Adoption of Universal Testing in Endometrial Cancers for Microsatellite Instability Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

PURPOSE: To assess implementation of a next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay to detect microsatellite instability (MSI) as a screen for Lynch syndrome (LS) in endometrial cancer (EC), while determining and comparing characteristics of the four molecular subtypes. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 408 total patients with newly diagnosed EC: 140 patients who underwent universal screening with NGS and 268 patients who underwent screening via mismatch repair immunohistochemistry (MMR IHC) as part of a historical screening paradigm. In the NGS cohort, incidental POLE and TP53 mutations along with MSI were identified and used to characterize EC into molecular subtypes: POLE-ultramutated, MSI high (MSI-H), TP53-mutated, and no specific molecular profile (NSMP). In historical cohorts, age- and/or family history-directed screening was performed with MMR IHC. Statistical analysis was performed using a t-test for continuous variables and chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: In the NGS cohort, 38 subjects (27%) had MSI-H EC, 100 (71%) had microsatellite stable EC, and two (1%) had an indeterminate result. LS was diagnosed in two subjects (1%), and all but five patients completed genetic screening (96%). Molecular subtypes were ascertained: eight had POLE-ultramutated EC, 28 had TP53-mutated EC (20%), and 66 (47%) had NSMP. MSI-H and TP53-mutated EC had worse prognostic features compared with NSMP EC. Comparison with historical cohorts demonstrated a significant increase in follow-up testing after an initial positive genetic screen in the MSI NGS cohort (56% v 89%; P = .001). CONCLUSION: MSI by NGS allowed for simultaneous screening for LS and categorization of EC into molecular subtypes with prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Imiquimod treatment of vulvar melanoma in situ invading the urethra.

The primary treatment of both in situ and invasive vulvar melanoma is wide local excision of the primary neoplasm. However, this can be a surgical challenge for size, multifocal presentation with proximity to urethra or anus and tendency for local recurrence. The data on adjuvant therapy for vulvar MIS is very limited. A 69-year-old patient with melanoma of the vulva underwent a simple vulvectomy with positive margins in peri-clitoral area, followed by modified radical vulvectomy and bilateral inguinofemoral sentinel lymph node dissection with negative margins. She was later diagnosed with MIS of the vulva on different locations and had multiple wide local excisions over several years. One lesion was close to the urethra and a complete excision was difficult. Topical imiquimod × 16 weeks (5% cream) was given. The regimen was augmented from 3 to 5 times weekly. Complete resolution was found at 16 weeks and patient was disease free for 4 years. Recently however, a vaginal melanoma was detected. Imiquimod appeared to be beneficial in the treatment of melanoma in situ of the vulva/ vagina when surgical options were not feasible producing local control of disease with the remaining risk for local and distant metastasis. Metastasis can appear years later, therefore long-term follow-up of patients treated with topical imiquimod is needed.

Characterizing TP53 mutations in ovarian carcinomas with and without concurrent BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

OBJECTIVES: Mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene are common in ovarian carcinoma (OC) but their impact on outcomes is controversial. We sought to define the relationship of TP53 mutations to cancer outcomes and their interactions with co-occurrent BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA) mutations, comparing three different TP53 mutation classification schemes. METHODS: We performed next generation sequencing on 393 cases of OC prospectively followed for survival. TP53 mutations were classified according to three schemes termed Structural, Functional, and Hotspot. Mutation distribution was compared between cases with and without BRCA mutations. In a subset of 281 cases of high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), overall survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves, logrank testing, and multivariate Cox regression analysis, both stratified and adjusted for BRCA mutation status. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of TP53 mutation type on platinum resistance. RESULTS: TP53 mutations were identified in 76.8% of the total cohort (n = 302/393) and 87.9% of HGSC (n = 247/281). Cases with BRCA mutations demonstrated significantly higher TP53 mutation frequency overall (n = 84/91, 92.3% vs. n = 218/302, 72.2%, p < 0.001). TP53 mutations were not associated with overall survival, even when stratified by BRCA mutation. TP53 mutations were associated with platinum sensitivity, even after adjusting for BRCA mutation status (OR 0.41, p = 0.048). The choice of TP53 mutation classification scheme was not found to alter any significant outcome. CONCLUSIONS: BRCA mutations significantly co-occur with TP53 mutations. After adjusting for BRCA mutations, TP53 mutations are associated with platinum sensitivity, and this effect is not dependent on TP53 mutation type.

