Reappraisals of biological behaviors of PDGFRA mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the biological behavior spectrum of platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor (PDGFRA)-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and to compare the clinical values of the Zhongshan method of benign and malignant evaluation with the modified National Institutes of Health (NIH) risk stratification. Methods: A total of 119 cases of GIST with PDGFRA mutation who underwent surgical resection at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from 2009 to 2020 were collected. The clinicopathological data, follow-up records, and subsequent treatment were reviewed and analyzed statistically. Results: There were 79 males and 40 females. The patients ranged in age from 25 to 80 years, with a median age of 60 years. Among them, 115 patients were followed up for 1-154 months, and 13 patients progressed to disease. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 90.1% and 94.1%, respectively. According to the modified NIH risk stratification, 8 cases, 32 cases, 38 cases, and 35 cases were very-low risk, low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk, and 5-year DFS were 100.0%, 95.6%, 94.3%, and 80.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in prognosis among the non-high risk groups, only the difference between high risk and non-high risk groups was significant (P=0.029). However, the 5-year OS was 100.0%, 100.0%, 95.0% and 89.0%, and there was no difference (P=0.221). According to the benign and malignant evaluation Zhongshan method, 43 cases were non-malignant (37.4%), 56 cases were low-grade malignant (48.7%), 9 cases were moderately malignant (7.8%), and 7 cases were highly malignant (6.1%). The 5-year DFS were 100.0%, 91.7%, 77.8%, 38.1%, and the difference was significant (P<0.001). The 5-year OS were 100.0%, 97.5%, 77.8%, 66.7%, the difference was significant (P<0.001). Conclusions: GIST with PDGFRA gene mutation shows a broad range of biological behavior, ranging from benign to highly malignant. According to the Zhongshan method, non-malignant and low-grade malignant tumors are common, the prognosis after surgery is good, while the fewer medium-high malignant tumors showed poor prognosis after surgical resection. The overall biological behavior of this type of GIST is relatively inert, which is due to the low proportion of medium-high malignant GIST. The modified NIH risk stratification may not be effective in risk stratification for PDGFRA mutant GIST.

