18 F-FET PET/CT in Calcifying Pseudoneoplasm of the Neuraxis : First Case

ABSTRACT

A 66-year-old man has been treated in a psychiatric department for 4-5 years for a depressive syndrome, which is associated with poor motor initiative, confusional state, and dysosmia. Dynamic 18 F-FET PET/CT showed only faint uptake of radiotracer just above the background on the left frontal calcific lesion. The time-activity curve of the neoplasms showed a descending pattern. After a left fronto-orbitary minicraniotomy surgery, histology examination concluded for a rare calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CAPNON). To our knowledge, no data are available on the metabolic behavior of CAPNON in 18 F-FET PET/CT. This case highlighted that a faint uptake and descending pattern on dynamic 18 F-FET PET/CT may be helpful in suspected CAPNON before surgery.

Real-world use of multigene signatures in early breast cancer: differences to clinical trials

PURPOSE

In Italy, Lombardy was the first region to reimburse multigene assays (MGAs) for patients otherwise candidates for chemotherapy. This is a real-world experience of MGAs usage in six referral cancer centers in Lombardy.

METHODS

Among MGAs, Oncotype DX (RS) was used in 97% of cases. Consecutive patients tested with Oncotype DX from July 2020 to July 2022 were selected. The distribution of clinicopathologic features by RS groups (low RS: 0-25, high RS: 26-100) was assessed using chi-square and compared with those of the TAILORx and RxPONDER trials.

RESULTS

Out of 1,098 patients identified, 73% had low RS. Grade and Ki67 were associated with RS (p < 0.001). In patients with both G3 and Ki67 > 30%, 39% had low RS, while in patients with both G1 and Ki67 < 20%, 7% had high RS. The proportion of low RS in node-positive patients was similar to that in RxPONDER (82% vs 83%), while node-negative patients with low RS were significantly less than in TAILORx (66% vs 86%, p < 0.001). The distribution of Grade was different from registration trials, with more G3 and fewer G1 (38% and 3%) than in TAILORx (18% and 27%) and RxPONDER (10% and 24%) (p < 0.001). Patients ≤ 50 years were overrepresented in this series (41%) than in TAILORx and RxPONDER (31% and 24%, respectively) (p < 0.001) and, among them, 42% were node positive.

CONCLUSIONS

In this real-world series, Oncotype DX was the test almost exclusively used. Despite reimbursement being linked to pre-test chemotherapy recommendation, almost 3/4 patients resulted in the low-RS group. The significant proportion of node-positive patients ≤ 50 years tested indicates that oncologists considered Oncotype DX informative also in this population.

Identification of a Panel of miRNAs Associated with Resistance to Palbociclib and Endocrine Therapy

We investigated whether we could identify a panel of miRNAs associated with response to treatment in tumor tissues of patients with Hormone Receptor-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy (ET) and the CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i)i palbociclib. In total, 52 patients were evaluated, with 41 receiving treatment as the first line. The overall median PFS was 20.8 months (range 2.5-66.6). In total, 23% of patients experienced early progression (<6 months). Seven miRNAs (miR-378e, miR-1233, miR-99b-5p, miR-1260b, miR-448, -miR-1252-5p, miR-324-3p, miR-1233-3p) showed a statistically significant negative association with PFS. When we considered PFS < 6 months, miR-378e, miR-99b-5p, miR-877-5p, miR-1297, miR-455-5p, and miR-4536-5p were statistically associated with a poor outcome. In the multivariate analysis, the first three miRNAs confirmed a significant and independent impact on PFS. The literature data and bioinformatic tools provide an underlying molecular rationale for most of these miRNAs, mainly involving the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and cell-cycle machinery as cyclin D1, CDKN1B, and protein p27Kip1 and autophagy. Our findings propose a novel panel of miRNAs associated with a higher likelihood of early progression in patients treated with ET and Palbociclib and may contribute to shed some light on the mechanisms of de novo resistance to CDK4/6i, but this should be considered exploratory and evaluated in larger cohorts.

The Impact of Different Patterns of Residual Disease on Long-Term Oncological Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy

BACKGROUNDS

The majority of breast cancer (BC) patients treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) achieves a pathologic partial response with different patterns of residual disease. No clear correlation between these patterns and oncological results was described. Our aims were to define the predictive factors for different patterns of residual disease and compare the outcomes between the scattered versus the circumscribed pattern.

METHODS

We reviewed 219 postoperative surgical specimens. Patients were divided into two groups: scattered versus circumscribed. Disease-free survival (DFS), distant DFS (DDFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The scattered and circumscribed patterns were assessed in 111 (50.7%) and 108 (49.3%) patients. Two independent predictive factors for the circumscribed pattern were identified: discontinuation of NAC cycles (p = 0.011), and tumor size post-NAC >18 mm (p = 0.022). No difference was observed in terms of DFS and DDFS. Patients with the scattered pattern exhibited a statistically significant better OS. Discontinuation of NAC cycles, tumor size >18 mm, triple-negative BC, and ypN+ were associated with increased recurrence and poorer survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Discontinuation of NAC cycles and tumor size are independent factors associated with patterns of residual disease. The scattered pattern presents better survival. Understanding the relationship between NAC, the residual pattern, and differences in survival outcomes offers the potential to optimize the therapeutic approaches.

Advancing the PD-L1 CPS test in metastatic TNBC: Insights from pathologists and findings from a nationwide survey

Pembrolizumab has received approval as a first-line treatment for unresectable/metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) with a PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) of ≥ 10. However, assessing CPS in mTNBC poses challenges. Firstly, it represents a novel analysis for breast pathologists. Secondly, the heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression in mTNBC further complicates the assessment. Lastly, the lack of standardized assays and staining platforms adds to the complexity. In KEYNOTE trials, PD-L1 expression was evaluated using the IHC 22C3 pharmDx kit as a companion diagnostic test. However, both the 22C3 pharmDx and VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) assays are validated for CPS assessment. Consequently, assay-platform choice, staining conditions, and scoring methods can significantly impact the testing outcomes. This consensus paper aims to discuss the intricacies of PD-L1 CPS testing in mTNBC and provide practical recommendations for pathologists. Additionally, we present findings from a nationwide Italian survey elucidating the state-of-the-art in PD-L1 CPS testing in mTNBC.

Growth and rupture of an intracranial aneurysm: the role of wall aneurysmal enhancement and CD68

Introduction

Intracranial aneurysms occur in 3%-5% of the general population. While the precise biological mechanisms underlying the formation, growth, and sudden rupture of intracranial aneurysms remain partially unknown, recent research has shed light on the potential role of inflammation in aneurysm development and rupture. In addition, there are ongoing investigations exploring the feasibility of employing new drug therapies for controlling the risk factors associated with aneurysms. CD68, a glycosylated glycoprotein and the human homolog of macrosialin, is prominently expressed in monocyte/macrophages within inflamed tissues and has shown potential application in oncology. An observational study was conducted with the aim of comparing the histological characteristics of aneurysm walls with preoperative MRI scans, specifically focusing on CD68 activity.

Method

An observational pilot study was conducted to investigate the histological characteristics of the aneurysm wall that could be potentially associated with aneurysm growth and rupture. A total of 22 patients diagnosed with ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms who had undergone conventional clipping between January 2017 and December 2022 were included in the study.

