Cytopathology fellowship recruitment: historical context, current state, and future considerations

Fellowship recruitment and retention of a skilled workforce is one of the biggest challenges that not only cytopathology is facing but that the field of pathology in general is being confronted with. There have long been issues with the fellowship recruitment process for both applicants and fellowship directors, including pressure to move the application process earlier and earlier and frustrations stemming from applicants needing to determine different individual timelines and program requirements. The unified timeline for fellowship recruitment was established as an attempt to standardize the recruitment process and to address the key issues of the push for earlier and earlier decision-making, which placed significant anxiety on trainees, as well as the burden on programs of more unexpected openings. While institution of the unified timeline has had many successes, there have been problems as well. Here, we discuss the multifaceted and intertwined factors that affect fellowship recruitment with a review of the historical context and the current setting and with an eye towards future directions. In the end, the issues we are currently facing are complex and there is likely no perfect solution to fixing an inherently broken system. However, the ultimate goal should be in better supporting our trainees' development and promoting a more fair and equitable recruitment process. Only by working together can we optimize the process for both applicants and programs alike.

Using American Type Culture Collection Cell Lines to Evaluate Interlaboratory Variables for Estrogen Receptor and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Immunostaining

CONTEXT.—

Most laboratories currently use patient tissues for validating immunohistochemical stains.

OBJECTIVE.—

To explore advantages of using cell lines with known antigenicity as a validation method.

DESIGN.—

Five American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) cell lines with known negative, low positive, and moderate to strong estrogen receptor (ER) expression as well as negative, equivocal, and positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression were cultured and made into cell blocks. One block from each cell line was fixed in formalin and another in ethanol before cell block preparation. Two sets of paired unstained slides from each block were sent to 10 different laboratories for HER2 and ER staining to be stained on runs from different days according to each laboratory's defined protocol.

RESULTS.—

The 10 study participants evaluated 40 slides in a blinded fashion. For ER expression, all 80 interpretations for the ER strong and moderate positive cell lines had the target ER-positive result, and 74 of 80 ER-negative cell lines (92.5%) had agreement with the intended negative result. The ER low positive cell line showed varied but positive expression among all observers. The HER2 (3+)-positive cell lines yielded a target interpretation of 3+ in 65 of 80 interpretations (81.2%). For the HER2-negative cell line 69 of 78 interpretations (88.5%) were consistent with the target response (0 or 1+). No significant variation was observed between the ethanol- and non-ethanol-exposed cell lines, or between runs by the same laboratory. Variation from target results clustered within laboratories.

CONCLUSIONS.—

This study indicates that variability between laboratories can be identified by using cell lines for quantitative or semiquantitative immunohistochemistry when using cultured cell lines of known antigenicity. These cell lines could potentially play a role in aiding anatomic pathology laboratories in validating immunohistochemistry tests for formalin- and ethanol-fixed tissues.

Cytologic features of metastatic epithelioid uterine leiomyosarcoma to the pancreas

Although uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is a rare disease, it accounts for a significant proportion uterine cancer-related deaths due to frequent metastasis and chemoresistance. The WHO currently recognizes the conventional (spindle), myxoid, and epithelioid variants of ULMS, the latter of which is the rarest, least understood, and cited as clinically more aggressive than the other variants. Descriptions of the histologic features of epithelioid ULMS are extremely limited, and are absent from the cytology literature which has only published descriptions of conventional ULMS or epithelioid variants of other LMS primaries. Therefore, we present a unique case of metastatic epithelioid ULMS to an unusual location, the pancreas, along with its cytologic features on endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration not previously described including pseudoglandular arrangements, scant cytoplasm, and frequent molding.

Role of caveolin-1 as a biomarker for radiation resistance and tumor aggression in lung cancer

