Prognostic factors in surgical stage I endometrial carcinoma

Combination of aneuploidy and high S-phase fraction indicates increased risk of relapse in stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Endometrioid endometrial carcinoma is a cancer type with generally excellent prognosis when diagnosed at an early stage, but there is a subset of patients with relapsing disease in spite of early diagnosis and surgical treatment. There is a need to find prognostic markers to identify these patients with increased risk of relapse. Depth of myometrial invasion, histological grade, and presence of lymphovascular invasion are known risk factors. DNA content (ploidy) and proliferation measured as S-phase fraction (SPF) have been discussed as prognostic markers but need additional evaluation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We evaluated relapse-free survival (RFS) with respect to ploidy and SPF, which was analyzed by flow cytometry on fresh tumor tissue, in a cohort of 1001 women treated for stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma in northern Sweden during the period of 1993-2010, with a median follow up time of 12.0 years. Data were obtained from historical records.

RESULTS

In simple analysis, both aneuploidy and high SPF were associated to increased risk of relapse with hazard ratios (HR) 2.37 (95% CI 1.52-3.70) and 1.94 (95% CI 1.24-3.02), respectively. Our data also confirmed stage, tumor grade, and ploidy as independent prognostic markers in an age adjusted cox regression multivariable analysis but we did not find SPF to contribute to prognosis. However, the combination of aneuploidy and high SPF identified a group of patients with increased risk of relapse, HR 2.02 (95% CI 1.19-3.44).

CONCLUSION

In this study, which is the largest study of ploidy and SPF in stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma using fresh frozen tissue, aneuploidy was shown to be an independent prognostic marker. Furthermore, the combination of aneuploidy and high SPF could be used to identify patients with increased risk of relapse.

Morphometric and DNA Image Analysis of Endometrial Hyperplasia and Carcinoma

Endometrial hyperplasia is believed to increase the risk of endometrial carcinoma and represents a spectrum of morphologic and biological alterations of endometrial glands and stroma ranging from an exaggerated physiological state to carcinoma in situ. Considering the overlap between the various entities, it is not surprising that the morphologic assessment of endometrial lesions is particularly challenging. This work aimed to evaluate endometrial lesions according to their nuclear and glandular morphometric parameters, their D score, and their DNA ploidy, which help in making an accurate diagnosis. In this study, 50 endometrial biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for their histopathologic and morphometric study and Feulgen stain for DNA analysis. The cases were classified into 20 cases of simple hyperplasia, 10 cases of atypical hyperplasia, and 20 cases of endometrial carcinoma. Morphometric analysis of nuclear, glandular, and stromal parameters was performed using the Leica Qwin 500 image analysis system. In the studied cases, a significant difference was found in the mean values of the morphometrical parameters of endometrial lesions, including the nuclear area and the nuclear roundness, and all glandular measurements including their complexity, area, volume percentage of stroma, and D score were significantly different. The DNA index and diploid and aneuploid values could differentiate significantly between endometrial lesions. We conclude that nuclear morphometric evaluation of the hyperplastic and carcinomatous endometrium may be used as an ancillary technique in the diagnosis of atypical changes occurring in precancerous endometrial lesions. In addition, DNA and D score assessment may be a reproducible and accurate predictor of the outcome of endometrial hyperplasia and may add some objective criteria for the correct diagnosis of difficult cases.

Cell proliferation, measured as flow cytometric S-phase fraction, is a strong prognostic indicator in FIGO stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma: a population-based study

INTRODUCTION

In early-stage endometrial carcinoma, there is controversy regarding the prognostic value of the flow cytometric variables DNA ploidy (diploid vs. aneuploid) and S-phase fraction. In Sweden, the former is included in national guidelines despite poor scientific support and the latter is not used clinically. This study investigates the prognostic properties of these variables, together with classical histopathological variables, in multivariate analysis in a stringently stratified material.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Consecutive, population-based patient material restricted to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (n = 1140) was retrospectively collected from routinely reported data from medical records. Data on age, FIGO stage, degree of differentiation, S-phase fraction, DNA ploidy status, and adjuvant treatment were included in the study. Cumulative incidence curves with other causes of death as a competing risk were used for univariable analysis for the primary endpoint endometrial cancer death. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used for multivariate modeling of all endpoints, and for univariable analysis for the secondary endpoints overall survival and time to progression.

RESULTS

An S-phase fraction value of >5.5% was associated with worse outcome (for endometrial cancer death: hazard ratio 2.25; 95% CI 1.38-3.67; p = 0.001, adjusted) and DNA ploidy status was not, for all endpoints tested.

CONCLUSIONS

In FIGO stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, DNA ploidy status had no prognostic value, whereas the S-phase fraction may be used to identify those with a higher risk of adverse clinical outcome.