Differences in clinicopathological features, gene mutations, and prognosis between primary gastric and intestinal gastrointestinal stromal tumors in 1061 patients / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological features and gene mutations of primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the stomach and intestine and the prognosis of intermediate- and high-risk GISTs. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Data of patients with GISTs admitted to Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2011 to December 2019 were collected retrospectively. Patients with primary gastric or intestinal disease who had undergone endoscopic or surgical resection of the primary lesion and were confirmed pathologically as GIST were included. Patients treated with targeted therapy preoperatively were excluded. The above criteria were met by 1061 patients with primary GISTs, 794 of whom had gastric GISTs and 267 intestinal GISTs. Genetic testing had been performed in 360 of these patients since implementation of Sanger sequencing in our hospital in October 2014. Gene mutations in KIT exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 and PDGFRA exons 12 and 18 were detected by Sanger sequencing. The factors investigated in this study included: (1) clinicopathological data, such as sex, age, primary tumor location, maximum tumor diameter, histological type, mitotic index (/5 mm2), and risk classification; (2) gene mutation; (3) follow-up, survival, and postoperative treatment; and (4) prognostic factors of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for intermediate- and high-risk GIST. Results: (1) Clinicopathological features: The median ages of patients with primary gastric and intestinal GIST were 61 (8-85) years and 60 (26-80) years, respectively; The median maximum tumor diameters were 4.0 (0.3-32.0) cm and 6.0 (0.3-35.0) cm, respectively; The median mitotic indexes were 3 (0-113)/5 mm² and 3 (0-50)/5 mm², respectively; The median Ki-67 proliferation indexes were 5% (1%-80%) and 5% (1%-50%), respectively. The rates of positivity for CD117, DOG-1, and CD34 were 99.7% (792/794), 99.9% (731/732), 95.6% (753/788), and 100.0% (267/267), 100.0% (238/238), 61.5% (163/265), respectively. There were higher proportions of male patients (χ²=6.390, P=0.011), tumors of maximum diameter > 5.0 cm (χ²=33.593, P<0.001), high-risk (χ²=94.957, P<0.001), and CD34-negativity (χ²=203.138, P<0.001) among patients with intestinal GISTs than among those with gastric GISTs. (2) Gene mutations: Gene mutations were investigated in 286/360 patients (79.4%) with primary gastric GISTs and 74/360 (20.6%) with primary intestinal GISTs. Among the 286 patients with gastric primary GISTs, 79.4% (227/286), 8.4% (24/286), and 12.2% (35/286), had KIT mutations, PDGFRA mutations, and wild-type, respectively. Among the 74 patients with primary intestinal GISTs, 85.1% (63/74) had KIT mutations and 14.9% (11/74) were wild-type. The PDGFRA mutation rate was lower in patients with intestinal GISTs than in those with gastric GISTs[ 0% vs. 8.4%(24/286), χ²=6.770, P=0.034], whereas KIT exon 9 mutations occurred more often in those with intestinal GISTs [22.2% (14/63) vs. 1.8% (4/227), P<0.001]. There were no significant differences between gastric and intestinal GISTs in the rates of KIT exon 11 mutation type and KIT exon 11 deletion mutation type (both P>0.05). (3) Follow-up, survival, and postoperative treatment: After excluding 228 patients with synchronous and metachronous other malignant tumors, the remaining 833 patients were followed up for 6-124 (median 53) months with a follow-up rate of 88.6% (738/833). None of the patients with very low or low-risk gastric (n=239) or intestinal GISTs (n=56) had received targeted therapy postoperatively. Among 179 patients with moderate-risk GISTs, postoperative targeted therapy had been administered to 88/155 with gastric and 11/24 with intestinal GISTs. Among 264 patients with high-risk GISTs, postoperative targeted therapy had been administered to 106/153 with gastric and 62/111 with intestinal GISTs. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year PFS of patients with gastric or intestinal GISTs were 96.5%, 93.8%, and 87.6% and 85.7%, 80.1% and 63.3%, respectively (P<0.001). The 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS were 99.2%, 98.8%, 97.5% and 94.8%, 92.1%, 85.0%, respectively (P<0.001). (4) Analysis of predictors of intermediate- and high-risk GISTs: The 5-year PFS of patients with gastric and intestinal GISTs were 89.5% and 73.2%, respectively (P<0.001); The 5-year OS were 97.9% and 89.3%, respectively (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that high risk (HR=2.918, 95%CI: 1.076-7.911, P=0.035) and Ki-67 proliferation index > 5% (HR=2.778, 95%CI: 1.389-5.558, P=0.004) were independent risk factors for PFS in patients with intermediate- and high-risk GISTs (both P<0.05). Intestinal GISTs (HR=3.485, 95%CI: 1.407-8.634, P=0.007) and high risk (HR=3.753,95%CI:1.079-13.056, P=0.038) were independent risk factors for OS in patients with intermediate- and high-risk GISTs (both P<0.05). Postoperative targeted therapy was independent protective factor for PFS and OS (HR=0.103, 95%CI: 0.049-0.213, P<0.001; HR=0.210, 95%CI:0.078-0.564,P=0.002). Conclusions: Primary intestinal GIST behaves more aggressively than gastric GISTs and more frequently progress after surgery. Moreover, CD34 negativity and KIT exon 9 mutations occur more frequently in patients with intestinal GISTs than in those with gastric GISTs.

Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of gastric intermediate-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor after surgical resection: a retrospective study / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of gastric intermediate-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), so as to provide a reference for clinical management and further research. Methods: A retrospective observational study of patients with gastric intermediate-risk GIST, who underwent surgical resection between January 1996 and December 2019 at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, was carried out. Results: Totally, 360 patients with a median age of 59 years were included. There were 190 males and 170 females with median tumor diameter of 5.9 cm. Routine genetic testing was performed in 247 cases (68.6%, 247/360), and 198 cases (80.2%) showed KIT mutation, 26 cases (10.5%) showed PDGFRA mutation, and 23 cases were wild-type GIST. According to "Zhongshan Method"(including 12 parameters), there were 121 malignant and 239 non-malignant cases. Complete follow-up data were available in 241 patients; 55 patients (22.8%) received imatinib therapy, 10 patients (4.1%) experienced tumor progression, and one patient (PDGFRA mutation, 0.4%) died. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival rate at 5 years was 96.0% and 99.6%, respectively. Among the intermediate-risk GIST, there was no difference in DFS between the overall population, KIT mutation, PDGFRA mutation, wild-type, non-malignant and malignant subgroups (all P>0.05). However, the non-malignancy/malignancy analysis showed that there were significant differences in DFS among the overall population (P<0.01), imatinib treatment group (P=0.044) and no imatinib treatment group (P<0.01). Adjuvant imatinib resulted in potential survival benefit for KIT mutated malignant and intermediate-risk GIST in DFS (P=0.241). Conclusions: Gastric intermediate-risk GIST shows a heterogeneous biologic behavior spectrum from benign to highly malignant. It can be further classified into benign and malignant, mainly nonmalignant and low-grade malignant. The overall disease progression rate after surgical resection is low, and real-world data show that there is no significant benefit from imatinib treatment after surgery. However, adjuvant imatinib potentially improves DFS of intermediate-risk patients with tumors harboring KIT mutation in the malignant group. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of gene mutations in benign/malignant GIST will facilitate improvements in therapeutic decision-making.