Results

A histopathological analysis of the aneurysm wall was performed in all patients, particularly focusing on the presence of CD68. A preoperative MRI with gadolinium was conducted in 10 patients with unruptured aneurysms and six patients with ruptured aneurysms. An emergency clipping was performed in the remaining six patients. The results showed that CD68 positivity and wall enhancement were significantly associated with intracranial aneurysm wall degeneration, growth, and rupture.

Conclusion

The histological and radiological inflammatory findings observed in the wall of cerebral aneurysms, as well as the CD68 positivity, are significantly associated with the risk of intracranial aneurysm growth and rupture. This study highlights the crucial importance of considering clinical and medical data when making treatment decisions for intracranial aneurysms. Furthermore, it emphasizes the relevance of evaluating wall enhancement in MRI scans as part of the diagnostic and prognostic process.

The prognostic power of [11C]methionine PET in IDH-wildtype diffuse gliomas with lower-grade histological features: venturing beyond WHO classification

PURPOSE

IDH-wildtype (IDH-wt) diffuse gliomas with histological features of lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) are rare and heterogeneous primary brain tumours. [11C]Methionine (MET) positron emission tomography (PET) is commonly used to evaluate glial neoplasms at diagnosis. The present study aimed to assess the prognostic value of MET PET in newly diagnosed, treatment naïve IDH-wt gliomas with histological features of LGGs.

METHODS

Patients with a histological diagnosis of IDH-wt LGG who underwent preoperative (< 100 days) MET PET/CT and surgery were retrospectively included. Qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses of MET PET images were performed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed by Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to test the association of imaging and clinical data to PFS and OS.

RESULTS

We included 48 patients (M:F = 25:23; median age 55). 39 lesions were positive and 9 negative at MET PET. Positive MET PET was significantly associated with shorter median PFS (15.7 months vs. not reached, p = 0.0146) and OS time (32.6 months vs. not reached, p = 0.0253). Incomplete surgical resection and higher TBRmean values were independent predictors of shorter PFS on multivariate analysis (p < 0.001 for both). Higher tumour grade and incomplete surgical resection were independent predictors of OS at multivariate analysis (p = 0.027 and p = 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MET PET is useful for the prognostic stratification of patients with IDH-wt glial neoplasms with histological LGGs features. Considering their huge biological heterogeneity, the combination of MET PET and molecular analyses may help to improve the prognostic accuracy in these diffuse gliomas subset and influence therapeutic choices accordingly.

A Prognostic Model Based on Residual Cancer Burden and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes on Residual Disease after Neoadjuvant Therapy in HER2+ Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

We aim to evaluate the prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte on residual disease (RD-TIL) in HER2+ patients with breast cancer who failed to achieve pathologic complete response (pCR) after anti-HER2+ chemotherapy (CT)-based neoadjuvant treatment (NAT). We assessed the feasibility of combining the prognostic information provided by residual cancer burden (RCB) and RD-TILs into a composite score (RCB+TIL).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

HER2+ patients with breast cancer treated with CT+anti-HER2-based NAT at three institutions were retrospectively included. RCB and TIL levels were evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from surgical samples according to available recommendations. Overall survival (OS) was used as an outcome measure.

RESULTS

A total of 295 patients were included, of whom 195 had RD. RCB was significantly associated with OS. Higher RD-TILs were significantly associated with poorer OS as compared with lower RD-TILs (15% cutoff). In multivariate analysis, both RCB and RD-TIL maintained their independent prognostic value. A combined score, RCB+TIL, was calculated from the estimated coefficient of RD-TILs and the RCB index in a bivariate logistic model for OS. The RCB+TIL score was significantly associated with OS. The C-index for OS of the RCB+TIL score was numerically higher than that of RCB and significantly higher than that of RD-TILs.

CONCLUSIONS

We have reported an independent prognostic impact of RD-TILs after anti-HER2+CT NAT, which might underlie an imbalance of the RD microenvironment towards immunosuppressive features. We provided a new composite prognostic score based on RCB+TIL, which was significantly associated with OS and proved to be more informative than the isolated evaluation of RCB and RD-TILs.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy versus axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy with one to two metastatic sentinel lymph nodes: sub-analysis of the SINODAR-ONE multicentre randomized clinical trial and reopening of enrolment

BACKGROUND

The initial results of the SINODAR-ONE randomized clinical trial reported that patients with T1-2 breast cancer and one to two macrometastatic sentinel lymph nodes treated with breast-conserving surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy only, and adjuvant therapy did not present worse 3-year survival, regional recurrence, or distant recurrence rates compared with those treated with axillary lymph node dissection. To extend the recommendation of axillary lymph node dissection omission even in patients treated with mastectomy, a sub-analysis of the SINODAR-ONE trial is presented here.

METHODS

Patients with T1-2 breast cancer and no more than two metastatic sentinel lymph nodes undergoing mastectomy were analysed. After sentinel lymph node biopsy, patients were randomly assigned to receive either axillary lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant treatment (standard arm) or adjuvant treatment alone (experimental arm). The primary endpoint was overall survival. The secondary endpoint was recurrence-free survival.

RESULTS

A total of 218 patients were treated with mastectomy; 111 were randomly assigned to the axillary lymph node dissection group and 107 to the sentinel lymph node biopsy-only group. At a median follow-up of 33.0 months, there were three deaths (two deaths in the axillary lymph node dissection group and one death in the sentinel lymph node biopsy-only group). There were five recurrences in each treatment arm. No axillary lymph node recurrence was observed. The 5-year overall survival rates were 97.8 and 98.7 per cent in the axillary lymph node dissection treatment arm and the sentinel lymph node biopsy-only treatment arm, respectively (P = 0.597). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 95.7 and 94.1 per cent in the axillary lymph node dissection treatment arm and the sentinel lymph node biopsy treatment arm, respectively (P = 0.821).

CONCLUSION

In patients with T1-2 breast cancer and one to two macrometastatic sentinel lymph nodes treated with mastectomy, the overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates of patients treated with sentinel lymph node biopsy only were not inferior to those treated with axillary lymph node dissection. To strengthen the conclusion of the trial, the enrolment of patients treated with mastectomy was reopened as a single-arm experimental study.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05160324 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Pathologic response and residual tumor cellularity after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy predict prognosis in breast cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Residual tumor cellularity (RTC) and pathologic complete response (pCR) after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) are prognostic factors associated with improved outcomes in breast cancer (BC). However, the majority of patients achieve partial pathologic response (pPR) and no clear correlation between RTC patterns and outcomes was described. Our aims were to define predictive factors for pCR and compare different outcomes of patients with pCR or pPR and with different RTC patterns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Baseline and post-NAC demographics, clinicopathological characteristics, post-operative data, survival and recurrence status were recorded from our institutional database. A multivariable analysis was performed using a logistic regression model to identify independent predictors of pCR. Disease-free survival (DFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and overall survival (OS) analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Overall, of the 495 patients analyzed, 148 (29.9%) achieved pCR, 347 (70.1%) had pPR, and the median RTC was 40%. Multivariable analysis identified 3 independent factors predictive of pCR: tumor stage before NAC (cT1-2 84.5% versus cT3-4 15.5%), BC sub-type (HER2-positive 54.7% versus triple-negative 29.8% versus luminal-like 15.5%), and vascular invasion (absence 98.0% versus presence 2.0%). We found statistically significant longer DFS, DDFS, and OS in patients with pCR and with RTC <40%; no difference was observed in terms of OS between RTC <40% and RTC ≥40% groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor stage before NAC, BC sub-type, and vascular invasion are significant and independent factors associated with pCR. Patients with pCR and with RTC <40% have longer DFS, DDFS, and OS compared with patients with pPR.