DNA ploidy in curettage specimens identifies high-risk patients and lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer

Background:

Preoperative risk stratification is essential in tailoring endometrial cancer treatment, and biomarkers predicting lymph node metastasis and aggressive disease are aspired in clinical practice. DNA ploidy assessment in hysterectomy specimens is a well-established prognostic marker. DNA ploidy assessment in preoperative curettage specimens is less studied, and in particular in relation to the occurrence of lymph node metastasis.

Methods:

Curettage image cytometry DNA ploidy in relation to established clinicopathological variables and outcome was investigated in 785 endometrial carcinoma patients prospectively included in the MoMaTEC multicentre trial.

Results:

Diploid curettage status was found in 72.0%, whereas 28.0% were non-diploid. Non-diploid status significantly correlated with traditional aggressive postoperative clinicopathological features, and was an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis among FIGO stage I–III patients in multivariate analysis (OR 1.94, P=0.033). Non-diploid status was related to shorter disease-specific survival (5-year DSS of 74.4% vs 88.8% for diploid curettage, P<0.001). When stratifying by FIGO stage and lymph node status, the prognostic effect remained. However, in multivariate regression analysis, preoperative histological risk classification was a stronger predictor of DSS than DNA ploidy.

Conclusions:

Non-diploid curettage is significantly associated with aggressive clinicopathological phenotype, lymph node metastasis, and poor survival in endometrial cancer. The prognostic effect was also observed among subgroups with (presumably) less aggressive traits, such as low FIGO stage and negative lymph node status. Our results indicate curettage DNA ploidy as a possible supplement to existing parameters used to tailor surgical treatment.

Clinical value of DNA content assessment in endometrial cancer

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common gynecologic cancer in industrialized countries. Traditional prognostic markers include FIGO stage, histologic subtype, and histologic grade. DNA ploidy was introduced as a prognostic marker 30 years ago, and the majority of published literature demonstrates significant associations between tumor aneuploidy and poorer prognosis in EC. However, ploidy analysis is not routinely implemented in the clinic. We reviewed the literature on clinical value of ploidy measured by DNA content as a prognostic marker, and its potential role as a predictive marker in EC.  PubMed was searched for papers evaluating the prognostic or predictive role of ploidy in EC. Search criteria were "DNA ploidy prognosis/predictive value endometrial cancer/carcinoma". Only articles written in English, published year 2000 or later were included.  The majority of the studies demonstrated highly significant correlation between DNA index (DI) and survival, in univariate analysis including stages I-IV, and in subgroup analysis of stage I and stage I-II EC. Several studies also showed significant association between DI and survival in multivariate analysis. Few studies have evaluated DI as a prognostic marker in a prospective setting. No studies evaluating DI as a predictive marker in EC were identified. In other cancer types, ploidy has been linked to prediction of response to hormonal therapy and chemotherapy.  Ploidy assessment in EC by DI is a strong prognostic marker. Still, its clinical applicability needs validation in a routine diagnostic, prospective setting with sufficient number of patients, characterized by state of the art histopathological evaluation and surgical staging.

Predictive and prognostic factors in definition of risk groups in endometrial carcinoma

Background. The aim was to evaluate predictive and prognostic factors in a large consecutive series of endometrial carcinomas and to discuss pre- and postoperative risk groups based on these factors. Material and Methods. In a consecutive series of 4,543 endometrial carcinomas predictive and prognostic factors were analyzed with regard to recurrence rate and survival. The patients were treated with primary surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Two preoperative and three postoperative risk groups were defined. DNA ploidy was included in the definitions. Eight predictive or prognostic factors were used in multivariate analyses. Results. The overall recurrence rate of the complete series was 11.4%. Median time to relapse was 19.7 months. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, FIGO grade, myometrial infiltration, and DNA ploidy were independent and statistically predictive factors with regard to recurrence rate. The 5-year overall survival rate was 73%. Tumor stage was the single most important factor with FIGO grade on the second place. DNA ploidy was also a significant prognostic factor. In the preoperative risk group definitions three factors were used: histology, FIGO grade, and DNA ploidy. Conclusions. DNA ploidy was an important and significant predictive and prognostic factor and should be used both in preoperative and postoperative risk group definitions.

Prognostic importance of DNA ploidy and DNA index in stage I and II endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the prognostic importance of DNA ploidy in stage I and II endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC) of the endometrium with a focus on DNA index.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

High-resolution DNA ploidy analysis was carried out in tumor material from 937 consecutive patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I and II EAC of the endometrium.