Clinical significance of CD34 / 医学前沿

t(8;21)(q22;q22) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous hematological malignancy with a high relapse rate in China. Two leukemic myeloblast populations (CD34

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors with KIT/PDGFRA gene "homozygous mutation": a multicenter retrospective cohort study / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with KIT/PDGFRA "homozygous mutation", the efficacy of targeted therapy and the prognosis. Methods: A retrospective cohort study and propensity score matching were used. "Homozygous mutation" was defined as the detection of KIT/PDGFRA gene status of GIST by Sanger sequencing, which showed that there was only mutant gene sequence in the sequencing map, lack of wild-type sequence or the peak height of mutant gene sequence was much higher than that of wild-type gene sequence (> 3 times). "Heterozygous mutation" was defined as the mutant gene sequences coexisted with wild type gene sequences, and the peak height was similar (3 times or less). The clinicopathological data and follow-up information of 92 GIST patients with KIT/PDGFRA "homozygous mutation" were collected from 4 hospitals in Shanghai from January 2008 to May 2021 (Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine: 70 cases; Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University: 14 cases; Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University: 6 cases and Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine: 2 cases). Patients with perioperative death, other malignancies, and incomplete clinicopathological information were excluded. The clinicopathological features of the patients and the efficacy of targeted drug therapy were observed and analyzed. The efficacy was evaluated using Choi criteria, which were divided into complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). In addition, a total of 230 patients with high-risk GIST with "heterozygous mutation" in exon 11 of KIT gene and 117 patients with recurrent or metastatic GIST with "heterozygous mutation" in exon 11 of KIT gene were included. The propensity score matching method was used to match GIST patients with "heterozygous" and "homozygous" mutations in exon 11 of KIT gene (1∶1) for survival analysis. The disease-free survival (DFS) between two groups of high-risk GIST patients who underwent complete surgical resection were compared. And progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with recurrent or metastatic GIST were compared. Results: Of the 92 GIST cases with KIT/PDGFRA "homozygous mutation", 58 were males and 34 were females, with a median onset age of 62 (31-91) years. Primary GIST 83 cases. Primary high-risk GIST (53 cases), metastatic GIST (21 cases) and recurrent GIST (9 cases) accounted for 90.2% (83/92). There were 90 cases of KIT gene"homozygous mutation" (exon 11 for 88 cases, exon 13 for 1 case, exon 17 for 1 case), and 2 cases of PDGFRA gene "homozygous mutation" (exon 12 for 1 case, exon 18 for 1 case). The median follow-up time was 49 (8-181) months. Among the 61 cases of primary localized GIST undergoing complete surgical resection, 2 cases were intermediate-risk GIST, 5 cases were low-risk GIST, and 1 case was very low-risk GIST, of whom 1 case of intermediate-risk GIST received 1-year adjuvant imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy after operation, and no tumor recurrence developed during the follow-up period. The remaining 53 cases were high-risk GIST, and follow-up data were obtained from 50 cases, of whom 22 developed tumor recurrence during follow-up. Of 9 patients directly receiving neoadjuvant targeted therapy (IM or avapritinib), 5 had complete imaging follow-up data, and the evaluation of efficacy achieved PR. Of all the 92 GIST cases with KIT/PDGFRA "homozygous mutation", 50 (54.4%) had tumor metastasis or tumor recurrence or progression during follow-up, and 12 (13.0%) died of the tumor. Survival analysis combined with propensity score showed that in 100 cases of high-risk GISTs with complete resection, GISTs with "homozygous mutation" in exon 11 of KIT gene had shorter disease-free survival (DFS) than GISTs with "heterozygous mutation" in exon 11 of KIT gene (median DFS: 72 months vs. 148 months, P=0.015). In 60 cases of recurrent or metastatic GISTs with KIT gene exon 11 mutation, IM was used as the first-line treatment, and the progression-free survival (PFS) of GISTs with "homozygous mutation" was shorter compared to GISTs with "heterozygous mutation" (median PFS: 38 months vs. 69 months, P=0.044). The differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: "Homozygous mutation" in KIT/PDGFRA gene is associated with the progression of GIST. The corresponding targeted therapeutic drugs are still effective for GIST with KIT/PDGFRA gene "homozygous mutation". Compared with GIST patients with "heterozygous mutation" in KIT exon 11, GIST patients with "homozygous mutation" in KIT exon 11 are more likely to relapse after surgery and to develop resistance to IM. Therefore, it is still necessary to seek more effective treatment methods for this subset of cases.