Abstract P6-01-32: Evaluation of pathologic response and residual tumor cellularity following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy predict prognosis in breast cancer patients

Introduction: Treatment of early-stage beast cancer (BC) has changed since recent evidence showed that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) can reduce residual tumor cellularity (RTC) and improve patient outcomes. Achieving a pathologic complete response (pCR) has been associated with significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and overall survival (OS). However, among patients treated with NAC, few experience pCR, while approximately 60-80% of them achieve a pathologic partial response (pPR). In previous studies, BC patients with different grades of pPR have been usually grouped and analyzed together, with inconsistent results and unclear prognostic significance. Objectives: The primary aims of this study were to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics of BC patients treated with NAC, to identify independent predictive factors of pCR, and to compare the oncologic outcomes between patients achieving pCR or pPR. The secondary aim of this study was to measure the RTC of BC patients with pPR and to compare the outcomes of patients with different RTC in order to improve prognostic information. Methods: All the consecutive BC patients undergoing NAC at the Breast Unit of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital (Milan, Italy) between October 2006 and April 2020 and their corresponding post-operative pathology slides were reviewed. The following exclusion criteria were used: excisional biopsy or debulking surgery as first BC operation, patients with a previous BC diagnosis or other prior or synchronous malignancies, male patients, unknown NAC regimen, disease progression during NAC, and follow-up ≤12 months. Results: A total of 495 BC patients received NAC. Overall, 148 (29.9%) patients achieved pCR, while 347 (70.1%) had pPR, and median RTC was 40%. At multivariable analysis, 3 independent factors predicting pCR were identified. Tumor stage pre-NAC (cT1-2 84.5% versus cT3-4 15.5%, odds ratio (OR)=0.119, 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=0.048-0.189, p=0.001), BC sub-type (HER2-enriched 54.7% versus triple-negative 29.8% versus luminal-like 15.5%, OR=2.178, 95%CI=2.055-2.301, p=0.001), and vascular invasion (absence 98.0% versus presence 2.0%, OR=0.022, 95%CI=0.004-0.090, p=0.001). Patients with BC undergoing NAC and achieving pCR presented statistically significant longer DFS, DDFS, and OS (p = &lt; 0.001). Patients with RTC &lt; 40% presented statistically significant better DFS and DDFS (p = 0.033, p = 0.015, respectively). However, no statistically significant difference in terms of OS was observed between RTC &lt; 40% and RTC ≥40% groups (p = 0.148). Conclusions: Tumor stage pre-NAC, BC sub-type, and vascular invasion are significantly and independently associated with pCR. Patients with pCR present a better prognosis compared to patients with pPR in terms of DFS, DDFS, and OS. Measurement of RTC in BC patients with pPR improves the prognostic information that can be obtained from the assessment of the pathologic response. Different patterns of residual disease play an important role in predicting the risk of subsequent loco-regional and distant recurrence, and patients with RTC &lt; 40% present significantly better DFS and DDFS.

Citation Format: Damiano Gentile, Andrea Sagona, Camilla De Carlo, Bethania Fernandes, Simone Di Maria Grimaldi, Erika Barbieri, Wolfgang Gatzemeier, Lorenzo Scardina, Ersilia Biondi, Flavia Jacobs, Giulia Vatteroni, Corrado Tinterri. Evaluation of pathologic response and residual tumor cellularity following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy predict prognosis in breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-01-32.

P03.08.B Proton Therapy and recurrent Lower Grade Glioma: clinical and radiological aspects, intraoperative findings and histo-pathological features

Background

Radiation therapy (RT) plays a central role in management of central nervous system disease, in particular in the multimodality management of low(er) and high-grade CNS gliomas. New strategy that involved Proton Therapy (PT) have been experienced in the last years. No data are available about re-surgery of lesion irradiated with protons.

Material and Methods

We reviewed our single Unit experience of re-surgery of Lower-Grade Glioma patients that received, in their neuro-oncological history, a treatment with PT. We collect clinical data, intra-operative findings, histopathological features and oncological and clinical outcome after surgery.

Results

We collected three cases of young with an IDH1-mutated tumor that underwent to Proton Therapy (PT). In two cases PT was performed due to progression of disease, in one case as adjuvant therapy after first surgical treatment. In all cases we performed surgery within three years after PT. All patients complained drug resistant epilepsy after PT with symptom relief after surgery and one patient complained a spine fracture due to corticosteroids intake to control radionecrosis’s symptoms after PT. In the pre-operative work-up all patient performed a 11-C-Methionin PET scan that revealed an increase of tracer uptake in the suspected area of tumor progression. In one case advanced MRI protocol with PWI was performed to further distinguish and sample area of pseudoprogression and tumor progression. In two patients area of gliosis and necrosis was find at the histological examination.

Conclusion

Our experience, although limited to three case, provided a clinical and radiological example of the small cohort of patients that performed surgery after a Prothon Radiotherapy. Clinical presentation was heterogenous except a poor seizure control. Despite time elapsed since PT, areas of radionecrosis were found in the histopathological samples of 2/3 of patients. Moreover, we need to collect more data to draw a complete picture in this complex field.

AB1426 PREDICTORS OF RHEUMATIC TOXICITIES OF IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS AND CANCER OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED MELANOMA

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) including monoclonal antibodies to PD-1 and CTLA-4 have activity across various cancers. Dedicated cohort studies have examined the epidemiology and clinical course of rheumatic toxicities (1–3) and the effect of pre-existing autoimmune disease has been explored (4), with limited assessment of the effect of non-immune mediated rheumatic disease (3). A positive association between ICI-induced rheumatic disease and favourable cancer outcomes has been suggested (1,2), although derived from heterogenous cancer populations.

Objectives

To identify risk factors for the development of ICI-induced rheumatic disease and predictors of cancer outcomes in patients with advanced melanoma.

Methods

A single-centre observational study of patients with stage III or IV melanoma receiving all available ICI therapies, who completed a for-purpose questionnaire to capture rheumatic symptoms and risk factors upon recruitment and at 12-months. Symptom severity was assessed according to patient reported measures such as visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain. Clinical details were extracted from patients’ medical records. Predictors of rheumatic toxicities and cancer outcomes were identified through regression analysis.

Results

Amongst 147 eligible patients, the prevalence of new or worsening rheumatic symptoms was 32.5% at recruitment and 21% at 12 months. The incidence of documented arthralgia, inflammatory arthritis and PMR-like syndrome was 39.5%, 5.4% and 3.4% respectively. Binary logistic regression identified pre-existing symptomatic rheumatic disease, including non-immune mediated rheumatic disease, as the primary risk factor for developing rheumatic toxicities (OR 3.161). Continuation of ICI therapy (OR 16.52), followed by rheumatic toxicities (OR = 4.368) were predictors of favourable tumour response.

Conclusion

Rheumatic toxicities of ICI therapy commonly affect patients with melanoma and are more likely to occur in patients with pre-existing autoimmune and non-immune mediated rheumatic disease. Continuation of ICI therapy improves cancer outcomes and can be facilitated by early detection of rheumatic symptoms using patient reported outcome measures.

Table 1.

Bivariate logistic regression of predictors of patient-reported rheumatic toxicity. Sig., Significance; OR, Odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; BRAF/MEK, BRAF and MEK inhibitors; PD-1, Programmed Cell Death protein – 1; CTLA-4, Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein.