RESULTS

Patients with diploid (N = 728), aneuploid tumor with DNA index ≤ 1.20 (N = 118), aneuploid tumors with DNA index >1.20 (N = 39) and tetraploid tumor (N = 52) had 5-year recurrence rates 8%, 14%, 20% and 12%, respectively. Patients with aneuploid tumor with DNA index >1.20 had a poorer 5-year progression-free survival (67%) and overall survival (72%) compared with the patients with aneuploid tumor with DNA index ≤ 1.20 (81% and 89%, respectively). Aneuploid tumors with DNA index ≤ 1.20 relapsed mainly in the vagina and pelvis, whereas aneuploid tumors with DNA index >1.20 relapsed predominantly outside pelvis.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence risk for the patients with aneuploid tumor is higher than the patients with diploid tumor in EAC of the endometrium. Based on DNA index with cut-off 1.20, aneuploid tumors can be separated into two subgroups with different recurrence pattern and survival.

Impact of genomic stability on protein expression in endometrioid endometrial cancer

Background:

Genomic stability is one of the crucial prognostic factors for patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). The impact of genomic stability on the tumour tissue proteome of EEC is not yet well established.

Methods:

Tissue lysates of EEC, squamous cervical cancer (SCC), normal endometrium and squamous cervical epithelium were subjected to two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis and identification of proteins by MALDI TOF MS. Expression of selected proteins was analysed in independent samples by immunohistochemistry.

Results:

Diploid and aneuploid genomically unstable EEC displayed similar patterns of protein expression. This was in contrast to diploid stable EEC, which displayed a protein expression profile similar to normal endometrium. Approximately 10% of the differentially expressed proteins in EEC were specific for this type of cancer with differential expression of other proteins observed in other types of malignancy (e.g., SCC). Selected proteins differentially expressed in 2D gels of EEC were further analysed in an EEC precursor lesion, that is, atypical hyperplasia of endometrium, and showed increased expression of CLIC1, EIF4A1 and PRDX6 and decreased expression of ENO1, ANXA4, EMD and Ku70.

Conclusion:

Protein expression in diploid and aneuploid genomically unstable EEC is different from the expression profile of proteins in diploid genomically stable EEC. We showed that changes in expression of proteins typical for EEC could already be detected in precursor lesions, that is, atypical hyperplasia of endometrium, highlighting their clinical potential for improving early diagnostics of EEC.

Protein profiling of genomic instability in endometrial cancer

DNA aneuploidy has been identified as a prognostic factor in the majority of epithelial malignancies. We aimed at identifying ploidy-associated protein expression in endometrial cancer of different prognostic subgroups. Comparison of gel electrophoresis-based protein expression patterns between normal endometrium (n = 5), diploid (n = 7), and aneuploid (n = 7) endometrial carcinoma detected 121 ploidy-associated protein forms, 42 differentially expressed between normal endometrium and diploid endometrioid carcinomas, 37 between diploid and aneuploid endometrioid carcinomas, and 41 between diploid endometrioid and aneuploid uterine papillary serous cancer. Proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and evaluated by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Targets were confirmed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry identified 41 distinct polypeptides and pathway analysis resulted in high-ranked networks with vimentin and Nf-κB as central nodes. These results identify ploidy-associated protein expression differences that overrule histopathology-associated expression differences and emphasize particular protein networks in genomic stability of endometrial cancer.

DNA ploidy heterogeneity in endometrial carcinoma: comparison between curettage and hysterectomy specimens

DNA ploidy has been reported to be a prognostic marker for patients with endometrial carcinoma. In this study, DNA ploidy and histologic heterogeneity were evaluated by comparing curettage and hysterectomy specimens in 99 consecutive patients diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. High-resolution DNA ploidy image analysis and review of histologic specimens were performed. The histologic subtypes were identical in 77 (78%) and differed in 22 (22%) cases. The DNA ploidy results were concordant in the curettage and hysterectomy specimens in 72 (72.7%) and discordant in 27 (27.3%) cases. Histologic heterogeneity was significantly associated with DNA ploidy heterogeneity (P=0.03). On the basis of histologic heterogeneity, DNA ploidy-discordant cases were divided into 2 groups. One group (16.2% of cases) consisted of specimens with similar histology in curettage and hysterectomy, all belonging to the endometrioid subtype. This group showed DNA ploidy discordance because of a DNA diploid peak in 1 specimen and an aneuploid peak (DI=1.05-1.2) in the other. The other group (11.1% of cases) consisted of cases with different histologic subtype or grade and showed a more pronounced DNA ploidy difference (diploid vs. aneuploid with DI>1.2). Our results suggest that the DNA ploidy results of the hysterectomy and curettage specimens are not identical. The difference observed, which we believe reflects the intratumoral heterogeneity, should be taken into account when applying DNA ploidy to endometrial carcinoma specimens.

