The peri- and intratumoral immune cell infiltrate and PD-L1 status in invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the penis.

INTRODUCTION: Penile carcinomas are rare tumors throughout Europe. Therefore, little attention is drawn to this disease. That makes it important to study tumor-associated key metrics and relate these to known data on penile neoplasias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 60 well-defined penile invasive carcinomas with known human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status was investigated. Data on tumor type, grading and staging were recorded. Additionally, data on the peri- and intratumoral immune cell infiltrate in a semiquanititave manner applying an HE stain were assessed. RESULTS: Our study showed a significant correlation of immune cell infiltrate and pT stage with overall survival. Therefore, in a subset of tumors, PD-L1 staining was applied. For tumor proportion score (TPS), 26 of 30 samples (87%) were scored >0%. For the immune cell score (IC), 28 of 30 samples (93%) were defined as >0% and for CPS, 29 of 30 samples (97%) scored >0. PD-L1 expression was not associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: PD-L1 is expressed in penile carcinomas, providing a rationale for targeted therapy with checkpoint inhibitors. We were able to show that immune reaction appears to be prognostically relevant. These data enhance the need for further studies on the immune cell infiltrate in penile neoplasias and show that PD-L1 expression is existent in our cohort, which may be a potential target for checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Prognostic value of p16INK4a overexpression in penile cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Penile cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all male cancers in industrialized countries. It is most common in areas of high prevalence of HPV, being a third of cases attributed to the carcinogenic effect of HPV. Tumour cells infected with HPV overexpress p16INK4a, as such p16INK4a has been used as a surrogate of HPV infections. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic factor of p16INK4a overexpression in penile cancer. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with penile cancer, submitted to surgery in a Portuguese Oncological Institution in the last 20 years (n = 35). Histological review of surgical pieces and immunohistochemical identification of p16INK4a. Relation between p16INK4a and the following factors were studied: age, histological subtype, tumour dimensions, grade, TNM stage, perineural invasion, perivascular invasion, disease free survival (DFS) and cancer specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: p16INK4a was positive in 8 patients (22.9%). Identification of p16INK4a did not correlate with none of the histopathological factors. In this work we identified a better DFS and CSS in patients positive for p16INK4a (DFS at 36 months was 100.0% vs. 66.7%; CSS at 36 months was 100.0% vs. 70.4%), although without statistical significance (p > 0.05). In multivariate analysis of histopathological factors studied, only N staging correlated with DFS and CSS (p = 0.017 and p = 0.014, respectively). DISCUSSION: the percentage of cases positive for p16INK4a is smaller than the one found in literature, which can suggest a less relevant part of HPV infection in the oncogenesis of penile cancer in the studied population. Identification of p16INK4a did not relate with other clinicopathological factors. Tendency for a more favourable prognosis in patients with p16INK4a agrees with results found in literature. The most relevant factor for prognosis is nodal staging. CONCLUSIONS: penile cancer positive for p16INK4a shows a trend for better survival, although the most relevant factor is nodal staging.

Penile pacinian neurofibroma.

Pacinian neurofibroma (PNF) is a lobulated benign neural tumor with prominent structures resembling pacinian bodies. These tumors most commonly occur in areas where normal pacinian bodies are found, such as the hands and feet. Although pacinian bodies are common in the penis, no cases of penile PNF have been reported to date. We present a case of PNF on the dorsal glans penis of a 47-year-old man. The lesion presented as a single flesh-colored papule and the biopsy showed a dermal neurofibroma consisting of bland spindle cells with wavy nuclei, without mitoses or atypia, and some nodular structures with a concentric arrangement and a pacinian appearance. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positivity for CD34 and Vimetin and negativity for Epithelial Membrane Antigen (EMA). S100 was highly positive in the most central areas of the pacinian-like nodules, while the periphery and non-nodular parts of the neurofibroma were less intensively expressed.

Morphology, p16, HPV, and outcomes in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis: a multi-institutional study.

