Prognostic value of MTA1, SOX4 and EZH2 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal cancer has always been one of the major malignant tumor types affecting the health of the Chinese population. Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1), SOX4 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) are all potent inducers of invasion and metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the role of these signaling molecules and their implication in ESCC have remained largely elusive. In the present study, the effects of MTA1, SOX4 and EZH2 on the prognosis of patients with ESCC were explored. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression levels of MTA1, SOX4 and EZH2. The χ2 test was used to analyze the association between protein expression and clinicopathological parameters. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards model survival analysis was performed to investigate the effects of the three proteins examined on disease prognosis. The results indicated that MTA1 may be used as a prognostic and diagnostic marker for ESCC. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to demonstrate that MTA1-SOX4 signaling is associated with prognosis in ESCC. However, no significant association was noted between SOX4 and EZH2 in the present study, which was inconsistent with previously reported findings. The function of the MTA1-SOX4-EZH2 axis and the interactions of the proteins involved require further investigation.

Proteomics reveals protein phosphatase 1γ as a biomarker associated with Hippo signal pathway in glioma.

Hub proteins related with Hippo signal pathway in glioma were investigated using proteomics methods (Tandem Mass Tag, TMT) to determine the differentially expressed proteins in glioblastoma (GBM). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was performed to complement proteomic findings by identifying the top canonical pathways as well as to suggest novel proteins for the targeted therapy of glioma. A total of 222 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) glioma tissue samples were used to verify the expression of protein phosphatase 1γ (PP1γ), Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), and SOX2 via immunohistochemistry. Bioinformatics analysis revealed these proteins as crucial in the Hippo signaling pathway in GBM. Spearman correlation was performed to analyze the relationship of these three proteins, and survival analysis was conducted to investigate their effects on prognosis. Among the 5808 proteins identified by TMT with the standard of P-value < 0.05 and fold change (FC) of>1.2 or <0.83, 1398 upregulated and 1060 downregulated differentially expressed proteins were found. IPA revealed that the Hippo signaling was activated in the top 10 canonical pathways, and PP1γ was activated in the Hippo signaling. Immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that PP1γ, YAP1, and SOX2 were highly and positively expressed in glioma. PP1γ expression was related to WHO grade (p = 0.003) and ki-67 expression (p = 0.012). Low PP1γ expression was associated with IDH1-mut in low-grade glioma (LGG; WHO grades II and III) (p = 0.037). PP1γ was positively correlated with YAP1 (p < 0.001; r = 0.259) and SOX2 (p = 0.009; r = 0.175). In survival analysis, age, WHO grade, ki-67 expression, and PP1γ expression independently predicted a short OS in total cohort (p < 0.05). Therefore, PP1γ is a hub protein associated with Hippo signal pathway in glioma, and its expression indicates poor prognosis in patients with glioma. Therefore, PP1γ may be a promising prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in glioma.

Prognostic value of MYD88 L265P mutation in diffuse large B cell lymphoma via droplet digital PCR.

To assess the prevalence and prognostic value of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88) expression and mutational status in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a total cohort of 100 patients with DLBCL were studied using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (DDPCR), and the association between MYD88 expression and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. Overall, the positive expression rate of MYD88 protein was 38% and the gene mutation rate was 29%. The positive expression and mutation rates were the highest in the primary central nervous system lymphomas (58.33 and 66.67%, respectively). The coincidence rate of the results of MYD88 expression between IHC and DDPCR results was 73% (73/100). Univariate survival analysis showed that age (≥60 years old), high neutrophil/lymphocyte count ratio, low lymphocyte count, c­Myc ≥40%, positive MYD88 protein expression, and gene mutation were associated with poorer prognosis rates. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that MYD88 expression was an independent prognostic factor affecting overall survival. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that MYD88 mutation was a valuable index to evaluate the prognosis of DLBCL. DDPCR can be used as a method for detecting MYD88 mutations, although it was not completely consistent with the results of IHC.

TCL1 as a hub protein associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on proteomics methods.