Radiation therapy plays a major role in the treatment of lung cancer patients. However, cancer cells develop resistance to radiation. Tumor radioresistance is a complex multifactorial mechanism which may be dependent on DNA damage and repair, hypoxic conditions inside tumor microenvironment, and the clonal selection of radioresistant cells from the heterogeneous tumor site, and it is a major cause of treatment failure in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present investigation caveolin-1 (CAV-1) has been observed to be highly expressed in radiation resistant A549 lung cancer cells. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of CAV-1 reverted the cells to a radio sensitive phenotype. In addition, CAV-1 overexpression in parental A549 cells, led to radiation resistance. Further, gene expression analysis of A549 parental, radiation resistant, and caveolin-1 overexpressed cells, exhibited overexpression of DNA repair genes RAD51B, RAD18, SOX2 cancer stem cell marker, MMPs, mucins and cytoskeleton proteins in resistant and caveolin-1 over expressed A549 cells, as compared to parental A549 cells. Bioinformatic analysis shows upregulation of BRCA1, Nuclear Excision DNA repair, TGFB and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in radioresistant and caveolin-1 overexpressed cells, which may functionally mediate radiation resistance. Immunohistochemistry data demonstrated heterogeneous expression of CAV-1 gene in human lung cancer tissues, which was analogous to its enhanced expression in human lung cancer cell line model and mouse orthotopic xenograft lung cancer model. Also, TCGA PanCancer clinical studies have demonstrated amplification, deletions and missense mutation in CAV-1 gene in lung cancer patients, and that CAV-1 alteration has been linked to poor prognosis, and poor survival in lung cancer patients. Interestingly, we have also optimized ELISA assay to measure caveolin-1 protein in the blood of A549 radiation resistant human xenograft preclinical mouse model and discovered higher level of caveolin-1 (950 pg/ml) in tumor bearing animals treated with radiation, as compared to xenograft with radiosensitive lung cancer cells (450 pg/ml). Thus, we conclude that caveolin-1 is involved in radio-resistance and contributes to tumor aggression, and it has potential to be used as prognostic biomarker for radiation treatment response, and tumor progression for precision medicine in lung cancer patients.

Performance of specific morphologic features in distinguishing low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions from high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in borderline cases: a College of American Pathologists Cytopathology Committee multiobserver study

INTRODUCTION

Distinguishing between low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) can be difficult on certain Papanicolaou (Pap) tests, hindering interobserver concordance. We investigated the variables influencing the interpretation of LSIL versus HSIL in Pap test slides rejected from the College of American Pathologists PAP education program.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven cytologists, who were unaware of the reference interpretation, examined 21 Pap slides (11 submitted as LSIL and 10 as HSIL) rejected from the PAP education program and recorded the number of LSIL cells, HSIL cells, keratinized dysplastic cells, LSIL clusters with mixed HSIL cells, atypical squamous metaplasia, atypical glandular cells, the presence of inflammation or infectious organisms, and the overall interpretation (LSIL or HSIL). We evaluated the significance of these 11 variables using a nonlinear mixed model analysis.

RESULTS

LSIL had greater concordance (92 of 121 responses; 76.0% concordance) than HSIL (68 of 110 responses; 61.8% concordance; P < 0.001). The only predictors of misclassified cases were the number of atypical squamous metaplastic cells and the number of HSIL cells (P < 0.001). The more of these cells identified, the more likely the reviewers were to classify the slide as HSIL. The reproducibility of the diagnosis was fair (Gwet's agreement coefficient, 0.33).

CONCLUSIONS

Interobserver reproducibility is a challenge for a subset of cases with features intermediate between LSIL and HSIL. Atypical squamous metaplasia and dysplastic nuclei with a nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio greater than one half of the cell volume (HSIL) present on a Pap test influenced the likelihood that a reviewer would interpret the case as HSIL rather than LSIL.

Pathologist Concordance for Ovarian Carcinoma Subtype Classification and Identification of Relevant Histologic Features Using Microscope and Whole Slide Imaging: A Multisite Observer Study

CONTEXT.—

Despite several studies focusing on the validation of whole slide imaging (WSI) across organ systems or subspecialties, the use of WSI for specific primary diagnosis tasks has been underexamined.

OBJECTIVE.—

To assess pathologist performance for the histologic subtyping of individual sections of ovarian carcinomas using the light microscope and WSI.

DESIGN.—

A panel of 3 experienced gynecologic pathologists provided reference subtype diagnoses for 212 histologic sections from 109 ovarian carcinomas based on optical microscopy review. Two additional attending pathologists provided diagnoses and also identified the presence of a set of 8 histologic features important for ovarian tumor subtyping. Two experienced gynecologic pathologists and 2 fellows reviewed the corresponding WSI images for subtype classification and feature identification.

RESULTS.—

Across pathologists specialized in gynecologic pathology, concordance with the reference diagnosis for the 5 major ovarian carcinoma subtypes was significantly higher for a pathologist reading on microscope than each of 2 pathologists reading on WSI. Differences were primarily due to more frequent classification of mucinous carcinomas as endometrioid with WSI. Pathologists had generally low agreement in identifying histologic features important to ovarian tumor subtype classification, with either optical microscopy or WSI. This result suggests the need for refined histologic criteria for identifying such features. Interobserver agreement was particularly low for identifying intracytoplasmic mucin with WSI. Inconsistencies in evaluating nuclear atypia and mitoses with WSI were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS.—

Further research is needed to specify the reasons for these diagnostic challenges and to inform users and manufacturers of WSI technology.

The Current State of Communication of Urgent and Significant, Unexpected Diagnoses in Anatomic Pathology

CONTEXT.—

The concept of critical diagnoses in anatomic pathology is relatively recent and rigorous study of the issue is quite limited. The College of American Pathologists and Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology issued a consensus statement in 2012. There has been no multi-institutional study of communication policies since then.