BRAFV600E and KIT immunoexpression in early-stage melanoma

Abstract: Melanoma is widely known as the most lethal skin cancer. Specific tumor-related mortality can be significantly reduced if diagnosis and treatment are properly performed during initial phases of the disease. The current search for biomarkers in early-stage melanomas is a high-priority challenge for physicians and researchers. We aimed to assess the immunoexpression of BRAFV600E and KIT in a case series consisting of 44 early-stage melanomas. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples were systematically evaluated using a semi-quantitative method based on scores of percentage and intensity for immunostained tumor cells. We observed significant concordance between BRAFV600E and KIT immunoexpression in thin invasive melanomas. Our findings corroborate previous evidence showing abnormal expression of proteins associated with MAPK intracellular signaling pathway in early-stage melanomas.

PLZFposc-KITpos-delineated A1-A4-differentiating spermatogonia by subset and stage detection upon Bouin fixation / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

While hallmarks of rodent spermatogonia stem cell biomarkers' heterogeneity have recently been identified, their stage and subset distributions remain unclear. Furthermore, it is currently difficult to accurately identify subset-specific SSC marker distributions due to the poor nuclear morphological characteristics associated with fixation in 4% paraformaldehyde. In the present study, testicular cross-sections and whole-mount samples were Bouin fixed to optimize nuclear resolution and visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF). The results identified an expression pattern of PLZFhighc-KITpos in A1 spermatogonia, while A2-A4-differentiating spermatogonia were PLZFlowc-KITpos. Additionally, this procedure was used to examine asymmetrically expressing GFRA1 and PLZF clones, asymmetric Apr and false clones were distinguished based on the presence or absence of TEX14, a molecular maker of intercellular bridges, despite having identical nuclear morphology and intercellular distances that were <25 μm. In conclusion, this optimized Bouin fixation procedure facilitates the accurate identification of spermatogonium subsets based on their molecular profiles and is capable of distinguishing asymmetric and false clones. Therefore, the findings presented herein will facilitate further morphological and functional analysis studies and provide further insight into spermatogonium subtypes.

No detection of c-kit gene mutations in exons 9, 11, 13 and 17 and low CD117 expression in plaque-stage mycosis fungoides

Abstract: The growth factor receptor c-kit (CD117) is expressed in immature T-cells and in some advanced forms of mycosis fungoides. c-kit gene mutation results in unrestricted neoplastic proliferation. We aimed to detect by PCR the most frequent exon mutations in seventeen plaque-stage MF patients, in their perilesional skin and in healthy skin donors. We secondarily evaluated CD117 expression by immunohistochemistry in plaque-stage and tumor-stage MF. We detected no mutation in c-kit gene and low CD117 expression was confirmed on atypical cells in one patient. Complete c-kit exon and intron sequences should be assessed and more sensitive sequencing method could be also applied.

Genética molecular del melanoma lentiginoso acral / Molecular genetics of acral lentiginous melanoma

En la última década se ha avanzado en la caracterización genética y mapeo molecular del melanoma cutáneo con el objetivo de identificar y comprender mejor los mecanismos patogénicos propios de cada subgrupo y así desarrollar tratamientos específicos. El melanoma lentiginoso acral (MLA) constituye un subtipo de melanoma con características clínicas, epidemiológicas, histopatológicas, pronósticas y terapéuticas distintivas y su perfil mutacional no es la excepción. A diferencia del melanoma ubicado en zonas fotoexpuestas, el MLA presenta una baja tasa de mutaciones BRAF (15%) y mayor frecuencia de amplificaciones y ganancias genéticas de KIT (15-30%), CCND1 (15-40%) y TERT (20%). En esta revisión se describen las características más relevantes del MLA con énfasis en el rol que cumplen los principales genes que participan en la patogenia del MLA.

Over the last decade, the genetic characterization and molecular mapping of cutaneous melanoma has been developed in order to identify and better understand the pathogenic mechanisms of each subgroup and to develop specific treatments. Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a melanoma subtype with distinctive clinical, epidemiological, histopathological, prognostic and therapeutic features and its mutational profile is not an exception. Unlike melanoma located in photoexposed areas, MLA has a low rate of BRAF mutations (15%) and a higher frequency of amplifications and genetic gains at KIT (15-30%), CCND1 (15-40%) and TERT (20%). In this review we will describe the most relevant characteristics of MLA with emphasis on the role of the main genes involved in its pathogenesis.

