RESUMEN
Objectives: Immunostimulatory therapies using immune checkpoint blockers show clinical activity in a subset of glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Several inhibitory mechanisms play a relevant role in the immune response to GBM. With the objective of analyzing the tumor immune microenvironment and its clinical significance, we quantified several relevant immune biomarkers. Design: We studied 76 primary (non-recurrent) GBMs with sufficient clinical follow-up, including a subgroup of patients treated with a dendritic cell vaccine. The IDH-mutation, EGFR-amplification, and MGMT methylation statuses were determined. Several relevant immune biomarkers, including CD163, CD8, PD1, and PDL1, were quantified in representative selected areas by digital image analysis and semiquantitative evaluation. The percentage of each immune expression was calculated with respect to the total number of tumor cells. Results: All GBMs were wild-type IDH, with a subgroup of classical GBMs according to the EGFR amplification (44%). Morphologically, CD163 immunostained microglia and intratumor clusters of macrophages were observed. A significant direct correlation was found between the expression of CD8 and the mechanisms of lymphocyte immunosuppression, in such a way that higher values of CD8 were directly associated with higher values of CD163 (p < 0.001), PDL1 (0.026), and PD1 (0.007). In a multivariate analysis, high expressions of CD8+ (HR = 2.05, 95%CI (1.02−4.13), p = 0.034) and CD163+ cells (HR 2.50, 95%CI (1.29−4.85), p = 0.007), were associated with shorter survival durations. The expression of immune biomarkers was higher in the non-classical (non-EGFR amplified tumors) GBMs. Other relevant prognostic factors were age, receipt of the dendritic cell vaccine, and MGMT methylation status. Conclusions: In accordance with the inverse correlation between CD8 and survival and the direct correlation between effector cells and CD163 macrophages and immune-checkpoint expression, we postulate that CD8 infiltration could be placed in a state of anergy or lymphocytic inefficient activity. Furthermore, the significant inverse correlation between CD163 tissue concentration and survival explains the relevance of this type of immune cell when creating a strong immunosuppressive environment. This information may potentially be used to support the selection of patients for immunotherapy.
RESUMEN
El mieloma múltiple se caracteriza por la proliferación neoplásica medular de células plasmáticas productoras de inmunoglobulina monoclonal. Un porcentaje pequeño de pacientes presenta compromiso extramedular en forma de plasmocitoma, siendo la localización más habitual las vías respiratorias altas. La afectación gastrointestinal es rara y la clínica asociada dependerá de la localización, la extensión y el mecanismo de infiltración. La afectación gástrica en forma de tumoración tiene un aspecto y una sintomatología similares a los de otras lesiones, por lo que es necesario realizar un diagnóstico histológico para un adecuado tratamiento. A continuación se presenta el caso de un mieloma múltiple con afectación gástrica.Multiple myeloma is characterized by medullary neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells producing monoclonal immunoglobulin. A small percentage of patients have extramedullary involvement in form of plasmacytoma, the most common location being the upper respiratory tract. Gastrointestinal involvement is rare and the associated symptoms will depend on the location, extent and mechanism of infiltration. Gastric involvement presents an appearance and symptoms similar to other lesions, so a histological diagnosis is necessary for proper treatment. This article presents the case of multiple myeloma with gastric involvement.
