1
|
Hench J, Hultschig C, Brugger J, Mariani L, Guzman R, Soleman J, Leu S, Benton M, Stec IM, Hench IB, Hoffmann P, Harter P, Weber KJ, Albers A, Thomas C, Hasselblatt M, Schüller U, Restelli L, Capper D, Hewer E, Diebold J, Kolenc D, Schneider UC, Rushing E, Della Monica R, Chiariotti L, Sill M, Schrimpf D, von Deimling A, Sahm F, Kölsche C, Tolnay M, Frank S. EpiDiP/NanoDiP: a versatile unsupervised machine learning edge computing platform for epigenomic tumour diagnostics. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:51. [PMID: 38576030 PMCID: PMC10993614 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01759-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation analysis based on supervised machine learning algorithms with static reference data, allowing diagnostic tumour typing with unprecedented precision, has quickly become a new standard of care. Whereas genome-wide diagnostic methylation profiling is mostly performed on microarrays, an increasing number of institutions additionally employ nanopore sequencing as a faster alternative. In addition, methylation-specific parallel sequencing can generate methylation and genomic copy number data. Given these diverse approaches to methylation profiling, to date, there is no single tool that allows (1) classification and interpretation of microarray, nanopore and parallel sequencing data, (2) direct control of nanopore sequencers, and (3) the integration of microarray-based methylation reference data. Furthermore, no software capable of entirely running in routine diagnostic laboratory environments lacking high-performance computing and network infrastructure exists. To overcome these shortcomings, we present EpiDiP/NanoDiP as an open-source DNA methylation and copy number profiling suite, which has been benchmarked against an established supervised machine learning approach using in-house routine diagnostics data obtained between 2019 and 2021. Running locally on portable, cost- and energy-saving system-on-chip as well as gpGPU-augmented edge computing devices, NanoDiP works in offline mode, ensuring data privacy. It does not require the rigid training data annotation of supervised approaches. Furthermore, NanoDiP is the core of our public, free-of-charge EpiDiP web service which enables comparative methylation data analysis against an extensive reference data collection. We envision this versatile platform as a useful resource not only for neuropathologists and surgical pathologists but also for the tumour epigenetics research community. In daily diagnostic routine, analysis of native, unfixed biopsies by NanoDiP delivers molecular tumour classification in an intraoperative time frame.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Hench
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik und Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Schönbeinstr. 40, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Claus Hultschig
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik und Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Schönbeinstr. 40, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jon Brugger
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik und Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Schönbeinstr. 40, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Mariani
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsspital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Raphael Guzman
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsspital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jehuda Soleman
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsspital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Severina Leu
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsspital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Miles Benton
- Human Genomics, Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), 5022, Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Irenäus Maria Stec
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik und Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Schönbeinstr. 40, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ivana Bratic Hench
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik und Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Schönbeinstr. 40, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Per Hoffmann
- Life&Brain GmbH, Venusberg-Campus 1, Gebäude 76, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Patrick Harter
- Institute of Neuropathology, Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Feodor- Lynen-Str. 23, 81377, München, Germany
| | - Katharina J Weber
- Neurological Institute (Edinger Institute), University Hospital, Heinrich-Hoffmann- Straße 7, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anne Albers
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Pottkamp 2, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Thomas
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Pottkamp 2, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Pottkamp 2, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Forschungsinstitut Kinderkrebszentrum, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Restelli
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik und Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Schönbeinstr. 40, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Capper
- , 15. Luzerner Kantonsspital, Pathologie, Haus 27, 6000, Spitalstrasse, Luzern 16, Switzerland
| | - Ekkehard Hewer
- Institut universitaire de pathologie, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 25, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Diebold
- , 15. Luzerner Kantonsspital, Pathologie, Haus 27, 6000, Spitalstrasse, Luzern 16, Switzerland
| | - Danijela Kolenc
- , 15. Luzerner Kantonsspital, Pathologie, Haus 27, 6000, Spitalstrasse, Luzern 16, Switzerland
| | - Ulf C Schneider
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Haus 31, 6000, 16, Spitalstrasse, Luzern, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Rushing
- , 15. Luzerner Kantonsspital, Pathologie, Haus 27, 6000, Spitalstrasse, Luzern 16, Switzerland
- Medica Pathologie Zentrum Zürich, Hottingerstrasse 9 / 11, 8032, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rosa Della Monica
