Analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the intraoral minor salivary glands: a retrospective study of 40 cases

HSP27 promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation in human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma via the AKT-MMP-2/9 pathway

PURPOSE

To explore the role and mechanism of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in SACC VM formation.

STUDY DESIGN

Immunohistochemistry and double staining with cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) were used to detect HSP27 expression and VM in 70 SACC tissue samples separately. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence were used to detect gene and protein expression. HSP27 in SACC cells were overexpression or downregulated by transfecting HSP27 or short hairpin RNA target HSP27 (sh-HSP27). The migration and invasion abilities of SACC cells were detected using wound healing and Transwell invasion assays. The VM formation ability of the cells in vitro was detected using a Matrigel 3-dimensional culture.

RESULTS

HSP27 expression was positively correlated with VM formation and affected the prognosis of patients. In vitro, HSP27 upregulation engendered VM formation and the invasion and migration of SACC cells. Mechanistically, HSP27 upregulation increased Akt phosphorylation and subsequently increased downstream matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 expressions.

CONCLUSION

HSP27 may plays an important role in VM formation in SACC via the AKT-MMP-2/9 signalling pathway.

Malignant sublingual gland tumors: A single-center retrospective analysis of 79 patients

OBJECTIVES

To analyze and summarize the clinicopathological features, risk factors for cervical nodal metastasis, and prognostic factors of malignant sublingual gland tumors (MSLGT).

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with MSLGT were retrospectively reviewed from January 2005 to December 2017 at Shanghai Ninth Hospital. The clinicopathological features were summarized, and the correlations between clinicopathological parameters, cervical nodal metastasis, and local-regional recurrence were evaluated using the Chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were performed to assess the survival and independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients were included, and the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates was 85.7% and 71.7%, respectively. Gender and clinical tumor stage were risk factors for cervical nodal metastasis. Tumor size and pathological lymph node (LN) stage were independent prognostic factors for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the sublingual gland; while age, pathological LN stage, and distant metastasis were prognostic factors for patients with non-ACC of the sublingual gland. Patients with higher clinical stage were more likely to undergo tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Malignant sublingual gland tumors are rare, and neck dissection should be performed in male MSLGT patients with higher clinical stage. Among patients with both ACC and non-ACC MSLGT patients, pN+ indicate a poor prognosis.

Risk Factors for Locoregional Recurrence and Distant Metastasis in 143 Patients with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal

AIMS

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) grows slowly and is characterised by potential recurrence and metastasis to distant organs. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for locoregional recurrence (LRR) and distant metastasis in patients with ACC of the external auditory canal (EAC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Demographic, pathological, therapeutic and survival data of 143 patients with EAC ACC were reviewed in this study. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were carried out to determine the risk factors for LRR and distant metastasis. Factors associated with overall survival after LRR and distant metastasis were also analysed.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 49 months, 31 of 143 patients were observed with LRR and 34 developed distant metastasis. Bone invasion and histological subtype were independent risk factors for locoregional recurrence-free survival. T stage and LRR were independent risk factors for distant metastasis-free survival. Salvage surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for LRR resulted in better survival, whereas extrapulmonary metastasis and LRR were associated with a higher risk of poor survival after distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Patients with distant metastases, especially those with LRR, are at significant risk of poor prognosis. Our findings emphasise the importance of long-term regular follow-up and recommend surgical intervention with radiotherapy for recurrent EAC ACC.

Salivary glands adenoid cystic carcinoma: a molecular profile update and potential implications

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive tumor with a high propensity for distant metastasis and perineural invasion. This tumor is more commonly found in regions of the head and neck, mainly the salivary glands. In general, the primary treatment modality for ACC is surgical resection and, in some cases, postoperative radiotherapy. However, no effective systemic treatment is available for patients with advanced disease. Furthermore, this tumor type is characterized by recurrent molecular alterations, especially rearrangements involving the MYB, MYBL1, and NFIB genes. In addition, they also reported copy number alterations (CNAs) that impact genes. One of them is C-KIT, mutations that affect signaling pathways such as NOTCH, PI3KCA, and PTEN, as well as alterations in chromatin remodeling genes. The identification of new molecular targets enables the development of specific therapies. Despite ongoing investigations into immunotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and anti-angiogenics, no systemic therapy is approved by the FDA for ACC. In this review, we report the genetic and cytogenetic findings on head and neck ACC, highlighting possible targets for therapeutic interventions.