Avaliação da via do c-kit no adenoma pleomórfico e carcinoma adenoide cístico das glândulas salivares: estudo da expressão das proteínas da via, das mutações e da regulação pós-transcricional do gene kit / c-Kit signaling cascade in pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands: evaluation of cascade proteins, mutations and post-transcriptional regulation of gene Kit

Introdução: As neoplasias das glândulas salivares têm amplo espectro histológico resultante da múltipla diferenciação celular tumoral. O adenoma pleomórfico (AP) e o carcinoma adenoide cístico (CAC) são as mais comuns neoplasias benignas e malignas provenientes do ducto intercalado, respectivamente, além de serem compostas por estruturas luminais e células mioepiteliais. Em estudo realizado previamente pelo nosso grupo, detectamos que a proteína c-kit está envolvida nos processos da morfogênese das glândulas salivares e no adenoma pleomórfico. A proteína c-Kit tem papel importante no desenvolvimento de muitos processos embrionários, incluindo a gametogênese, melanogênese e hematopoiese, e também na biologia de tumores. Sua ativação induz diversas respostas intracelulares através de cascatas de sinalização de vias como PI3K/AKT e MAPK. Em tumores da glândula salivar ainda há poucos estudos sobre as alterações do gene KIT e das proteínas relacionadas a sua via de sinalização, assim como sua regulação pós-transcricional, realizada principalmente por meio dos microRNAs. O presente estudo avaliou, em APs e CACs (a) a localização das proteínas das vias PI3K/AKT/mTOR e MAPK por meio da técnica de imunoistoquímica; (b) a expressão dos microRNAs 221 e 222, relacionados ao gene KIT (c) a associação dos achados laboratoriais com variáveis clínicas, patológicas e sobrevida. Resultados: Nos casos de AP a proteína c-Kit foi identificada em formações luminais e em raras células isoladas no parênquima tumoral. Já nos CAC, observou-se positividade na membrana das células ductais. Para a via de PI3K/AKT/mTOR, no AP, a proteína PI3K beta mostrou-se parcialmente positiva no citoplasma das células próximas à capsula tumoral, e as proteínas AKT e mTOR fosforiladas, foram expressas especialmente nas células epiteliais e em poucas células mioepiteliais. Já no CAC, a proteína PI3K beta e AKT fosforilada mostraram-se negativas na maioria dos casos, e a proteína mTOR fosforilada foi expressa no citoplasma das células epiteliais e em algumas células mioepiteliais. Para a via MAPK, as proteínas RAS, MEK-1 fosforilada e ERK 1/2 foram negativas na maioria dos AP e CAC; B-Raf e MEK-2 fosforilada foram observadas nas células luminais dos AP. Nos CAC, estruturas luminais neoplásicas foram positivas para a proteína MEK-2 fosforilada; B-Raf foi positivo nas células luminais e mioepiteliais. Além disso, os pacientes que expressaram as proteínas mTOR e MEK-2 fosforilada apresentaram sobrevida câncer-específica significativamente aumentada (p=0,040 e p=0,005, respectivamente). Na análise do microRNAs, a expressão do miR-221 foi variável nas 13 amostras analisadas, tendo baixa expressão em 30,77% dos casos, expressão normal em 38,46 e expressão aumentada em 30,77% dos casos. Já nos APs o miR-221 foi detectado em 19 amostras, sendo 36,84% com baixa expressão, 52,63% com expressão normal e expressão aumentada foi vista em 10,53% dos casos. A expressão do miR-222 foi detectada em 14 CACs, sendo que a maioria dos casos (8 casos ­ 57,1%) a expressão do miR-222 foi semelhante ao observado nas amostras não neoplásicas. Nos APs, o miR-222 foi detectado em 22 amostras, sendo 31,8% com baixa expressão, 31,8% com expressão normal e 36,4% com expressão aumentada. Conclusão: Apesar de a proteína c-Kit ser expressa em ambas as neoplasias ­ AP e CAC, sua influência sobre as vias de sinalização MAPK e PI3K/AKT/mTOR ainda permanece por ser estabelecida. Ainda, os microRNAs 221 e 222 não mostram correlação consistente com a expressão de c-Kit nos tipos tumorais estudados.

