Prognostic image-based quantification of CD8CD103 T cell subsets in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients

CD103-positive tissue resident memory-like CD8+ T cells (CD8CD103 TRM) are associated with improved prognosis across malignancies, including high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). However, whether quantification of CD8, CD103 or both is required to improve existing survival prediction and whether all HGSOC patients or only specific subgroups of patients benefit from infiltration, remains unclear. To address this question, we applied image-based quantification of CD8 and CD103 multiplex immunohistochemistry in the intratumoral and stromal compartments of 268 advanced-stage HGSOC patients from two independent clinical institutions. Infiltration of CD8CD103 immune cell subsets was independent of clinicopathological factors. Our results suggest CD8CD103 TRM quantification as a superior method for prognostication compared to single CD8 or CD103 quantification. A survival benefit of CD8CD103 TRM was observed only in patients treated with primary cytoreductive surgery. Moreover, survival benefit in this group was limited to patients with no macroscopic tumor lesions after surgery. This approach provides novel insights into prognostic stratification of HGSOC patients and may contribute to personalized treatment strategies in the future.

[The pathology of adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors]

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy has gained importance with the development of new effective cancer treatments. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are monoclonal antibodies that promote T‑cell mediated tumor immune rejection. Checkpoint blockade also carries the risk of inducing autoimmune reactions ("immune related adverse events", irAEs). The diagnosis and classification of irAEs constitute a new and important field in pathology.

AIM

Practice-oriented review of the diagnosis and classification of irAEs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Structured, selective literature review based on PubMed und UpToDate ® online.

RESULTS

The most common irAEs affect the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the liver, and the respiratory system. The correct diagnosis and classification of irAEs by an interdisciplinary care team is essential for appropriate therapy and the prevention of long-term sequelae. Other important irAEs affect the endocrine organs, the heart, the joints, the kidneys and the nervous system. Because of their rarity and/or limited options for bioptic diagnosis, only limited data on the morphology and pathophysiology of these irAEs are currently available. Autopsies carried out after ICI therapy constitute an important element of quality control and allow better documentation of the incidence and pathogenesis of irAEs.

DISCUSSION

Pathology plays a central role in the diagnosis and treatment of irAEs. Future studies may contribute to a better mechanistic understanding of irAEs for individualized knowledge-based risk assessment.

Intratumoural budding (ITB) in preoperative biopsies predicts the presence of lymph node and distant metastases in colon and rectal cancer patients

Background:

In colorectal cancer (CRC), tumour budding at the invasion front is associated with lymph node (LN) and distant metastasis. Interestingly, tumour budding can also be detected in biopsies (intratumoural budding; ITB) and may have similar clinical importance. Here we investigate whether ITB in preoperative CRC biopsies can be translated into daily diagnostic practice.

Methods:

Preoperative biopsies from 133 CRC patients (no neoadjuvant therapy) underwent immunohistochemistry for pan-cytokeratin marker AE1/AE3. Across all biopsies for each patient, the densest region of buds at × 40 (high-power field; HPF) was identified and buds were counted.

Results:

A greater number of tumour buds in the biopsy was associated with pT stage (P=0.0143), LN metastasis (P=0.0007), lymphatic (P=0.0065) and venous vessel invasion (P=0.0318) and distant metastasis (cM1) (P=0.0013). Using logistic regression, a ‘scale' was developed to estimate the probability of LN and distant metastasis using the number of tumour buds (e.g. 10 buds per HPF: 64% chance of LN metastasis; 30 buds per HPF: 86% chance). Inter-observer agreement for ITB was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.813).

Conclusion:

Tumour budding can be assessed in the preoperative biopsy of CRC patients. It is practical, reproducible and predictive of LN and distant metastasis. Intratumoural budding qualifies for further investigation in the prospective setting.

Geographic analysis of RKIP expression and its clinical relevance in colorectal cancer

Background:

This study evaluates the geographic expression pattern of Raf-1 Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) in colorectal cancer (CRC) in correlation with clinicopathological and molecular features, markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and survival outcome.

Methods:

Whole-tissue sections of 220 well-characterised CRCs were immunostained for RKIP. NF-κB and E-Cadherin expression was assessed using a matched multi-punch tissue microarray. Analysis of mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression, B-Raf and KRAS mutations was performed. RKIP expression in normal mucosa, tumour centre, invasion front and tumour buds was each assessed for clinical relevance.

Results:

RKIP was diffusely expressed in normal mucosa and progressively lost towards tumour centre and front (P<0.0001). Only 0.9% of tumour buds were RKIP-positive. In the tumour centre, RKIP deficiency predicted metastatic disease (P=0.0307), vascular invasion (P=0.0506), tumour budding (P=0.0112) and an invasive border configuration (P=0.0084). Loss of RKIP correlated with NF-κB activation (P=0.0002) and loss of E-Cadherin (P<0.0001). Absence of RKIP was more common in MMR-deficient cancers (P=0.0191), while no impact of KRAS and B-Raf mutation was observed. RKIP in the tumour centre was identified as a strong prognostic indicator (HR (95% CI): 2.13 (1.27–3.56); P=0.0042) independently of TNM classification and therapy (P=0.0474).

Conclusion:

The clinical relevance of RKIP expression as an independent prognostic factor is restricted to the tumour centre. Loss of RKIP predicts features of EMT and correlates with frequent distant metastasis.