Creation of EGD-Derived Gastric Cancer Organoids to Predict Treatment Responses.

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAd) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Most patients require perioperative chemotherapy, yet methods to accurately predict responses to therapy are lacking. Thus, patients may be unnecessarily exposed to considerable toxicities. Here, we present a novel methodology using patient-derived organoids (PDOs) that rapidly and accurately predicts the chemotherapy efficacy for GAd patients. Methods:Endoscopic GAd biopsies were obtained from 19 patients, shipped overnight, and PDOs were developed within 24 h. Drug sensitivity testing was performed on PDO single-cells with current standard-of-care systemic GAd regimens and cell viability was measured. Whole exome sequencing was used to confirm the consistency of tumor-related gene mutations and copy number alterations between primary tumors, PDOs, and PDO single-cells. Results:Overall, 15 of 19 biopsies (79%) were appropriate for PDO creation and single-cell expansion within 24 h of specimen collection and overnight shipment. With our PDO single-cell technique, PDOs (53%) were successfully developed. Subsequently, two PDO lines were subjected to drug sensitivity testing within 12 days from initial biopsy procurement. Drug sensitivity assays revealed unique treatment response profiles for combination drug regimens in both of the two unique PDOs, which corresponded with the clinical response. Conclusions:The successful creation of PDOs within 24 h of endoscopic biopsy and rapid drug testing within 2 weeks demonstrate the feasibility of our novel approach for future applications in clinical decision making. This proof of concept sets the foundation for future clinical trials using PDOs to predict clinical responses to GAd therapies.

Thyroid Carcinoma with NSD3::NUTM1 Fusion: a Case with Thyrocyte Differentiation and Colloid Production.

In this report, we present a high-grade thyroid carcinoma with an NSD3::NUTM1 fusion detected on expanded next-generation sequencing testing. Nuclear protein of the testis (NUT) carcinomas comprise high-grade, aggressive tumors characterized by rearrangements of the NUTM1 gene with various partner genes, most commonly the bromodomain protein genes BRD4 and BRD3. Approximately 10% of NUT carcinomas contain an NSD3::NUTM1 fusion. NUT carcinomas manifest as poorly differentiated or undifferentiated squamous carcinomas, and 33% show areas of mature squamous differentiation. Only exceptionally have NUT carcinomas shown histology discordant from poorly differentiated/undifferentiated squamous carcinoma, and a thyroid NUT carcinoma with histologic thyrocyte differentiation has not been described to date. Our patient's tumor exhibited mixed cytologic features suggestive of squamoid cells or papillary thyroid carcinoma cells. Overt squamous differentiation was absent, and the tumor produced colloid in poorly formed follicles. Immunophenotypically, the carcinoma was consistent with thyrocyte differentiation with expression of monoclonal PAX8, TTF1, and thyroglobulin (the last predominantly in extracellular colloid). There was zero to < 2% reactivity for proteins typically diffusely expressed in NUT carcinoma: p40, p63, and cytokeratins 5/6. NUT protein expression was equivocal, but fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed a NUTM1 rearrangement. This exceptional case suggests that NUTM1 fusions may occur in an unknown number of aggressive thyroid carcinomas, possibly with distinctive histologic features but with thyrocyte differentiation. Recognition of this entity potentially has significant prognostic implications. Moreover, thyroid carcinomas with NUTM1 fusions may be amenable to treatment with NUT carcinoma-targeted therapy such as a bromodomain and extraterminal domain protein small molecular inhibitor (BETi).

Undiagnosed Malignancy and Therapeutic Complications in Oncology Patients.