OBJECTIVE.—

To survey the policies of anatomic pathology laboratories regarding communication of critical values.

DESIGN.—

A survey of the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology membership was performed using a 14-question electronic survey tool.

RESULTS.—

Responses were received from 38 institutions. Thirty-five of 38 (92%) had a policy on anatomic pathology critical values. Twenty-five of 38 (66%) respondents had read the College of American Pathologists/Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology consensus statement. Twelve of 38 (32%) institutions divided critical values into 2 categories, of which 9 used the College of American Pathologists/Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology terminology; 24 used only a single term, of which 11 used critical value. There was substantial variation in the diagnoses that were considered critical. A direct phone call to the responsible provider was uniformly considered an acceptable means of communication; all other methods had mixed or low support. The most common time frame was same day; many laboratories did not specify a timeframe. Most laboratories document date, time, and person to whom the result was communicated in the final report or an addendum report. Eighteen of 38 (47%) laboratories report an auditing mechanism for communication.

CONCLUSIONS.—

Policies for communication of critical/urgent/significant, unexpected results in anatomic pathology are the norm. However, there remains significant variation between institutions in the details of these policies.

RhoA/ROCK pathway inhibitor ameliorates erectile dysfunction induced by radiation therapy in rats

OBJECTIVES

Prostate cancer (PCa) treatment with radiation therapy (RT) has an excellent cure rate. However, Radiation-induced Erectile Dysfunction (RiED) is a common and irreversible toxicity impacting quality of life, and there is no FDA approved specific drug for RiED. We previously showed that prostate RT increased RhoA/ROCK signaling in the cavernous nerve (CN) and penile tissues, which may lead to RiED in rats. In this study, we investigated whether RhoA/ROCK pathway inhibition by a specific inhibitor called Hydroxyfasudil (HF) can improve RiED in our well-established rat model.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to the following groups: sham-RT, HF-only, RT-only, and RT + HF. Rats were either exposed to a single dose of 25 Gy prostate-confined RT or a sham procedure. 10 mg/kg HF or normal saline was injected intraperitoneally. Erectile function was evaluated by intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements at week 14 post-RT. Cavernous nerve (CN) injury was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and penile tissue fibrosis by Masson trichrome staining (MT).

RESULTS

We have found that the HF treatment prior to RT showed significant (p < 0.001) improvement in ICP/MAP ratio, area under the curve, and maximum ICP value, compared to RT-alone rats. Furthermore, RT + HF treated rats exhibited increased CN myelination and decreased axonal atrophy, comparted to RT-only. HF treatment showed significantly decreased penile tissue fibrosis (p < 0.05) compared to RT-alone treated rats.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide the first preclinical evidence that targeting RhoA/ROCK pathway by HF may provide a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of RiED.

The Differential Diagnosis of Reparative Changes and Malignancy: Performance in the College of American Pathologists Pap Education and Proficiency Testing Programs

Context.—

Repair is a challenging diagnosis and a significant source of false-positive (FP) interpretations in cervical cytology. No large-scale study of performance of repair in the liquid-based era has been performed.

Objective.—

To evaluate the performance of repair in the College of American Pathologists Pap Education and Proficiency Testing (PT) programs.

Design.—

The FP rate for slides classified as repair was evaluated by preparation type, participant type (cytotechnologist, pathologist, or laboratory), and program. The specific misdiagnosis category and individual slide performance were also evaluated. The rate of misclassification of slides as repair by participants for other diagnostic categories in the Pap Education program was assessed.

Results.—

The overall FP rate was 1700 of 12 715 (13.4%). There was no significant difference by program or preparation type. Within the Education program there was no difference by participant type, but pathologists' FP rate in the PT program (47 of 514, 9.1%) was significantly better than cytotechnologists in the PT program (51 of 380, 13.4%) and pathologists in the Education program (690 of 4900, 14.1%). High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions/cancers (HSIL+) accounted for 1380 of 1602 FP interpretations (86%) in Education, but 43 of 98 (43.9%) in PT. Most slides had a low rate of misclassification, but a small number were poor performers. False-negative diagnosis of HSIL+ as repair was less common, ranging from 0.7% to 1.8%.

Conclusions.—

Despite initial indications that liquid-based cytology might reduce the rate of misclassification of repair, FP interpretations remain common and are no different by preparation type. Misclassification is most commonly as HSIL or carcinoma, potentially resulting in significant patient harm.