Figure 1.

A) Receiver-operator curve for accuracy of binary logistic regression model clinician-recorded rheumatic disease. (B) Area under receiver-operator curve. Test result variable(s): predicted probability. AUROC, Area Under Receiver-Operator Curve; Std. Error, Standard Error; Sig., Significance.

(a) Under the nonparametric assumption

(b) Null hypothesis: true area = 0.5

References

[1]Kostine M, Rouxel L, Barnetche T, Veillon R, Martin F, Dutriaux C, et al. Rheumatic disorders associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with cancer-clinical aspects and relationship with tumour response: a single-centre prospective cohort study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018;77(3):393–8.

[2]Braaten TJ, Brahmer JR, Forde PM, Le D, Lipson EJ, Naidoo J, et al. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis persists after immunotherapy cessation. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;332–8.

[3]Buder-Bakhaya K, Benesova K, Schulz C, Anwar H, Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss A, Weber TF, et al. Characterization of arthralgia induced by PD-1 antibody treatment in patients with metastasized cutaneous malignancies. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2018;67(2):175–82.

[4]Menzies AM, Johnson DB, Ramanujam S, Atkinson VG, Wong ANM, Park JJ, et al. Anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with advanced melanoma and preexisting autoimmune disorders or major toxicity with ipilimumab. Ann Oncol. 2017;28(2):368–76.

Disclosure of Interests

Alana Bruce: None declared, Alexander Menzies Consultant of: A.M.M. has participated in advisory boards for BMS, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Pierre-Fabre, Georgina Long Consultant of: GVL is consultant advisor for Aduro Biotech Inc, Agenus Inc, Amgen Inc, Array Biopharma inc, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Evaxion Biotech A/S, Hexel AG, Highlight Therapeutics S.L., Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Novartis Pharma AG, OncoSec, Pierre Fabre, QBiotics Group Limited, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Specialised Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd., Brian Fernandes: None declared, Fredrick Joshua Consultant of: F.J. has performed clinical trials and participated in advisory boards for Abbvie, Pfizer, Novartis, Sanofi, Eli Lily and Roche

Preservation of Axillary Lymph Nodes Compared with Complete Dissection in T1-2 Breast Cancer Patients Presenting One or Two Metastatic Sentinel Lymph Nodes: The SINODAR-ONE Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

The SINODAR-ONE trial is a prospective noninferiority multicenter randomized study aimed at assessing the role of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients undergoing either breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy for T1-2 breast cancer (BC) and presenting one or two macrometastatic sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). The endpoints were to evaluate whether SLN biopsy (SLNB) only was associated with worsening of the prognosis compared with ALND in terms of overall survival (OS) and relapse.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to either removal of ≥ 10 axillary level I/II non-SLNs followed by adjuvant therapy (standard arm) or no further axillary treatment (experimental arm).

RESULTS

The trial started in April 2015 and ceased in April 2020, involving 889 patients. Median follow-up was 34.0 months. There were eight deaths (ALND, 4; SNLB only, 4), with 5-year cumulative mortality of 5.8% and 2.1% in the standard and experimental arm, respectively (p = 0.984). There were 26 recurrences (ALND 11; SNLB only, 15), with 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence of 6.9% and 3.3% in the standard and experimental arm, respectively (p = 0.444). Only one axillary lymph node recurrence was observed in each arm. The 5-year OS rates were 98.9% and 98.8%, in the ALND and SNLB-only arm, respectively (p = 0.936).

CONCLUSIONS

The 3-year survival and relapse rates of T1-2 BC patients with one or two macrometastatic SLNs treated with SLNB only, and adjuvant therapy, were not inferior to those of patients treated with ALND. These results do not support the use of routine ALND.

Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Luminal, Node Positive Breast Cancer: Characteristics, Treatment and Oncological Outcomes: A Single Center's Experience

Objective

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the treatment of choice for patients with locally advanced breast cancer (BC). In luminal-like BC, the decision to administer NAC remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment, and oncological outcomes of luminal-like, node positive, BC patients treated with NAC, and to identify independent predictive factors for treatment.

Materials and Methods

All consecutive patients with luminal-like, node positive BC who underwent NAC were retrospectively reviewed. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was defined as no invasive or in situ residual tumor in both breast and axillary nodes (ypT0N0).

Results

A total of 205 luminal-like, node positive BC patients underwent NAC. Overall, 34 (16.6%) patients showed pCR, 86 (42.0%) patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS), 119 (58.0%) patients underwent mastectomy, 130 (63.4%) patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) without prior sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), and 75 (36.6%) patients underwent breast surgery plus SLNB. Pathologic CR to NAC (29.1% vs 7.6% if no pCR, odds ratio = 2.866, 95% confidence interval = 1.296-6.341, p = 0.009) was found to significantly increase the probability to receive BCS. There was no significant difference in terms of disease-free and overall survival between patients with luminal-like, node positive BC receiving BCS or mastectomy (p = 0.596, p = 0.134, respectively), and ALND or SLNB only (p = 0.661, p = 0.856, respectively).

Conclusion

Luminal-like, node positive BC presents low pCR rates after NAC. Pre-operative chemotherapy increases the rate of BCS. Pathologic CR has emerged as an independent predictive factor for BCS. In patients with axillary pCR, SLNB is an acceptable procedure not associated with worse oncological outcomes.

Breast conserving surgery versus salvage mastectomy for ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence: a propensity score matching analysis

Salvage mastectomy is regarded as the treatment of first choice for ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence (IBCR), even if a second breast conserving surgery (BCS) is feasible. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term oncological outcomes of IBCR patients who had undergone either mastectomy or second BCS, performing a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis to reduce the selection bias. All the consecutive patients with IBCR were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two different groups of treatment: repeat BCS versus salvage mastectomy. The propensity score predicting the probability of surgical treatment was determined for each patient and a 1:1 matching was performed. Disease-free survival (DFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), overall survival (OS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. A total of 309 patients underwent surgical treatment for IBCR. After PSM, 108 patients treated with repeat BCS and 108 patients treated with salvage mastectomy were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in terms of DFS between patients with IBCR receiving repeat BCS or salvage mastectomy (p = 0.167). However, patients with IBCR undergoing second BCS had significantly better DDFS, OS, and BCSS compared to salvage mastectomy (p < 0.001). Salvage mastectomy should not be considered the optimal treatment for IBCR and it does not seem to improve prognosis compared to repeat conserving surgery. Second BCS for IBCR is a safe option with encouraging long-term oncological outcomes and should be proposed to all patients, when technically feasible.

Role of 11C Methionine Positron Emission Tomography (11CMETPET) for Surgery and Radiation Therapy Planning in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Patients Enrolled into a Phase II Clinical Study

(1) Background: We investigated the role of [11C]-methionine PET in a cohort of newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients to evaluate whether it could modify the extent of surgical resection and improve radiation therapy volume delineation. (2) Methods: Newly diagnosed GBM patients, ages 18-70, with a Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) ≥ 70 with available MRI and [11C]-methionine PET were included. Patients were treated with different amounts of surgical resection followed by radio-chemotherapy. The role of [11C]-methionine PET in surgical and RT planning was analyzed. A threshold of SUVmax was searched. (3) Results: From August 2013 to April 2016, 93 patients were treated and included in this analysis. Residual tumor volume was detected in 63 cases on MRI and in 78 on [11C]-methionine PET, including 15 receiving gross total resection. The location of uptake was mainly observed in FLAIR abnormalities. [11C]-methionine uptake changed RT volume in 11% of patients. The presence of [11C]-methionine uptake in patients receiving GTR proved to influence survival (p = 0.029). The threshold of the SUVmax conditioning outcome was five. (4) Conclusions: [11C]-methionine PET allowed to detect areas at higher risk of recurrence located in FLAIR abnormalities in patients affected by GBM. A challenging issue is represented by integrating morphological and functional imaging to better define the extent of surgical resection to perform.

