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Ma W, Wu H, Chen Y, Xu H, Jiang J, Du B, Wan M, Ma X, Chen X, Lin L, Su X, Bao X, Shen Y, Xu N, Ruan J, Jiang H, Ding Y. New techniques to identify the tissue of origin for cancer of unknown primary in the era of precision medicine: progress and challenges. Brief Bioinform 2024; 25:bbae028. [PMID: 38343328 PMCID: PMC10859692 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite a standardized diagnostic examination, cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a rare metastatic malignancy with an unidentified tissue of origin (TOO). Patients diagnosed with CUP are typically treated with empiric chemotherapy, although their prognosis is worse than those with metastatic cancer of a known origin. TOO identification of CUP has been employed in precision medicine, and subsequent site-specific therapy is clinically helpful. For example, molecular profiling, including genomic profiling, gene expression profiling, epigenetics and proteins, has facilitated TOO identification. Moreover, machine learning has improved identification accuracy, and non-invasive methods, such as liquid biopsy and image omics, are gaining momentum. However, the heterogeneity in prediction accuracy, sample requirements and technical fundamentals among the various techniques is noteworthy. Accordingly, we systematically reviewed the development and limitations of novel TOO identification methods, compared their pros and cons and assessed their potential clinical usefulness. Our study may help patients shift from empirical to customized care and improve their prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyuan Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiran Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongxia Xu
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Junjie Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bang Du
- Real Doctor AI Research Centre, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingyu Wan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolu Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lili Lin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinhui Su
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuanwen Bao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifei Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nong Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Ruan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiping Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongfeng Ding
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Comparison of PD-L1 expression in squamous cell cancer of unknown primary and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2023; 280:1991-1997. [PMID: 36576530 PMCID: PMC9988788 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07775-z] [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: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The tumorigenesis of squamous cell cancer of unknown primary (SCCUP) in the head and neck area has not been decoded so far, while poor survival rates and limited therapeutic options pose a serious challenge. The aim of this project was to investigate immunological characteristics of SCCUPs and compare them to oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). METHODS PD-L1 expression (TC) was examined by immunohistochemistry in 50 lymph node metastases of SCCUP and 47 primaries of OPSCC. CD3 + and CD8 + lymphocytic infiltration was measured in 5 high power fields. Expression of p16 and HPV ISH were assessed. RESULTS SCCUP demonstrated a significantly higher expression of PD-L1 than OPSCC. In p16-negative SCCUPs PD-L1 proved to be an independent prognostic factor to prioritize high-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS Immunologic differences between SCCUP and OPSCC were detected. A higher PD-L1 expression in SCCUP could potentially facilitate further evaluation of checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
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Rassy E, Labaki C, Chebel R, Boussios S, Smith-Gagen J, Greco FA, Pavlidis N. Systematic review of the CUP trials characteristics and perspectives for next-generation studies. Cancer Treat Rev 2022; 107:102407. [PMID: 35569387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on therapeutic strategies for patients with unknown primary cancer (CUP) has been underwhelming. This paper summarized and evaluated the CUP therapeutic research over the previous five years. Based on this evaluation, recommendations for clinical trial designs are made to improve the impact of CUP research on patients. METHODS Published and ongoing research were evaluated. PubMed was searched from January 1, 2015, to November 1, 2021. The start date of 2015 was chosen to identify research published after ESMO issued new diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. The US National Library of Medicine indexed ongoing clinical trials. FINDINGS Of the 244 CUP studies indexed in PubMed, 11.9% were prospective studies, and 4.9% were clinical trials. The review protocol deemed 65 publications eligible for full-text review. Eleven studies evaluating therapeutic regimens were retained. The two prospective studies and non-randomized trials showed promising outcomes for site-specific treatments. Randomized clinical trials were less promising; however, the trials had recruitment challenges resulting in biased accrual and the inability to keep pace with advancing diagnostics and therapeutics. Most of the 35 ongoing studies were phase II single-arm trials assessing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) or site-specific therapies among CUP patients with suspected favorable prognoses. CONCLUSION Our evaluation suggests two prospective clinical trial designs that addressed recent study design and recruitment challenges. A visionary approach uses a multi-arm, multistage randomized trial to address rapid advancements in diagnosis and therapy. A pragmatic approach utilizes a single-arm trial with historical controls to overcome comparison group and recruitment challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Rassy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
| | | | - Roy Chebel