Our objective was to evaluate the pathologic features and clinical outcomes in cases of invasive penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the association with p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and human papilloma virus (HPV) in situ hybridization (ISH). A retrospective multi-institutional database search was conducted for invasive SCC of the penis diagnosed between 2007 and 2018 that had undergone surgical resection. Pathologic features, p16 IHC, and HPV ISH were investigated with clinical outcomes. A total of 102 patients were included in the study. The average age was 63 ±â€¯13.3 years. Based on histology, 46% of tumors displayed an HPV-related subtype, whereas p16 was positive in 52% of all cases. Tumor histology correlated well with p16 positivity (P < .001), and p16 IHC accurately predicted the presence of HPV in 25/26 (96%) cases. On multivariate analysis, perineural invasion was associated with local disease recurrence (P = .02), whereas lymphovascular invasion was associated with progression to metastatic disease (P = .002) and increased overall mortality (P = .02). Urethral involvement was also associated with increased overall mortality (P = .02). In addition, HPV-related tumors based on histologic features correlated with lower rates of metastatic disease (P = .007). HPV is a common cause of penile SCC and can be diagnosed by tumor histology and confirmed by overexpression of p16 on IHC. The presence of lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and urethral involvement are poor prognostic indicators, whereas HPV-related tumors based on histology may have lower risk for metastatic disease.

Etiological role of human papillomavirus infection in the development of penile cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and penile cancer among Japanese patients. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with penile cancer were enrolled in this study. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples, and HPV-DNA tests and genotyping were performed. For all of the samples, in situ hybridization (ISH) was performed to locate HPV-DNA in tumor tissue. Furthermore, expression levels of p16-INK4a, mini-chromosome maintenance protein 7(mcm-7), HPV-L1, and Ki-67 were analyzed using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: HPV and high-risk (HR)-HPV were detected in 14 (41.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 24.6-57.7%) and 12 (35.2%; 95% CI 19.2-51.4%) cases, respectively. HPV16 was the most frequently detected HPV type. Among the HR-HPV-positive cases, a punctate HR-HPV-DNA signal pattern was detected by ISH in tumor cell nuclei. P16-INK4a was expressed in 66.7% (95% CI 42.8-90.1%) of HR-HPV-positive cases and was significantly more frequent and stronger in HR-HPV-positive cases than in HPV-negative cases. There was no significant difference in the occurrence or distribution of mcm-7 or Ki-67 expression between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases. HPV-L1 expression was not observed in any of the cases examined. CONCLUSIONS: HPV infection may have had an etiological role in 41% of the examined cases of penile cancer in Japan.

Down-regulation of Toll-like Receptor TLR4 Is Associated with HPV DNA Integration in Penile Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Development of penile cancers is attributed to HPV-related carcinogenesis. Our aim was to analyze HPV positivity and TLR4, p16ink4a and p53 expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HPV presence was assessed with virus-specific TaqMan PCR and HPV Genotyping Test in 31 penile cancers. Immunohistochemistry was carried out on tissue microarray. RESULTS: TLR4 expression was detected in 4 of the 16 HPV positive and 13 of the 15 HPV negative tumors. We found a significant inverse correlation between HPV positivity and TLR4 expression (p=0.0006). Ten of the 16 HPV-positive but none of the 15 HPV-negative tumors expressed p16INK4a. A significant correlation was seen between p53 expression and lack of HPV DNA (p=0.0191) as well as between TLR4 and p53 expression (p=0.0198) in penile cancers. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a protective role of TLR4 expression against HPV DNA integration and the viral and non-viral carcinogenesis of penile cancer.

Medullary Carcinoma of the Penis: A Distinctive HPV-related Neoplasm: A Report of 12 Cases.