Inherited mutations in fallopian tube, ovarian and primary peritoneal carcinoma: Changes in diagnoses and mutational frequency over 20 years.

OBJECTIVES: Women with fallopian tube carcinoma (FTC) are reported to have a higher frequency of inherited BRCA mutations than those with ovarian carcinoma (OC) or primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC). We hypothesized that routine serial sectioning of fallopian tubes would increase the proportion of cases designated as FTC and change the frequency of inherited mutations between carcinoma types. METHODS: Eight hundred and sixty-seven women diagnosed from 1998 to 2018 were enrolled at diagnosis into an institutional tissue bank. Germline DNA, available from 700 women with FTC (N = 124), OC (N = 511) and PPC (N = 65), was assessed using targeted capture and massively parallel sequencing for mutations in ovarian carcinoma susceptibility genes. Cases were divided between those prior to routine serial sectioning (1998-2008) and after (2009-2019), and the frequency of FTC and inherited mutations was assessed. RESULTS: The proportion of carcinomas attributed as FTC after 2009 was 28% (128/465), significantly higher than before 2009 [5% (21/402), p < .0001, OR 6.9, 95% CI 4.3-11.2], with subsequent decreases in OC and PPC. In the sequenced group, overall inherited mutation frequency in FTC (24/124, 19%), OC (106/511, 21%, p = .42), and PPC (16/65, 25%, p = .25) were similar. Germline mutation rates in FTC were lower after 2009,16/107 cases (15%), compared to 8/17 cases (47.1%) before 2009 (p = .005, OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.64). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of inherited mutations is similar in FTC compared to OC or PPC when using modern pathological assignment. Complete serial sectioning of fallopian tubes has significantly increased the diagnosis of FTC, and subsequently decreased the frequency of inherited mutations within this group.

Pathologic findings and clinical outcomes in women undergoing risk-reducing surgery to prevent ovarian and fallopian tube carcinoma: A large prospective single institution experience.

OBJECTIVES: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is recommended for women at increased risk of ovarian, fallopian tube (FT), and peritoneal carcinoma (collectively OC). We describe rates of occult neoplasia in the largest single-institution prospective cohort of women undergoing RRSO, including those with mutations in non-BRCA homologous repair (HRR) genes. METHODS: Participants undergoing RRSO enrolled in a prospective tissue bank between 1999 and 2017. Ovaries and FTs were serially sectioned in all cases. Participants had OC susceptibility gene mutations or a family history suggesting OC risk. Analyses were completed in Stata IC 15.1. RESULTS: Of 644 women, 194 (30.1%) had mutations in BRCA1, 177 (27.5%) BRCA2, 27 (4.2%) other HRR genes, and 15 (2.3%) Lynch Syndrome-associated genes. Seventeen (2.6%) had occult neoplasms at RRSO, 15/17 (88.2%) in the FT. Of BRCA1 carriers, 14/194 (7.2%) had occult neoplasia, 8/194 (4.1%) invasive. One PALB2 and two BRCA2 carriers had intraepithelial FT neoplasms. Occult neoplasm occurred more frequently in BRCA1/2 carriers ≥45 years of age (6.5% vs 2.2%, chi square, p = .04), and 211/371 (56.9%) BRCA1/2 carriers had surgery after guideline-recommended ages. Four in 8 (50%) invasive and 2/9 (22%) intraepithelial neoplasms had positive pelvic washings. None with intraepithelial neoplasms developed recurrence or peritoneal carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: BRCA1 carriers have the highest risk of occult neoplasia at RRSO, and the frequency increased with age. Women with BRCA1/2 mutations often have RRSO beyond recommended ages. One PALB2 carrier had FT intraepithelial neoplasia, a novel finding. Serial sectioning is critical to identifying occult neoplasia and should be performed for all risk-reducing surgeries.