Introduction: Salivary gland tumors present broad histological spectrum resulting from multiple tumor cell differentiation. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) are the commonest benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms originated from the intercalated duct region, respectively, and are composed by luminal structures and myoepithelial cells. In a previous study we detected that protein c-kit is involved in the process of salivary gland morphogenesis and PA. c-Kit protein is important during embryogenesis, including gametogenesis, melanogeneis and hematopoiesis as well as in tumorigenesis. Its activation induces various intracellular responses through pathways such as MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascades. In salivary gland neoplasms, only a few reports have shown that alterations in KIT gene are present and proteins related to its signaling pathway as well as its post-transcriptional regulation. This study has aimed at evaluating in PA and ACC: (a) the proteins location of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways using immunohistochemistry (IHC); (b) expression of miR-221 and miR-222, related to KIT gene; and (c) the association of these findings with clinical, pathological and survival data of patients. Results: In PA c-kit was positive in isolated luminal cells; in ACC, neoplastic luminal structures were positive for c-Kit. In PA, PI3K beta protein was shown to be partially positive in the cytoplasm of cells near the tumor capsule and phosphor AKT and phospho mTOR, are specifically expressed in epithelial cells and in a few myoepithelial. In ACC, PI3K and phosphor AKT protein showed to be negative in most of cases. Phospho mTOR protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells and some myoepithelial cells. In MAPK pathway, Ras, ERK1/2 and phosphor MEK-1 proteins were negative in most PAs and CACs; B-Raf and phospho MEK-2 were detected in luminal cells of PA. In ACC neoplastic luminal structures were positive for phospho MEK-2; B-Raf was also positive in myoepithelial and epithelial cells. In addition, cases with expressed phospho-mTOR and phosphor MEK-2 proteins were significantly associated with higher cancer-specific survival (p = 0.040 and p = 0.005, respectively). Moreover, expression of miR-221 was detected in 13 CAC samples and 19 PA samples. In CAC, expression of miR-221 was downregulated in 30,77% of the samples, upregulated in 30,77% samples, and normal in 38,46% samples. In PA, miR-221 expression was downregulated in 36,84% samples, upregulated in 10,53% samples, and normal in 52,63% samples. Expression of miR-222 was detected in 14 CAC samples and 22 PA samples. In the majority of CAC samples, the expression of miR-222 was similar to that observed in non-neoplastic samples. In PA samples, expression of miR-222 was downregulated in 31,8% samples, upregulated in 36,4% samples, and normal in 31,8% samples. Conclusion: Although c-Kit expression is detected in PA and ACC, its influence on the MAPK e PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascades remains to be established. miR-221 e -222 did not show a robust correlation with c-Kit expression in the tumors studied.

A Novel KIT INDEL Mutation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia With t(8;21)(q22;q22); RUNX1-RUNX1T1

No abstract available.

La "cultura de la sobrevivencia" y la salud pública internacional en América Latina: la Guerra Fría y la erradicación de enfermedades a mediados del siglo XX / The "culture of survival" and international public health in Latin America: the Cold War and the eradication of diseases in the mid-twentieth century

Este artículo analiza las principales campañas promovidas por agencias internacionales y organismos nacionales de salud dirigidas a erradicar enfermedad infecciosas en el ámbito rural latinoamericano de los años 1940 y 1950. Las dimensiones políticas del periodo han sido estudiadas pero todavía se ha prestado poca atención a sus dimensiones sanitarias. Este trabajo propone el concepto de "cultura de la sobrevivencia" para explicar los problemas de la salud pública oficial de Estados con políticas sociales limitadas que no permitieron el ejercicio de la ciudadanía. La salud pública, como parte de esta cultura de la sobrevivencia, buscaba ser una solución temporal sin enfrentarse a los problemas sociales que originaban las infecciones y dejó un legado en la salud pública de la región.

This article analyzes the main campaigns run by international agencies and national health bodies to eradicate infectious diseases in rural Latin America in the 1940s and 1950s. The political dimensions of the period have been studied but there has been little attention as yet to the health dimensions. This article proposes the concept of a "culture of survival" to explain the official public health problems of states with limited social policies that did not allow the exercise of citizenship. Public health, as part of this culture of survival, sought a temporary solution without confronting the social problems that led to infections and left a public health legacy in the region.

De novo Leukemic Variant of Mast Cell Leukemia With KIT D816V

No abstract available.

Incidences and Prognostic Impact of c-KIT, WT1, CEBPA, and CBL Mutations, and Mutations Associated With Epigenetic Modification in Core Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Multicenter Study in a Korean Population