This study aimed to investigate the hub protein related to the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We used proteomics methods (iTRAQ) to explore the differentially expressed proteins in the non-germinal center B-cell -like (non-GCB) DLBCL in our previous study. In this study, a total of 137 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded DLBCL tissue samples were analyzed via immunohistochemistry to verify the expression of TCL1, AKT1 + 2+3, IKKß and to determine the differentially expressed proteins associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Spearman correlation was used to analyze the relationship between these proteins, and survival analysis was used to investigate their effects on prognosis. Immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that TCL1, AKT1 + 2+3, and IKKß were highly positively expressed in DLBCL. Results showed that the expression of TCL1 was related to ethnicity (p = 0.022), primary site (p = 0.045), Ann Arbor stage (p = 0.037), the International Prognostic Index (p = 0.005), ß2-microglobulin (p = 0.030), BCL2 expression (p < 0.001), and Ki-67 expression (p = 0.008). A positive correlation was found between TCL1 and AKT1 + 2+3 (p < 0.001; r = 0.475). A positive correlation was also found between AKT1 + 2+3 and IKKß (p < 0.001; r = 0.342). In survival analysis, anemia, non-treatment with R­CHOP, positive TCL1 expression, and Ki-67 expression≥50% independently predicted short progression-free survival and overall survival in the total cohort (p < 0.05). Thus, TCL1 as a hub protein is associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in DLBCL. TCL1 expression indicated a poor prognosis in patients with DLBCL. With further studies, TCL1 may be established as a reliable prognostic biomarker and potential immunotherapeutic target for improving therapeutic efficacy for DLBCL in the future.

Quantitative proteomics analysis of differentially expressed proteins in activated B-cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using quantitative proteomics.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease with unclear pathogenesis. DLBCL accounts for 30%-35% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) and is an aggressive subtype of mature B-cell neoplasm. At present, half of DLBCL cases can be cured, although one-third of patients experience recurrence after treatment and enter advanced tumor stage. This study aimed to investigate the differentially expressed proteins in activated B-cell-like-DLBCL (ABC-DLBCL) through quantitative proteomics (iTRAQ). Seven ABC-DLBCL experimental samples and eight control samples (reactive hyperplasia of the lymph node) were obtained from fresh tissues. The exclusion criteria were expressed as follows: (1) patients with other lymphoid diseases; and (2) patients undergoing chemical treatment. A total of 5974 proteins were identified. P value < 0.05 and multiple expressions were more than 1.2-fold. A total of 131 upregulated and 204 downregulated differentially expressed proteins were identified. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was conducted. The expression levels of HSP90AB1, GNA13, LAMB2, LAMA5, YWHAZ, and IKBKB were evaluated through PRM and TCGA to validate the accuracy of iTRAQ and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry results. Results of differential multiple and t-test showed differences in the expression levels of six target proteins between the control and experimental groups. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to identify proteins associated with ABC-DLBCL using iTRAQ technology. Our results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of ABC-DLBCL. The combination of ABC-DLBCL-associated signaling pathway proteins and targeted therapy to reverse drug resistance is of great significance in improving the comprehensive treatment of lymphoma and reducing mortality of affected individuals. The feasibility of the present study is limited due to the number of samples, and future studies are required to determine the function of proteins in ABC-DLBCL development.

Exploring the Histogenesis and Diagnostic Strategy Using Immunoassay and RT-PCR in Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma, but it's easily misdiagnosed in rare locations. The derivation of ASPS is still uncertain, therefore we conducted this study to explore the histogenesis of ASPS by analyzing stem cell markers (ALDH1, CD29, CD133 and Nestin). Protein TFE3 and fusion gene ASPS-TFE3 were tested in paraffin to explore diagnostic strategy and molecular pathological features. In this study, nine cases of ASPS were immunostained with stem cell surface markers (ALDH1, CD29, CD133 and Nestin) and protein TFE3. Seven cases of ASPS mRNA were successfully extracted from nine paraffin-embedded tissues. The expression of fusion gene ASPL-TFE3 was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The immunohistochemical staining of nine patients showed that CD29 and Nestin were negative in all nine cases (0/9). CD133 was weakly positive in one cases (1/9) and ALDH1 was weakly positive in one cases (1/9). TFE3 was positive in nine cases (9/9). Seven paraffin tissues could be successfully extracted with mRNA in nine cases. The results of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) showed that ASPL-TFE3 fusion transcripts could be tested in the seven cases (four cases being type 2 and three cases being type 1). The positive rate of CD133 and ALDH1 were less than 1% and the expression of CD29 and Nestin were negative in ASPS. Immunohistochemistry results indicated that the histogenesis of ASPS maybe not derive from mesenchymal stem cells. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that TFE3 protein expression was highly sensitive in ASPS. Furthermore, RT-PCR results showed that fusion gene ASPL-TFE3 (ASPL-TFE3 type 1 and ASPL-TFE3 type 2) was expressed in ASPS, which could provide information for clinical molecular pathological diagnosis and improve the diagnosis rate of rare atypical ASPS.