An Alternate Diagnostic Algorithm for the Diagnosis of Intraepithelial Fallopian Tube Lesions.

Intraepithelial fallopian tube neoplasia is thought to be a precursor lesion to high-grade serous carcinoma of the Müllerian adnexae, particularly in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. This association has led to recommendations to assess fallopian tubes for intraepithelial atypia. However, the diagnostic reproducibility of a diagnosis of intraepithelial neoplasia is unclear. In this study, 2 gynecologic pathologists independently evaluated sections of fallopian tubes from a sample of women (N=198, 623 slides) undergoing salpingectomy. A total of 101 (54%) women were undergoing risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. Pathologists were blinded to patient histories and prior diagnoses. Pathologists rendered one of three diagnoses for each slide: "negative for fallopian tube intraepithelial neoplasia (FTIN)," "indeterminate for FTIN," or "definite for FTIN." Cases that were considered by histology definite for FTIN or suspicious for FTIN were stained with p53 and Ki67. Pathologists agreed on the diagnosis of "definite for FTIN" 61.5% of the time. There was no agreement on any cases for the diagnosis of "indeterminate for FTIN." Fifteen "indeterminate for FTIN" and 12 "definite for FTIN" cases were stained with p53 and Ki67. Two of the "indeterminate" cases (13%) had p53-positive foci. Five of the "definite" cases had p53-positive foci. In 3 of the other 8 "definite" cases, there was obvious carcinoma present, but the carcinoma did not stain with p53, suggesting a possible null phenotype. We propose that immunostains should only be used to aid in the diagnosis of FTIN in cases with indeterminate histology. The use of p53 immunohistochemistry in cases that were considered "definite for FTIN" by histology was minimally helpful, and in fact often served to further confuse the diagnosis.

Patterns and duration of primary and recurrent treatment in ovarian cancer patients with germline BRCA mutations.

The objectives of this study were to describe the patterns and duration of primary and recurrent treatment in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) harboring germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) mutations. A retrospective review of BRCA mutation carriers with advanced, high-grade OC diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 with at least 3 years of follow-up (or until death) was undertaken. Descriptive statistics were calculated and a Swimmer's Plot used to depict disease course. Forty BRCA mutation carriers (26 BRCA1, 14 BRCA2) were identified. Mean age was 54 (range 32-77). All had cytoreductive surgery and received platinum chemotherapy. Median platinum-free interval was 11.9 months (IQR 3.6-21.9). Among 28 patients who recurred, median number of treatment lines was 4 (IQR 3-6), with a median of 2 (IQR 2-3) platinum lines. On average, patients who recurred spent 32% (IQR 20-43%) of their time after diagnosis receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy and 54% (IQR 42-67%) of the time on some cancer-directed therapy, including maintenance. Median overall survival was 79.1 months from diagnosis and 25.4 months after first recurrence. In conclusion, beyond first-line therapy, there was treatment and outcome heterogeneity for BRCA-mutated OC. After OC diagnosis, patients spent close to half their life on treatment.

