Adjunctive treatment with Interferon-alpha 2b in conjunctival melanoma

Purpose: To demonstrate the clinical outcomes after resection of conjunctival melanoma (CM) followed by topical Interferon (IFN) alpha 2b after a long follow-up. Methods: Two consecutive CM patients were treated using tumor excision followed by topical IFN alpha 2b (1.000.000 UI/ml) four times a day for 12 weeks. The second case presented positivity due to the presence of tumor cells in the lower margin of the resection. TNM staging was T1c, N0b, M0 and T1b in the first case and T1b, N0b, M0 in the second case. Follow-up was 72 and 71 months respectively. Results: No side effects were observable after the administration of topical IFN alpha 2b. After extensive evaluation and imaging with computed tomography, no regrowth or distant metastasis were noticed during the follow-up period in both cases. Conclusions: IFN alpha 2b could be used as a co-adjuvant treatment after CM resection, in an attempt to reduce the possibility of recurrences.

Functional precision medicine in colorectal cancer based on patient-derived tumoroids and in-vitro sensitivity drug testing

e15567

Background: Precision oncology based on in-vitro, functional assays has potential advantages compared to the much more common molecular approach, but the clinical benefit is unknown. We here report the results from the largest prospective interventional clinical trial testing the clinical outcome in colorectal cancer patients treated with drugs showing cytotoxic effect in matched patient-derived tumoroids. Methods: This single-center, phase II trial included patients with metastatic colorectal cancer previously exposed to all standard therapies. Specimens from one to three 18-16 G core needle biopsies were manually dissected, enzymatically treated, cultivated, and incubated to form 3D spherical microtumors, i.e. tumoroids. In the assay for in-vitro sensitivity testing, the tumoroids were challenged with single drugs and combinations thereof to determine patient-specific responses. Using tumoroid screening technology (IndiTreat, 2cureX, Copenhagen, Denmark), results were generated by comparing the sensitivity of the individual patient’s tumoroids with a reference panel from other patients. The testing included standard cytostatics and drugs with proven effect in previous early-phase clinical trials, a total of 15 drugs. The primary endpoint was the fraction of patients with progression-free survival (PFS) at two months. Based on placebo arms in randomized last-line trials, a minimal relevant difference of 20% (20% to 40%) was stated. Using Simon's two-stage design, a sample size of 45 patients was calculated with at least 14 PFS at two months (significance 5%, power 90%). Results: Ninety patients were enrolled from 9/2017 to 9/2020. Biopsies from 82 patients were obtained and sent for tumoroid formation of which 44 (54%, 95% CI 42-65) were successful and at least one treatment was suggested. Thirty-four patients initiated treatment according to the response obtained in the drug assays within a median of 51 days from inclusion (IQR 39-63). The primary endpoint, PFS at two months, was met in 17 of 34 patients (50%, 95%CI 32-68). There were no radiological responses. Median PFS was 81 days (95% CI 51-112) and median OS was 189 days (95% CI 103-277). Conclusions: Precision oncology using a functional approach with patient-derived tumoroids and in-vitro drug sensitivity testing seems feasible. The approach is limited by the fraction of patients with successful tumoroid development. The primary endpoint was met, as half of the patients were without progression at two months. Further clinical studies are justified. Clinical trial information: NCT03251612.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Clinical Implications of Genomic Alterations and Mutational Profiling

Simple Summary

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive disease with high mortality rates. Nowadays, there is no targeted treatment for this tumor type. Based on this context, we investigated the molecular profile of this disease by using well-established methodologies (high-resolution microarray platform, targeted next-generation sequencing, and immunohistochemistry) that have proven potential to unveil cancer biomarkers. We found alterations related to IBC aggressiveness and metastasis (gains of MDM4, losses of CHL1, and high homologous recombination deficiency scores), and worse overall survival (variants in HR and mismatch repair genes). We also compared the mutational profiling of our cases with literature data, which includes both non-IBC and IBC cases, validating our findings. Overall, we describe genetic alterations with the potential to be used as prognostic or predictive biomarkers and ultimately improve IBC patients’ care.

Abstract

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer whose molecular basis is poorly understood. We performed a comprehensive molecular analysis of 24 IBC biopsies naïve of treatment, using a high-resolution microarray platform and targeted next-generation sequencing (105 cancer-related genes). The genes more frequently affected by gains were MYC (75%) and MDM4 (71%), while frequent losses encompassed TP53 (71%) and RB1 (58%). Increased MYC and MDM4 protein expression levels were detected in 18 cases. These genes have been related to IBC aggressiveness, and MDM4 is a potential therapeutic target in IBC. Functional enrichment analysis revealed genes associated with inflammatory regulation and immune response. High homologous recombination (HR) deficiency scores were detected in triple-negative and metastatic IBC cases. A high telomeric allelic imbalance score was found in patients having worse overall survival (OS). The mutational profiling was compared with non-IBC (TCGA, n = 250) and IBC (n = 118) from four datasets, validating our findings. Higher frequency of TP53 and BRCA2 variants were detected compared to non-IBC, while PIKC3A showed similar frequency. Variants in mismatch repair and HR genes were associated with worse OS. Our study provided a framework for improved diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives for this aggressive tumor type.