High-intensity interval vs moderate-intensity continuous exercise in heated water-based on acute hemodynamic, vascular, and cardiac autonomic responses in older individuals with hypertension

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP #2017/25648-4 #2018/09695-5) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES – Finance Code 001).

OnBehalf

Exercise and Chronic Disease Research Laboratory (ECDR)

Introduction

Post-exercise hypotension is an important tool in the treatment and control of hypertension. In recent years, high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) has gained significant popularity in exercise-based prevention and rehabilitation of clinical populations. However, to date, it is not clarifying the acute responses of exercise performed in heated water-based in older individuals with hypertension.

Purpose

To assess hemodynamic, vascular, and cardiac autonomic responses to heated water-based HIIE versus moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) in older individuals with hypertension.

Methods

Twenty older individuals (67 ± 7 y) under treatment for hypertension were randomly assigned to perform HIIE (25 min), MICE (30 min) and control (CON; 30 min) sessions in a heated swimming pool (30-32ºC). Blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness, endothelial reactivity, and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured before (PRE), immediately after (POST), and after 45 min (REC). 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and ambulatory HRV were also performed after each intervention. HRV were analyzed in ms² (ms²) or normalized units (nu) and then converted into natural logarithms (ln). Time domain markers as mean of intervals R-R (µi-RR), and frequency domain such as high frequency band (HF) and low frequency band (LF).

Results

Systolic BP increased at POST (p &lt; 0.05) in all interventions, with higher increases in CON (29 ± 3 mmHg) and MICE (19 ± 3 mmHg) than HIIE (9 ± 4 mmHg). Although systolic BP reduced at REC in all interventions, it returned to levels similar to PRE in HIIE, and continue at higher levels than PRE in MICE and CON. HIIE promoted a higher response on markers of parasympathetic modulation at REC compared to MICE (HFln,nu 0.14 ± 0.06, p = 0.02) and CON (µi-RR: 0.02 ± 0.01, p = 0.05). By contrast, during night-time, HIIE demonstrated a lower parasympathetic modulation than CON (HFln,nu: -0.06 ± 0.03, p = 0.05). In addition, CON showed a higher HRV during 24-h compared to HIIE and MICE.

Conclusion

Despite differences between interventions in BP and cardiac autonomic responses, heated water-based HIIE or MICE were not effective to improve hemodynamic and vascular responses. These results may have important implications in the management of older individuals with hypertension in heated water-based.

Digital Pathology During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Italy: Survey Study

BACKGROUND

Transition to digital pathology usually takes months or years to be completed. We were familiarizing ourselves with digital pathology solutions at the time when the COVID-19 outbreak forced us to embark on an abrupt transition to digital pathology.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to quantitatively describe how the abrupt transition to digital pathology might affect the quality of diagnoses, model possible causes by probabilistic modeling, and qualitatively gauge the perception of this abrupt transition.

METHODS

A total of 17 pathologists and residents participated in this study; these participants reviewed 25 additional test cases from the archives and completed a final psychologic survey. For each case, participants performed several different diagnostic tasks, and their results were recorded and compared with the original diagnoses performed using the gold standard method (ie, conventional microscopy). We performed Bayesian data analysis with probabilistic modeling.

RESULTS

The overall analysis, comprising 1345 different items, resulted in a 9% (117/1345) error rate in using digital slides. The task of differentiating a neoplastic process from a nonneoplastic one accounted for an error rate of 10.7% (42/392), whereas the distinction of a malignant process from a benign one accounted for an error rate of 4.2% (11/258). Apart from residents, senior pathologists generated most discrepancies (7.9%, 13/164). Our model showed that these differences among career levels persisted even after adjusting for other factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings are in line with previous findings, emphasizing that the duration of transition (ie, lengthy or abrupt) might not influence the diagnostic performance. Moreover, our findings highlight that senior pathologists may be limited by a digital gap, which may negatively affect their performance with digital pathology. These results can guide the process of digital transition in the field of pathology.

Insights for the application of TILs and AR in the treatment of TNBC in routine clinical practice

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), usually presenting with a very aggressive phenotype, is a heterogeneous entity. We aim to discuss new biomarkers, suitable for prognostic and predictive purposes. We retrospectively collected clinical variables and immunohistochemical characteristics of early TNBCs, specifically focusing on the prognostic and predictive significance of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and androgen receptor (AR) expression, assessing their correlation with clinical variables. Among 159 patients, TILs were significantly higher in younger patients and with lower BMI, and in tumors with higher ki-67 and greater nodal involvement; conversely, AR was significantly higher in older patients and in tumors with lower ki-67. Interestingly and in line with literature, both TILs level and ARs expression were lower within metastatic sites, in patients who developed distant metastases, compared to those found in the primary site. Small (pT1) and node negative tumors were highly represented and no correlation of either TILs or AR with prognosis could be observed. Our findings support the use of stromal TILs to identify a more aggressive, but chemo-sensitive phenotype, mostly represented in younger women, while AR may identify a less aggressive, slow-growing luminal TNBC subtype, more common among older patients. TILs and AR are worth implementing in routine clinical practice to refine prognosis even if, in our case series, we couldn't identify a significant correlation of the two variables with either disease-free and overall survival.

Preliminary Results of a Randomized Study on Postmenopausal Women With Early Stage Breast Cancer: Adjuvant Hypofractionated Whole Breast Irradiation Versus Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (HYPAB Trial)

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to report preliminary data of a randomized phase III trial comparing hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HWBI) and accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The HYPAB trial enrolled postmenopausal women with biopsy-proven infiltrating breast cancer, clinically negative axilla, single T1 to T2 tumors, who were treated with breast-conserving surgery. Patients were randomized 1:1 after surgery to HWBI (40.5 Gy whole breast, 48.0 Gy to surgical bed, 15 fractions over 3 weeks) or APBI (30 Gy delivered in 5 fractions of 6 Gy given on alternate days on the surgical bed). Cosmetic outcome was the primary end point of the study.

RESULTS

A total of 172 patients were enrolled. After a median follow-up of 36 months, 5 local failures and 3 locoregional failures were recorded, with no difference between the 2 treatment arms. Use of HWBI as compared with APBI was significantly correlated with increased incidence of overall (62% vs. 14%; P < .001) and grade 2 (18% vs. 1%; P < .001) acute skin toxicity. APBI was correlated with a lower incidence of overall late toxicity as compared with HWBI (18% vs. 41%; P = .001), but no significant difference was found in term of occurrence of grade 2 events (1% vs. 4%; P = NS). At comparative assessment between baseline and post-radiotherapy evaluation, impairment in cosmetic outcome was reported in 19 (11%) patients. Owing to premature closure of the study, no per-protocol comparison between the treatment arms was performed.

CONCLUSION

APBI with the VMAT technique is safe and feasible, with lower acute toxicity when compared with HWBI.