A third to half of penile invasive squamous cell carcinomas are human papillomavirus (HPV) related. Warty (condylomatous), warty-basaloid, and basaloid carcinomas are the most common subtypes associated with HPV. Less frequent are clear cell and lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas. Here we report a novel penile tumor associated with HPV. Twelve cases were selected from 1010 penile carcinomas, part of an international HPV detection study conducted at the Institut Català d'Oncologia, Barcelona, Spain. Immunostaining with p16 was performed on all cases, and HPV-mRNA detection was also performed. En bloc full tumor staining was the utilized criteria for positivity of p16. For HPV-DNA detection, whole-tissue section polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed by SPF10-DEIA-LiPA25 (version 1). The patients' ages ranged from 42 to 92 years (average, 71 y). The tumor was most commonly located in the glans. A characteristic microscopic finding was the presence of a moderate to dense tumor-associated inflammatory cell infiltrate composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, or eosinophils. Tumors grew in large solid sheets, nests, or had a trabecular pattern. Cells were large and poorly differentiated or anaplastic. Keratinization was minimal or absent. Nuclei were large with prominent nucleoli. Mitoses were numerous. Tumor necrosis was common. Deep invasion of the corpora cavernosa was frequent. p16 and HPV-DNA were positive in all cases, whereas mRNA detection was positive in 9 cases only. The prevalent genotype was HPV16 (9 cases, 75%). Other genotypes were HPVs 58, 33, and 66. Medullary carcinomas of the penis are morphologically distinctive HPV-related high-grade neoplasms affecting older individuals. More studies are necessary to delineate the epidemiological, clinical, and molecular features of this unusual penile neoplasm.

Epidermal growth factor receptor as an adverse survival predictor in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

Penile carcinoma (PC) is more frequent in underdeveloped countries, generally is diagnosed at an advanced stage when therapeutic options are restricted, and thus is associated with high morbidity/mortality rates. Recent studies have demonstrated clinical benefits with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy in patients with PC, although there is no test that provides accurate patient selection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of EGFR gene and protein status in tumor samples from patients with primary penile squamous cell carcinoma. We assessed the expression of wild-type and 2 mutant EGFR isoforms (delA746-E750 and mL858R) by immunohistochemistry in 139 samples, of which 49 were also evaluated for EGFR copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Positive immunohistochemical staining of wild-type and mutant EGFR was evidenced by complete and strong membranous staining. For FISH analysis, cases were considered unaltered, polysomic, or amplified, as determined by signals of the EGFR gene and chromosome 7. An independent cohort of 107 PC samples was evaluated for mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF. Protein overexpression was noted in nearly half of the cases and was associated with cancer recurrence (P=.004) and perineural invasion (P=.005). Expression of the 2 mutated EGFR isoforms was not observed. The FISH status was not associated with protein expression. Altered FISH (polysomy and gene amplification) was an independent risk factor for dying of cancer. Only 1 patient of 107 presented KRAS mutations, and no mutations of EGFR or BRAF were observed.

Penile Analogue of Stratified Mucin-Producing Intraepithelial Lesion of the Cervix: The First Described Case. A Diagnostic Pitfall.

The authors report a case where undifferentiated (classic) penile intraepithelial neoplasia was associated with the presence of goblet cells throughout the full epithelial thickness and which later progressed into an invasive carcinoma. The lesion evolved in three consecutive biopsies from only surface epithelium occupying numerous goblet cells in the first to variably sized solid nodules in the dermis composed of atypical squamous and/or basaloid cells intermixed with numerous goblet cells in the third biopsy. Both cellular components expressed CK7 and p16 protein. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping revealed high risk HPV type 16. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of such a lesion occurring on the penis, which can be considered the penile analogue of cervical stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion (SMILE). The correct diagnosis was rendered retrospectively, after recognition of the existence of a vulvar lesion resembling cervical SMILE. The initial biopsy was misinterpreted as extramammary Paget disease, which also constitutes the main pitfall in the differential diagnosis. Another important differential diagnosis is penile/vulvar mucinous metaplasia. The finding of atypical squamous epithelial cells positive for p16 associated with mucinous cells present throughout the full epithelial thickness is a clue to the diagnosis of penile SMILE.

Primary invasive extramammary Paget disease on penoscrotum: a clinicopathological analysis of 41 cases.

