1
|
De S, Sahu R, Palei S, Narayan Nanda L. Synthesis, SAR, and application of JQ1 analogs as PROTACs for cancer therapy. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 112:117875. [PMID: 39178586 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117875] [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: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
JQ1 is a wonder therapeutic molecule that selectively inhibits the BRD4 signaling pathway and is thus widely used in the anticancer drug discovery program. Due to its unique selective BRD4 binding property, its applications are further extended in the design and synthesis of bi-functional PROTAC molecules. This BRD4 targeting PROTAC molecule selectively degrades the protein by proteolysis. There are several modifications of JQ1 known to date and extensively explored for their applications in PROTAC technology by several research groups in academia as well as industry for targeting oncogenic genes. In this review, we have covered the discovery and synthesis of the JQ1 molecule. The SAR of the JQ1 analogs will help researchers develop potent JQ1 compounds with improved inhibitory properties against malignant cells. Furthermore, we explored the potential application of JQ1 analogs in PROTAC technology. The brief history of the bromodomain family of proteins, as well as the obstacles connected with PROTAC technology, can help comprehend the context of the current research, which has the potential to improve the drug development process. Overall, this review comprehensively appraises JQ1 molecules and their prior implementation in PROTAC technology and cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soumik De
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, An OCC of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Khurda, Odisha 752050, India
| | - Raghaba Sahu
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Shubhendu Palei
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Laxmi Narayan Nanda
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge 02142, United States; P.G. Department of Chemistry, Government Autonomous College, Utkal University, Angul 759143, Odisha, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lai JK, Panasci L, Patey NG, Wang H. Placental metastasis from maternal NUT carcinoma: diagnostic pitfalls and challenges. BMJ Case Rep 2024; 17:e259538. [PMID: 38569728 PMCID: PMC10989104 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-259538] [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] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We report a young pregnant woman with large midline thoracic mass and markedly elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Initially suspected as a germ cell tumour (GCT) due to age, site, and high AFP levels, a biopsy unveiled a high-grade malignant tumour characterised by undifferentiated monotonous cells. Although tumour cells exhibited positive AFP, the overall immunoprofile did not provide additional evidence to support GCT. Further work-up showed positive for NUT (nuclear protein in testis) immunostaining and the presence of BRD4-NUT1 fusion, confirming the diagnosis of NUT carcinoma. On radiology, there were extensive metastases to lungs, liver, vertebrae, and placenta. Despite aggressive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, she did not respond to the therapies. Fortunately, her child was not affected by the carcinoma. This is the first case highlighting that thoracic lung primary NUT carcinoma can spread to the placenta and manifest with elevated serum AFP levels, potentially leading to misdiagnosis as GCT both clinically and pathologically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan K Lai
- Department of Pathology, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology, McGill University Medical Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lawrence Panasci
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natalie Gabrielle Patey
- Departement de Pathologie et du Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hangjun Wang
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Badran A, Ali SS, Arabi TZ, Alaklabi AM, Abdalla HM, Mohammed S, Sabbah BN, Elshenawy MA, Atallah JP. Suspected NUT carcinoma progressing on pembrolizumab, carboplatin, and paclitaxel as first-line treatment: a case report. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:1061-1065. [PMID: 38333300 PMCID: PMC10849372 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001501] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction and importance NUT carcinoma of the thorax is an extremely rare neoplasm characterized by a translocation between the NUT M1 gene and members of the bromodomain genetic family. Due to the rarity of the neoplasm, standardized treatment guidelines have not yet been established. Several chemotherapeutic agents have been used with limited success, due to the rapid development of resistance to treatment. Pembrolizumab, an anti-programmed-death-1 antibody, has become increasingly used in non-small-cell lung carcinomas. Consequently, pembrolizumab may be beneficial in the treatment of NUT carcinoma. Case presentation In this article, we discuss the case of a 24-year-old man who was referred to our centre due to an incidental mass finding on an unrelated computed tomography scan. Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics are highly suspicious of NUT carcinoma with bone metastasis. The patient was placed on carboplatin, paclitaxel, and pembrolizumab as first-line therapy. The patient later progressed and began receiving second-line treatment according to Ewing's protocol. 20 months later, the mass continued to grow, and the patient was started on docetaxel and gemcitabine, which was unsuccessful. After discussing with the patient, he decided to stop chemotherapy and begin palliative care. Clinical discussion NUT carcinoma is an aggressive tumour with poor prognosis. Treatment options are limited and pembrolizumab does not seem to influence the clinical outcome of the neoplasm. Conclusion Overall, pembrolizumab does not seem to improve the outcomes of NUT carcinoma patients. To the authors' knowledge, this is the second article reporting the effects of pembrolizumab on the progression of NUT carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Badran
- Departments ofMedical Oncology
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo
| | - Saad Salman Ali
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Shamayel Mohammed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
| | | | - Mahmoud A. Elshenawy
- Departments ofMedical Oncology
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom, Egypt
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Buchalet C, Durdux C. Role of radiotherapy in the management of rare solid thoracic tumors of the adults. Cancer Radiother 2023; 27:614-621. [PMID: 37558606 DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2023.06.025] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Thoracic tumors include more than one hundred histopathological subtypes. Rare thoracic malignancies can be defined as representing less than 1% of all thoracic tumors. The European Rare Cancer Surveillance Project (RARECARE) identified rarity as an incidence less than 6 for 100,000 people, with significant difference of prevalence between them. Modalities of treatment for these pathologies include surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapies. In this article, we aim to discuss role and techniques of radiotherapy in management of rare solid thoracic tumors in adults, focusing on different anatomical locations such as lung parenchyma, mediastinum, vessels, chest wall and pleural cavity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Buchalet
- Département d'oncologie radiothérapie, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, 208, avenue des Apothicaires, 34000 Montpellier, France.
| | - C Durdux
- Département d'oncologie radiothérapie, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Alcasid NJ, Banks KC, Sun A, Velotta JB. Case report on the role of aggressive palliative surgery in lung NUT carcinoma after induction chemoimmunotherapy. Int J Surg Case Rep 2023; 105:108015. [PMID: 36948057 PMCID: PMC10040693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE NUT (nuclear protein in testis) carcinoma of the lung is an aggressive, poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma that has a poor prognosis. Currently, there are no recommended guidelines with limited literature regarding the management of primary NUT carcinoma of the lung. CASE PRESENTATION A 28-year-old male presented with 2 weeks of intractable chest pain and shortness of breath and was found to have Stage IV pleural NUT carcinoma. After 2 cycles of chemoimmunotherapy, the patient's symptoms persisted with worsening functional status. Palliative surgery was performed via an extrapleural pneumonectomy with significant improvement in symptoms and activities of daily living. CLINICAL DISCUSSION With no current treatment guidelines, we demonstrate the benefit of surgical resection of advanced pleural NUT carcinoma to improve quality of life. Prognosis is poor with a median survival around 7 months and 3 months with an associated mass. The patient presented pre-operatively with intractable pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath, limiting activities of daily living that persisted despite chemoimmunotherapy. Our surgical goal was to improve the patient's respiratory status and mitigate pain symptoms via extensive surgical debulking. The patient was able to achieve a higher quality of life and survived longer than the median average, passing away 1 year after diagnosis. CONCLUSION The management of NUT carcinoma of the lung remains challenging. The role of surgical resection for palliation in advanced tumors has not been previously described and may provide improved quality of life in carefully selected patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Alcasid
- UCSF East Bay, Department of Surgery, 1411 E 31 St, Oakland, CA 94602, United States of America.