JAM-A Acts via C/EBP-α to Promote Claudin-5 Expression and Enhance Endothelial Barrier Function

RATIONALE

Intercellular tight junctions are crucial for correct regulation of the endothelial barrier. Their composition and integrity are affected in pathological contexts, such as inflammation and tumor growth. JAM-A (junctional adhesion molecule A) is a transmembrane component of tight junctions with a role in maintenance of endothelial barrier function, although how this is accomplished remains elusive.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms through which JAM-A expression regulates tight junction organization to control endothelial permeability, with potential implications under pathological conditions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Genetic deletion of JAM-A in mice significantly increased vascular permeability. This was associated with significantly decreased expression of claudin-5 in the vasculature of various tissues, including brain and lung. We observed that C/EBP-α (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α) can act as a transcription factor to trigger the expression of claudin-5 downstream of JAM-A, to thus enhance vascular barrier function. Accordingly, gain-of-function for C/EBP-α increased claudin-5 expression and decreased endothelial permeability, as measured by the passage of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran through endothelial monolayers. Conversely, C/EBP-α loss-of-function showed the opposite effects of decreased claudin-5 levels and increased endothelial permeability. Mechanistically, JAM-A promoted C/EBP-α expression through suppression of β-catenin transcriptional activity, and also through activation of EPAC (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP). C/EBP-α then directly binds the promoter of claudin-5 to thereby promote its transcription. Finally, JAM-A-C/EBP-α-mediated regulation of claudin-5 was lost in blood vessels from tissue biopsies from patients with glioblastoma and ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe here a novel role for the transcription factor C/EBP-α that is positively modulated by JAM-A, a component of tight junctions that acts through EPAC to up-regulate the expression of claudin-5, to thus decrease endothelial permeability. Overall, these data unravel a regulatory molecular pathway through which tight junctions limit vascular permeability. This will help in the identification of further therapeutic targets for diseases associated with endothelial barrier dysfunction. Graphic Abstract: An graphic abstract is available for this article.

Primary papillary epithelial tumour of the sella: expanding the spectrum of TTF-1-positive sellar lesions

AIM

To describe four novel primary epithelial tumours of the sella with papillary architecture and Thyroid Transcription Factor 1 (TTF-1) expression.

METHODS

Paraffin-embedded tissue from the four cases and recurrence of patient 1 was investigated with haematoxylin-eosin, special histochemical stains, immunohistochemistry with a broad panel of antibodies and next-generation sequencing. The ultrastructure of one tumour was studied in tissue retrieved from paraffin.

RESULTS

The lesions occurred in three females aged 20, 26 and 42 years and a male aged 49 years. They presented with signs and symptoms secondary to pituitary stalk compression. Preoperative neuroimaging documented mixed solid and cystic, enhancing sellar masses with suprasellar extension. Histologically, the tumours showed thin papillae lined by a single layer of cytokeratin and TTF-1-positive cuboidal and cylindrical cells with mildly atypical nucleus. Next-generation sequencing performed in three cases did not identify any mutations. The main differential diagnosis included metastasis from lung or thyroid carcinoma, extraventricular choroid plexus papilloma and sellar ependymoma.

CONCLUSION

We suggest the descriptive term of primary papillary epithelial tumour of the sella (PPETS) for this entity and propose that it could represent the intracranial equivalent of thyroid-like low-grade nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma. The cell of origin of PPETS remains undetermined although the intense and ubiquitous expression of TTF-1 may suggest a derivation from the infundibulum or ventricular recess. Our study expands the spectrum of sellar TTF-1-positive tumour and challenges the view that they all derive from pituicytes.

Biological Characteristics and Long-term Outcomes in Node-negative Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Because the risk of relapse of node-negative breast cancer (BC) is varying, we evaluated the prognosis of patients with this disease and the factors associated with increased risk of relapse.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical charts of patients with BC with evidence of negative nodes and with a potential ≥ 5-year follow-up were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

We analyzed 1276 patients. Over a median follow-up of 71.6 months (range, 1-227.2 months), we observed 159 events of relapse or death. The median RFS was 170 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 192 months. At univariate analysis, older age, negative hormonal receptors, larger tumor size and higher proliferation index (Ki67) were associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) and OS (P < .05); higher grading was associated with worse RFS (P = .01). At multivariate analysis for RFS, age, Ki67 and tumor size confirmed their independent prognostic role. At multivariate analysis for OS, age and positive hormonal receptors showed an independent prognostic role. We observed no differences in prognosis between human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive and triple-negative (TN) BC, but TNBC showed a worse OS compared with luminal-like BC.

CONCLUSIONS

In node-negative BC, age, hormone receptor status, tumor size and Ki67 were prognostic factors. The TNBC subtype was not associated with poorer prognosis compared with the HER2-positive subtype, but showed a worse OS compared with luminal-like BC.

Abstract P5-04-07: Defining T cell dysfunctionality in breast cancer by single cell analysis: Implications for immunotherapy

Background Despite the well-known association between extensive lymphocytic infiltration in breast cancer (BC), good prognosis, and high response rates to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT), pathologic evaluation of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is currently not routine and a deep understanding of the properties of TILs, remain largely unfilled. So far, only in triple-negative (TN), PD-L1 positive BCs it has been possible to demonstrate a survival benefit with immunotherapy plus CT, thereby making the definition of possible immunotherapeutic targets across all biological subtypes a fundamental requirement. Material and methods Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) data from 8 BCs were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE114725), obtaining CD45+ single cells only from the tumoral compartment. scRNAseq-guided high-dimensional profiling by 27-parameter FACS was then applied to a large cohort (n=54, including luminal-like, TN and HER2+ BCs) of early BC patients surgically treated at our Institution. We simultaneously profiled the peripheral blood, the normal and tumoral tissue from each patient and acquired using FACS Symphony A5 flow cytometer (BD Biosciences). Flow Cytometry Standard (FCS) 3.0 files were imported into FlowJo software v9, and analyzed by standard gating to remove aggregates and dead cells, and subsequently imported in FlowJo v10, biexponentially transformed, and exported for further analysis in R by a custom-made script, using an ad-hoc pipeline. Data were analyzed using the Phenograph unbiased algorithm coded in the cytofkit package. Data were further analyzed in FlowJo to determine the frequency of positive cells for each marker and the corresponding median fluorescence intensity (MFI). These values were multiplied to derive the integrated MFI; hierarchical metaclustering of all samples, based on the frequency of Phenograph clusters, was performed in R based on the Euclidean distance and Ward-linkage. Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between CD8+ and CD4+ clusters. Results Our scRNA-guided informative 27-colors flow cytometry panel included antibodies to define not only different lymphocyte subpopulations, but also different stages of T lymphocytes: differentiation and memory maturation (CCR7, CD45RA), activation status (HLA-DR), cytotoxicity (GZMK, GZMB), exhaustion (PD-1, TIGIT) and tissue residency (CD69, CD103). Focusing on CD8+ T cells, we observed, as expected, bona fide naïve T cells to be virtually absent at the tumor site and enriched in peripheral blood, while cytotoxic and effector memory cells were enriched in the tumor compartment. Of note, we identified a population of tissue resident memory T cells (Trm) CD69+ CD103+, CD39+, specifically enriched in the tumor, that could be further subdivided into a HLA-DR+ CD127- and a HLA-DR- CD127+ subpopulation. Interestingly, the HLA-DR+ subset exhibited more exhaustion markers (PD-1hi, TIGIT+, NKG2A+) and was significantly positively correlated with CD4+ regulatory T cells. We speculated, and deeply investigated by bulk RNA-seq, that these two subsets of Trm might represent different maturation states and that they could be reinvigorated targeting highly expressed inhibitory molecules using approved (e.g., PD-1) together with newly identified (e.g., NKG2A) immunotherapeutics. Moreover, as no difference was observed in the relative distribution of Phenograph clusters, our data may be applied to revert acquired immune escape mechanisms in all different BC biological subtypes. Conclusions We identified, among Trm CD69+ CD103+, tumor-specific CD39+, PD1+ exhausted population, novel dysfunctional NKG2A+ T cells previously not characterized in BC. This population is of extreme interest to characterize a novel potential immunotherapeutic target.