To investigate the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features and prognostic factors for invasive extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) on penoscrotum, we described the clinical presentations, histopathology, and follow-up courses of 41 cases. The age of the patients ranged from 42 to 84 years. All the patients were treated with wide surgical excision, and 14 were confirmed to have lymph node metastasis. During follow-up, 18 patients (43.9%) developed local or distant recurrence, and 13 patients (31.7%) died of the disease. Histologically, glandular formation with true lumina within the epidermis was found in 29 cases, and signet ring cells were seen in 11 cases. In invasive components, nodular/micronodular growth pattern, glandular formation, and strands/solid sheets existed in 95.1% (39/41), 43.9% (18/41), and 24.4% (10/41) of the cases, respectively. More than half of the cases had at least 2 different types of invasive growth pattern. CK7 was diffusely positive in all cases, whereas CK20 was focally positive in 8 cases. GCDFP-15 was expressed to a variable degree in 24 cases. Presence of strands/solid sheets, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion in invasive EMPD were found to be correlated with higher lymph node metastatic rate. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with one of the following prognostic factors: delay in diagnosis more than 7.5 years, depth of invasion more than 1 mm, invasive pattern of strands/solid sheets, marked inflammation, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis at diagnosis, had significantly shorter cancer-specific survival. We concluded that invasive EMPD is a rare malignant skin neoplasm with morphological diversity. Invasive pattern of strands/solid sheets is significantly associated with both lymph node metastasis and worse prognosis. Delay in diagnosis, depth of invasion, marked inflammation, lymphovascular invasion, and regional lymph node status are important prognostic factors.

Análise in situ de proteínas diferencialmente expressas em carcinomas epidermoides penianos por espectrometria de massas utilizando Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) / In situ analysis of protein differentially expressed in penile squamous cell carcinoma by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry

O carcinoma de pênis (CaPe) corresponde a uma doença maligna mutilante do homem. É mais frequente em regiões economicamente desprivilegiadas, como o Norte/Nordeste do Brasil, onde frequentemente é diagnosticado como doença mais avançada. Assim, novos marcadores diagnósticos, prognósticos e preditivos de tratamentos terapêuticos ainda são necessários. Abordagens proteômicas, incluindo o MALDI Imaging, podem contribuir neste sentido. Esta técnica emergente de espectrometria de massas permite a visualização da distribuição espacial de centenas de dados moleculares diretamente da superfície de uma secção tecidual, adquiridos por razão massa/carga (m/z). Neste contexto, nosso principal propósito foi integrar dados de proteômica clássica (gel 2D e Cromatografia Líquida acoplada à Espectrometria de Massas) e de MALDI Imaging, para obter padrões diferenciais de proteínas associados com amostras de Carcinoma Epidermoide Peniano usual (relacionado ou não ao HPV) e espécimes normais, a fim de buscar possíveis biomarcadores da doença. Um total de 45 amostras de CaPe, congeladas, foram inicialmente genotipadas para a presença do HPV. Destas, 60% foram positivas para variantes virais de alto risco. A proteômica clássica (N=24) evidenciou níveis diferenciais de 35 proteínas entre amostras de CaPe e controles, e 29 entre CaPe HPV positivo versus negativo (P<0,05; ANOVA). Redes de interações demonstraram que estes perfis proteicos interagiam com clusters de proteínas relacionadas com a carcinogênese e progressão tumoral. Entre eles, se destacaram aqueles formados por proteínas antioxidantes e de adesão celular, presentes em níveis elevados em tumores HPV negativos. A partir dos interactomas, quatro alvos proteicos foram selecionados para a análise in situ por imageamento: Calreticulina, 14-3-3 sigma, Serpina B5 e Glutationa-s-transferase. A aquisição de dados do MALDI Imaging foi conduzida após a digestão in situ pela tripsina, usando uma resolução de 200 µm e faixa de 700-3500 m/z para peptídeos (N=31). Os dados de identificação do gel 2D foram então integrados aos do imageamento. A identidade proteica dos filtros foi confirmada, in silico, por meio da presença de peptídeos teóricos co-localizados com o peptídeo experimental alvo nas secções de CaPe. Não houve associação significativa entre os parâmetros clinicopatológicos e as intensidades de sinal dos alvos (P>0,05, U de Mann-Whitney). Análises não supervisionadas, realizadas a partir dos dados do MALDI Imaging, evidenciaram mapas de segmentação que coindiciram com as regiões tumorais e margens adjacentes livres de neoplasia. Entre os principais valores de m/z diferenciadores estava o pico 1413 ± 2,5 Da, abundante nas regiões tumorais, e correlacionado ao peptídeo experimental m/z 1410,86 referente à proteína Calreticulina (CRT), o. Análises estatísticas (PCA e Curva ROC) indicaram este valor de m/z como potencial biomarcador da doença. Por conseguinte, a CRT foi selecionada para a etapa de validação por imunoistoquímica em tecidos parafinados de CaPe (N=158). Níveis elevados de imunoreatividade da CRT foram associados com piores tempo de sobrevida global (Razão de Risco 2,3; IC-1,46-3,96; P<0,001) e câncer específica (Razão de Risco 4,37; IC-1,66-11,51; P=0,002) nos casos de CaPe. A presença de metástase em linfonodos foi considerado um fator prognóstico independente para o risco de morte pelo câncer (Razão de Risco ­ 14,18; CI-3,29-61,12; P <0,001). A imunoreatividade da CRT também foi capaz de predizer a presença de metástase em linfonodos (Chance de Risco: 1,006; IC- 1,0001-1,0012; p=0,044). Estes dados, em conjunto, sugerem que a CRT pode ser um potencial biomarcador prognóstico do CaPe. A estratégia de integração da proteômica clássica com o MALDI Imaging, mostrou-se uma ferramenta útil na busca de novos biomarcadores para o CaPe. Além disto, o trabalho adicionou uma visão analítica à histopatologia clássica, o que deverá inserir as técnicas utilizadas neste projeto em estudos de Anatomia Patológica, tanto em nossa instituição, quanto no contexto global.