BACKGROUND: To identify potential molecular prognostic markers in core binding factor (CBF) AML, we analyzed incidences and prognostic impacts of mutations in c-KIT, WT1, CEBPA, CBL, and a number of epigenetic genes in CBF AML. METHODS: Seventy one and 21 AML patients with t(8;21) and inv(16) were enrolled in this study, respectively. NPM1, CEBPA, c-KIT, IDH1/2, DNMT3A, EZH2, WT1, and CBL mutations were analyzed by direct sequencing. Patients were categorized with respect to c-KIT and WT1 mutation status, and both clinical features and prognoses were compared. RESULTS: The incidences of FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD), NPM1, CEBPA, IDH1/2, DNMT3A, EZH2, and CBL mutations were low (< or =5%) in CBF AML patients. However, c-KIT and WT1 mutations occurred frequently (10.9% and 13.8%, respectively). t(8;21) patients with c-KIT mutations showed significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) periods than those without mutations (P<0.001, for both); however, although the limited number of t(8;21) patients were analyzed, WT1 mutation status did not affect prognosis significantly. Relapse or death during follow-up occurred more frequently in t(8;21) patients carrying c-KIT mutations than in those without the mutation, although the difference was significant only in a specific patient subgroup with no WT1 mutations (P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The incidences of mutations in epigenetic genes are very low in CBF AML; however, c-KIT and WT1 mutations occur more frequently than others. The poor prognostic impact of c-KIT mutation in t(8;21) AML patients only applies in a specific patient subgroup without WT1 mutations. The prognostic impact of WT1 mutation in CBF AML is not evident and further investigation is required.

Dysphagia, melanosis, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and a germinal mutation of the KIT gene in an Argentine family / Dysphagia, melanosis, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and a germinal mutation of the KIT gene in an Argentine family.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymatous neoplasms of the human digestive tract. They locate preferentially in stomach, duodenum or small bowel. Usually sporadic, familial cases unrelated to neurofibromatosis may be due to germline mutations in KIT or PDGFRA. We describe the first Argentine family with GIST in which we found, diffuse cutaneous melanosis, lentiginosis, and dysphagia. Dysphagia was not observed in the four families previously described with the same mutation. Histopathology resulted consistent with GIST, and tumor immunohistochemistry was likewise positive for DOG-1, CD117 (KIT) and CD34. The search for germline mutations identified the KIT c.1697T > C (p.559V > A) substitution in exon 11. Treatment with imatinib is furnishing positive results.

Diagnosis and treatment of mast cell disorders: practical recommendations / Diagnostico e tratamento de doencas mastocitarias: recomendacoes praticas

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE The term mastocytosis covers a group of rare disorders characterized by neoplastic proliferation and accumulation of clonal mast cells in one or more organs. The aim of this study was to assess the principal elements for diagnosing and treating these disorders. DESIGN AND SETTING Narrative review of the literature conducted at Grupo Fleury, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS This study reviewed the scientific papers published in the PubMed, Embase (Excerpta Medica Database), Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) and Cochrane Library databases that were identified using the search term “mastocytosis.” RESULTS The clinical presentation of mastocytosis is remarkably heterogeneous and ranges from skin lesions that may regress spontaneously to aggressive forms associated with organ failure and short survival. Currently, seven subtypes of mastocytosis are recognized through the World Health Organization classification system for hematopoietic tumors. These disorders are diagnosed based on clinical manifestations and on identification of neoplastic mast cells using morphological, immunophenotypic, genetic and molecular methods. Abnormal mast cells display atypical and frequently spindle-shaped morphology, and aberrant expression of the CD25 and CD2 antigens. Elevation of serum tryptase is a common finding in some subtypes, and more than 90% of the patients present the D816V KIT mutation in mast cells. CONCLUSION Here, we described the most common signs and symptoms among patients with mastocytosis and suggested a practical approach for the diagnosis, classification and initial clinical treatment of mastocytosis. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO O termo mastocitose abrange um grupo de raras doenças caracterizado por proliferação neoplásica e acúmulo de mastócitos clonais em um ou mais órgãos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os principais elementos para o diagnóstico e tratamento dessas desordens. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL Revisão narrativa da literatura realizada no Grupo Fleury, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS O presente estudo revisou artigos científicos publicados nas bases de dados PubMed, Embase (Excerpta Medica Database), Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) e Cochrane Library, que foram identificados com o termo de busca “mastocitose”. RESULTADOS A apresentação clínica da mastocitose é marcadamente heterogênea, variando de lesões cutâneas que podem regredir espontaneamente, até formas agressivas associadas a falência de órgãos e curta sobrevida. Atualmente, sete subtipos de mastocitose são reconhecidos pela classificação de tumores hematopoéticos da Organização Mundial de Saúde; o diagnóstico é realizado com base nas manifestações clínicas e na identificação de mastócitos neoplásicos por métodos morfológicos, imunofenotípicos, genéticos e moleculares. Mastócitos anômalos apresentam morfologia atípica, frequentemente fusiforme, e expressão aberrante dos antígenos CD25 e CD2. Aumento de triptase sérica é um achado comum em alguns subtipos; e mais que 90% dos pacientes apresentam mastócitos com a mutação KIT D816V. CONCLUSÃO No presente artigo, descrevemos os sintomas e sinais mais comuns em pacientes com mastocitose e sugerimos uma prática abordagem para o diagnóstico, classificação e tratamento clínico ...