Citation Format: Agnese Losurdo, Caterina Scirgolea, Emilia Mazza, Valentina Errico, Bethania Fernandes, Luca Di Tommaso, Andrea Sagona, Karolina Pilipow, Rosalba Torrisi, Giovanna Masci, Rita De Sanctis, Elisa Agostinetto, Alberto Testori, Corrado Tinterri, Massimo Roncalli, Armando Santoro, Enrico Lugli. Defining T cell dysfunctionality in breast cancer by single cell analysis: Implications for immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-04-07.

Keratoacanthoma-like nodules as first manifestation of metastatic epithelioid trophoblastic tumor

Cutaneous metastases are rarely the initial manifestation of a previously undiagnosed malignancy and keratoacanthoma-like lesions are a notoriously unusual presentation pattern of cutaneous dissemination of a primary tumor. Herein, we report a 40-year-old woman presenting to our dermatology department with multiple keratoacanthoma-like scalp nodules. Subsequent investigation determined it to be the first manifestation of a disseminated endometrial epithelioid trophoblastic tumor, eventually causing the patient's death. Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor, a rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease, is a recently described neoplasm whose cutaneous metastasis has not been previously reported in the literature.

Can Memory Assessment Services (MAS) in England be categorized? A national survey

Background

The effectiveness and efficiency of memory assessment services (MASs) is unknown. Our aim was to determine if a typology can be constructed, based on shared structural and process characteristics, as a basis for a non-randomized evaluation of their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Methods

Survey of random sample of 73 MASs in 2015; comparison of characteristics and investigation of inter-correlation.

Results

It was not possible to group characteristics to form the basis of a typology of MASs. However, there was considerable variation in staff numbers (20-fold), new patients per whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff (20-fold), skill mix and the nurse:doctor ratio (1-10). The operational performance also varied: first appointments (50-120 minutes); time for first follow-up (2-12 weeks); frequency of follow-up in first year (1-5). These differences were not associated with the number of new patients per WTE staff or the accreditation status of the MAS. Post diagnosis, all MASs provided pharmacological treatment but the availability of non-pharmacological support varied, with half providing none or only one intervention while others providing four or more.

Conclusions

In the absence of any clear typology, evaluation of MASs will need to focus on the impact of individual structural and process characteristics on outcomes.

Frameless stereotactic biopsy for precision neurosurgery: diagnostic value, safety, and accuracy

BACKGROUND

Stereotactic biopsy is consistently employed to characterize cerebral lesions in patients who are not suitable for microsurgical resection. In the past years, technical improvement and neuroimaging advancements contributed to increase the diagnostic yield, the safety, and the application of this procedure. Currently, in addition to histological diagnosis, the molecular analysis is considered essential in the diagnostic process to properly select therapeutic and prognostic algorithms in a personalized approach. The present study reports our experience with frameless stereotactic brain biopsy in this molecular era.

METHODS

One hundred forty consecutive patients treated from January 2013 to September 2018 were analyzed. Biopsies were performed using the Brainlab Varioguide® frameless stereotactic system. Patients' clinical and demographic data, the time of occupation of the operating room, the surgical time, the morbidity, and the diagnostic yield in providing a histological and molecular diagnosis were recorded and evaluated.

RESULTS

The overall diagnostic yield was 93.6% with nine procedures resulting non-diagnostic. Among 110 patients with glioma, the IDH-1 mutational status was characterized in 108 cases (98.2%), resulting wild-type in all subjects but 3; MGMT methylation was characterized in 96 cases (87.3%), resulting present in 60 patients, and 1p/19q codeletion was founded in 6 of the 20 cases of grade II-III gliomas analyzed. All the specimens were apt for molecular analysis when performed. Bleeding requiring surgical drainage occurred in 2.1% of the cases; 8 (5.7%) asymptomatic hemorrhages requiring no treatment were observed. No biopsy-related mortality was recorded. Median length of hospital stay was 5 days (IQR 4-8) with mean surgical time of 60.77 min (± 23.12) and 137.44 ± 24.1 min of total occupation time of the operative room.

CONCLUSIONS

Stereotactic frameless biopsy is a safe, feasible, and fast procedure to obtain a histological and molecular diagnosis.

Lower Grade Gliomas: Relationships Between Metabolic and Structural Imaging with Grading and Molecular Factors

BACKGROUND

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a valuable tool for the characterization of brain tumors in vivo. However, few studies have investigated the correlation between carbon-11-methionine (11C-METH) PET metrics and the clinical, radiological, histological, and molecular features of patients affected by lower grade gliomas (LGGs). The present observational study evaluated the relationships between 11C-METH PET metrics and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with the histomolecular biomarkers in patients with LGGs who were candidates for surgery.

METHODS

We enrolled 96 patients with pathologically proven LGG (51 men, 45 women; age 44.1 ± 13.7 years; 45 with grade II, 51 with grade III), who had been referred from March 2012 to January 2015 for tumor resection and had undergone preoperative 11C-METH PET. The semiquantitative metrics for 11C-METH PET included maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUV ratio to normal brain, and metabolic tumor burden (MTB). The PET semiquantitative metrics were analyzed and compared with the MRI features, histological diagnosis, isocitrate dehydrogenase-1/2 status, and 1p/19q codeletion.

RESULTS

Histological grade was associated with SUVmax (P = 0.002), SUV ratio (P = 0.011), and MTB (P = 0.001), with grade III lesions showing higher values. Among the nonenhancing lesions on MRI, SUVmax (P = 0.001), SUV ratio (P = 0.003) and MTB (P < 0.001) were significantly different statistically for grade II versus grade III. The MRI lesion volume correlated poorly with MTB (r² = 0.13). The SUVmax and SUV ratio were greater (P < 0.05) in isocitrate dehydrogenase-1/2 wild-type lesions, and the SUV ratio was associated with the presence of the 1p19q codeletion.

CONCLUSIONS

The 11C-METH PET metrics correlated significantly with histological grade and the molecular profile. Semiquantitative PET metrics can improve the preoperative evaluation of LGGs and thus support clinical decision-making.