Rare germline alterations in cancer-related genes associated with the risk of multiple primary tumor development

Multiple primary tumors (MPT) have been described in carriers of inherited cancer predisposition genes. However, the genetic etiology of a large proportion of MPT cases remains unclear. We reviewed 267 patients with hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes (HCPS) that underwent genetic counseling and selected 22 patients with MPT to perform genomic analysis (CytoScan HD Array, Affymetrix) aiming to identify new alterations related to a high risk of developing MPT. Twenty patients had a positive family history of cancer and 11 met phenotypic criteria for HCPS. Genetic testing for each of the genes associated with these syndromes revealed negative results for pathogenic mutations. Seventeen rare germline copy number variations (CNVs) covering 40 genes were identified in 11 patients, including an EPCAM/MSH2 deletion in one Lynch syndrome patient. An enrichment analysis revealed a significant number of genes (where the CNVs are mapped) associated with carcinogenesis and/or related to functions implicated with tumor development, such as proliferation and cell survival. An interaction network analysis highlighted the importance of TP53 pathway in cancer emergence. A high number of germline copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (cnLOH) was identified in nine cases, particularly in two patients. Eighteen genes were covered by both rare CNVs and cnLOH, including 14 related to tumorigenesis and seven genes (ABCC1, KDM4C, KIAA0430, MYH11, NDE1, PIWIL2, and ULK2) specifically associated with cellular growth and proliferation. Overall, we identified 14 cases with rare CNVs and/or cnLOH that may contribute to the risk of MPT development.

KEY MESSAGE

CNVs may explain the risk of hereditary cancer syndromes in MPT patients. CNVs affecting genes related to cancer are candidates to be involved in MPT risk. EPCAM/MSH2 deletions should be investigated in patients suspected to have LS. Gene enrichment related to the TP53 network is associated with MPT development. cnLOH and CNVs contribute to the risk of MPT development.

Genomic profile of a Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome patient with a 45,X/46,XX karyotype, presenting neither mutations in TP53 nor clinical stigmata of Turner syndrome

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a hereditary disorder that predisposes patients to several types of cancer and is associated with TP53 germline mutations. Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most common aneuploidies in women. Patients with TS have a higher risk of developing cancer, although multiple malignant tumors are extremely rare. Herein, we describe a patient with a 45,X/46,XX karyotype with no classic phenotype of TS. She presented with a clinical diagnosis of Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome (LFL), showing papillary thyroid carcinoma and fibrosarcoma of the left flank, and had no TP53 germline mutations. Genome-wide analysis of copy number variations (CNVs) was assessed in DNA from peripheral blood cells and saliva. A total of 109 rare CNVs in the blood cells, including mosaic loss of the X chromosome (76% of cells), were identified. In saliva, three rare CNVs were detected, all of them were also detected in the blood cells: loss of 8q24.11 (EXT1), gain of 16q24.3 (PRDM7 and GAS8), and the mosaic loss of the X chromosome (50% of cells). Results of conventional G-banding confirmed the 45,X/46,XX karyotype. Surprisingly, the patient presented with an apparently normal phenotype. The PRDM and GAS8 genes are potential candidates to be associated with the risk of developing cancer in this LFL/TS patient.

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the lower eyelid

An 80-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass in the central right lower eyelid, with no visible alterations of the overlying skin or eyelid margin, and no signs of inflammation. Eversion of the eyelid revealed an ulcerating lesion approximately 8 mm in diameter, suggesting malignant lesion. Excision with eyelid reconstruction using the Hughes technique was performed. Histopathological analysis revealed a diffuse infiltrate with large atypical lymphocytes. Borders of the surgical resection were free from infiltration. Histochemical staining of the proliferating cells with monoclonal antibodies was positive for CD20 and CD79a, and polyclonal antibodies were positive for Lambda chains, confirming a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After 24 months' follow-up there has been no local or systemic recurrence of the disease. Lymphoma may present as an ulcerating lesion of the tarsal conjunctiva. Complete surgical excision, with no evidence of systemic disease, may be considered to carry a good prognosis and survival.

[Onset of Behçet's disease as meningoencephalitis and sudden blindness]

CASE REPORT

A 41-year-old man presented a clinical picture characterized by lymphocytic meningoencephalitis, visual loss in both eyes and transverse sinus thrombosis. This picture was treated with prednisone and anticoagulation. Fundus examination showed complete occlusive arteritis, periphlebitis, peripheral ischemia and perfusion macular defects affecting both eyes. The picture was suggestive of Behçet's disease. Azathioprine was added to the treatment without improvement in visual acuity. Four months later oral aphthous ulcers developed, confirming the suspected diagnosis.

DISCUSSION

Behçet's disease may appear with the sudden onset of visual loss secondary to massive occlusive retinal vasculitis. The critical state of neuro-Behçet disease may delay the diagnosis. This combination of visual and neurological symptoms is associated with a poor visual prognosis (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2002; 77: 275-278).

Apoprotein B in subretinal fluid

We studied the presence of apolipoprotein B (apo B) by immunoelectrophoresis in subretinal fluid (SRF) and serum from 15 rhegmatogenous retinal detachments and 5 retinal detachments with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Apo B concentration +/- standard deviation was 1.49 +/- 1.06 mg/dl in SRF and 108.41 +/- 40.22 mg/dl in serum. Only in four cases was apo B not detected in SRF. We found no significant correlation between apo B concentrations in SRF and apo B levels in serum. We did not find a positive correlation between apo B concentrations in SRF and the duration and size of the detachments. There was no statistical relationship between the presence of PVR and apo B levels. This phenomenon suggests the preservation of the outer blood retinal barrier during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.