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore, 486 - 80145, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore, 486 - 80145, Napoli, Italy
| | - Martin Sill
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Schrimpf
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- CCU Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- , 23. DKFZ, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Kölsche
- Pathologisches Institut der LMU, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, München, Germany
| | - Markus Tolnay
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik und Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Schönbeinstr. 40, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Frank
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik und Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Schönbeinstr. 40, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Meyer B, Stirzaker C, Ramkomuth S, Harvey K, Chan B, Lee CS, Karim R, Deng N, Avery-Kiejda KA, Scott RJ, Lakhani S, Fox S, Robbins E, Shin JS, Beith J, Gill A, Sioson L, Chan C, Krishnaswamy M, Cooper C, Warrier S, Mak C, Rasko JE, Bailey CG, Swarbrick A, Clark SJ, O'Toole S, Pidsley R. Detailed DNA methylation characterisation of phyllodes tumours identifies a signature of malignancy and distinguishes phyllodes from metaplastic breast carcinoma. J Pathol 2024; 262:480-494. [PMID: 38300122 DOI: 10.1002/path.6250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Phyllodes tumours (PTs) are rare fibroepithelial lesions of the breast that are classified as benign, borderline, or malignant. As little is known about the molecular underpinnings of PTs, current diagnosis relies on histological examination. However, accurate classification is often difficult, particularly for distinguishing borderline from malignant PTs. Furthermore, PTs can be misdiagnosed as other tumour types with shared histological features, such as fibroadenoma and metaplastic breast cancers. As DNA methylation is a recognised hallmark of many cancers, we hypothesised that DNA methylation could provide novel biomarkers for diagnosis and tumour stratification in PTs, whilst also allowing insight into the molecular aetiology of this otherwise understudied tumour. We generated whole-genome methylation data using the Illumina EPIC microarray in a novel PT cohort (n = 33) and curated methylation microarray data from published datasets including PTs and other potentially histopathologically similar tumours (total n = 817 samples). Analyses revealed that PTs have a unique methylome compared to normal breast tissue and to potentially histopathologically similar tumours (metaplastic breast cancer, fibroadenoma and sarcomas), with PT-specific methylation changes enriched in gene sets involved in KRAS signalling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Next, we identified 53 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) (false discovery rate < 0.05) that specifically delineated malignant from non-malignant PTs. The top DMR in both discovery and validation cohorts was hypermethylation at the HSD17B8 CpG island promoter. Matched PT single-cell expression data showed that HSD17B8 had minimal expression in fibroblast (putative tumour) cells. Finally, we created a methylation classifier to distinguish PTs from metaplastic breast cancer samples, where we revealed a likely misdiagnosis for two TCGA metaplastic breast cancer samples. In conclusion, DNA methylation alterations are associated with PT histopathology and hold the potential to improve our understanding of PT molecular aetiology, diagnostics, and risk stratification. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Braydon Meyer
- Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Clare Stirzaker
- Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sonny Ramkomuth
- Tumour Progression Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate Harvey
- Tumour Progression Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belinda Chan
- Department of Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cheok Soon Lee
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Anatomical Pathology and Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- Discipline of Pathology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rooshdiya Karim
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Niantao Deng
- Tumour Progression Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kelly A Avery-Kiejda
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Discipline of Medical Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rodney J Scott
- Discipline of Medical Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sunil Lakhani
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Pathology Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen Fox
- Department of Pathology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Robbins
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joo-Shik Shin
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jane Beith
- Psycho-Oncology Co-Operative Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anthony Gill
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Loretta Sioson
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charles Chan
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Concord Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mrudula Krishnaswamy
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Concord Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Caroline Cooper
- Anatomical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sanjay Warrier
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical Program, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Breast Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cindy Mak
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Breast Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Ej Rasko
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charles G Bailey
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cancer and Gene Regulation Laboratory Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander Swarbrick
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Tumour Progression Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan J Clark
- Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sandra O'Toole
- Tumour Progression Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruth Pidsley
- Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hench J, Mihic-Probst D, Agaimy A, Frank S, Meyer P, Hultschig C, Simi S, Alos L, Balamurugan T, Blokx W, Bosisio F, Cappellesso R, Griewank K, Hadaschik E, van Kempen LC, Kempf W, Lentini M, Mazzucchelli L, Rinaldi G, Rutkowski P, Schadendorf D, Schilling B, Szumera-Cieckiewicz A, van den Oord J, Mandalà M, Massi D. Clinical, histopathological and molecular features of dedifferentiated melanomas: An EORTC Melanoma Group Retrospective Analysis. Eur J Cancer 2023; 187:7-14. [PMID: 37098294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.03.032] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dedifferentiated melanoma (DedM) poses significant diagnostic challenges. We aimed to investigate the clinical, histopathological and molecular features of DedM. Methylation signature (MS) and copy number profiling (CNP) were carried out in a subgroup of cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective series of 78 DedM tissue samples from 61 patients retrieved from EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) Melanoma Group centres were centrally reviewed. Clinical and histopathological features were retrieved. In a subgroup of patients, genotyping through Infinium Methylation microarray and CNP analysis was carried out. RESULTS Most patients (60/61) had a metastatic DedM showing most frequently an unclassified pleomorphic, spindle cell, or small round cell morphology akin to undifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma, rarely associated with heterologous elements. Overall, among 20 successfully analysed tissue samples from 16 patients, we found retained melanoma-like MS in only 7 tissue samples while a non-melanoma-like MS was observed in 13 tissue samples. In two patients from whom multiple specimens were analysed, some of the samples had a preserved cutaneous melanoma MS while other specimens exhibited an epigenetic shift towards a mesenchymal/sarcoma-like profile, matching the histological features. In these two patients, CNP was largely identical across all analysed specimens, in line with their common clonal origin, despite significant modification of their epigenome. CONCLUSIONS Our study further highlights that DedM represents a real diagnostic challenge. While MS and genomic CNP may help pathologists to diagnose DedM, we provide proof-of-concept that dedifferentiation in melanoma is frequently associated with epigenetic modifications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juergen Hench
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Mihic-Probst
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Frank
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Meyer
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claus Hultschig
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sara Simi
- Section of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucia Alos
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Willeke Blokx
- Department of Pathology, Division of Laboratories, Pharmacy and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Bosisio
- Department of Imaging & Pathology, Laboratory of Translational Cell & Tissue Research and Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rocco Cappellesso
- Pathological Anatomy Unit, Padua University Hospital, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Klaus Griewank
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - Eva Hadaschik
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - Leon C van Kempen
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Werner Kempf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Mazzucchelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Gaetana Rinaldi
- Sezione di Oncologia, Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche, Oncologiche e Stomatologiche (Di.Chir.On.S.), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - Bastian Schilling
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Szumera-Cieckiewicz
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joost van den Oord
- Department of Imaging & Pathology, Laboratory of Translational Cell & Tissue Research and Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario Mandalà
- University of Perugia, Unit of Medical Oncology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Daniela Massi
- Section of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li X, Vail E, Maluf H, Chaum M, Leong M, Lownik J, Che M, Giuliano A, Cao D, Dadmanesh F. Gene Expression Profiling of Fibroepithelial Lesions of the Breast. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109041. [PMID: 37240386 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroepithelial lesions of the breast (FELs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms exhibiting a histologic spectrum ranging from fibroadenomas (FAs) to malignant phyllodes tumors (PTs). Despite published histologic criteria for their classification, it is common for such lesions to exhibit overlapping features, leading to subjective interpretation and interobserver disagreements in histologic diagnosis. Therefore, there is a need for a more objective diagnostic modality to aid in the accurate classification of these lesions and to guide appropriate clinical management. In this study, the expression of 750 tumor-related genes was measured in a cohort of 34 FELs (5 FAs, 9 cellular FAs, 9 benign PTs, 7 borderline PTs, and 4 malignant PTs). Differentially expressed gene analysis, gene set analysis, pathway analysis, and cell type analysis were performed. Genes involved in matrix remodeling and metastasis (e.g., MMP9, SPP1, COL11A1), angiogenesis (VEGFA, ITGAV, NFIL3, FDFR1, CCND2), hypoxia (ENO1, HK1, CYBB, HK2), metabolic stress (e.g., UBE2C, CDKN2A, FBP1), cell proliferation (e.g., CENPF, CCNB1), and the PI3K-Akt pathway (e.g., ITGB3, NRAS) were highly expressed in malignant PTs and less expressed in borderline PTs, benign PTs, cellular FAs, and FAs. The overall gene expression profiles of benign PTs, cellular FAs, and FAs were very similar. Although a slight difference was observed between borderline and benign PTs, a higher degree of difference was observed between borderline and malignant PTs. Additionally, the macrophage cell abundance scores and CCL5 were significantly higher in malignant PTs compared with all other groups. Our results suggest that the gene-expression-profiling-based approach could lead to further stratification of FELs and may provide clinically useful biological and pathophysiological information to improve the existing histologic diagnostic algorithm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomo Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Eric Vail