Prediction of Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Genotype in Brain Gliomas with MRI: Single-Shell versus Multishell Diffusion Models

Purpose The primary aim of this prospective observational study was to assess whether diffusion MRI metrics correlate with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) status in grade II and III gliomas. A secondary aim was to investigate whether multishell acquisitions with advanced models such as neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging offer greater diagnostic accuracy than diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI). Materials and Methods Diffusion MRI (b = 700 and 2000 sec/mm²) was performed preoperatively in 192 consecutive participants (113 male and 79 female participants; mean age, 46.18 years; age range, 14-77 years) with grade II (n = 62), grade III (n = 58), or grade IV (n = 72) gliomas. DTI, diffusion kurtosis imaging, and NODDI metrics were measured in regions with or without hyperintensity on diffusion MR images and compared among groups defined according to IDH genotype, 1p/19q codeletion status, and tumor grade by using Mann-Whitney tests. Results In grade II and III IDH wild-type gliomas, the maximum fractional anisotropy, kurtosis anisotropy, and restriction fraction were significantly higher and the minimum mean diffusivity was significantly lower than in IDH-mutant gliomas (P = .011, P = .002, P = .044, and P = .027, respectively); areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged from 0.72 to 0.76. In IDH wild-type gliomas, no difference among grades II, III, and IV was found. In IDH-mutant gliomas, no difference between those with and those without 1p/19q loss was found. Conclusion Diffusion MRI metrics showed correlation with isocitrate dehydrogenase status in grade II and III gliomas. Advanced diffusion MRI models did not add diagnostic accuracy, supporting the inclusion of a single-shell diffusion-tensor imaging acquisition in brain tumor imaging protocols. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license. Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Hypofractionation with simultaneous boost in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: A prospective evaluation of a case series and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate acute toxicity and cosmetic outcomes of hypofractionated simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) as adjuvant treatment after breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy and to review the association of chemotherapy and short fractionation with boost.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients presenting early-stage breast cancer were enrolled in a phase II trial. All patients received VMAT-SIB technique to the whole breast and tumor bed in 15 fractions, for a total dose of 40.5 and 48 Gy. Acute and late skin toxicities and breast pain were recorded. Cosmetic outcomes were also assessed as excellent/good or fair/poor.

RESULTS

Between August 2010 and December 2015, 787 consecutive patients were treated and had at least 2 year follow-up. A subset of 175 patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy (median age of 55 years) and was analysed. The median follow up was 39 months (range 24-80). At the end of RT treatment, skin toxicity was G1 in 51.1% of patients, G2 in 9.7%. At 2 years of follow up, it was G1 in 13.5% of patients, no cases ≥ G2; cosmetic outcome was excellent in 63.5% and good in 36.5% of the patients. No significant difference compared to the patients without systemic therapy was observed.

CONCLUSION

Hypofractionated VMAT-SIB in patients who had undergone adjuvant systemic therapy was safe and well tolerated in terms of acute and early late settings and cosmesis. Our data confirmed the results of other studies published on the association of hypofractionation and chemotherapy or concomitant boost.

Hypofractionated volumetric modulated arc therapy in ductal carcinoma in situ: toxicity and cosmetic outcome from a prospective series

OBJECTIVE

Hypofractionated radiotherapy in early stage breast cancer is an effective adjuvant treatment, but there is a lack of randomized data for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The aim of this study is the evaluation of skin toxicity and cosmesis, and early clinical outcome of DCIS patients enrolled in an institutional Phase II trial of hypofractionated breast irradiation.

METHODS

137 DCIS patients were enrolled in the trial. All patients underwent volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to the whole breast with a total dose of 40.5 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks, without tumour bed boost. Acute and late skin toxicities were recorded. Cosmetic outcomes were assessed as excellent/good or fair/poor. Early clinical outcome was reported.

RESULTS

Median age was 58 y.o. (range 30-86). The median follow-up time was 22 months (range 6-45). At the end of the radiotherapy, skin toxicity was grade G1 in 56% of the patients, G2 in 15%, no patients presented G3 toxicity. In the range of 3-9 months of follow-up, the skin toxicity was G1 in 28% of patients, no G2-G3 cases; cosmetic outcome was good/excellent in 95% of patients. In the follow-up interval of 9-24 months, the skin toxicity was G1 in 12% of patients, no G2-G3 toxicity; cosmetic outcome was good/excellent in 96% of patients. After an early evaluation of clinical outcomes, 5 patients (3.6%) presented an in-breast recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Hypofractionated radiotherapy using VMAT is a viable option for DCIS. A longer follow-up is needed to assess clinical outcomes and late toxicity. Advances in knowledge: The use of hypofractionated VMAT is dosimetrically feasible for treating breast DCIS.

Prognostic value of molecular and imaging biomarkers in patients with supratentorial glioma

PURPOSE

We evaluated the relationship between ¹¹C-methionine PET (¹¹C-METH PET) findings and molecular biomarkers in patients with supratentorial glioma who underwent surgery.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 109 patients with pathologically proven glioma (64 men, 45 women; median age 43 years) referred to our Institution from March 2012 to January 2015 for tumour resection and who underwent preoperative ¹¹C-METH PET were analysed. Semiquantitative evaluation of the ¹¹C-METH PET images included SUVmax, region of interest-to-normal brain SUV ratio (SUVratio) and metabolic tumour volume (MTV). Imaging findings were correlated with disease outcome in terms of progression-free survival (PFS), and compared with other clinical biological data, including IDH1 mutation status, 1p/19q codeletion and MGMT promoter methylation. The patients were monitored for a mean period of 16.7 months (median 13 months).

RESULTS

In all patients, the tumour was identified on ¹¹C-METH PET. Significant differences in SUVmax, SUVratio and MTV were observed in relation to tumour grade (p < 0.001). IDH1 mutation was found in 49 patients, 1p/19q codeletion in 58 patients and MGMT promoter methylation in 74 patients. SUVmax and SUVratio were significantly inversely correlated with the presence of IDH1 mutation (p < 0.001). Using the 2016 WHO classification, SUVmax and SUVratio were significantly higher in patients with primary glioblastoma (IDH1-negative) than in those with other diffuse gliomas (p < 0.001). Relapse or progression was documented in 48 patients (median PFS 8.7 months). Cox regression analysis showed that SUVmax and SUVratio, tumour grade, tumour type on 2016 WHO classification, IDH1 mutation status, 1p/19q codeletion and MGMT promoter methylation were significantly associated with PFS. None of these factors was found to be an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

¹¹C-METH PET parameters are significantly correlated with histological grade and IDH1 mutation status in patients with glioma. Grade, pathological classification, molecular biomarkers, SUVmax and SUVratio were prognostic factors for PFS in this cohort of patients. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (registration: NCT02518061).

The diffusion-weighted imaging and 11-C-methionine positron emission tomography depiction of an endodermal cyst at the cervico-medullary junction

A case of a 52-year-old male with left-sided neck pain, vertigo and gait instability is reported. A MRI scan revealed an intra-dural mass at the cervico-medullary junction, further characterised by diffusion-weighted imaging and 11-C-methionine positron emission tomography. Pathological diagnosis was endodermal cyst. The clinico-surgical relevance of the imaging findings is discussed.

Depositional record of trace metals and degree of contamination in core sediments from the Mandovi estuarine mangrove ecosystem, west coast of India

The concentrations of seven trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, Pb and Zn) in three sediment cores were analysed to assess the depositional trends of metals and their contamination level in the Mandovi estuary, west coast of India. All sediment cores showed enrichment of trace metals in the upper part of core sediments and decrease in concentration with depth, suggesting excess of anthropogenic loading (including mining activities) occurred during the recent past. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images distinguished the shape, size and structure of particles derived from lithogenic and anthropogenic sources in core sediments. The geo-accumulation index (I(geo)) values indicate that Mandovi estuary is 'moderately polluted' with Pb, whereas 'unpolluted to moderately polluted' with Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co and Zn. The comparative analysis of trace metals revealed that Fe and Mn were highly enriched in the Mandovi estuary compared to all other Indian estuaries.