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Wang X, Jin H, Feng X, Liang Z, Jin R, Li X. Depiction of the Genetic Alterations and Molecular Landscapes of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2966. [PMID: 39272824 PMCID: PMC11394263 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16172966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), consisting of thymomas, thymic carcinomas (TCs), and thymic neuroendocrine tumors, are rare diseases. Surgery remains the prime option in resectable and early-stage TETs, while chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are also potential treatment modalities. However, the inadequate comprehension of the molecular landscape of TETs impedes the exploitation of such therapies. Hence, we conducted a meta-analysis which includes 21 studies reporting on genomic alterations in TETs and 14 studies reporting on PD-L1 expression levels, respectively. The pooled estimated rates of the most frequently mutated genes and PD-L1 expression levels were analyzed using the R software. We uncovered that the pooled estimated overall mutation rate is 0.65 ([0.49; 0.81]), and the top three genes with highest mutation frequency in thymomas and TCs are GTF2I (0.4263 [0.3590; 0.4936]), TP53 (0.1101 [0.0000; 0.2586]), and RAS (0.0341 [0.0104; 0.0710]), and TP53 (0.1797 [0.0732; 0.3203]), CDKN2A (0.0608 [0.0139; 0.1378]), and TET2 (0.0318 [0.0087; 0.0639]), respectively. A uniform GTF2I mutational rate in thymomas and TP53 mutational rate in thymic squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs) are also observed. The pooled estimated expression level of PD-L1 is 0.71 ([0.59-0.81]). This systematic review provides an overview of the gene alteration landscape and PD-L1 expression levels in TETs, discovers several potential confounding factors that may contribute to the high heterogeneity, and facilitates deeper investigations into the elucidation of the molecular landscape of TETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Thoracic Oncology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Hongming Jin
- Thoracic Oncology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xiaotong Feng
- Thoracic Oncology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Zhijian Liang
- Thoracic Oncology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Ruoyi Jin
- Thoracic Oncology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Thoracic Oncology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
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Sakane T, Haneda H, Okuda K. Insights into molecular aspects and targeted therapy of thymic carcinoma: a narrative review. MEDIASTINUM (HONG KONG, CHINA) 2024; 8:36. [PMID: 38881813 PMCID: PMC11176997 DOI: 10.21037/med-23-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objective Thymic carcinomas are rare tumors derived from thymic epithelial cells. Owing to their rarity, the search for molecular biology has been conducted in combination with thymoma as one histological subtype, and only a few studies have exclusively focused on thymic carcinoma. Currently, no therapy is more effective than complete surgical resection, and the development of novel therapies, including targeted therapies, is hampered. In this review, we summarize the knowledge regarding altered genes and pathways in thymic carcinoma with recent preclinical and clinical targeted therapies. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the relevant English literature available in PubMed and Google Scholar on genomic characteristics and targeted therapies for thymic carcinoma. Key Content and Findings Although the literature consists of a relatively small series, it suggests that the frequently involved genes or pathways associated with thymic carcinoma are tumor suppressor genes, including TP53 and CDKN2A/B, and the receptor tyrosine kinase pathway. Targeted therapy demonstrated antitumor activity with encouraging results. However, potential predictive biomarkers have not been identified and the response to these therapies appears to be irrelevant to gene alterations. Conclusions Some studies have revealed the molecular characteristics of thymic carcinoma, although the results of these studies have shown a different pattern of gene alterations. The further accumulation of data would be helpful in revealing the genomic landscape and establishing molecular-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Sakane
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nagoya City University West Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Thoracic and Pediatric Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Haneda
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nagoya City University West Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Okuda
- Department of Thoracic and Pediatric Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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Guan S, Long W, Liu Y, Cai B, Luo J. Prognosis of Concurrent Versus Sequential Chemo-Radiotherapy Induction Followed by Surgical Resection in Patients with Advanced Thymic Epithelial Tumors: A Retrospective Study. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:6739-6747. [PMID: 37454019 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13954-x] [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: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) versus sequential chemo-radiotherapy (SCRT) induction followed by surgical resection in patients with advanced thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). METHODS This retrospective study included patients with advanced TETs who underwent CCRT or SCRT induction followed by surgical resection at the Second General Hospital of Guangdong Province between January 2008 and December 2019. The primary outcomes were induction response rate and surgical complete resection rate. The secondary outcomes were surgery combined resection, post-induction T staging, postoperative TNM staging, postoperative pathological tumor regression grade, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS A total of 31 patients were included, 15 of whom received CCRT and the other 16 SCRT. The induction response rates were 80.0 and 62.5%, respectively, the post-induction step-down rates were 46.7 and 31.3%, respectively, and the post-induction R0 resection rates were 80.0 and 68.8%, respectively, without significant differences between CCRT and SCRT groups (all P > 0.05). The 5-year OS rate was 64.2 and 51.6%, respectively, and PFS was 42.3 and 21.4%, respectively, without significant differences between CCRT and SCRT groups (both P > 0.05). AEs in the hematologic system were significantly higher with CCRT compared with SCRT (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Patients with advanced TETs might have a good prognosis with both CCRT and SCRT induction therapy, while SCRT induction may result in a lower probability of AEs in the hematologic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubin Guan
- Department of Chest Wall Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Weiguang Long
- Department of Chest Wall Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Chest Wall Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Cai
- Department of Chest Wall Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Luo
- Department of Chest Wall Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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Yang J, Zhang B, Guan W, Fan Z, Pu X, Zhao L, Jiang W, Cai W, Quan X, Miao S, Nie L, He L. Molecular genetic characteristics of thymic epithelial tumors with distinct histological subtypes. Cancer Med 2023; 12:10575-10586. [PMID: 36916520 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the low incidence and histological heterogeneity, the molecular features and underlying carcinogenic mechanisms of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are yet to be fully elucidated, especially for different subtypes of TETs. METHODS Tumor tissue samples of 43 TETs with distinct histological subtypes were collected. We analyzed the molecular characteristics in different subtypes based on whole exome sequencing data. RESULTS The mutational profiles of the different subtypes of TETs varied. Compared with thymomas, thymic carcinomas (TCs) had a higher mutation frequency of MYO16 (33% vs. 3%, p = 0.024) and a lower frequency of ZNF729 mutations (0% vs. 35%, p = 0.044). No significant difference was observed in the median tumor mutation burden across different subtypes. The value of copy number variation burden, weighted genome instability index, and the number of amplified segments were all higher in TCs than thymomas, and they also tended to be higher in B3 thymoma than in non-B3 thymomas, while they had no significant differences between B3 thymoma and TCs. Clustering analyses revealed that Wnt, MAPK, Hedgehog, AMPK, and cell junction assembly signaling pathways were exclusively enriched in non-B3 thymomas, lysine degradation pathway in B3 thymoma, and extracellular matrix-receptor (ECM-receptor) interaction, positive regulation of cell cycle process, and activation of innate immune response pathways in TCs. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed distinct molecular landscapes of different subtypes of TETs, suggesting diverse pathogenesis of non-B3 thymomas, B3 thymomas, and TCs. Our findings warrant further validation in future large-scale studies and may provide a theoretical basis for potential personalized therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenyan Guan
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohong Pu
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Linyue Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Weijing Cai
- Shanghai Tongshu Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xueping Quan
- Shanghai Tongshu Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Shuying Miao
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Nie
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu He
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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Kostic Peric J, Cirkovic A, Srzentic Drazilov S, Samardzic N, Skodric Trifunovic V, Jovanovic D, Pavlovic S. Molecular profiling of rare thymoma using next-generation sequencing: meta-analysis. Radiol Oncol 2023; 57:12-19. [PMID: 36942904 PMCID: PMC10039471 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2023-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymomas belong to rare tumors giving rise to thymic epithelial tissue. There is a classification of several forms of thymoma: A, AB, B1, B2, B3, thymic carcinoma (TC) and thymic neuroendocrine thymoma. In this meta-analysis study, we have focused on thymoma using articles based on the disease's next-generation sequencing (NGS) genomic profiling. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of studies that discovered the genes and variants occurring in the less aggressive forms of the thymic epithelial tumors. Studies published before 12th December 2022 were identified through PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), and SCOPUS databases. Two reviewers have searched for the bases and selected the articles for the final analysis, based on well-defined exclusion and inclusion criteria. RESULTS Finally, 12 publications were included in the qualitative as well as quantitative analysis. The three genes, GTF2I, TP53, and HRAS, emerged as disease-significant in the observed studies. The Odds Ratio for all three extracted genes GTF2I (OR = 1.58, CI [1.51, 1.66] p < 0.00001), TP53 (OR = 1.36, CI [1.12, 1.65], p < 0.002), and HRAS (OR = 1.02, CI [1.00, 1.04], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS According to obtained data, we noticed that the GTF2I gene exhibits a significant prevalence in the cohort of observed thymoma patients. Moreover, analyzing published articles NGS has suggested GTF2I, TP53, and HRAS genes as the most frequently mutated genes in thymoma that have pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNV) and Insertion/Deletion (InDel), which contribute to disease development and progression. These variants could be valuable biomarkers and target points specific to thymoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Kostic Peric