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and homologous recombination deficiency are independently associated with improved survival in ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and defects in homologous recombination (HR) are each important prognostic factors in ovarian carcinoma (OC). We characterized the association between HR deficiency (HRD) and the presence of TILs in a cohort of OC patients and the relative contribution to overall survival. METHODS: Patients with carcinoma of the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum were prospectively enrolled. Malignant neoplasm and serum samples were collected. Immunohistochemistry for CD3+ T cells and CD68+ tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) was performed on specimens collected at primary surgery. Damaging germline and somatic mutations in genes in the HR-mediated repair (HRR) pathway were identified using BROCA sequencing. HRD was defined as a damaging mutation in one of 12 genes in the HRR pathway or promoter hypermethylation in BRCA1 or RAD51C. RESULTS: Ninety-eight of 250 patients included in the analysis had HRD OC (39.2%). HRD OC were enriched for CD3+ TILs and CD68+ TAMs. High CD3+ TIL was present in 65.3% of HRD OC compared to 43.4% of non-HRD OC (P = 0.001). High CD68+ TAM was present in 66.3% of HRD OC compared to 50.7% of non-HRD OC (P = 0.015). Patients with HRD OC and high CD3+ TILs had the longest median overall survival compared to non-HRD OC with low CD3+ TILs (70.9 vs. 35.8 months, adjusted HR 0.38, 95% CI (0.25-0.59)). CONCLUSIONS: Patients that have both CD3+ TILs and HRD OC are afforded the greatest improvement in overall survival. This finding may have therapeutic implications for OC patients treated with emerging immunotherapies.

Evaluation of Intraoperative Assessments in the Management of Endometrial Carcinoma: A Retrospective Quality Assurance Review.

Intraoperative assessment (IA) of uteri is often used to help determine whether to perform lymphadenectomy in patients with endometrial carcinoma. We sought to perform a quality assurance review of the practice of IA at our institution. In a 1-yr period, 107 hysterectomies had an IA performed. Grade of neoplasm in preoperative endometrial biopsy, neoplasm size, depth of myometrial invasion at IA, operative management, and final histologic features were recorded. Operative reports were reviewed to assess the surgeon's interpretation of the IA and the effect on surgical management. The sensitivity and specificity for IA of deep myometrial invasion (>50% myometrial thickness) compared with final histology was 76.9% and 91.1%. The positive predictive value was 71.4%, negative predictive value 93.2% and accuracy 88%. Neoplasm size was provided in 47% of cases. In 10% of patients lymphadenectomy was performed despite low-risk features. IA results were included in the operative report in 87% of cases. There were differences in 8.4% of cases between the IA diagnosis and the surgeon's operative report. IA of deep myometrial invasion is reliable at our institution. Several metrics for quality improvement have been identified as a result of this retrospective review. These include but are not limited to more reliable reporting of neoplasm size, documentation, and communication with gynecologic oncologists.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with BRCA1 or RAD51C methylated versus mutated ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: In ovarian carcinoma, mutations in homologous recombination DNA repair (HRR) genes, including BRCA1 and RAD51C, are associated with increased survival and specific clinical features. Promoter hypermethylation is another mechanism of reducing gene expression. We assessed whether BRCA1 and RAD51C promoter hypermethylation is associated with similar survival and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Promoter methylation of BRCA1 and RAD51C was evaluated using methylation-sensitive PCR in 332 primary ovarian carcinomas. Damaging germline and somatic mutations in 16 HRR genes were identified using BROCA sequencing. RESULTS: BRCA1 methylation was detected in 22 carcinomas (6.6%) and RAD51C methylation in 9 carcinomas (2.7%). These small numbers limited the power to detect differences in survival and platinum sensitivity. Mutations in one or more HRR genes were found in 95 carcinomas (29%). Methylation of BRCA1 or RAD51C was mutually exclusive with mutations in these genes (P=0.001). Patients whose carcinomas had BRCA1 methylation (57.7years±2.5) or BRCA1 mutations (54.1years±1.4) were younger than those without (63.3years±0.8; P=0.029, P<0.0001). BRCA1 methylation and germline BRCA1 mutation were associated with high grade serous (HGS) histology (P=0.045, P=0.001). BRCA1 mutations were associated with increased sensitivity to platinum chemotherapy while BRCA1 methylation was not (P=0.034, P=0.803). Unlike HRR mutations, methylation was not associated with improved overall survival compared to cases without methylation or mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BRCA1-methylated carcinomas share clinical characteristics with patients with BRCA1-mutated carcinomas including younger age and predominantly HGS histology. However, unlike mutation, RAD51C and BRCA1 methylation were not associated with improved survival or greater sensitivity to platinum chemotherapy.