BRCA1/2 gene mutations of sporadic breast cancer patients in Uygur and Han populations / 基础医学与临床

Objective To investigate the prevalence of BRCA1/2 gene mutations among Uygur and Han sporadic breast cancer patients in Xinjiang Uygur Automous.Methods Polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) and DNA se-quencing was used to detect mutations of BRCA1(exons 2, 11(11A and 11B) and 20) and BRCA2(exon 11) genes in the Paraffin imbedding tissues from 230 sporadic breast cancer patients ( 115 Uygur and 115 Han ) in Xinjiang Uygur Automous.Results In the 230 cases of sporadic breast cancer patients, 16 cases have gene mu-tation ( 16/230 ,6.96%) .One case of BRCA1 gene in 16 cases of mutations -5 382 locus mutation and 7 cases of new mutations.There was 2 germline mutation in exon 11 of BRCA2 gene.BRCA gene mutation rates of Uygur and Han patients were 7.83% ( 9/115 ) and 6.09% ( 7/115 ) .The onset age of mutations group were 50 or less.Mutations group of patients with amenorrhea ( 3 ) were less than whom were premenopausal ( 13 ) ( P <0.05 ) .Conclusions The prevalence of BRCA1 mutations was significantly higher than BRCA2 in sporadic breast cancer patients of Xinjiang.

[Clinicopathologic features and prognosis of T lymphoblastic lymphoma associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and molecular genetic changes of T lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). METHODS: Three cases of T-LBL associated with LCH were included. The morphologic characteristics were reviewed along with immunohistochemical profiling using EnVision method and TCR gene rearrangement by PCR. A review of composite lymphoma previously reported in the literature was performed. RESULTS: All three patients were male with the mean age of 61.7 years. One was Hans and the other 2 were Uyguers. All presented with superficial lymph node enlargement. Biopsy of lymph node showed two abnormal cell populations: distended sinus by large, pale histiocytes with nuclear grooves, and the interfollicular region containing immature-appearing cells with irregular nuclei slightly larger than that of small lymphocyte, dispersed chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, scant cytoplasm, and scattered mitotic figures. These cells presented in aggregates and small sheets interspersed with normal-appearing lymphocyte. The histiocytes were positive for CD1a, S-100 protein and CD68. The lymphoma cells were positive for CD3, CD7, TdT and CD34. TCR-γ gene rearrangement was detected in one case by PCR technology. One case involved bone marrow with double phenotype acute leukemia. Amongst the 8 including 5 reported cases, there were 4 males and 4 females. The mean age of the patients and the median age were 54 years. Lymphoadenopathy was the most common presentation. Bone marrow was involved in 4 cases. The time of follow-up was 2 to 27 months. The median survival was 5.5 months and the one-year survival rate was 33.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of T-LBL and LCH should be based on typical morphology, immunophenotype and molecular genetic findings, with differential diagnoses including Langerhans cell hyperplasia originated from dermatopathic lymphadenopathy. When involving lymph node, extensive sampling supplemented by immunohistochemical staining is important to reach a correct diagnosis. Although coexistent T-LBL and LCH is clonally related, the understanding of its pathogenesis requires further investigation.

[Clinicopathological significance of Sox17 and ß-catenin protein of Wnt in oligodendroglioma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Sox17 and ß-catenin proteins in oligodendroglioma, and its clinical significance. METHODS: One hundred cases of oligodendroglioma of different grades and 10 cases of surrounding benign tissue from First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 2003 to 2013 were assessed by immunohistochemistry for Sox17 and ß-catenin protein expression. The clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome of patients with oligodendroglioma were evaluated by Kaplan-Meien and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Sox17 was expressed in 10/10, 82% (41/50) and 62% (31/50) of normal control, oligodendroglioma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, respectively. ß-catenin was expressed in 2/10, 22% (11/50), and 52% (26/50) of normal control, oligodendroglioma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, respectively. The differences of Sox17 and ß-catenin expression between normal control and different types of oligodendroglioma were statistically significant. Univariate analysis showed that the expression of Sox17 protein (P = 0.000), ß-catenin protein (P = 0.033), tumor position (P = 0.001), radiotherapy (P = 0.077), and chemotherapy (P = 0.000) were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Oligodendrogliomas with expression of Sox17 protein, but not ß-catenin, have better prognosis. Evaluation of Sox17 and ß-catenin protein expression is important for accurate pathological diagnosis, prognostication and guiding treatment.