Elective Neck Dissection Improves Regional Control in cN0 Minor Salivary Gland Carcinoma in the Oral Cavity

PURPOSE

Consensus regarding whether elective neck dissection (END) provides better outcomes than observation in clinically node negative minor salivary gland (MSG) carcinoma is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the impact of END with that of observation on regional control (RC) and overall survival (OS) and to detect the predictors for lymph-node metastasis in oral MSG carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A single-institution, retrospective cohort study was designed; it included patients with clinically node negative oral MSG carcinoma treated at a tertiary teaching hospital between January 2002 and January 2022. The primary predictor variable was END and primary outcome variables were RC and OS. The secondary outcome variable was lymph-node metastasis. Other covariates included demographic and pathologic features, TNM stage, and adjuvant treatment. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to determine the effect of END on RC and OS. The chi-squared test and logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors for lymph-node metastasis.

RESULTS

A total of 268 patients (107 men and 161 women) with a mean age of 46.4 ± 15.5 years were included. The 5-year RC rate was statistically different between the observation and END groups (75%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 67%-83; 95% CI, 81%-93%, respectively; P = .014). Cox regression analysis confirmed that END (hazard ratio [HR] 2.395; 95% CI: 1.433-8.275; P = .034) was independently associated with a decreased risk of regional recurrence. The 5-year OS rates for the observation and END groups were 66% (95% CI, 56-76%) and 76% (95% CI, 66-86%), respectively, and the difference was not statistical (P = .057). Occult metastasis occurred in 24.6% of patients. Primary tumor location on the tongue/floor of the mouth (odds ratio [OR], 4.287; 95% CI, 1.773-9.125; P = .011), T3/4 stage (OR, 3.286; 95% CI, 1.228-8.253; P = .021), and high-grade disease (OR, 6.674; 95% CI, 2.199-14.326; P < .001) were independently associated with an increased risk of occult metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

RC was better with END than with observation, but OS was comparable with the two approaches. Primary tumor location on tongue/floor of the mouth, T3/4 stage, and high-grade disease were associated with an increased risk of lymph-node metastasis.

Clinico-Epidemiological Analysis of Most Prevalent Parotid Gland Carcinomas in Poland over a 20-Year Period

(1) Background: Malignant tumours of the salivary glands have different clinical and histopathological characteristics. They most commonly involve the parotid gland. Histopathologically, the most common are mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC), acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC), adenocarcinoma, carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma (CPA), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). (2) Methods: We analysed 2318 patients with malignant parotid gland tumours reported to the National Cancer Registry (NCR) in Poland over 20 years (1999-2018). The demographic characteristics of patients, clinical factors, and overall survival (OS) were analysed. (3) Results: The average age was 61.33 ± 16.1 years. The majority were males (55%) and urban citizens (64%). High percentage of carcinomas was diagnosed in locoregional (33.7%) and systemic (10.4%) stadium. The most prevalent diagnoses were SCC (33.3%) and adenocarcinoma (19.6%). Surgical resection with adjuvant RT (42.1%) was the most common treatment. The OS analysis showed a median survival time of 5.6 years. The most favorable median OS was found in patients with AcCC (18.30 years), the worst for SCC (1.58 years). (4) Conclusion: AcCC has the best prognosis and SCC the worst. Tumour stadium, treatment, and demographic factors affect prognosis. Improvements in diagnosis and re-evaluation of treatment standards are necessary to enhance the outcome of patients with parotid gland cancers in Poland.