CONTEXT.­: Despite technologic and medical advancements, autopsies are essential to uncover clinically unsuspected diagnoses, to advance our understanding of disease processes, and to help reduce medical errors. OBJECTIVE.­: To investigate the percentage of malignancy clinically diagnosed and undiagnosed in a series of hospital autopsies. Secondarily, to explore the therapeutic complications directly contributing to death in cancer patients. DESIGN.­: A 10-year retrospective study (2008-2018). All nonforensic autopsies performed at the University of Vermont Medical Center during this period were reviewed by 2 pathologists, and data, including antemortem diagnoses of malignancy, and autopsy findings, including therapeutic complications, were collected. RESULTS.­: A total of 246 cases documented a diagnosis of malignancy. In 34.5% (85 of 246) of cases a tissue diagnosis of malignancy was first documented following postmortem examination. In 41.2% (35 of 85) of cases there was clinical antemortem suspicion of malignancy, whereas in 58.8% (50 of 85) clinically unsuspected malignancy was first diagnosed after postmortem examination. In 16.0% (8 of 50) of cases the undiagnosed malignancy was the primary cause of death. The overall rate of therapeutic complication related to the treatment of oncologic disease in patients that resulted in death was 21.7% (35 of 161). CONCLUSIONS.­: Our study shows the percentage of clinically unsuspected malignancies revealed by postmortem examination to be 5% (50 of 1003) of all autopsy cases. In 16% (8 of 50) of cases, the cause of death was due to the clinically undiagnosed malignancy, and hence not to an incidental finding. Despite advances in medical therapy in the management of oncologic disease, in up to 21.7% (35 of 161) of cases therapeutic complications directly contributed to death.

Promoting appropriate utilisation of laboratory tests for inflammation at an academic medical centre.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reactive protein (CRP) are commonly ordered in clinical practice to evaluate for inflammation. CRP is a more sensitive and specific test for detecting acute phase inflammation, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology recommends ordering CRP rather than ESR to detect acute phase inflammation in patients with undiagnosed conditions. We sought to understand CRP and ESR ordering practices and reduce unnecessary use of ESR testing at our academic medical centre. We surveyed physician leaders in clinical areas with high utilisation of ESR testing to understand the drivers of potential overutilisation of these tests. Based on survey responses, we designed an intervention focused on education, clinical decision support within the electronic medical record and quarterly audit and feedback. We evaluated appropriateness of ESR ordering before and after the intervention via structured chart audit. Comparison of monthly rates of ESR tests during the preintervention and postintervention periods was conducted using interrupted time series analysis. Clinical habit and ease of test ordering were identified as key drivers of ESR overuse. Compared with the preintervention period, we observed a 33% reduction in the number of ESR tests per month and a 25% reduction in combined CRP and ESR tests per month during the postintervention period. This reduction corresponded to an annual avoidance of 2633 ESR tests with a corresponding estimated direct cost avoidance of $23 701 annually. Although the rate of ESR testing decreased, there was no significant improvement in the clinical appropriateness of residual ESR test ordering following the intervention. A multifaceted intervention was associated with significant decreases in unnecessary ESR tests and concurrent ESR and CRP tests at our academic medical centre. Despite these reductions, there are continued opportunities to reduce inappropriate ESR testing.

Unexplained cytopenias in an adolescent? You GATA think about it.

OBJECTIVES: The GATA family of DNA binding proteins consists of six different transcription factors (GATA1-6), each with a diverse biologic function. The transcription factors GATA1-3 function primarily to orchestrate hematopoiesis; however, they have roles in non-hematopoietic cells as well. Much of our current knowledge of the GATA transcription factors has come through observation of disease states with known GATA mutations. The GATA2 protein has been shown to be vital for proliferation and maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells; mutations result in variable phenotypes including myelodysplastic syndrome. We present a case of a 19-year-old male with a history of pancytopenia and hypocellular bone marrow with dysplastic morphologic changes who underwent an extensive workup to determine an etiology. Molecular testing identified a germline GATA2 c.1081 C>T heterozygous mutation, allowing his case to be classified as the World Health Organization (WHO) entity: myeloid neoplasm with germline GATA2 mutation.