| | - Kian C Banks
- UCSF East Bay, Department of Surgery, 1411 E 31 St, Oakland, CA 94602, United States of America
| | - Angela Sun
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Department of Thoracic Surgery, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey B Velotta
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Department of Thoracic Surgery, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen J, Li M, Lu H. Nuclear protein in testis carcinoma of the lung. Transl Oncol 2023; 30:101640. [PMID: 36780749 PMCID: PMC9947104 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma is a kind of highly aggressive and fatal solid tumor characterized by a rearrangement of the NUT carcinoma family member 1 (NUTM1) gene located on chromosome 15 q l4, where the most common form of fusion is BRD4-NUT. NUT carcinoma occurred in different organs and was most commonly found in the midline organs and the lungs. NUT carcinoma can occur in patients of almost all ages, having a roughly consistent incidence in both sexes. Most of the patients were diagnosed in advanced stages with an extremely poor prognosis due to the lack of effective treatment. After years of research, the mechanism of NUT carcinoma is still not fully clear, and its therapeutic approaches need to be further studied and explored. In order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of NUT carcinoma and explore the effective treatments, this review aimed to summarize the clinical features, pathological characteristics, differential diagnosis, and treatment strategies for this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis & Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (lung and esophagus), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic and Cancer Medicine (IBCM), 310022, P.R. China,Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic and Cancer Medicine (IBCM), 310022, P.R. China,Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, P.R. China
| | - Meihui Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis & Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (lung and esophagus), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic and Cancer Medicine (IBCM), 310022, P.R. China,Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic and Cancer Medicine (IBCM), 310022, P.R. China,The First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, P.R. China
| | - Hongyang Lu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis & Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (lung and esophagus), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic and Cancer Medicine (IBCM), 310022, P.R. China; Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic and Cancer Medicine (IBCM), 310022, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang W, Zhang Y, Yang Q, Gao G, Qiu Y, Li L, Kang L. Clinical imaging of primary pulmonary nucleoprotein of the testis carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1083206. [PMID: 36687409 PMCID: PMC9845940 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1083206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Primary pulmonary nucleoprotein of the testis (NUT) carcinoma is very rare in the clinic. In this study, the clinicopathological manifestations and imaging features of the primary pulmonary NUT carcinoma were investigated to improve the diagnosis of this disease. Methods Six patients with pathologically diagnosed pulmonary NUT carcinoma were analyzed, including three males and three females, aged 19-64 (49.00 ± 16.40) years, with clinical manifestations of cough in two cases, hoarseness in one case, blood in sputum in one case, chest pain in one case, and physical examination findings in one case, with a disease duration of 5 days to 4 months. The clinical and imaging data including CT and PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed. Further literature reviews were analyzed in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary NUT carcinoma cases who performed 18F-FDG PET/CT. Results Most of the patients with pulmonary NUT carcinomas presented as heterogeneous lobulated masses (83.33%), four cases (66.67%) were located in the upper lobe of the left lung, one case (16.67%) in the middle lobe of the right lung, and one case (16.67%) in the lower lobe of the right lung, with the maximum diameter ranging from 1.30 to 8.90 cm and the median of 3.55 cm, most of them were irregularly shaped, with more lobulated margins and more heterogeneous density (83.33%), and the enhancement was mild. PET/CT showed increased 18F-FDG uptake in the lesion and metastatic areas. Both the pulmonary NUT patients in this study and literature reviews showed the SUVmax of the tumor ranged from 5 to 40 with an average value of 12.8, whereas that of extrapulmonary lesions had a range of SUVmax at 4.5-64.1 and a mean of 13.8. Conclusion In patients with central lung masses, rapid disease progression, and poor response to initial treatment, the possibility of NUT cancer should be considered and anti-NUT monoclonal antibody immunohistochemical staining, combined with genetic detection, if necessary, should be performed as soon as possible. CT and PET/CT imaging are essential for the staging, management, treatment response assessment, and monitoring of pulmonary NUT cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenpeng Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yongbai Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yongkang Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liming Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lei Kang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Lei Kang,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Andrini E, Federico AD, Sisi M, Rosellini M, Palladini A, Lamberti G, Giglio AD, Gelsomino F. Immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung tumors with rare histologies and other thoracic malignancies. Immunotherapy 2022; 14:1329-1340. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2022-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immunotherapy has significantly changed the treatment of locally advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Conversely, the role of immunotherapy in NSCLC with uncommon histologies remains unclear, while in other rare thoracic malignancies, such as malignant pleural mesothelioma and thymic epithelial tumors, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors is modifying therapeutic strategies with solid hopes for the future. However, larger prospective studies are urgently needed to define the best treatment strategies and the role of immunotherapy in these orphan tumors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the emerging role of immunotherapy in the treatment of patients affected by these rare thoracic malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Andrini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Federico