EP4 and Class III β-Tubulin Expression in Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors: Implications for Prognosis and Treatment

The microtubule-stabilizing agent docetaxel in combination with gemcitabine represents one of the most effective regimens against the aggressive gynecologic tumor leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Upregulation of class III β-tubulin has previously been shown to confer taxane resistance in a variety of human cancers. Prostaglandin E₂ receptor EP4 is linked to progression of a variety of human cancers and may represent a novel target for tumor inhibition in LMS. We evaluated the hypotheses that EP4 and class III β-tubulin have increased expression in LMS in comparison to normal myometrium or benign tumors and that expression of class III β-tubulin correlates with resistance to taxanes and poor clinical outcome. Gene expression was examined using TCGA data and correlated with clinicopathologic outcome which demonstrated that class III β-tubulin is more highly expressed in more aggressive sarcomas with EP4 being widely expressed in all subtypes of sarcoma. Immunohistochemistry for EP4 and class III β-tubulin was performed on patients with LMS, leiomyomatosis/STUMP, leiomyoma, and normal myometrium. Expression of EP4 and class III β-tubulin were characterized for cell lines SK-UT-1, SK-UT-1B, and PHM-41 and these cell lines were treated with docetaxel alone and in combination with EP4 inhibitors. In taxane-resistant cell lines that overexpress class III β-tubulin and EP4, treatment with EP4 inhibitor resulted in at least 2-fold sensitization to docetaxel. Expression of class III β-tubulin and EP4 in LMS may identify patients at risk of resistance to standard chemotherapies and candidates for augmentation of therapy through EP4 inhibition.

Self-collected Papanicolaou tests in the United States market: more questions than answers

The United States Food and Drug Administration held a public hearing in January 2018 to consider how it should evaluate a self-collection device for cervical cytology. Although no such device has been approved for use in the US market, the implications for patients and cytologists could be both sweeping and complex. Herein, the existing literature basis for self-collected Papanicolaou testing is reviewed, and some questions raised by this testing are considered. Questions include: what would be the value to patients; how effective could self-collected Papanicolaou tests be; how might ordering and collection work; what are the unique pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic challenges of self-collected Papanicolaou testing; and what effect might self-collection have on cervical cancer rates?

Distinguishing non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) from classic and invasive follicular-variant papillary thyroid carcinomas based on cytologic features

INTRODUCTION

An international panel recently recommended reclassification of non-invasive follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) to non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). NIFTPs have little or no risk of recurrence and can be treated with lobectomy alone. Preoperative distinction of NIFTP from PTC will help avoid overtreatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All thyroid tumors with a histologic diagnosis of PTC and preceding diagnostic cytology (n = 299) over a 5-year period were identified. Cases meeting criteria for NIFTP were reclassified as such. All NIFTP cases with available cytology (n = 6) and a similar number of randomly selected invasive follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (IFVPTC; n = 9) and classic PTC (cPTC, n = 11) were evaluated for 18 cytologic features.

RESULTS

A total of 35 (12%) lesions were reclassified as NIFTP, 194 (65%) were cPTC, and 70 (23%) were IFVPTC. The NIFTPs had a preceding cytologic interpretation of benign (31%), atypia of undetermined significance (34%), follicular neoplasm (9%), suspicious for malignancy (12%), or malignant (14%). Cytologically, NIFTP was distinguished from cPTC by absence of any architectural features in all 6 cases, and by absence of pseudoinclusions (P < 0.001) and multinucleated giant cells (P = 0.027) in nearly all. Nuclear pseudoinclusions (P = 0.001), marginal micronucleoli (P = 0.018), irregular branching sheets (P = 0.025), and linear arrangement (P = 0.025) favored IFVPTC over NIFTP.

CONCLUSIONS

NIFTPs were originally assigned to a variety of cytologic categories. There are several cytologic differences between NIFTP and cPTC or IFVPTC. Our findings support restricting the definitive diagnosis of PTC to cases with architectural features of PTC and/or intranuclear pseudoinclusions.

Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion or High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion? Concordance Between the Interpretation of Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion and High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion in Papanicolaou Tests: Results From the College of American Pathologists PAP Education Program

Context.—

Obtaining diagnostic concordance for squamous intraepithelial lesions in cytology can be challenging.

Objective.—

To determine diagnostic concordance for biopsy-proven low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) Papanicolaou test slides in the College of American Pathologists PAP Education program.

Design.—

We analyzed 121 059 responses from 4251 LSIL and HSIL slides for the interval 2004 to 2013 using a nonlinear mixed-model fit for reference diagnosis, preparation type, and participant type. We evaluated interactions between the reference diagnosis and the other 2 factors in addition to a repeated-measures component to adjust for slide-specific performance.