Penile cancer (PeCa) corresponds to a mutilating malignant disease in men. It is more frequent in underprivileged socioeconomic regions (e.g., Noth, North-East of Brazil), where it is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages. Thus, new markers are still needed for early diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of therapy. Proteomic approaches, including MALDI Imaging, could assist in this effort. This emerging spatially resolved mass spectrometric technique can obtain topographical distribution of hundreds of molecules directly from the tissue section surface, mensured by mass/charge ratio (m/z). In this context, our mainly propose was to integrate classic proteomic data (2D gel and Liquid Chromatograph coupled with Mass Spectrometry) with MALDI Imaging to obtain diferential patterns of protein associated with Usual Squamous Cell Penile Carcinoma (HPV related or not) and normal specimens, to look for possible biomarkers of the disease. A total of 45 fresh-frozen PeCa samples were initially searched for HPV genotype, 60% of which were positive for high-risk HPV. Classic proteomics (N=24) demonstrated diferential levels of 35 proteins comparing PeCa and control samples, and 29 comparing HPV-positive versus HPV-negative PeCa samples (P<0.05; ANOVA). Protein networks showed that these protein profiles interact with clusters of proteins related with tumorigenesis and tumor progression processes. Among them, antioxidant and cell adhesion proteins play a critical role in HPV negative penile tumors. Based on interactome data, four protein targets were selected for in situ analyses by imaging: Calreticulin, 14-3-3 protein sigma, Serpin B5 and Glutatione-s-transferase. MALDI Imaging data acquisition of peptides was conducted after in situ trypsin digestion using a lateral resolution of 200 µm, covering the range 700- 3500 m/z (N=31). After that, 2D gel based proteomic data was integrated with Imaging data. The filter protein identities were confirmed in silico by the co-localization of theoretical triptic peptides with the experimental peptides in PeCa sections. There was no significant association between the clinical and pathological parameters and the target signal intensities (P>0.05; U de Mann-Whitney). An unsupervised clustering analysis based on MALDI Imaging data reveled segmentation maps that coincide with histological annotation for tumor and adjacent non-neoplasic regions. Among the mainly differentiating m/z values there was 1413 ± 2.5 Da. This peak was especially co-localized with tumoral regions and correlated with Calreticulin (CRT) experimental peptide (m/z 1410,86). Statistical analysis (PCA and ROC Curves) indicated this m/z value as a potencial biomarker of the disease. For this reason, CRT was selected for validation by immunohistochemistry performed on paraffin-embedded PeCa tissues (N=158). As result, CRT hiperexpression in PeCa tissue increased the risk of unfavorable overall survival (Relative Risk ­ 2.3; CI-1.46-3.96; P<0.001) and cancer specific survival (Relative Risk ­ 4.37; CI-1.66-11.51; P=0.002) in these patients. Lymph node metastasis represented an independent prognostic risk factor for death related to cancer in our patients (Relative risk ­ 14.18; CI-3.29-61.12; P <0.001). CRT immunoreactivity was also capable to predict the presence of lymph node metastases (Risk Chance ­ 1,006; CI-1.0001-1.00123; P =0.044). Taken together, our results sugest that CRT may represent a prognostic biomarker of PeCa. The strategy of integrated classic proteomic and MALDI Imaging revealed as usefull tool to search for news biomarkers of the disease. Futhermore, this work added an analytical perspective to the classical histopathology, allowing to include the techniques used in this project in future morphological studies, both in our institution and in the global context.