Mistaken identity: A Case for Karyotype Analysis Work-up of Soft Tissue Tumors.

OBJECTIVES: Soft tissue pathology encompasses a diverse range of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. Definitive diagnosis is challenging due to the vast number of histologic subtypes (>100) and the potential for overlapping clinical, radiographic, histologic, and/or immunohistochemical features. Many institutions have moved away from cytogenetic analysis in the workup of soft tissue tumors; however, specific non-random cytogenetic abnormalities are characteristic of various tumor types and can reveal or confirm the diagnosis in challenging cases. We present a diagnostically challenging case of myxoid liposarcoma initially considered to be reactive in nature and only correctly diagnosed when karyotype analysis revealed the characteristic t(12;16)(q13;p11.2), thus altering patient care and management.

"Lipoblastoma" has a nice ring to it.

OBJECTIVES: Lipoblastomas are benign tumors composed of fat cells of varying degrees of maturation, from lipoblasts to mature adipocytes. These tumors typically affect young children under the age of three. Upregulation of the pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1), located on 8q12.1, is the primary driving force for lipoblastoma development. The most common mechanisms for PLAG1 upregulation are rearrangements of 8q11-13 and polysomy 8. We present a unique case of lipoblastoma in a three-year-old boy with a ring chromosome 8. To the best of our knowledge, this cytogenetic finding has only been described three times in the literature. We present this case to further document this rare cytogenetic abnormality in lipoblastomas and hypothesize that the formation of a ring 8 chromosome results in a promoter swapping event.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in patients with endometriosis.

AIMS: Florid mesothelial hyperplasia is known to result from endometriosis. Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma and multiloculated peritoneal inclusion cysts have also been described in women with endometriosis. To our knowledge, peritoneal diffuse malignant mesothelioma (MM) arising in the setting of endometriosis has not been reported. The purpose of this study is to report the clinicopathological characteristics of women with MM and endometriosis. METHODS: The surgical pathology files of a tertiary academic medical centre and the consultation files of one of the study authors were reviewed for cases of MM in females with and without endometriosis. RESULTS: Six women with MM and endometriosis ranging in age from 29 to 55 years (median=45 years) were identified. All had peritoneal MM and endometriosis involving the peritoneum and/or adnexa. Five had epithelioid MM and one had biphasic MM. Two had paraoccupational exposure to asbestos. The median age of women with MM and endometriosis (44.5 years) was significantly less than the median age of cases without endometriosis (58.0 years) (p value=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of MM in women with endometriosis. Interestingly, MM in the setting of endometriosis has only been observed in the peritoneum and not in other serosal cavities. The findings in the present study suggest that chronic serosal inflammation secondary to endometriosis may be an inducing factor in rare cases of MM of the peritoneum.

Renal Cell Carcinoma with monosomy 8: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVES: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignancy commonly encountered by both clinicians and pathologists. Different RCC subtypes are classified based on histologic features, immunohistochemistry profiles, and cytogenetic abnormalities. Accurate diagnosis of subtypes is important as it has prognostic and therapeutic implications. The most common RCC subtype is clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC); the most frequent genetic abnormalities associated with CCRCC are a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 3 involving 3p21 and mutations involving the Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene. Advances in molecular pathology have identified additional molecular pathways leading to CCRCC. Researchers identified mutations of TCEB-1, monosomy 8, intact chromosome 3 and lack of VHL gene mutations in 4.7% of CCRCC. Additional evidence has been found recognizing RCC with monosomy 8 as a unique RCC subtype by describing cases with similar genetic profiles, non-specific immunohistochemistry, and histomorphology that overlapped with other known RCC types. At the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC), conventional cytogenetics are obtained on all renal neoplasms. Three recent cases of RCC with monosomy 8, normal chromosome 3 morphology, clear cell cytology and non-specific immunohistochemistry profiles were identified. We present these cases to further document this unique subtype and highlight the importance of conventional cytogenetics in the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma.