Chimeric antigen receptor T cells therapy in solid tumors

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells therapy (CAR-T therapy) is a class of ACT therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is an engineered synthetic receptor of CAR-T, which give T cells the ability to recognize tumor antigens in a human leukocyte antigen-independent (HLA-independent) manner and enables them to recognize more extensive target antigens than natural T cell surface receptor (TCR), resulting in tumor destruction. CAR-T is composed of an extracellular single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of antibody, which serves as the targeting moiety, hinge region, transmembrane spacer, and intracellular signaling domain(s). CAR-T has been developing in many generations, which differ according to costimulatory domains. CAR-T therapy has several limitations that reduce its wide availability in immunotherapy which we can summarize in antigen escape that shows either partial or complete loss of target antigen expression, so multiplexing CAR-T cells are promoted to enhance targeting of tumor profiles. In addition, the large diversity in the tumor microenvironment also plays a major role in limiting this kind of treatment. Therefore, engineered CAR-T cells can evoke immunostimulatory signals that rebalance the tumor microenvironment. Using CAR-T therapy in treating the solid tumor is mainly restricted by the difficulty of CAR-T cells infiltrating the tumor site, so local administration was developed to improve the quality of treatment. The most severe toxicity after CAR-T therapy is on-target/on-tumor toxicity, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Another type of toxicity is on-target/off-tumor toxicity which originates from the binding of CAR-T cells to target antigen that has shared expression on normal cells leading to damage in healthy cells and organs. Toxicity management should become a focus of implementation to permit management beyond specialized centers (AU)

Identification of tumor antigens and immune subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia for mRNA vaccine development

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive hematological malignancy, and there has not been any significant improvement in therapy of AML over the past several decades. The mRNA vaccines have become a promising strategy against multiple cancers, however, its application on AML remains undefined. In this study, we aimed to identify novel antigens for developing mRNA vaccines against AML and explore the immune landscape of AML to select appropriate patients for vaccination. Methods Genomic data and gene mutation data were retrieved from TCGA, GEO and cBioPortal, respectively. GEPIA2 was used to analyze differentially expressed genes. The single cell RNA-seq database Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub (TISCH) was used to explore the association between the potential tumor antigens and the infiltrating immune cells in the bone marrow. Consensus clustering analysis was applied to identify distinct immune subtypes. The correlation between the abundance of antigen presenting cells and the expression level of antigens was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. The characteristics of the tumor immune microenvironment in each subtype were investigated based on single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. Results Five potential tumor antigens were identified for mRNA vaccine from the pool of overexpressed and mutated genes, including CDH23, LRP1, MEFV, MYOF and SLC9A9, which were associated with infiltration of antigen-presenting immune cells (APCs). AML patients were stratified into two immune subtypes Cluster1 (C1) and Cluster2 (C2), which were characterized by distinct molecular and clinical features. C1 subtype demonstrated an immune-hot and immunosuppressive phenotype, while the C1 subtype had an immune-cold phenotype. Furthermore, the two immune subtype showed remarkably different expression of immune checkpoints, immunogenic cell death modulators and human leukocyte antigens (AU)

Expression and potential role of CCL4 in CD8+T cells in NSCLC

Purpose Under the continuous stimulation of tumor antigen in the tumor microenvironment, CD8+T cells will enter a state of functional defect or failure, which cannot effectively prevent the progression of lung cancer. Therefore, finding potential targets for immunotherapy in lung cancer has broad prospects. Methods In the early stage of this study, the genes related to immune infiltration in lung cancer were found through the analysis on multiple datasets (GSE116959, GSE139032 and GSE111894). Characteristics of candidate genes were identified from transcriptome, methylation, single cell sequencing and other dimensions, respectively. Moreover, the correlation between candidate genes and immunotherapy-related genes and mutated genes of lung cancer was further identified. Finally, the expression of the candidate genes was detected with an online immunohistochemistry database. Results According to the above research, it was found that CCL4 (chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 4) was abnormally highly expressed in samples from patients with NSCLC and had certain methylation characteristics. In addition, CCL4 was also closely associated with infiltration of immune cells, such as B cells and CD8+T cells. Interestingly, the aberrant expression of CCL4 affected the survival of CD8+T cells. Single cell sequencing results also showed that CCL4 was highly expressed in CD8+T cells and was involved in biological functions such as generation cycle. Finally, CCL4 expression was positively associated with PD-1 and PD-L1, and also with mutant genes, such as EGFR, ALK and ROS1, associated with the treatment for lung cancer. Conclusion CCL4 may be a potential target for immunotherapy in patients with NSCLC (AU)

Terapia con linfocitos T con receptor de antígeno quimérico (CAR-T) en pacientes con linfoma de célula B agresivo. Perspectiva actual tras una década de tratamiento / Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy in patients with aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Current outlook after a decade of treatment

La terapia con linfocitos T con receptor de antígeno quimérico (CAR-T) ha revolucionado el manejo de los pacientes con linfoma difuso de células grandes B (LDCGB) refractarios o en recaída tras inmunoquimioterapia. Esta estrategia consiste en modificar genéticamente los linfocitos T de los propios pacientes para favorecer el reconocimiento de los antígenos tumorales seleccionados. Actualmente, hay disponibles dos medicamentos CAR-T anti-CD19 aprobados en España para pacientes con LDCGB tras dos o más líneas de tratamiento sistémico previo y existen múltiples ensayos clínicos en marcha que investigan su uso en líneas de tratamiento más precoces. Tanto los ensayos clínicos pivotales como los datos de práctica asistencial poscomercialización han contribuido a definir el perfil de eficacia y seguridad de cada constructo, a identificar los principales factores pronósticos de respuesta y a optimizar el manejo de las distintas fases de esta terapia. Todos estos aspectos se repasan en esta revisión. (AU)

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionized the management of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are refractory or relapse after immunochemotherapy. This strategy consists in genetically modifying the patient's own T lymphocytes to favor the recognition of selected tumor antigens. Currently, we have two anti-CD19 CAR-T drugs approved in Spain for patients with DLBCL after two or more prior treatment lines and there are multiple ongoing clinical trials exploring earlier lines of treatment. Both clinical trials and post-marketing real-world data have contributed to better define the efficacy and safety profile of each construct, identifying the main prognostic response factors and improving the management of each step in this therapy. All these aspects are reviewed herein. (AU)

Expression levels of SCCA and CYFRA 21-1 in serum of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and their correlation with tumorigenesis and progression

Purpose To explore the concentration of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA), cytokeratin fragment antigen 21-1 (CYFRA21-1) in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and its correlation with tumorigenesis and progression. Methods A total of 78 patients with LSCC admitted to our hospital from February 2010 to January 2016 were enrolled as the research group (RG), and another 41 healthy volunteers from the same period were selected as the control group (CG). The serum concentrations of SCCA and CYFRA21-1 in patients with LSCC were detected by ELISA, whose diagnostic value in LSCC were further analyzed by ROC curve. The prognosis and survival curves of patients with LSCC were observed according to the median value of serum SCCA and CYFRA21-1 concentrations. Results The concentration of CYFRA21-1 and SCCA in the RG was significantly higher than that in the CG (p < 0.050). The SCCA and CYFRA21-1 identified a significant difference in smoking, lymphatic metastasis, TNM staging, and differentiation degree (p < 0.050). The survival rate of the SCCA low-concentration group was significantly better than that of the high-concentration group, p < 0.050. The survival rate of the CYFRA21-1 low-concentration group was markedly better than that of the high-concentration group, p < 0.050. Conclusions SCCA and CYFRA21-1 are highly concentrated in LSCC patients, which have good diagnostic efficacy for LSCC. In addition, they play some certain role in the occurrence and development of LSCC, and are expected to be markers for early diagnosis and prognosis of this disease. (AU)

Placas crateriformes en un paciente con enfermedad renal crónica. Un caso de colagenosis perforante reactiva adquirida / Crateriform plaques in a patient with end-stage renal disease. The case of an acquired reactive perforating colagenosis

No disponible

Elevación de CA 19-9 en procesos benignos / Elevation of CA 19-9 in benign processes

No disponible

Consenso 2018 de la Sociedad Española de Anatomía Patológica y la Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de origen desconocido / 2018 Consensus statement by the Spanish Society of Pathology and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of unknown primary

El cáncer de origen desconocido se define como un grupo heterogéneo de tumores que se manifiestan con metástasis y para los que no se ha conseguido identificar su localización original. Sus características biológicas y forma de diseminación difieren del resto de tumores primarios, lo que hace que puedan considerarse como una entidad independiente. Aunque se han planteado varias hipótesis sobre su origen, la explicación más plausible sobre su agresividad y quimiorresistencia parece estar relacionada con la inestabilidad cromosómica. Dependiendo del tipo de estudio llevado a cabo, el cáncer de origen desconocido puede llegar a suponer entre el 2-9% de todos los pacientes con cáncer, principalmente entre los 60-75 años. En este artículo se revisan los principales estudios clínicos, patológicos y moleculares llevados a cabo para el análisis y determinación del origen del cáncer de origen desconocido, así como las principales estrategias terapéuticas y de manejo del paciente, tanto a nivel clínico como de anatomía patológica

Cancer of unknown primary is defined as a heterogeneous group of tumours that present with metastasis, and in which attempts to identify the original site have failed. They differ from other primary tumours in their biological features and how they spread, which means they can be considered a separate entity. There are several hypotheses regarding their origin, but the most plausible explanation for their aggressiveness and chemoresistance seems to involve chromosomal instability. Depending on the type of study done, cancer of unknown primary can account for 2-9% of all cancer patients, mostly 60-75 years old. This article reviews the main clinical, pathological and molecular studies conducted to analyse and determine the origin of cancer of unknown primary. The main strategies for patient management and treatment, by both clinicians and pathologists, are also addressed

Utilizing the nanosecond pulse technique to improve antigen intracellular delivery and presentation to treat tongue squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma is the most common squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Immunotherapy has great potential in the treatment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma because of its unique advantages. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy is limited by the efficiency of antigen phagocytosis by immune cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We extracted dendritic cells (DCs) from human peripheral blood. Utilizing a nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF), we deliver the tumour lysate protein into DCs and then incubate the DCs with PBMCs to obtain specific T cells to kill tumour cells. The biosafety of nsPEF was evaluated by the ANNEXIN V-FITC/PI kit. The efficacy of lysate protein delivery was evaluated by flow cytometry. The antitumour efficacy was tested by CCK-8 assay. RESULTS: The nsPEF of the appropriate field strength can significantly improve the phagocytic ability of DCs to tumour lysing proteins and have good biosafety. The tumour cell killing rate of the nsPEF group was higher than the other group (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing nsPEF to improve the phagocytic and presenting ability of DCs could greatly activate the adaptive immune cells to enhance the immunotherapeutic effect on tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Síndromes neurológicos paraneoplásicos asociados a anticuerpos anti-Ma y anti-Ma2 / Anti-Ma and anti-Ma2-associated paraneoplastic neurological syndromes

Objetivo: Analizar el perfil clínico, los tipos de tumor asociado y la respuesta al tratamiento de los síndromes neurológicos paraneoplásicos asociados a anticuerpos contra proteínas Ma. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con anticuerpos contra proteínas Ma identificados en un laboratorio de referencia en neuroinmunología. Resultados: Se diagnosticó a 32 pacientes, 20 con reactividad frente a Ma2 aislada (anticuerpos anti-Ma2), 11 con reactividad frente a Ma1 y Ma2 (anticuerpos anti-Ma) y uno con reactividad frente a Ma1 aislada (anticuerpos anti-Ma1). La presentación clínica más frecuente fue un cuadro neurológico que de forma aislada o en combinación afectó al sistema límbico, diencéfalo y mesencéfalo. Tres pacientes presentaron un cuadro cerebeloso aislado con anti-Ma y 2 un síndrome periférico con anti-Ma2. Los tumores testiculares fueron los más frecuentes (40%) en los casos anti-Ma2. En el grupo asociado a anti-Ma1, los más frecuentes fueron los tumores de pulmón (36%), seguidos de los testiculares. Todos los casos idiopáticos fueron reactivos frente a Ma2. La evolución clínica fue significativamente mejor en el grupo anti-Ma2. El paciente con anti-Ma1 presentó un cuadro de encefalitis límbica y mesodiencefálica asociado a un cáncer linfoepitelial de vejiga. Conclusiones: La determinación específica de las diferentes reactividades de las proteínas Ma, diferenciando los anticuerpos frente a Ma1 y Ma2, es importante pues los síndromes neurológicos asociados a anticuerpos anti-Ma2 responden mejor al tratamiento. Finalmente, se confirma por primera vez que puede haber casos con anticuerpos que solo reaccionan contra Ma1 (AU)

Objective: Analyse the clinical profile, associated tumour types, and response to treatment of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes associated with antibodies against Ma proteins. Methods: A retrospective study of patients with antibodies against Ma proteins identified in a neuroimmunology laboratory of reference. Results: Of the 32 patients identified, 20 showed reactivity against Ma2 only (anti-Ma2 antibodies), 11 against Ma1 and Ma2 (anti-Ma antibodies), and 1 with reactivity against Ma1 only (anti-Ma1 antibodies). The most common clinical presentations were limbic encephalopathy, diencephalic dysfunction, or brainstem encephalopathy, frequently appearing as a combination of these features. Three patients had isolated cerebellar dysfunction with anti-Ma antibodies, and 2 exhibited peripheral nervous system syndrome with anti-Ma2 antibodies. Testicular tumours were the most common neoplasms (40%) in the anti-Ma2 cases. In the group associated with anti-Ma1 antibodies, the most common were lung tumours (36%), followed by testicular tumours. All idiopathic cases were reactive to Ma2. The clinical outcome was significantly better in the anti-Ma2 group. The patient with anti-Ma1 presented with limbic encephalitis and brainstem dysfunction associated with lymphoepithelioma of the bladder. Conclusions: Specifically determining the different reactivities of anti-Ma protein antibodies in order to differentiate between Ma1 and Ma2 antibodies is important because anti-Ma2-associated paraneoplastic syndromes have a better outcome. Lastly, this study is the first to confirm that there may be cases that react exclusively to antibodies against Ma1 (AU)

Relevancia biológica de un misterioso grupo hidroxilo / Biological relevance of a mysterious hydroxyl group

La evolución lleva consigo la pérdida de diversos genes ancestrales, siendo relevante la inactivación en los seres humanos del gen GMAH que nos hace genéticamente incapaces para producir el ácido siálico N-glicolilneuramínico (Neu5Gc). Este ácido se comporta como un antígeno extraño si se incorpora a los tejidos a partir de componentes alimentarios, pudiendo interaccionar con anticuerpos humanos anti-Neu5Gc y promover inflamación y cáncer. Xenotrasplantes, células madre y medicamentos de origen biológico pueden estar contaminados con Neu5Gc. El conocimiento de las interacciones de enlace en el anticuerpo monoclonal 14F17, capaz de discriminar el antígeno tumoral Nglicolil GM3 de su análogo N-acetilado debido a la presencia de un grupo hidroxilo adicional, está dando algunas claves de este fenómeno, cuya aplicación podría ser de interés en la inmunoterapia del cáncer

Evolution is linked to gene loss, being of biological relevance the inactivation of CMAH gene which made humans genetically unable to produce the sialic acid N-glycolylneuraminic (Neu5Gc). This acid acts as a foreign antigen after incorporation into tissues from dietary components, interacting with human antiNeu5Gc antibodies thus promoting inflammation and cancer progression. Xenotransplants, stem cells and drugs of biological origin may be contaminated by Neu5Gc. The binding chemistry of the monoclonal antibody 14F17, which is able to discriminate the tumorspecific antigen N-glycolyl GM3 from the closely related N-acetyl GM3 on the basis of the presence of a single additional hydroxyl group in the former, reveals some clues of this phenomenon that could be of interest in new cancer immunotherapy approaches

Degeneración cerebelosa paraneoplásica asociada a anticuerpos anti-Ma2 / Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration associated with anti-Ma2 antibodies

No disponible

Inmunoterapia genética con células dendríticas para el tratamiento del cáncer / Dendritic cells in cancer immunotherapy

Desde comienzos del siglo XX, los científicos han intentado aprovechar las actividades naturales del sistema inmunológico para curar el cáncer. Sin embargo, las inmunoterapias no han dado el resultado clínico que podría haberse esperado. De hecho, lo tratamientos anti-neoplásicos clásicos como la cirugía, la radioterapia y la quimioterapia siguen consistiendo en la primera línea de tratamiento. Aun así, existe un gran número de evidencias experimentales sobre la inmunogenicidad de las células cancerosas. Sin embargo, la activación efectiva de las respuestas T anti-cancerosas depende estrechamente de la presentación eficiente de antígenos tumorales por parte de células presentadoras de antígeno profesionales, como las células dendríticas (dendritic cells, DC). Aunque se han desarrollado un gran número de estrategias para reforzar las funciones de presentación de antígeno de las DC, la inmunoterapia como tratamiento anti-neoplásico todavía no es tan efectiva como esperaríamos de acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos en modelos preclínicos durante las últimas décadas. En este trabajo no pretendemos revisar exhaustivamente la inmunoterapia con DC, un campo ampliamente extenso y tratado en otras revisiones especializadas. Aquí se exponen la experiencias que nuestro grupo ha llevado a cabo durante la última década modificando genéticamente a las DC para mejorar su eficacia anti-tumoral (AU)

Since the beginning of the 20th century, biomedical scientists have tried to take advantage of the natural anti-cancer activities of the immune system. However, all the scientific and medical efforts dedicated to this have not resulted in the expected success. In fact, classical antineoplastic treatments such as surgery, radio and chemotherapy are still first line treatments. Even so, there is a quantity of experimental evidence demonstrating that cancer cells are immunogenic. However, the effective activation of anti-cancer T cell responses closely depends on an efficient antigen presentation carried out by professional antigen presenting cells such as DC. Although there are a number of strategies to strengthen antigen presentation by DC, anti-cancer immunotherapy is not as effective as we would expect according to preclinical data accumulated in recent decades. We do not aim to make an exhaustive review of DC immunotherapy here, which is an extensive research subject already dealt with in many specialised reviews. Instead, we present the experimental approaches undertaken by our group over the last decade, by modifying DC to improve their antitumour capacities (AU)

Células dendríticas especializadas en presentación de antígenos exógenos a linfocitos T citotóxicos / Specialized dendritic cells in cross-presentation of exogenous antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Las células dendríticas son células de origen hematopoiético, que expresan constitutivamente moléculas presentadoras de antígeno MHC de clase I y II, y son funcionalmente las inductoras más potentes de la activación y proliferación de linfocitos Ta los que presentan antígenos. Los linfocitos T CD8+ proliferan y adquieren capacidad citotóxica cuando reconocen su antígeno específico presentado en la superficie de una o varias células dendríticas con las que interactúan. Sin embargo, solamente algunas subpoblaciones de células dendríticas pueden presentar antígenos internalizados desde el exterior celular a través de procesos de pinocitosis y fagocitosis a precursores de linfocitos T citotóxicos. Esta función se denomina presentación cruzada o presentación subrogada (en inglés, cross presentation) y requiere mecanismos de translocación de los antígenos que se encuentran internalizados en fagosomas al citosol para su procesamiento. Se ha establecido que la diferenciación de subpoblaciones de células dendríticas con capacidad de efectuar este tipo de presentación cruzada a linfocitos T CD8+ son dependientes del factor de crecimiento FLT-3L y del factor de transcripción BATF3. Presentan peculiaridades tanto funcionales como de marcadores de membrana que nos permiten identificarlas. En ratones se distinguen por la expresión de CD8α y en humanos por la de CD141 (BDCA-3). Esta población en ambas especies es capaz de internalizar selectivamente restos de células necróticas mediante su receptorCLEC9A que se une a actina polimerizada extracelular. Disponen del receptor de quimioquinas XCR1 que asegura su encuentro con linfocitos T CD8+. La vacunación terapéutica con antígenos tumorales utilizando células dendríticas es una estrategia en desarrollo para el tratamiento del cáncer. La utilización de subpoblaciones de células dendríticas con mayor capacidad de realizar presentación cruzada o subrogada remeda los mecanismos naturales de inmunización para inducir linfocitos T citotóxicos. La dianización in vivo de antígenos a estas subpoblaciones celulares mediante anticuerpos monoclonales anti-DEC-205 o anti-CLEC9A consigue respuestas inmunitarias muy intensas y se están probando en ensayos clínicos frente a viriasis crónicas y enfermedades malignas (AU)