Histologic and immunohistochemical decision-making in endometrial adenocarcinoma

Diffuse p53 immunostaining distinguishes 85% of serous (Type II) from endometrioid (Type I) carcinomas and is an independent marker for poor prognosis. Interobserver reproducibility for the diagnosis of these entities, as well as selection and prediction of p53 immunostaining results, is unknown. Reproducibility of three pathologists regarding: (1) a two (I and II) and (2) three part classification (I, II or indeterminate); (3) recommendation for p53 staining and (4) expectations of p53 staining results were computed with the kappa (k) statistic. All cases were immunostained for p53 and independently scored. A two and three tiered classification scheme achieved high (k=0.71) and moderate (k=0.49) reproducibility. Non-unanimous cases were more likely to be reclassified into an 'indeterminate' category (27 cases, 39% of passes) compared to those with unanimous (82 cases, 14% of passes) classification. Pathologists recommended p53 immunostaining with poor (k=0.28) reproducibility, but staining prediction was made with good concordance (69%, k=0.50). Moreover, p53 staining was more common in diagnostically discordant (46%) compared to concordant (16%) cases. A subset of endometrial cancers do not readily fit within a two-class system and can be culled from cases that (1) do not achieve interobserver concordance and (2) are more likely to be chosen for p53 immunostaining and (3) are more likely to stain positive for p53. Because p53 is an important marker for endometrial adenocarcinoma outcome, and cannot be predicted in advance in indeterminate cases, p53 immunostaining should be employed in cases with observer disagreement in a binary system.

Transection of vaginal cuff is an independent prognostic factor in stage I endometrial cancer

AIMS

The objective was to identify prognostic factors of disease-free and overall survival in stage I endometrial carcinoma, thereby potentially facilitating the selection of patients who are on high risk for recurrence and who may benefit from transection of a vaginal cuff.

METHODS

In a retrospective review between 1994 and 2004, 340 patients with stage I endometrial carcinoma were managed surgically at two different hospitals in Rostock. The median follow-up was 79 (range 12-161) months. Clinical and histological parameters were compared using the SPSS software package.

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis the factors associated with poor disease-free survival in stage I carcinoma were higher tumor grade (P=0.013), and no removed vaginal cuff (P=0.025). The corresponding factor for impaired overall survival was no removed vaginal cuff (P=0.003). All parameters with a P-value<0.25 in the univariate setting were entered into a multivariate analysis. The factors that maintained associated with poor disease-free and overall survival were higher tumor grade and lack of vaginal cuff.

CONCLUSIONS

The removal of a vaginal cuff during abdominal hysterectomy was found to be an independent prognostic factor in stage I endometrial carcinomas. A prospective surgical trial is needed to validate our results before changing current clinical practice.

2-DE protein expression in endometrial carcinoma

The objective of this study was to explore the protein expression pattern in normal endometrial mucosa (n = 5) and endometrial carcinoma (n = 15) of low (diploid) and high (aneuploid) malignancy potential by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The specimens were evaluated for histopathologic subtype, stage and grade in relation to DNA ploidy. A match-set consisting of five samples from normal endometrium, eight diploid and seven aneuploid tumours was created. All the diploid and three of the aneuploid tumours were of endometrioid subtype, while the remaining four were of uterine seropapillary type. There were 192 protein spots differentiating diploid tumours from normal endometrium and 238 protein spots were separating aneuploid tumours from normal endometrium (p < 0.01). A cluster analysis based on 52 significantly deviating protein spots within the groups showed clustering and separation of the normal endometrium, diploid and aneuploid tumours. In conclusion this study showed significant differences in protein expression between normal endometrium and endometrial carcinoma as well as between endometrial carcinoma of low and high malignancy potential. In future studies these results may provide useful in finding new sensitive prognostic markers for endometrial cancer.

TP53 overexpression in recurrent endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To study alterations within the p53 pathway in relation to the development of recurrent stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

Paraffin-embedded tumor tissue of both primary and recurrent tumors from 44 patients with and 44 without recurrence was used for immunohistochemical analysis of TP53, hMdm2, P21(Waf1/Cip1) and M30. DNA was extracted, and mutation analysis of p53 (exon 5-8, 11) was performed by direct sequencing.

RESULTS

TP53 overexpression was significantly associated with recurrent disease: Odds Ratio 3.8 (95% CI: 1.5-9.8). Overexpression of TP53 was associated with lower staining indices (SI:0-9) of both hMdm2 and P21 in tumors of patients with recurrence, compared to controls: 2.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.8 and 1.9 +/- 0.8 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.8, respectively. Eight p53 missense mutations were identified in six patients with recurrence and two controls. One nonsense mutation was found in a patient with recurrence and one deletion in a control patient. Only a minority of TP53 overexpression cases could be explained by the presence of these p53 mutations.

CONCLUSION

TP53 overexpression was significantly predictive for recurrent endometrial carcinoma, and mostly not correlated with p53 mutations. Concomitant low hMdm2 and P21(Waf1/Cip1) expression in tumors with overexpressed TP53 suggests a dysfunctional TP53-P21(Waf1/Cip1) pathway.