Proteomics analysis of tissue samples from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and positive to human papillomavirus.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify possible protein biomarkers and/or candidates for therapeutic targets in tissues of patients with SCCP, infected by HPV, applying one dimensional electrophoresis (1DE), followed by direct mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissues from 10 HPV positive patients with SCCP and from 10 patients with HPV negative non-tumorous penile foreskins were analyzed applying 1D electrophoresis, followed by analysis with direct mass spectrometry (MS). RESULTS: Sixty-three different proteins were identified in the first group and 50 in the second group. Recognition was possible for 28 proteins exclusively detected in Group 1 and 21 proteins presented only in Group 2. CONCLUSION: Some proteins in the first group are directly involved in the development of other types of cancer, and therefore, suitable for analysis. Complement C3 protein is a strong candidate for evaluating SCCP patients.

Proteomics analysis of tissue samples from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and positive to human papillomavirus

ABSTRACTPurpose:The aim of this study was to identify possible protein biomarkers and/or candidates for therapeutic targets in tissues of patients with SCCP, infected by HPV, applying one dimensional electrophoresis (1DE), followed by direct mass spectrometry (MS) analysis.Materials and Methods:Tissues from 10 HPV positive patients with SCCP and from 10 patients with HPV negative non-tumorous penile foreskins were analyzed applying 1D electrophoresis, followed by analysis with direct mass spectrometry (MS).Results:Sixty-three different proteins were identified in the first group and 50 in the second group. Recognition was possible for 28 proteins exclusively detected in Group 1 and 21 proteins presented only in Group 2.Conclusion:Some proteins in the first group are directly involved in the development of other types of cancer, and therefore, suitable for analysis. Complement C3 protein is a strong candidate for evaluating SCCP patients.

Myopericytoma tumor of the glans penis.

Myopericytoma is a low grade spindle cell neoplasm largely occurring in skin. We describe the first reported case of a penile myopericytoma. Histologically, the penile tumor was composed of a perivascular proliferation of tumor cells with ovoid shaped nuclei and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was reactive for markers of smooth muscle differentiation and vascular differentiation. The tumor was noted to be negative for BRAF by immunohistochemistry and wild-type upon gene sequencing using SnaPshot. Our finding serves to expand the anatomical distribution of myopericytoma and broadens the spectrum of primary mesenchymal neoplasms that may be encountered in the penis.

A switch from epithelial to mesenchymal properties correlates with lymphovascular invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