Dendritic cells (DC) are cells of hematopoietic origin, which constitutively express MHC class I and II, and are functionally the most potent inducers of T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation. CD8+ T lymphocytes proliferate and acquire cytotoxic functions upon recognition of their cognate antigen on the surface of one or various dendritic cells with which they interact. However, only some DC subsets are able to present antigen to cytotoxic T cell precursors as taken up from extracellular sources. This function is termed cross-presentation (in Spanish, presentacion cruzada or presentacion subrogada) and requires shuttle mechanisms from phagosomes to the cytosol for antigen processing. It has been demonstrated that the differentiation of DC with these capabilities is dependent on FLT-3Land the transcription factor BATF3. They express peculiar functions and differentiation markers. These cells are distinguished in mice by surface CD8 α features, while CD141 (BDCA-3) marks these cells in the human. These subpopulations are capable of selective internalization of necrotic cell debris by means of their CLEC9A lectin which is a receptor for extracellular polymerized actin. Expression of the chemokine receptor XCR1 favours contact with CD8+ T cells. Therapeutic vaccination with tumour antigens using DC is a strategy under development for the treatment of cancer. The use of DC subsets with more prominent capabilities for cross-presentation would mimic the natural mechanisms of immunization to induce cytolitic T lymphocytes. In vivo targeting of antigens with monoclonal antibodies against DEC-205 or CLEC9A attains very robust immune responses and is a strategy undergoing clinical trials for chronic viral diseases and malignancies (AU)

Topoisomerase 2 alpha: a real predictor of anthracycline efficacy?

Anthracyclines are frequently used in the adjuvant setting for breast cancer treatment since it is considered that anthracycline-based chemotherapy treatment benefits breast cancer patients. Nonetheless, these drugs are associated with severe side effects and predictive factors, for sensitivity to anthracyclines, are warranted in clinical practice. Topoisomerase 2 alpha (TOP2A) is considered to be the molecular target of these drugs. The potential predictive value of TOP2A amplification and overexpression has been extensively studied in breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines. However, results are not conclusive. In this paper, we review some of the published studies addressing the predictive value of TOP2A as well as the cellular functions of this enzyme and its status in breast cancer tissue (AU)

Cistoadenoma hepatobiliar y elevación progresiva del marcador tumoral CA 19.9 / Hepatobiliary cystadenoma and gradual increase in serum marker CA 19.9

Los cistoadenomas hepatobiliares (CB) son tumores quísticos infrecuentes del epitelio biliar hepático. Debido a su clínica y pruebas de imagen inespecíficas compatibles con otras lesiones quísticas hepáticas, el diagnóstico preoperatorio es difícil. La asociación de quiste hepático y CA 19.9 elevado en suero es altamente indicativa de CB. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 62 años con una lesión quística hepática y una elevación progresiva del marcador tumoral sérico CA 19.9 (AU)

Hepatobiliary cystadenoma (CB) is a rare cystic tumour of the liver and biliary epithelium. Because of their clinical and nonspecific imaging tests compatible with other cystic liver lesions, the preoperative diagnosis is difficult. The association of liver cysts and elevated serum CA 19.9 is very suggestive of CB. We present the case of a 62 year- old woman with a cystic liver and a gradual increase in serum tumor marker CA 19.9 (AU)

Expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and topoisomerase IIalpha in leiomyosarcomas