Results.—

There was a statistically significant difference between misclassification of LSIL (2.4%; 1384 of 57 664) and HSIL (4.4%; 2762 of 63 395). There was no performance difference between pathologists and cytotechnologists for LSIL, but cytotechnologists had a significantly higher HSIL misclassification rate than pathologists (5.5%; 1437 of 27 534 versus 4.0%; 1032 of 25 630; P = .01), and both were more likely to misrepresent HSIL as LSIL (P &lt; .001) than the reverse. ThinPrep LSIL slides were more likely to be misclassified as HSIL (2.4%; 920 of 38 582) than SurePath LSIL slides (1.5%; 198 of 13 196), but conventional slides were the most likely to be misclassified in both categories (4.5%; 266 of 5886 for LSIL, and 6.5%; 573 of 8825 for HSIL).

Conclusions.—

More participants undercalled HSIL as LSIL (false-negative) than overcalled LSIL as HSIL (false-positive) in the PAP Education program, with conventional slides more likely to be misclassified than ThinPrep or SurePath slides. Pathologists and cytotechnologists classify LSIL equally well, but cytotechnologists are significantly more likely to undercall HSIL as LSIL than are pathologists.

Anti-Müllerian hormone and risk of ovarian cancer in nine cohorts

Animal and experimental data suggest that anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) serves as a marker of ovarian reserve and inhibits the growth of ovarian tumors. However, few epidemiologic studies have examined the association between AMH and ovarian cancer risk. We conducted a nested case-control study of 302 ovarian cancer cases and 336 matched controls from nine cohorts. Prediagnostic blood samples of premenopausal women were assayed for AMH using a picoAMH enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression. AMH concentration was not associated with overall ovarian cancer risk. The multivariable-adjusted OR (95% CI), comparing the highest to the lowest quartile of AMH, was 0.99 (0.59-1.67) (Ptrend : 0.91). The association did not differ by age at blood draw or oral contraceptive use (all Pheterogeneity : ≥0.26). There also was no evidence for heterogeneity of risk for tumors defined by histologic developmental pathway, stage, and grade, and by age at diagnosis and time between blood draw and diagnosis (all Pheterogeneity : ≥0.39). In conclusion, this analysis of mostly late premenopausal women from nine cohorts does not support the hypothesized inverse association between prediagnostic circulating levels of AMH and risk of ovarian cancer.

Anti-Mullerian hormone and endometrial cancer: a multi-cohort study

BACKGROUND

The Mullerian ducts are the embryological precursors of the female reproductive tract, including the uterus; anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) has a key role in the regulation of foetal sexual differentiation. Anti-Mullerian hormone inhibits endometrial tumour growth in experimental models by stimulating apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. To date, there are no prospective epidemiologic data on circulating AMH and endometrial cancer risk.

METHODS

We investigated this association among women premenopausal at blood collection in a multicohort study including participants from eight studies located in the United States, Europe, and China. We identified 329 endometrial cancer cases and 339 matched controls. Anti-Mullerian hormone concentrations in blood were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) across tertiles and for a doubling of AMH concentrations (ORlog2). Subgroup analyses were performed by ages at blood donation and diagnosis, oral contraceptive use, and tumour characteristics.

RESULTS

Anti-Mullerian hormone was not associated with the risk of endometrial cancer overall (ORlog2: 1.07 (0.99-1.17)), or with any of the examined subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although experimental models implicate AMH in endometrial cancer growth inhibition, our findings do not support a role for circulating AMH in the aetiology of endometrial cancer.

Bethesda Interobserver Reproducibility Study-2 (BIRST-2): Bethesda System 2014

INTRODUCTION

In concert with the 2014 update to the Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology, a Web-based image interobserver study was performed to evaluate concordance with the "expert panel" interpretation, as was done during the Bethesda 2001 update. The aim was to identify cytomorphologic features and Bethesda reporting categories that represent sources of poor interobserver agreement and see how the trends compared to the first Bethesda Interobserver Reproducibility Study (BIRST).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were recruited online through national and international cytopathology professional societies. Study participants evaluated 84 previously unpublished web images chosen from the third Bethesda Atlas image set, prior to the release of the atlas. These images spanned all reporting categories and included typical and borderline cytomorphology. Demographic information was collected on level of training, practice patterns, and experience of the participants. Participation was restricted to those correctly answering 2 basic cytopathology questions, ensuring minimal knowledge of gynecologic cytopathology.