- Institute for Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Andja Cirkovic
- Department for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Srzentic Drazilov
- Institute for Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Natalija Samardzic
- University Hospital of Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vesna Skodric Trifunovic
- University Hospital of Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Sonja Pavlovic
- Institute for Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Tan S, Chen J, Wang Z, Zhao X, Sun Y, Zhu Y, Gong Z, Zhang D. Genomic characterization of thymic epithelial tumors reveals critical genes underlying tumorigenesis and poor prognosis. Clin Genet 2022; 103:529-539. [PMID: 36541162 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14285] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare mediastinal tumors whose tumorigenesis mechanism is poorly understood. Characterization of molecular alterations in TETs may contribute to a better understanding of tumorigenesis and prognosis. Hybrid capture-based next-generation sequencing was performed on tumor tissues from 47 TETs (39 thymomas and 8 thymic carcinomas) to detect mutations in 315 tumor-associated genes. In total, 178 nonsynonymous mutations were identified, with a median of 3.79 per tumor in 47 TETs. Higher tumor mutation burden (TMB) level was more common in older TET patients, and significantly associated with the more advanced pathological type, especially in thymic carcinomas (TC) patients. The gene mutation profiles of B1-3, A/AB, and TC patients varied greatly. In the actionable mutations analysis, we found 32 actionable mutations in 24 genes. Among them, NFKBIA and TP53 mutations was the most frequently, which were only identified in TCs. Additionally, TCGA database analysis found that the expression of NFKBIA mRNA in the TCs were significantly higher than thymomas. TET patients with high NFKBIA expression had shorter overall survival compared with patients with low/medium NFKBIA expression, thus providing insights to consider NFKBIA as a potential prognosis biomarker and therapeutic target in TETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jili Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiaokai Zhao
- Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Companion Diagnostics, Jiaxing Yunying Medical Inspection Co., Ltd., Jiaxing, China.,Department of R&D, Zhejiang Yunying Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Jiaxing, China
| | - Yonghua Sun
- Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Companion Diagnostics, Jiaxing Yunying Medical Inspection Co., Ltd., Jiaxing, China.,Department of R&D, Zhejiang Yunying Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Jiaxing, China
| | - Youcai Zhu
- Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Ziying Gong
- Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Companion Diagnostics, Jiaxing Yunying Medical Inspection Co., Ltd., Jiaxing, China.,Department of R&D, Zhejiang Yunying Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Jiaxing, China
| | - Daoyun Zhang
- Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Companion Diagnostics, Jiaxing Yunying Medical Inspection Co., Ltd., Jiaxing, China.,Department of R&D, Zhejiang Yunying Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Jiaxing, China
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Szpechcinski A, Szolkowska M, Winiarski S, Lechowicz U, Wisniewski P, Knetki-Wroblewska M. Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Thymic Epithelial Tumours Revealed Pathogenic Variants in KIT, ERBB2, KRAS, and TP53 in 30% of Thymic Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3388. [PMID: 35884448 PMCID: PMC9324890 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) could revolutionise their treatment. We evaluated thymomas and thymic carcinomas by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of somatic or germline single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in genes commonly mutated in solid tumours. In total, 19 thymomas and 34 thymic carcinomas were analysed for nonsynonymous SNVs in 15 genes by targeted NGS (reference genome: hg19/GRCh37). Ten SNVs in TP53 (G154V, R158P, L194H, R267fs, R273C, R306 *, Q317 *), ERBB2 (V773M), KIT (L576P), and KRAS (Q61L) considered somatic and pathogenic/likely pathogenic were detected in 10 of 34 (29.4%) thymic carcinomas. No somatic SNVs confirmed as pathogenic/likely pathogenic were found in thymomas. Rare SNVs of uncertain or unknown functional and clinical significance, to our knowledge not reported previously in TETs, were found in ERBB2 (S703R), KIT (I690V), and FOXL2 (P157S) in 3 of 19 (16%) thymomas. The most frequent germline SNVs were TP53 P72R (94% TETs), ERBB2 I655V (40% TETs), and KIT M541L (9% TETs). No significant difference in median disease-free survival (DFS) was found between thymic carcinoma patients with and without pathogenic SNVs (p = 0.190); however, a trend toward a longer DFS was observed in the latter (16.0 vs. 30.0 months, respectively). In summary, NGS analysis of TETs revealed several SNVs in genes related to the p53, AKT, MAPK, and K-Ras signalling pathways. Thymic carcinomas showed greater genetic dysregulation than thymomas. The germline and rare SNVs of uncertain clinical significance reported in this study add to the number of known genetic alterations in TETs, thus extending our molecular understanding of these neoplasms. Druggable KIT alterations in thymic carcinomas have potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Szpechcinski
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, The Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Malgorzata Szolkowska