Role of p16 testing in cervical cancer screening among HIV-infected women.

BACKGROUND: p16 immunohistochemistry is used to evaluate for HPV-associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The diagnostic performance of p16 in HIV infection is unclear. METHODS: Between June-December 2009, HIV-infected women underwent Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), and colposcopy-directed biopsy as the disease gold standard at a HIV clinic in Kenya. Pap smears were evaluated for p16 expression. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of p16 to detect CIN2/3 on histology and the impact of immunosuppression and ART was assessed. RESULTS: Of 331 cervical samples with p16 expression, p16 sensitivity and specificity to detect CIN2/3 was 54.1% and 72.4% respectively, which was lower than Pap and HPV in sensitivity, but higher in specificity than Pap, HPV, and VIA. Combining tests and p16 reduced sensitivity and increased specificity of Pap from 90.5% to 48.7% and 51.4% to 81.7%; of VIA from 59.5% to 37.8% and 67.6% to 89.9%; and of HPV from 82.4% to 50.0% and 55.3% to 84.8%. Combination p16 increased the PPV of Pap from 34.9% to 43.4%; of HPV from 34.7% to 48.7%; and VIA from 34.9% to 51.9%. Adjunctive p16 did not change AUC (P>0.05). P16 performance was not altered by immunosuppression or ART use. Combining p16 with HPV and VIA reduced the variation in HPV and VIA performance associated with CD4 and ART. CONCLUSION: As an adjunctive test in HIV-infected women, p16 immunohistochemistry increased specificity and PPV of HPV and VIA for CIN2/3, and was not altered in performance by immunosuppression, ART, or age.

Culprit or Bystander? The Role of the Fallopian Tube in "Ovarian" High-Grade Serous Carcinoma.

The concurrence of intraepithelial high-grade neoplasia in the fallopian tube with metastatic implants has been taken as evidence of a tubal origin for high-grade serous pelvic carcinomas. In the current issue, Eckert and colleagues perform detailed genomic phylogenetic analyses and demonstrate that some cases of high-grade serous intraepithelial tubal neoplasia are metastatic implants and not precursor lesions. Cancer Discov; 6(12); 1309-11. ©2016 AACR.See related article by Eckert and colleagues, p. 1342.

Reflex test reminders in required cancer synoptic templates decrease order entry error: An analysis of mismatch repair immunohistochemical orders to screen for Lynch syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common extracolonic malignant neoplasm associated with Lynch syndrome (LS). LS is caused by autosomal dominant germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Screening for LS in EC is often evaluated by loss of immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of DNA MMR enzymes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 (MMR IHC). In July 2013, our clinicians asked that we screen all EC in patients ≤60 for loss of MMR IHC expression. Despite this policy, several cases were not screened or screening was delayed. We implemented an informatics-based approach to ensure that all women who met criteria would have timely screening. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Reports are created in PowerPath (Sunquest Information Systems, Tucson, AZ) with custom synoptic templates. We implemented an algorithm on March 6, 2014 requiring pathologists to address MMR IHC in patients ≤60 with EC before sign out (S/O). Pathologists must answer these questions: is patient ≤60 (yes/no), if yes, follow-up questions (IHC done previously, ordered with addendum to follow, results included in report, N/A, or not ordered), if not ordered, one must explain. We analyzed cases from July 18, 2013 to August 31, 2016 preimplementation (PreImp) and postimplementation (PostImp) that met criteria. Data analysis was performed using the standard data package included with GraphPad Prism® 7.00 (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA). RESULTS: There were 147 patients who met criteria (29 PreImp and 118 PostImp). IHC was ordered in a more complete and timely fashion PostImp than PreImp. PreImp, 4/29 (13.8%) cases did not get any IHC, but PostImp, only 4/118 (3.39%) were missed (P = 0.0448). Of cases with IHC ordered, 60.0% (15/25) were ordered before or at S/O PreImp versus 91.2% (104/114) PostImp (P = 0.0004). Relative to day of S/O, the mean days of order delay were longer and more variable PreImp versus PostImp (12.9 ± 40.7 vs. -0.660 ± 1.15; P = 0.0227), with the average being before S/O PostImp. CONCLUSION: This algorithm ensures MMR IHC ordering in women ≤60 with EC and can be applied to similar scenarios. Ancillary tests for management are increasing, especially genetic and molecular-based methods. The burden of managing orders and results remains with the pathologist and relying on human intervention alone is ineffective. Ordering IHC before or at S/O prevents oversight and the additional work of retrospective ordering and reporting.