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Monia Sisi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Rosellini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Pietro Albertoni, 15, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Andrea De Giglio
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Pietro Albertoni, 15, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Francesco Gelsomino
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Pietro Albertoni, 15, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kazdal D, Hofman V, Christopoulos P, Ilié M, Stenzinger A, Hofman P. Fusion-positive non-small cell lung carcinoma: Biological principles, clinical practice, and diagnostic implications. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2022; 61:244-260. [PMID: 34997651 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on superior efficacy and tolerability, targeted therapy is currently preferred over chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy for actionable gene fusions that occur in late-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Consequently, current clinical practice guidelines mandate testing for ALK, ROS1, NTRK, and RET gene fusions in all patients with newly diagnosed advanced non-squamous NSCLC (NS-NSCLC). Gene fusions can be detected using different approaches, but today RNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) or combined DNA/RNA NGS is the method of choice. The discovery of other gene fusions (involving, eg, NRG1, NUT, FGFR1, FGFR2, MET, BRAF, EGFR, SMARC fusions) and their partners has increased progressively in recent years, leading to the development of new and promising therapies and mandating the development and implementation of comprehensive detection methods. The purpose of this review is to focus on recent data concerning the main gene fusions identified in NSCLC, followed by the discussion of major challenges in this domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kazdal
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Véronique Hofman
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Pasteur Hospital, Université Côte d'Azur, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Centre Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Hospital-Integrated Biobank BB-0033-00025, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Petros Christopoulos
- Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Thoraxklinik and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marius Ilié
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Pasteur Hospital, Université Côte d'Azur, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Centre Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Hospital-Integrated Biobank BB-0033-00025, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Albrecht Stenzinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Hofman
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Pasteur Hospital, Université Côte d'Azur, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Centre Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Hospital-Integrated Biobank BB-0033-00025, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Righi L, Volante M, Papotti M. Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Lung: What We Learned about It? Acta Cytol 2021; 66:257-268. [PMID: 34784591 DOI: 10.1159/000519688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is a high-grade aggressive disease that belongs to the neuroendocrine (NE) group of lung tumors that also includes typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, and large-cell NE carcinoma. SCLC has specific histological diagnostic criteria that are sometimes troublesome to be assessed in cytological samples that indeed represent the most frequent source of diagnostic material due to the typical advanced presentation at the onset of SCLC. However, cytological preparations could be in some instances more reliable than histology due to the better preservation of nuclear details. Cytological criteria for diagnosis of SCLC include high cellularity, small cell size, scant cytoplasm, coarsely granulated chromatin with "salt-and-pepper" appearance, inconspicuous or absent nucleoli, Azzopardi crush effect, and necrotic debris in the background. Despite being distinctive, these features could be incomplete to differentiate SCLC with other small-cell neoplasia. Therefore, immunocytochemical determination of diagnostic biomarkers is crucial to achieve a confident diagnosis. Furthermore, recent findings on molecular and transcriptomic studies of SCLC revealed the potential rise of new predictive and prognostic biomarkers that, whenever validated by immunocytochemistry, may potentially assist to tailor the best therapy, including immune checkpoint inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luisella Righi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, University of Torino at San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano (Torino), Italy
| | - Marco Volante
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, University of Torino at San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano (Torino), Italy
| | - Mauro Papotti
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, University of Torino at City of Health and Science, Torino, Italy,
| |
Collapse
|