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Stergios Boussios
- King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | | | - F Anthony Greco
- Sarah Cannon Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, TN, USA
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Gupta S, Sharma G, Sharma N, Mandal S, Gupta A, Gupta M. Umbilical Nodule Metastasis from Unknown Primary: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma. Surg J (N Y) 2022; 8:e127-e130. [PMID: 35783028 PMCID: PMC9246513 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Umbilical nodule metastasis is not a common presentation of carcinoma of unknown primary. It may be the presenting symptom of a primary malignancy or as metastatic site of previously diagnosed cancer and is considered to be a poor prognostic finding. We here report a case of young male who presented with umbilical mass, but the primary could not be localized even after thorough investigations and work up. Also, there existed therapeutic dilemma because immunohistochemistry did not favor one site, and so he was considered for combination chemotherapy in view of unresectable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweety Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Gaurav Sharma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Nidhi Sharma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Shreyosi Mandal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Amit Gupta
- Department of Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Manoj Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
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Yulian ED, Hwei LRY, Tambun R, Siswoyo AD, Ham MF, Suroyo I. Comprehensive evaluation on cancer of unknown primary site and how we managed it: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2022; 93:106954. [PMID: 35339815 PMCID: PMC8961183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.106954] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction and importance Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) is metastatic cancer without primary tumor found from comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and regular laboratory examination. Eighty percent of CUP include unfavorable groups with 3 to 6 months of median survival despite chemotherapy treatment. Case presentation A 52-year-old male was presented with a chief complaint of a recurrent lump in the neck and axilla. After comprehensive examinations over three years, the primary site of the metastatic tumor could not be found. Therefore, this patient was diagnosed with cancer of an unknown primary site. Clinical discussion In patient with CUP, more precise therapy can only begin when the exact form of cancer is identified. However, the delay in diagnosis would worsen the patient's condition, as treatment measures cannot be implemented. Conclusion Trimodal modalities including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are suitable for CUP with squamous cell carcinoma proven in immunohistochemistry evaluation. Precise therapy for patients with CUP can only begin when the exact form of cancer is identified. Although PET/CT is suitable to assess the complete body state for CUP, other radiological and histopathology modalities are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Trimodal modalities including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are required for CUP with squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin Danil Yulian
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Lie Rebecca Yen Hwei
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Renaningtyas Tambun
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Sint Carolus Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Alvita Dewi Siswoyo
- Department of Radiology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
| | - Maria Fransisca Ham
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
| | - Indrati Suroyo
- Department of Radiology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
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Rassy E, Pavlidis N. Progress in refining the clinical management of cancer of unknown primary in the molecular era. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 17:541-554. [PMID: 32350398 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0359-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is an enigmatic disease entity encompassing heterogeneous malignancies without a detectable primary tumour, despite a thorough diagnostic workup. A minority of patients with CUP (15-20%) can be assigned a putative primary tissue of origin according to clinical and histopathological findings and typically have a more favourable prognosis with the use of corresponding tumour type-specific therapies. Thus, the majority of patients with CUP have disease that cannot be assigned to a culprit primary tumour, are treated with empirical chemotherapy and have a poor prognosis. In the molecular era, the use of (epi)genomic or transcriptomic CUP classifiers and DNA or RNA sequencing offers two, sometimes overlapping, therapeutic strategies: tumour type-specific therapy and biomarker-guided therapy. Published data reveal that the accuracy of site-of-origin predictions made using CUP classifiers ranges between 54% and 98% when compared with the assignment made according to the recommended clinicopathological criteria. These advances have led to promising results in non-randomized prospective studies evaluating the efficacy of tumour type-specific therapy; however, the favourable outcomes were not confirmed in randomized controlled studies comparing this approach with standard empirical chemotherapy. Currently, the evidence supporting the use of biomarker-guided therapies is limited to case reports and small case series. In this Review, we discuss the clinical management of CUP in the era of precision medicine. We focus on the advances in understanding the biology of CUP, the implications for the diagnosis and classification of CUP according to the tissue of origin and the shift away from empirical therapy towards tailored therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Rassy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Paris, France.