INTRODUCTION: The expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and topoisomerase II has been associated with clinical outcome of several cancers including sarcomas. We aimed to evaluate the expression of these markers in leiomyosarcomas (LMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin blocks of 19 primary, nonmetastatic LMS were analysed immunohistochemically for the expression of the above-mentioned markers with a cutoff level for positivity of 20% of cell staining. RESULTS: Expression of E-cadherin was negative in all LMS. Nuclear expression of beta-catenin was also negative in all cases, while positive cytoplasmic beta-catenin expression was observed in approximately half of the patients. The majority of LMS had expression of topoisomerase IIalpha, although only in 10 patients was this expression in more than 20% of tumour cells. From the analysed factors, tumour size was statistically significantly correlated with relapse-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Further evidence with larger series is required in order to determine the implication of these markers in LMS (AU)

Úlceras orales como manifestación clínica de proceso linfoproliferativo asociado a metotrexato en una paciente con artritis reumatoide / Methotrexate-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disorder Presenting As Oral Ulcers in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Los procesos linfoproliferativos asociados a metotrexato son un grupo heterogéneo de proliferaciones linfoides o linfomas que se desarrollan en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes tratados con metotrexato. Con frecuencia, se asocian a infección por el virus de Epstein-Barr (VEB) y, ocasionalmente, involucionan al suspender el metotrexato. Se presenta un caso de proceso linfoproliferativo tipo linfoma B difuso de célula grande, con una presentación clínica inusual de úlceras orales, afectando a una paciente de 79 años, con artritis reumatoide de larga evolución en tratamiento con metotrexato. Se detectó positividad para LMP-1 (proteína latente de membrana-1) y EBER (Epstein-Barr encoded RNA) por inmunohistoquímica e hibridación in situ cromogénica, respectivamente. Se confirmó la clonalidad del infiltrado por inmunohistoquímica (restricción de cadenas ligeras), PCR (reordenamiento monoclonal del gen IgH) y electroforesis capilar (GeneScan). El estudio de extensión fue negativo. La suspensión del metotrexato condujo a la remisión completa en 6 semanas. Dieciocho meses después del diagnóstico la paciente continúa libre de enfermedad. Los procesos linfoproliferativos asociados a metotrexato raramente afectan primariamente a la cavidad oral y, sólo excepcionalmente, se manifiestan en forma de úlceras. Se revisa la literatura relativa a procesos linfoproliferativos asociados a metotrexato con presentación clínica de úlceras orales (AU)

Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders are a heterogeneous group of lymphoid proliferations or lymphomas that develop in patients with autoimmune diseases treated using methotrexate. These lymphoproliferative disorders are often associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection and occasionally regress after the withdrawal of methotrexate therapy. The lymphoproliferative disorder in this case was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, unusually presenting as oral ulcers in a 79-year-old woman on treatment with methotrexate for longstanding rheumatoid arthritis. Latent membrane protein 1 positivity was detected by immunohistochemistry and Epstein-Barr-virus encoded small RNA positivity by chromogenic in situ hybridization. Clonality was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (K light-chain restriction), polymerase chain reaction (monoclonal immunoglobulin H gene rearrangement), and capillary electrophoresis (GeneScan). Staging procedures were negative. Withdrawal of methotrexate therapy led to complete remission within 6 weeks, and the patient is alive and disease-free 18 months after the diagnosis was made. The oral cavity is not often involved in the initial presentation of methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, and presentation with intraoral ulcers is very rare. We have performed a review of the literature on methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders presenting as ulcers in the oral cavity (AU)

Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by weekly docetaxel as neoadjuvant treatment of early breast cancer: analysis of biological markers in a GEICAM phase II study

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the sequential administration of doxorubicin (A) and cyclophosphamide (C) followed by weekly docetaxel in women with stage II to IIIA breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received 60 mg/m(2) of A and 600 mg/m(2) of C every three weeks for four cycles followed by 12 infusions of weekly docetaxel at a dose of 36 mg/m(2) and with a 2-week resting period. RESULTS: Sixty-three women were included. On an intention-to- treat basis, clinical response rate was 90% (95% CI: 83-98), with 46% complete responses. Breast-conserving surgery could be performed in 43 patients (68%). Complete pathological responses in the breast were confirmed in 17% of patients. No correlations between levels of expression of topoisomerase II alpha, survivin or p27 and the pathological response were detected. The study treatment was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant AC followed by weekly docetaxel is a feasible regimen for patients with early-stage breast cancer (AU)

No disponible