The purpose of the study was to assess the incidence and prognostic role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP). Sixty tumor specimens of surgically treated SCCP patients characterized by a central histopathologic review were stained with antibodies against E-cadherin, N-cadherin, ß-catenin, and vimentin. Staining profiles were scored by two independent raters, and correlated with pertinent clinical and pathological parameters and cancer-specific mortality (CSM; median follow-up: 34 months, interquartile range: 6-60 months). Correlation statistics proved good interobserver agreement in staining evaluation (K-values between 0.62 and 1.00, all p<0.001). Based on consensus decision between both raters, 36 study cases (60%) showed a switch from E-cadherin to N-cadherin (as a hallmark of EMT), which correlated with the presence of lymphovascular invasion (ρ=0.287, p=0.026) while failing to interfere with CSM. Although cadherin switch was correlated with a loss of membranous ß-catenin expression (ρ=0.629, p<0.001), none of the study cases showed nuclear ß-catenin expression, and only three EMT cases (8.3%) had tumor buds revealing vimentin expression. Our data suggest that roughly half of surgically treated SCCP cases exhibit EMT, a parameter correlating with lymphovascular invasion. However, further studies are clearly needed to validate the so far unresolved possible role of cadherin switch in terms of predicting nodal spread in patients with SCCP. Moreover, the apparently complex mechanisms driving EMT in SCCP should be explored by future studies, as knowledge about these might provide a so far unexploited basis for the development of novel targeted therapies against SCCP with metastatic dissemination.

Metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma to the penis: a series of 29 cases with predilection for ductal adenocarcinoma.

Twenty-nine men with metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma to the penis were identified at our institution between 1993 and 2013. Of the 29 patients, 19 had a prior history of adenocarcinoma of the prostate, and 8 of those had ductal features in the primary lesion. Sixteen of 29 revealed ductal features in the metastasis. Seven of the 8 cases with ductal features in the primary had ductal features in the penile metastasis. Seven penile metastases were proven to be of prostatic origin solely by immunohistochemistry. Three cases were originally misdiagnosed as urothelial carcinoma upon review of the penile lesion. Other variant morphologies in the metastases included sarcomatoid carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and adenosquamous carcinoma. In summary, prostate carcinoma involving the penis displays ductal features considerably more often than prostate cancer in general. Features that can cause difficulty in recognizing metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma to the penis include the unusual anatomic site for prostate cancer, poor differentiation, an increased prevalence of variant morphology, a long interval from the primary lesion, and, in some cases, no documented history of a primary prostatic lesion. Immunohistochemical analysis should be performed to rule out prostate carcinoma in penile/penile urethral tumors with morphology that differs from typical squamous or urothelial carcinoma. Even in the setting of metastatic disease, there is a critical need for an accurate diagnosis so that the appropriate therapy can be initiated, symptomatic relief can be provided, and long-term survival achieved in some cases, while at the same time avoiding penectomy for a misdiagnosis of a primary penile cancer.

Cutaneous myeloid sarcoma of the penile foreskin.

Myeloid sarcoma, considered to herald the onset of a blast crisis in the setting of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm/dysplasia, typically presents during the course of the disorder. Cutaneous involvement is uncommon and lesions on genital skin are seldom seen. We present a case of a well-differentiated myeloid sarcoma in the penile foreskin in an apparently healthy 29-year-old male presenting with phimosis. The unusual composition of the inflammatory cell infiltrate, and characteristic sparing of dermal blood vessels, nerves and smooth muscle fibres led to the correct diagnosis. Absence of commonly observed changes in the circumcision skin like those of balanitis xerotica was also helpful. Detailed hematological work up revealed a previously undiagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase. The patient also had simultaneous priapism, another rare presentation of chronic myeloid leukemia. One year hence, the patient is in hematological remission with no evidence of extramedullary disease. Although priapism has been described as a rare presenting symptom in chronic myeloid leukemia, the present case is unique as this is the first time a cutaneous myeloid sarcoma has been documented in the penile foreskin.

Histologic and immunohistochemical assessment of penile carcinomas in a North American population.