- Department of Pathology, The Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sebastian Winiarski
- Clinics of Thoracic Surgery, The Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Urszula Lechowicz
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, The Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Wisniewski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Knetki-Wroblewska
- Department of Lung Cancer and Chest Tumours, The Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland;
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Mimori T, Shukuya T, Ko R, Okuma Y, Koizumi T, Imai H, Takiguchi Y, Miyauchi E, Kagamu H, Sugiyama T, Azuma K, Namba Y, Yamasaki M, Tanaka H, Takashima Y, Soda S, Ishimoto O, Koyama N, Kobayashi K, Takahashi K. Clinical Significance of Tumor Markers for Advanced Thymic Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis from the NEJ023 Study. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020331. [PMID: 35053494 PMCID: PMC8773938 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Advanced thymic carcinoma (ATC) is rare. Owing to its rarity, there is limited information on the prognostic factors, and the optimal serum tumor markers are also unknown. We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study of patients with ATC. In this study, we collected data on patient characteristics, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and tumor marker values, and investigated the relationship between tumor marker values and PFS/OS. We found that the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) level may be a useful prognostic tumor marker for ATC, regardless of histology. The findings of the analysis limited to squamous cell carcinoma suggested that the NSE and squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels may be useful prognostic factors. Abstract The optimal tumor marker for predicting the prognosis of advanced thymic carcinoma (ATC) remains unclear. We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study of patients with ATC. A total of 286 patients were treated with chemotherapy. Clinicopathological information, including serum tumor markers, was evaluated to determine the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin-19 fragment, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, progastrin-releasing peptide, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and alpha-fetoprotein levels were evaluated. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, the OS was significantly shorter in the patients with elevated NSE levels than in those with normal NSE levels (median, 20.3 vs. 36.8 months; log-rank test p = 0.029; hazard ratio (HR), 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–2.31 (Cox proportional hazard model)); a similar tendency regarding the PFS was observed (median, 6.4 vs. 11.0 months; log-rank test p = 0.001; HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.31–3.18). No significant differences in the OS and PFS were observed among the other tumor markers. In both univariate and multivariate analyses of the patients with SCC only, the NSE level was associated with the OS and PFS. Thus, the NSE level may be a prognostic tumor marker for thymic carcinoma, regardless of histology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyasu Mimori
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.M.); (K.T.)
| | - Takehito Shukuya
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.M.); (K.T.)
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Ryo Ko
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka 411-8777, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Yusuke Okuma
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Disease Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan;
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 105-0045, Japan
| | - Tomonobu Koizumi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan;
| | - Hisao Imai
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma Prefectural Cancer Center, Ota 373-8550, Japan;
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka 350-1298, Japan; (H.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Yuichi Takiguchi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba 260-8677, Japan;
| | - Eisaku Miyauchi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai 980-8574, Japan;
| | - Hiroshi Kagamu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka 350-1298, Japan; (H.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Tomohide Sugiyama
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Tochigi Cancer Center, Utsunomiya 320-0834, Japan;
| | - Keisuke Azuma
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan;
| | - Yukiko Namba
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Urayasu 279-0021, Japan;
| | - Masahiro Yamasaki
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Hiroshima Red Cross & Atomic-Bomb Survivors Hospital, Hiroshima 730-8619, Japan;
| | - Hisashi Tanaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki 036-8563, Japan;
| | - Yuta Takashima
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8648, Japan;
| | - Sayo Soda
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan;
| | - Osamu Ishimoto
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sendai Kousei Hospital, Sendai 980-0873, Japan;
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Okino Medical Clinic, Miyagi 984-0831, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Koyama
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Clinical Department of Internal Medicine, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama 330-8503, Japan;
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama 350-8550, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Kobayashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka 350-1298, Japan; (H.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Kazuhisa Takahashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.M.); (K.T.)
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