RESULTS

A total of 1290 unique individuals attempted access to this Web-based study and 833 correctly answered the two qualifying questions. Of these, 518 respondents completed the survey. Participant origin included: 59% United States, 41% international; 48% cytotechnologists, 41% pathologists, 5% fellows, and 6% other. Practice types were: 39% academic institutions, 29% private hospitals, and 16% commercial laboratories. Overall, the mean participant agreement with the exact Bethesda panel interpretation was 62.8%. The best agreement was found for negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM; 74%) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL; 86%) categories. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (63%), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL; 60%), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US; 62%) and atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H; 60%) showed slightly lower concordance with the panel interpretations. Cervical glandular lesions were more problematic (33%). Anal samples performed similarly to their gynecologic counterparts. There was similar diagnostic agreement across participant certifications and practice type (academic versus non-academic). Performance was higher for United States and other North America-based participants (P = 0.0104). This significance may be attributed to a language bias, as the survey was only offered in English.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to the BIRST-1 study conducted in 2001, the most important factor for diagnostic agreement by cytotechnologists, pathologists, and trainees was the a priori difficulty of an image rather than participant training, certification, or experience. Participants showed better general diagnostic agreement with the expert panel interpretations of the material in BIRST-2 than in BIRST-1. Agreement was highest for Bethesda categories of NILM, LSIL, HSIL, and SCC. Concordance for even the borderline ASC-US and ASC-H categories exhibited remarkable improvement in the BIRST-2.

Demographic, lifestyle, and other factors in relation to antimüllerian hormone levels in mostly late premenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

To identify reproductive, lifestyle, hormonal, and other correlates of circulating antimüllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in mostly late premenopausal women.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

A total of 671 premenopausal women not known to have cancer.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Concentrations of AMH were measured in a single laboratory using the picoAMH ELISA. Multivariable-adjusted median (and interquartile range) AMH concentrations were calculated using quantile regression for several potential correlates.

RESULT(S)

Older women had significantly lower AMH concentrations (≥40 [n = 444] vs. <35 years [n = 64], multivariable-adjusted median 0.73 ng/mL vs. 2.52 ng/mL). Concentrations of AMH were also significantly lower among women with earlier age at menarche (<12 [n = 96] vs. ≥14 years [n = 200]: 0.90 ng/mL vs. 1.12 ng/mL) and among current users of oral contraceptives (n = 27) compared with never or former users (n = 468) (0.36 ng/mL vs. 1.15 ng/mL). Race, body mass index, education, height, smoking status, parity, and menstrual cycle phase were not significantly associated with AMH concentrations. There were no significant associations between AMH concentrations and androgen or sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations or with factors related to blood collection (e.g., sample type, time, season, and year of blood collection).

CONCLUSION(S)

Among premenopausal women, lower AMH concentrations are associated with older age, a younger age at menarche, and currently using oral contraceptives, suggesting these factors are related to a lower number or decreased secretory activity of ovarian follicles.

Orphan Adhesion GPCR GPR64/ADGRG2 Is Overexpressed in Parathyroid Tumors and Attenuates Calcium-Sensing Receptor-Mediated Signaling

Abnormal feedback of serum calcium to parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion is the hallmark of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Although the molecular pathogenesis of parathyroid neoplasia in PHPT has been linked to abnormal expression of genes involved in cell growth (e.g., cyclin D1, retinoblastoma, and β-catenin), the molecular basis of abnormal calcium sensing by calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and PTH hypersecretion in PHPT are incompletely understood. Through gene expression profiling, we discovered that an orphan adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), GPR64/ADGRG2, is expressed in human normal parathyroid glands and is overexpressed in parathyroid tumors from patients with PHPT. Using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and coimmunoprecipitation, we found that GPR64 is expressed on the cell surface of parathyroid cells, is overexpressed in parathyroid tumors, and physically interacts with the CaSR. By using reporter gene assay and GPCR second messenger readouts we identified Gαs, 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A, and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) as the signaling cascade downstream of GPR64. Furthermore, we found that an N-terminally truncated human GPR64 is constitutively active and a 15-amino acid-long peptide C-terminal to the GPCR proteolysis site (GPS) of GPR64 activates this receptor. Functional characterization of GPR64 demonstrated its ability to increase PTH release from human parathyroid cells at a range of calcium concentrations. We discovered that the truncated constitutively active, but not the full-length GPR64 physically interacts with CaSR and attenuates the CaSR-mediated intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling and cAMP suppression in HEK293 cells. Our results indicate that GPR64 may be a physiologic regulator of PTH release that is dysregulated in parathyroid tumors, and suggest a role for GPR64 in pathologic calcium sensing in PHPT. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Prostaglandin E Receptor EP4 expression, survival and pattern of recurrence in locally advanced NSCLC

BACKGROUND

Elevated COX-2 expression has been correlated with inferior outcome in NSCLC. COX-2 catalyzes the transformation of arachidonate to PGE₂. We and others have demonstrated that PGE₂ induces proliferation and metastatic spread and immunosuppression through the G protein-coupled EP4 receptor. We hypothesized that EP4 expression on malignant cells would correlate with outcome and patterns of relapse after treatment of LANSCLC stage IIIA (7th edition, N2+).

