
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