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is sometimes an aggressive disease that has a variable worldwide incidence, in part due to differing rates of inflammatory and infectious risk factors. In the developed world, penile SCC is a rare malignancy, and most studies therefore originate in less developed countries. The current study was undertaken to examine the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of penile SCC from a region with low disease incidence. Sixty-two complete or partial penectomy specimens from 59 patients were reviewed. Twenty-six patients had metastasis, 3 had recurrent disease, and 7 were dead due to tumor. Most patients were uncircumcised (72%). Twenty-two percent of carcinomas were associated with lichen sclerosis. Perineural invasion was significantly associated with metastasis (P=0.007). Most SCCs (65%) had the usual keratinizing morphology, and these tumors were significantly associated with the differentiated form of intraepithelial lesion (P<0.0001), p53 positivity (P=0.002), cyclin D1 positivity (P=0.007), and EGFR overexpression (P=0.003). Human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated tumors accounted for 27% and were basaloid (8%), warty (10%), mixed (6%), or lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (4%) variants. These were significantly associated with p16 expression (P<0.0001) and the undifferentiated form of intraepithelial lesion (P<0.001). Among all SCCs, there was no difference in the immunohistochemical or in situ hybridization profile between primary tumors and metastases. Although penile SCC is rare in the United States, the tumor variants, immunohistochemical profiles, and proportion of HPV-associated tumors are similar to those in less developed countries. Two distinct pathways appear to lead to carcinogenesis; one is related to underlying chronic inflammatory states, involves p53 mutation, cyclin D1 overexpression, and culminates in classic keratinizing SCC. The other pathway involves high-risk HPV infection, demonstrates strong p16 expression, and results in SCC with varied, but distinctive morphologies.

Does the width of the surgical margin of safety or premalignant dermatoses at the negative surgical margin affect outcome in surgically treated penile cancer?

AIMS: To evaluate the prognostic impact of the width of negative surgical margins (NSM) and associated and preinvasive lesions at the NSM in patients with penile squamous cell cancer (PSC). METHODS: Enrolling 87 patients with NSM who underwent surgery for PSC, the archived margin slides and entirely wax-embedded surgical margins were retrieved from the pathology files. After step sections were cut, margins were stained with antibodies against CK5/6, p16, p53 and Ki-67 and subjected to in situ hybridisation for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). All NSM were histologically examined for squamous hyperplasia (SH), lichen sclerosus (LS) and subtypes of penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN). Then, histological findings were correlated with cancer-specific mortality (CSM, median follow-up 34 months; IQR 6-70). RESULTS: All NSM were negative for high-risk HPV and exhibited SH (p16 and p53 negative, Ki-67 variably positive), LS (p16 negative, variable p53 and Ki-67 positivity) and differentiated PeIN (dPeIN; p16 negative, Ki-67 positive, variable p53 positivity) in 28 (32%), 30 (34%) and 22 (25%) cases, respectively, whereas PeIN subtypes other then dPeIN did not occur. Pathological tumour stage was the only independent predictive parameter with respect to CSM in the multivariable analysis (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SH, LS and dPeIN are frequent histological findings at the NSM of surgically treated PSC. However, neither the width of the NSM nor dPeIN, LS or SH at the NSM influences prognostic outcome.

P16INK4A immunohistochemistry for detection of human papilloma virus-associated penile squamous cell carcinoma is superior to in-situ hybridization.

We evaluated p16INK4A as a reliable option to detect human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA in penile tumor specimens. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples of 26 patients with penile cancer and another 18 cases with non-tumorigenic lesions were stained by three different widely used commercially available chromogenic in-situ hybridization assays high-risk HPV CISH Y1443 (Genpoint, DAKO), pan HPV CISH Y1404 (Genpoint, DAKO), INFORM HPV III (Ventana, Tucson, Arizona) and p16INK4A immunohistochemistry, then compared to the known gold standard polymerase chain reaction detecting HPV 16, 18, 31, and 33. Immunoreactivity for p16INK4A was evaluated by using a 4-tiered (0, 1, 2, and 3) pattern based system. 19 cases were positive for p16INK4A, 13 of which showed a continuous transepithelial staining (pattern 3). Pan HPV ISH showed positivity in 9 cases, high-risk HPV ISH in 7 cases and INFORM HPVIII ISH in 7 cases. p16INK4A IHC pattern 3 versus pattern 0, 1 and 2 exhibited a specificity and positive predictive value of 100 percent, with a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 72 and 62 percent, respectively, which was much better than all HPV in-situ hybridization methods referred to polymerase chain reaction. p16INK4A seems to be a superior marker for the detection of HPV-associated penile squamous cell carcinoma compared to CISH tests, but is not recommend for the detection of non-tumorigenic lesions, where PCR should be used for the initial assessment.