METHODS

Tissue specimens from 41 pts treated for LANSC at UMGCC were obtained. A tissue microarray was prepared and examined for EP4 expression. Intensity of staining was scored semi-quantitatively as 0-4 in both the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments by a pathologist blinded to the clinical data.

RESULTS

EP4 nuclear staining 0-1 vs. 2+ was associated with overall survival, (OS) (44.3 vs. 18 mo; HR=0.41, p=0.024) and numerically superior progression free survival (PFS) (16.4 vs. 10.2 mo, p=0.16). EP4 cytoplasmic staining did not correlate with OS (0-1 vs. 2+, 23.8 vs. 28.8 mo; HR=1.2, p=0.81). Relapse pattern (no relapse or local vs. systemic) did not correlate with EP nuclear staining (p=1.0, X²).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first clinical study of EP4 expression in lung cancer. There was a significant correlation between OS and nuclear EP4 expression, indicating that this is a potential therapeutic target. Studies with AT-007, a specific inhibitor of EP4, are planned to commence this year.

A silk-based encapsulation platform for pancreatic islet transplantation improves islet function in vivo

The success of pancreatic islet (PI) transplantation is challenged by PI functional damage during the peritransplantation period. A silk-based encapsulation platform including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) was evaluated for islet cell delivery in vivo. Islet equivalents (IEQs) were transplanted into the epididymal fat pads of mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Three PI combinations were tested: (A) co-encapsulated in silk with MSCs; (b) encapsulated in silk alone; or (c) pelleted. Blood glucose levels were monitored and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed upon return to euglycaemia. Grafts were removed for histology and cytokine content analysis. Mice with PI grafts in silk showed a prompt return to euglycaemia. IPGTT was significantly improved with PI in silk with MSCs, compared to PI in silk alone or pelleted. Both Th₁ and Th₂ cytokines were increased in PI grafts in silk, but Th₁ cytokines were decreased significantly with PI and MSC co-encapsulation. Histological analysis showed osteogenesis and chondrogenesis in the silk grafts containing MSCs. Future studies will evaluate MSC stability and function in vivo and improve silk biocompatibility for applications in islet transplantation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Biliary stent-related alterations can be distinguished from adenocarcinoma on bile duct brushings using a limited number of cytologic features

INTRODUCTION

Although it is widely accepted that cytologic alterations secondary to a biliary stent can be difficult to distinguish from adenocarcinoma in pancreatobiliary exfoliative cytology, no systematic study has been undertaken to identify the cytologic features that best distinguish these entities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A training set of 29 bile duct brushings (14 with biliary stents, originally classified as atypical or suspicious, with >6 months of benign clinical follow-up; and 15 diagnosed as adenocarcinoma with histologic confirmation) was evaluated for the following: nuclear enlargement, nuclear contour, nuclear overlap, chromatin distribution, nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, anisonucleosis, macronucleoli, mitoses, acute inflammation, disorganization, necrosis, cell borders, single atypical cells, and 2 distinct cell populations. A distinct validation set of 31 equivocal stented brushings-13 later diagnosed with carcinoma and 18 with ≥6 months of benign follow-up-were similarly evaluated. Cases were categorized as benign or malignant using a scoring algorithm based on statistically significant features.

RESULTS

Five features achieved statistical significance: atypical single cells (P = 0.0001), 2 distinct cell populations (P = 0.0007), and anisonucleosis (P = 0.0422) favored malignancy; distinct cell borders (P = 0.0018) and acute inflammation (P = 0.0035) favored benign. The algorithm correctly classified 12 of 14 benign and 15 of 15 malignant cases in the training set and 16 of 18 benign and 7 of 13 malignant cases in the validation set.

CONCLUSIONS

Most bile duct brushings from patients with biliary stents could be definitively and correctly classified as either benign or malignant using 5 morphologic features: single atypical cells, binary cell population, anisonucleosis, distinct cell borders, and acute inflammation.

Renal tubular epithelial clusters in voided urine: a potential diagnostic pitfall in renal transplant patients

INTRODUCTION

Urine cytology is often used to screen for polyomavirus in renal transplant patients. There are qualitative cytologic differences between urine from transplant and nontransplant patients, particularly the presence of epithelial cell clusters, that can pose diagnostic difficulty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Voided urine cytology specimens from 100 renal transplant patients and 100 nontransplant patients were reviewed for cell clusters. Immunocytochemistry for renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC) and cytokeratin 7 was performed on 10 recent specimens. Clinical data was reviewed with a focus on evidence of graft dysfunction or malignancy.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (18%) in the renal transplant group and no nontransplanted patients (0%) exhibited cell clusters with characteristic morphology: 3-dimensional cohesive groups; high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio; round, eccentrically placed nuclei with a prominent central nucleolus; and granular or vacuolated cytoplasm. Some had significant nuclear atypia. The groups were RCC-positive in 8 of 10 cases, and cytokeratin 7-positive in 6 of 10 cases, which is consistent with renal tubular epithelial clusters (RTECs). Clinical follow-up revealed that 88% (15 of 17) of those with RTECs developed graft dysfunction in a median of 65 days, compared with 6% (4 of 64) without RTECs (sensitivity 79%, specificity 97%, positive predictive value 88%, negative predictive value 94%). No patient developed a urinary tract malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

RTECs are relatively common in urine cytology from transplant patients, but are rare in other urine specimens. Recognition is important as they can be mistaken for urothelial carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. There appears to be a strong association with later development of graft dysfunction. These cells are most likely evidence of renal tubular injury secondary to a variety of factors, including rejection.

