Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors in Paranasal Sinus and Nasopharynx: A Clinical Retrospective Study of 13 Cases

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor from molecular diagnostics to current treatment

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare neoplasm with intermediate malignancy characterized by a propensity for recurrence but a low metastatic rate. Diagnostic challenges arise from the diverse pathological presentation, variable symptomatology, and lack of different imaging features. However, IMT is identified by the fusion of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene, which is present in approximately 70% of cases, with various fusion partners, including ran-binding protein 2 (RANBP2), which allows confirmation of the diagnosis. While surgery is the preferred approach for localized tumors, the optimal long-term treatment for advanced or metastatic disease is difficult to define. Targeted therapies are crucial for achieving sustained response to treatment within the context of genetic alteration in IMT. Crizotinib, an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), was officially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 to treat IMT with ALK rearrangement. However, most patients face resistance and disease progression, requiring consideration of sequential treatments. Combining radiotherapy with targeted therapy appears to be beneficial in this indication. Early promising results have also been achieved with immunotherapy, indicating potential for combined therapy approaches. However, defined recommendations are still lacking. This review analyzes the available research on IMT, including genetic disorders and their impact on the course of the disease, data on the latest targeted therapy regimens and the possibility of developing immunotherapy in this indication, as well as summarizing general knowledge about prognostic and predictive factors, also in terms of resistance to systemic therapy.

Update of Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy for ALK+ Inflammation Myofibroblastic Tumor

OPINION STATEMENT: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), characterized by intermediate malignancy and a propensity for recurrence, has presented a formidable clinical challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Its pathological characteristics may resemble other neoplasms or reactive lesions, and the treatment was limited, taking chemotherapies as the only option for those inoperable. However, discovering anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein expression in approximately 50% of IMT cases has shed light on a new diagnostic approach and application of targeted therapies. With the previous success of combating ALK+ non-small-cell lung cancers with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), crizotinib, a first-generation ALK-TKI, was officially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2020, to treat unresectable ALK+ IMT. After the approval of crizotinib, other ALK-TKIs, such as ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, have proven their efficacy on ALK+ IMT with sporadic case reports. The sequential treatments of targeted therapies in may provide the insight into the choice of ALK-TKIs in different lines of treatment for unresectable ALK+ IMT.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour: State of the Art

Simple Summary

Among sarcomas, which are rare cancers, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are extremely rare. Unlike other subtypes, this is a largely oncogene-driven neoplasia, and early gene rearrangement identification is important for accurate advanced stage treatment. In this manuscript, we review the clinicopathologic characteristics of this ultra-rare entity, as well as the current treatment landscape, with a particular focus on opportunities provided by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

Abstract

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a neoplasm composed of myofibroblastic and fibroblastic spindle cells accompanied by inflammatory cells, including lymphocytes and eosinophils. It is an ultra-rare tumor, the optimal management of which remains to be defined. Surgery is the treatment of choice for localized tumors. The treatment of advanced disease is not precisely defined. Chemotherapy regimens result in an overall response rate of approximately 50% based on retrospective data. The latest pathophysiological data highlight the role played by tyrosine kinase fusion genes in IMT proliferation. Anaplast lymphoma kinase (ALK) oncogenic activation mechanisms have been characterized in approximately 80% of IMTs. In this context, data regarding targeted therapies are most important. The aims of this article are to review the latest published data on the use of systematic therapy, particularly the use of molecular targeted therapy, and to publish an additional case of an IMT with Ran-binding protein 2 (RANPB2)-ALK fusion showing a long response to a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Algorithmic Approach to Fibroinflammatory Sinonasal Tract Lesions

Fibroinflammatory lesions of the sinonasal tract are one of the most common head and neck lesions submitted to surgical pathology. When the fibroinflammatory pattern represents the lesion (i.e., not surface reactive ulceration), an algorithmic approach can be useful. Separated into reactive, infectious, and neoplastic, and then further divided based on common to rare, this logical progression through a series of differential considerations allows for many of these lesions to be correctly diagnosed. The reactive lesions include chronic rhinosinusitis and polyps, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis. Infectious etiologies include acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, rhinoscleroma, and mycobacterial infections. The neoplastic category includes lobular capillary hemangioma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, and NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. Utilizing patterns of growth, dominant cell types, and additional histologic features, selected ancillary studies help to confirm the diagnosis, guiding further clinical management.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of maxillary sinus successfully treated with radiotherapy and corticosteroid: report of a rare case

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a mesenchymal tumor mainly found in lung or retroperitoneum and rarely affects head and neck region. Extensive English literature search reveals that less than fifty cases of head and neck IMT have been reported so far, maxillary sinus being fewer.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of IMT involving maxillary sinus in a 48-year-old gentleman who attained complete clinico-radiologic response after treatment with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent oral prednisolone.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report where such magnificent response was attained in primary setting treated with RT and steroids as opposed to surgery which used to be considered as standard of care till now.