Imatinib Plasma Monitoring-Guided Dose Modification for Managing Imatinib-Related Toxicities in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Patients

Imatinib, the first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), is generally well tolerated, although some patients have difficulty tolerating the standard dose of 400 mg/day. Adjusting imatinib dosage by plasma level monitoring may facilitate management of patients who experience intolerable toxicities due to overexposure to the drug. We present two cases of advanced GIST patients in whom we managed imatinib-related toxicities through dose modifications guided by imatinib plasma level monitoring. Imatinib blood level testing may be a promising approach for fine-tuning imatinib dosage for better tolerability and optimal clinical outcomes in patients with advanced GIST.

Características genético-moleculares de los tumores estromales gastrointestinales (GIST) / Molecular and genetic features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)

Los tumores estromales gastrointestinales (GIST) son neoplasias mesenquimales que típicamente surgen a nivel del estómago, intestino delgado, colon, y otros sitios en la cavidad abdominal y su identificación se ha incrementado por mejoras en los criterios de detección. La mayor parte de los tumores GIST son causados por mutaciones activadoras en los genes de receptores transmembranares tirosina quinasa c-KIT y receptor alpha del factor de crecimiento derivado de plaquetas (PDGFRA). Las mutaciones causales de GIST se restringen solo a ciertas regiones del gen que corresponden a importantes zonas funcionales de c-KIT o PDGFRA. Se reporta que hasta 70% de casos de GIST se debe a mutaciones en el exón 11 del gen c-Kit que corresponde a la región yuxtamembrana del receptor. La región y el tipo de mutación determinan diferencialmente cómo se desarrolla la neoplasia, el pronóstico y su respuesta a inhibidores de las tirosina quinasas como el Imanatib. Por tal motivo, el genotipado de KIT y PDGFRA es importante para el diagnóstico y establecimiento de la sensibilidad a los inhibidores tirosina quinasa.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms typically arising in the stomach, small intestine, colon, and other sites in the abdominal cavity and its identification has improved dramatically mainly due to better criteria in its detection. Most GISTs tumors harbor activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase receptor c-KIT or platelet derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRA). Those mutations are restricted to a few regions corresponding to important functional domains of c-KIT or PDGFRA. Upto 70% of cases are due to mutations in exon 11 of c-KIT corresponding to its juxtamembrane region of the receptor. The location and type of mutation will differentially determine the development of the disease, its prognosis and the response to inhibitors of tyrosine kinases as Imanatib. For this reason, genotyping c-KIT and PDGFRA is important for GIST diagnosis and assessment of sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): a pathology view point.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. Most gastrointestinal soft tissue neoplasms, previously classified as leiomyomas, schwannomas, leiomyoblastomas, or leiomyosarcomas, are now classified as GISTs based on histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular study. They originate from the stem cells that differentiate toward the pacemaker cell (Interstitial cell of Cajal). Prognostic factors have been identified for GISTs and include tumor size and mitotic rate. Surgery is the standard treatment for resectable GISTs. Metastatic and inoperable GISTs should be considered the medication with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (imatinib mesylate), which inhibits the c-kit receptor. The role of the pathologist in the differential diagnosis of GISTs, as well as in the assessment of the malignant potential of the tumors, is becoming increasingly important in influencing decisions regarding clinical management of GISTs. The present paper reviews the literature of GISTs and emphasizes on the field of the pathologist's work.

Revision of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The advent of target therapy (imatinib mesylate) for GISTs increases the importance of pathologic diagnosis. The previous diagnosis with smooth muscle tumor (leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma) and nerve sheath tumor (schwannoma) become GISTs after the study with CD117 immunohistochemistry accompanying conventional histologic study in many series. OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence of GISTs in the patients who were previously diagnosed with smooth muscle or nerve sheath tumors. The histology and immunoreactivity of both newly found and previously diagnosed with GISTs are also studied MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective database identified all patients seen from 1998 to 2006. Patients with mesenchymal tumors of the GI tract and intraabdominal extragastrointestinal tract were selected, 53 cases in total. Clinical and pathological data, treatment, and outcome were analyzed RESULTS: After revision, the total number of GISTs is 42 cases. There were 33 cases previously diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma that became the diagnosis with GISTs (31 cases or 93.9%), due to CD117 positivity. Most of GISTs cases had spindle cell type (26 cases, 61.9%) and only the colon and omentum had predominant mixed cell type. CONCLUSION: GISTs are the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the stomach and small intestine and are relatively less frequent at other gastrointestinal sites. An increasing awareness of their histologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular features coupled with an evolving understanding of their histogenesis is facilitating our ability to identify these tumors.