Performance characteristics of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of axillary lymph nodes for metastatic breast cancer employing rapid on-site evaluation of adequacy: analysis of 136 cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

It has been demonstrated that axillary ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) has excellent positive predictive value for the axillary lymph node status of patients with breast cancer before surgery or neoadjuvant therapy and, thus, can obviate the need for sentinel lymph node biopsy in FNA-positive patients. However, US-FNA has only moderate sensitivity, in part because of the collection of nondiagnostic or equivocal specimens. Rapid on-site evaluation for adequacy (ROSE) can improve definitive diagnosis rates but has not been well characterized in this setting.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-three patients with breast carcinoma were identified who underwent 136 US-FNAs of axillary lymph nodes, all with ROSE, and the results were correlated with the diagnosis on a subsequent surgical procedure.

RESULTS

The adequacy rate was 95.6% (130 of 136 FNAs), and a definitive diagnosis was made in 91.2% (124 of 136 FNAs). Among definite diagnoses, sensitivity was 75%, specificity was 100%, the positive predictive value was 100%, and the negative predictive value was 79%. Sources of false-negative and potential false-positive diagnoses were evaluated among these cases and in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Small metastasis size is the most common cause of false-negative results, whereas interpretation errors by pathologists are quite rare. ROSE appears to improve adequacy and definitive diagnosis rates and, thus, can more accurately triage patients to appropriate care.

Primary Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma of the Vagina

Vaginal adenocarcinoma is the second most common primary cancer of the vagina, yet there has been very little study of most subtypes other than clear cell carcinoma. We reviewed 18 cases of primary vaginal endometrioid adenocarcinoma, in our experience the second most common subtype. The patients ranged from 45 to 81 years of age (mean 60). Most presented with vaginal bleeding, and had had a prior hysterectomy. Five had a history of unopposed estrogen therapy but none had a history of intrauterine diethylstilbestrol exposure. The tumors were at the vaginal apex in 10 cases, in the posterior wall in 3, the lateral wall in 3, and the anterior wall in 1. On microscopic examination, each of the tumors had a pure or predominant component of typical endometrioid adenocarcinoma. There was squamous metaplasia in 4 cases, mucinous metaplasia in 4, and prominent nonvillous papillae in 2. The tumors were grade 1 of 3 in 4 cases, grade 2 in 13, and grade 3 in 1. Eleven cases were FIGO stage I, 5 stage II, and 2 stage IV. Vaginal endometriosis was identified in 14 cases, and is important in indicating a primary vaginal tumor, rather than secondary spread from the endometrium. Other subtypes of adenocarcinoma (such as serous when the tumor has a papillary pattern) and atypical forms of endometriosis, including polypoid endometriosis, are the most common other differential diagnostic considerations. The prognosis seems to be good in low-stage patients, with 11 patients alive and well and 2 alive with recurrent disease.

Death by compaction in a garbage truck

We report on two deaths by compaction in a garbage truck that recently occurred in this county. In both cases, the victim apparently climbed into a recycling dumpster to sleep, and was emptied with the contents of the receptacle into a garbage truck. Subsequent compaction of the victim with the load led to death. We also discuss several similar fatalities that have been reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Biochemical characterization of the mitochondrial permeability transition in isolated forebrain mitochondria

Induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) has been proposed to contribute to neuronal cell death. Nearly all studies of the biochemistry of PT induction, however, have been conducted in isolated liver mitochondria. To better understand PT induction in brain mitochondria, we used Ficoll gradients to purify nonsynaptosomal mitochondria from the forebrains of male Fischer 344 rats. Incubation of these mitochondria with Ca(2+) was associated with a loss of absorbance. Inorganic phosphate enhanced this loss of absorbance, and the PT inhibitor cyclosporin A reduced it, especially in conjunction with ADP. These findings suggest that Ca(2+)-mediated loss of absorbance resulted from PT induction. Na(+), which enhances mitochondrial Ca(2+) efflux, but stimulates mitochondrial free radical production, had no effect on PT induction. These data confirm the existence of tissue-specific differences in the nature of PT induction.