Application of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of small round blue-cell tumors of soft tissue.

BACKGROUND: Small round blue-cell tumors (SRBCTs) of soft tissue, which mainly include rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), synovial sarcoma (SS), and Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (EWS/ pPNETs), are malignancies with overlapping morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Immunohistochemistry is one of the most prevalent and convenient methods for pathological diagnosis; however, differentiation between SRBCT subtypes in the absence of valid diagnostic markers is still very challenging. The purpose of the present study was to investigate diagnostic immunohistochemistry for subtyping soft tissue SRBCTs. METHODS: Seventeen RMS, 25 SS, and 14 EWS/pPNETs were investigated. Reverse transcription RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry was performed to determine a diagnosis. Also, the expression of CD99, FLI1, PAX5, myogenin, and Keratin/EMA was assessed between subtypes. The sensitivity and specificity test was performed to evaluate their diagnostic significance. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the target markers were evaluated as follows. FLI1 and CD99 expression displayed strong associations in EWS/pPNETs, with OR (95% CI) and p values of 3.82 (1.23 - 11.94), p = 0.021 and 123.50 (12.63 - infinity), p < 0.001, respectively. Keratin/EMA expression did not support the diagnosis of EWS/pPNETs [OR (95% CI) = 0.06 (0.01 - 0.53), p = 0.011]. Myogenin expression displayed strong association with RMS, with high sensitivity and specificity of 94.1% and 100%, respectively. Membrane expression of CD99 did not support the diagnosis of RMS [OR (95% CI) = 0.09 (0.01 - 0.75), p = 0.026]. Keratin/EMA expression strongly indicated SS [OR (95% CI) = 345.00 (29.44 - infinity), p = 0.00011. A ROC curve value of 0.94 indicated that keratin/EMA expression might be a promising biomarker for SS, while separate expression of FLI1 and CD99 did not support the diagnosis of SS. Similarly, myogenin expression in RMS might be a promising biomarker for RMS with a ROC curve value of 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of SRBCTs should be based on a comprehensive analysis involving morphology and immunoreactivity to a panel of markers.

Clinicopathologic, immunophenotypic, and EBER in situ hybridization study of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type in ãmulti-ethnic groups.

BACKGROUND: Extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is a common and geographic predominant disease in China. We observed the clinical and pathologic features of this tumor type and its relationship to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and focused on the epidermology and prevalence of ENKTCL in Xinjiang, in order to improve the diagnostic and differential diagnosis ability. METHODS: 103 cases with nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma were recruited and assessed. All cases were submitted for histological assessment, immunophenotyping, in situ hybridization detection of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER), and clinical information analysis. RESULTS: Male patients, aged between 40 and 50 years, were predominantly of Han ethnicity outnumbering those of Uyghur ethnicity. 80 cases of ENKTCL involved the nasal cavity or other areas of the upper respirodigestive tract whereas the remaining ones involved other extranodal sites. All cases exhibited similar histological changes: necrosis and inflammatory infiltration were frequently present. Cytologic atypical as well as angiocentric and angiodestructive growth patterns of the tumor cells were consistently noted, although the sizes and contours of the tumor cells varied considerably. All cases expressed one or several T-cell markers and at least one cytotoxic molecule. 86 cases (84%) expressed CD56, and 97 cases submitted for EBER detection showed positive results. ENKTCL affects predominantly middle-aged Han Chinese in the Xinjiang region, with a predilection to involvement of the nasal cavity and a strong association with a high EBV load. CONCLUSIONS: Early and correct identification of the disease in daily practice depends on the combination of morphologic evaluation, immunophenotypic assessment, and EBER detection.

Significance of ERß expression in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the estrogen receptor ß (ERß) expression in molecular subtypes of breast cancer and clinic significance of ERß expression. METHOD: The ERß expression was detected in 730 cases of breast cancer tissue specimens by immunohistochemistry. Twenty-one patients were censored during 2-10 years follow-up. The difference in ERß expression was analyzed by Pearson Chi-square Test. Its correlation with estrogen receptor α (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. The accumulative tumor-free survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and difference in survival rate was analyzed by Log-rank test. Cox regression was used for multi-factor analysis. RESULT: The ERß expression was significantly different among the molecular subtypes of breast cancer (P < 0.05). The ERß expression in breast cancer was positively correlated with Her-2 (P < 0.05) while it had no correlation with ERα and Her-2. The expression of ERα was negatively correlated with Her-2 (P < 0.01) whereas positively correlated with PR (P < 0.01). The expression of PR was negatively correlated with Her-2 (P < 0.05). The tumor-free survival rate in patients with positive ERß expression was significantly lower than that in patients with negative ERß expression. CONCLUSION: Positive ERß expression is a poor prognostic factor of breast cancer. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1084557586106833.

Correlation of amplification of chromosome 1 with histologic typing of thymic epithelial tumors / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation between amplification of chromosome 1 and histological typing and clinical staging of thymic epithelial tumors according to the WHO classification.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Amplification of chromosome 1 was detected by interphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in 60 cases of thymic epithelial tumors, including type A thymoma (2 cases), type AB (19 cases), B1 (4 cases), B2 (14 cases), B3 (11 cases), metaplastic thymoma (2 cases), and thymic carcinoma (8 cases) and 11 samples of normal thymus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gain on chromosome 1 was found in 19 cases (31.7%) of thymic epithelial tumors, and none was detected in normal thymic tissues (P < 0.05). The positive rates of gain on chromosome 1 were statistically different among various histological subtypes of thymic epithelial tumors (P < 0.05), in which the highest rate of detection was in thymic carcinoma (6/8), the second, type B3 (6/11), followed by type A (1/2), type AB (4/19), type B2 (2/14) and type B1 (0). The positive rate of gain on chromosome 1 in type B3 had no statistical difference from thymic carcinoma (P > 0.05), but significantly higher than that in other types of thymoma (P < 0.05). In addition, the polysomy rate of chromosome 1 was significantly different among the thymic epithelial tumors at different clinical stages (P = 0.023), and that at stages III and IV was statistically higher than that in stages I and II (P = 0.003) but there was no significant difference between stage I and stage II tumors (P = 0.750).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gain on chromosome 1 is more common in thymic carcinoma and type B3 thymoma than that in other subtypes of thymic epithelial tumors. Thymoma of type B3 may have different genetic features from other subtypes. Detection of gain on chromosome 1 by FISH is helpful in the differential diagnosis and prediction of prognosis in patients with thymic epithelium tumors.</p>

[Clinicopathologic analysis of 52 cases of thymic epithelial tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic characteristics of thymic epithelial tumors and to evaluate the diagnostic reproducibility and clinical relevance of the 2004 WHO histologic classification system. METHODS: The morphology and immunophenotype of 52 cases of thymic epithelial tumor were reviewed. The tumors were classified according to the new WHO classification system and the clinical data were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 52 cases studied, 45 were thymomas and 7 were thymic carcinomas. Amongst the 45 cases of thymoma, 6 (13.4%) were type A, 15 (33.3%) were type AB, 4 (8.9%) were type B1, 9 (20.0%) were type B2, 9 (20.0%) were type B3 and 2 (4.4%) were metaplastic thymoma. Amongst the 7 cases of thymic carcinoma, 6 were squamous cell carcinomas and 1 was neuroendocrine carcinoma. The commonest presentations were cough and chest pain. Some cases were incidentally discovered by routine physical examination. Thirteen cases (25.0%) of thymoma were associated with myasthenia gravis. CT scan showed that 49 cases (94.2%) were located in the anterior mediastinum. All cases of type A, AB and B1 thymoma and most cases of B2 thymoma appeared as well-defined homogeneous mass, whereas a few cases of type B2 thymoma and most cases of type B3 thymoma and thymic carcinoma were poorly demarcated and heterogeneous. According to Masaoka staging system, 20 cases (41.7%) belonged to stage I, 15 cases (31.3%) stage II, 11 cases (22.9%) stage III and 2 cases (4.1%) stage IV. The histologic subtypes of thymic epithelial tumors significantly correlated with the clinical stages (chi(2) = 32.5, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The 2004 revision of WHO histologic classification system for thymic epithelial tumors shows a high degree of reproducibility. Correlation with the radiologic, clinical and prognostic parameters is helpful in determining the management strategy for individual patients.