TP53 mutation and human papilloma virus status as independent prognostic factors in a Norwegian cohort of vulva squamous cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Vulva squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) develops through two separate molecular pathways-one involving high-risk human papilloma virus infection (HPV-associated), and the other without HPV infection (HPV-independent) often involving TP53 mutation. HPV-associated VSCC generally has a better progression-free survival than HPV-independent VSCC. The aim of this study was to determine TP53 mutation status using immunohistochemistry, compare different methods of HPV detection and correlate both with survival in a retrospective cohort of 123 patients with VSCC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry for p53, Ki67 and p16INK4A (a surrogate marker for HPV infection) was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from a cohort of surgically treated VSCC patients to identify molecular subtypes of VSCC. Presence of HPV infection was detected by HPV DNA PCR and HPV mRNA in situ hybridization (ISH). The Pearson chi-square test and multivariable Cox regression model were used to investigate the association of different parameters with progression-free survival and disease-specific survival (DSS), and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to show the association of different parameters with survival.

RESULTS

The results of p53 and p16INK4A immunohistochemistry confirmed three VSCC subtypes associated with different prognosis. The TP53 mutation status was identified as an independent prognostic factor of worse progression-free survival (p = 0.024) after adjustment for FIGO stage. p16INK4A immunohistochemistry, mRNA ISH, and DNA PCR had excellent concordance in terms of HPV detection. According to the multivariable Cox regression model, the presence of hrHPV mRNA correlated significantly with increased progression-free survival (p = 0.040) and DSS (p = 0.045), after adjustment for other confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

p53 and p16INK4A immunohistochemistry stratify VSCC cohort into three subtypes with TP53mutated patients having the worst prognosis. The detection of hrHPV mRNA by ISH was an independent predictor of increased survival. Thus, the combined detection of p53 and HPV mRNA might improve risk stratification in VSCC.

Increased levels of inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory monocytes in patients with type I diabetes mellitus and nephropathy

AIMS

To investigate and describe the relationship between diabetic nephropathy and systemic inflammation in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

METHODS

Patients with T1DM, with or without reduced renal function due to diabetic nephropathy, were included. Differences in inflammatory mediators, adhesion molecules, markers of endothelial dysfunction and subsets of monocytes were studied in patients with mean disease duration of 31years.

RESULTS

Patients with T1DM with and without renal failure were compared. Patients with nephropathy had increased plasma levels of proinflammatory monocytes, as well as circulatory PAI-1, syndecan-1, VEGF, IL-1β, IL-1Ra and CCL4. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with nephropathy numerically increased soluble ICAM and PAI-1 in co-culture with primary endothelial cells compared to cells from patients without nephropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

T1DM patients with kidney failure have higher levels of proinflammatory monocytes and circulatory inflammatory mediators compared to patients with T1DM alone. The results highlight the importance of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy with reduced GFR.

Effects of restoring normoglycemia in type 1 diabetes on inflammatory profile and renal extracellular matrix structure after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation

AIMS

Patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease with simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) or kidney transplants alone (KA) were recruited 9-12 years post transplantation. We investigated differences between these groups with regard to inflammatory parameters and long-term structural changes in kidneys.

METHODS

Blood samples were analyzed by ELISA and multiplex for chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, cell adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases. Kidney graft biopsies were analyzed by electron microscopy for glomerular basement membrane thickness. Heparan- and chondroitin sulfate disaccharide structures were determined by size exclusion chromatography mass-spectrometry.

RESULTS

The SPK and the KA group had average glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 5.8% (40 mmol/mol) and 8.6% (70 mmol/mol) respectively. SPK recipients also had 16.2% lower body mass index (BMI) and 46.4% lower triglyceride levels compared with KA recipients, compatible with an improved metabolic profile in the SPK group. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), C-reactive protein (CRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were lower in the SPK group. In kidney graft biopsies of the KA-patients an 81.2% increase in average glomerular basement membrane thickness was observed, accompanied by alterations in heparan sulfate proteoglycan structure. In addition to a decrease in 6-O-sulfated disaccharides, an increase in non-N-sulfated disaccharides with a corresponding slight decrease in N-sulfation was found in kidney biopsies from hyperglycemic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with end stage renal disease subjected to KA transplantation showed impaired inflammatory profile, increased thickness of basement membranes and distinct changes in heparan sulfate structures compared with SPK recipients.