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Horacio Maluf
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Manita Chaum
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Matthew Leong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Joseph Lownik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Mingtian Che
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Armando Giuliano
- Saul and Joyce Brandman Breast Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Duoyao Cao
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Farnaz Dadmanesh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haefliger S, Hench J, O'Rourke CJ, Meyer-Schaller N, Uzun S, Saldarriaga J, Weber A, Mazzucchelli L, Jermann P, Frank S, Andersen JB, Terracciano L, Sempoux C, Matter MS. Genetic and epigenetic analysis of hepatocellular adenomas with atypical morphological features. Histopathology 2023; 82:722-730. [PMID: 36583256 DOI: 10.1111/his.14858] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is a rare liver tumour, which can have atypical morphological features such as cytological atypia, pseudoglandular architecture, and altered reticulin framework. Little is known about the genetic and epigenetic alterations of such HCAs and whether they show the alterations classically found in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or in HCA without atypical morphology. METHODS We analysed five HCAs with atypical morphological features and one HCA with transition to HCC. Every tumour was subtyped by immunohistochemistry, sequenced by a targeted NGS panel, and analysed on a DNA methylation microarray. RESULTS Subtyping of the five HCAs with atypical features revealed two β-catenin mutated HCA (b-HCA), two β-catenin mutated inflammatory HCA (b-IHCA), and one sonic hedgehog activated HCA (shHCA). None of them showed mutations typically found in HCC, such as, e.g. TERT or TP53 mutations. The epigenomic pattern of HCAs with atypical morphological features clustered with reference data for HCAs without atypical morphological features but not with HCC. Similarly, phyloepigenetic trees using the DNA methylation data reproducibly showed that HCAs with morphological atypia are much more similar to nonmalignant samples than to malignant samples. Finally, atypical HCAs showed no relevant copy number variations (CNV). CONCLUSION In our series, mutational, DNA methylation, as well as CNV analyses, supported a relationship of atypical HCAs with nonatypical HCAs rather than with HCC. Therefore, in cases with difficult differential diagnosis between HCC and HCA, it might be advisable to perform targeted sequencing and/or combined methylation/copy number profiling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Haefliger
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Juergen Hench
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Colm J O'Rourke
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Nathalie Meyer-Schaller
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sarp Uzun
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joan Saldarriaga
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Achim Weber
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Philip Jermann
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Frank
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jesper B Andersen
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Luigi Terracciano
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Christine Sempoux
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias S Matter
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tan BY, Fox SB, Lakhani SR, Tan PH. Survey of recurrent diagnostic challenges in breast phyllodes tumours. Histopathology 2023; 82:95-105. [PMID: 36468287 DOI: 10.1111/his.14730] [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: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast phyllodes tumours (PTs) are graded as benign, borderline, or malignant by analysis of multiple histological features. PT grading is often inconsistent, likely due to variation in the weighting of grading criteria by pathologists. DESIGN The hierarchy of use of diagnostic criteria was identified using a 20-question survey. RESULTS In all, 213 pathologists from 29 countries responded. 54% reported 10-50 PT cases per year. Criteria considered key to PT diagnosis were: increased stromal cellularity (84.3%), stromal overgrowth (76.6%), increased stromal mitoses (67.8%), stromal atypia (61.5%), stromal fronding (59.0%), periductal stromal condensation (58.0%), irregular tumour borders (46.3%), and/or lesional heterogeneity (33.7%). The importance of grading parameters were: mitotic activity (55.5%), stromal overgrowth (54.0%), stromal atypia (51.9%), increased stromal cellularity (41.7%), and nature of the tumour border (38.9%). 49% would diagnose malignant PT without a full array of adverse features. 89% used the term "cellular fibroepithelial lesion (FEL)" for difficult cases; 45% would diagnose an FEL with stromal fronding (but lacking other PT features) as fibroadenoma (FA), 35% FEL, and 17% PT. 59% deemed clinico-radiological findings diagnostically significant; 68% considered age (≥40 years) important in determining if an FEL was a FA or PT. In FELs from young patients, increased stromal cellularity (83%), fronding (52%), and mitoses (41%) were more common. 34% regarded differentiating cellular FA from PT as a specific challenge; 54% had issues assigning a borderline PT grade. CONCLUSION Criteria for grading PT lie on a spectrum, leading to interpretive variability. The survey highlights the criteria most used by pathologists, which do not completely align with WHO recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen B Fox
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sunil R Lakhani
- The University of Queensland and Pathology Queensland, Australia
| | - Puay Hoon Tan
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|