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Qaseem A, Usman N, Jayaraj JS, Janapala RN, Kashif T. Cancer of Unknown Primary: A Review on Clinical Guidelines in the Development and Targeted Management of Patients with the Unknown Primary Site. Cureus 2019; 11:e5552. [PMID: 31695975 PMCID: PMC6820325 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.5552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a malignant widespread metastatic disease without an identifiable primary site after extensive clinical investigation. Recently, a decline is observed in the diagnosis of CUP, mainly due to improvement in detection of the primary tumors, thus decreasing the unknown primaries. Worldwide, CUP is the sixth to eighth most common malignancy, accounting for 2.3% to 5% of a new cancer diagnosis. CUP is third to fourth most common cause of death due to cancer-related mortality. The prognosis of CUP is depressing with the median survival of three to six months in the previous studies, but according to recent studies, median survival is less than one year. High risk for developing CUP is seen in heavy smokers (26 or more cigarettes/day) and individuals with the lowest quartiles of waist circumference. A weak association is observed with the use of alcohol consumption and low level of education. Human papillomavirus DNA plays a role in those with squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primaries in head and neck regions. In the diagnosis of CUP, comprehensive medical history, complete physical examination (including genitourinary, rectal exam, and breast examination in women) and necessary laboratory tests are crucial. Whole-body positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) is the investigation of choice to assess the entire body for CUP. Multiparametric 3T-MRI (MP-MRI) is used to examine the local soft tissue status, helps in the staging of the tumor, and to determine the extent of involvement of tissue for medical as well as prognostic purposes. Immunohistochemistry outlines the specific markers, including caudal-related homeobox protein (CDX2), homeobox protein Nkx-3.1 (NKX3-1), paired box gene 8 (PAX8), special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2), thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), and splicing factor 1 (SF1) with the focus on the effectiveness of lineage-restricted transcription factors. Patients response to treatment can be evaluated by the gene expression profiling (GEP) test that also predicts tissue of origin (TOO). Tumor identified through gene profiling is sensitive to platinum/taxane therapy, others that are not TOO tumors are resistant to platinum/taxane. The new therapeutic method based on molecular profiling is associated with higher treatment response. In comprehensive genomic profiling, it is observed that there is at least one clinically appropriate genomic alteration in CUP that can influence the targeted therapy. The targeted therapeutic approach will not only improve the disease outcome but will also be cost-effective and save time from finding the primary site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Qaseem
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA
| | - Norina Usman
- Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System - Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, USA
| | - Joseph S Jayaraj
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA
| | - Rajesh Naidu Janapala
- Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/Queens Hospital Center, New York, USA
| | - Tooba Kashif
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA
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Rassy E, Zanaty M, Azoury F, Pavlidis N. Advances in the management of brain metastases from cancer of unknown primary. Future Oncol 2019; 15:2759-2768. [PMID: 31385529 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2019-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer of unknown primary accounts for 3-5% of all cancers for which an adequate investigation does not identify the primary tumor. The particular subset of brain metastasis in cancer of unknown primary (BMCUP) is a clinical challenge that lacks standardized diagnostic and therapeutic options. It is diagnosed predominantly in male patients in the sixth decade of age with complaints of headache, neurological dysfunction, cognitive and behavioral disturbances and seizures. The therapeutic approach to patients with BMCUP relies on local control and systemic treatment. Surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery and/or whole brain radiation therapy seems to be the cornerstone of the treatment approach to BMCUP. Systemic therapy remains essential as cancers of unknown primary are conceptually metastatic tumors. The benefits of chemotherapy were disappointing whereas those of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors remain to be evaluated. In this Review, we address the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of BMCUP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Rassy
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mario Zanaty
- Department of Neurosurgical Surgery, University of Ioawa, Ioawa City, IA, USA
| | - Fares Azoury
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hotel Dieu de France University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Lebanon
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Rassy E, Pavlidis N. The currently declining incidence of cancer of unknown primary. Cancer Epidemiol 2019; 61:139-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Liquid biopsy: a new diagnostic, predictive and prognostic window in cancers of unknown primary. Eur J Cancer 2018; 105:28-32. [PMID: 30388661 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a heterogeneous group of metastatic cancers characterised by early dissemination of metastases in the absence of any identifiable primary site. Most patients with CUP have poor prognosis with the traditional diagnostic and treatment modalities. Recognising the putative primary tumour is hypothesised to ameliorate the prognosis of patients with CUP by guiding treatment decisions. The active efforts in molecular oncology have shown that gene expression profiling is able to identify the primary tumour site and to determine targetable mutations. In this regard, liquid biopsy opens a new diagnostic, predictive and prognostic window in CUP that may lead to substantial improvement in the management of patients with CUP.
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