Small cell ovarian carcinoma: Long term survival in juvenile case with poor prognostic features.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian small cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive neoplasm that occurs in young women and has a poor long-term prognosis. Treatment involves surgical resection and chemotherapy. The required radicality of surgery is uncertain, balancing cytoreduction with fertility preservation. Various chemotherapy regimens are utilized due to confusion regarding the neoplasm's lineage. Case We describe an adolescent with small cell carcinoma, hypercalcemic type, stage IA. Surgery included left salpingo-oopherectomy, left pelvic/paraaortic lymphadenectomy, omentectomy and peritoneal biopsies. She received four cycles of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin, similar to high-risk germ cell cancers. She has received no further therapy and is eleven years from diagnosis without evidence of disease. CONCLUSION: This is the first long-term juvenile survivor managed with both fertility-sparing surgery and BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin).

NDER: A novel web application using annotated whole slide images for rapid improvements in human pattern recognition.

CONTEXT: Whole-slide images (WSIs) present a rich source of information for education, training, and quality assurance. However, they are often used in a fashion similar to glass slides rather than in novel ways that leverage the advantages of WSI. We have created a pipeline to transform annotated WSI into pattern recognition training, and quality assurance web application called novel diagnostic electronic resource (NDER). AIMS: Create an efficient workflow for extracting annotated WSI for use by NDER, an attractive web application that provides high-throughput training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WSI were annotated by a resident and classified into five categories. Two methods of extracting images and creating image databases were compared. Extraction Method 1: Manual extraction of still images and validation of each image by four breast pathologists. Extraction Method 2: Validation of annotated regions on the WSI by a single experienced breast pathologist and automated extraction of still images tagged by diagnosis. The extracted still images were used by NDER. NDER briefly displays an image, requires users to classify the image after time has expired, then gives users immediate feedback. RESULTS: The NDER workflow is efficient: annotation of a WSI requires 5 min and validation by an expert pathologist requires An additional one to 2 min. The pipeline is highly automated, with only annotation and validation requiring human input. NDER effectively displays hundreds of high-quality, high-resolution images and provides immediate feedback to users during a 30 min session. CONCLUSIONS: NDER efficiently uses annotated WSI to rapidly increase pattern recognition and evaluate for diagnostic proficiency.

Neoplastic cellularity is associated with clinical and molecular features of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Most molecular analyses of high-grade serous ovarian, peritoneal and fallopian tube carcinomas (HGSC) require ≥70% tumor (neoplastic) cell nuclei. We characterized the distribution of the percentage of neoplastic nuclei (PNN) in a large cohort of HGSC and correlated PNN with clinical outcomes to determine the fraction of cases outside this range and whether this cut-off introduces selection bias. METHODS: Subjects were prospectively enrolled and normal and neoplastic tissues were snap-frozen. All subjects had grade 2 to 3 HGSC. Subjects that received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. PNN was determined by estimating the fraction of neoplastic nuclei relative to non-neoplastic nuclei on a representative hematoxylin and eosin stained frozen section from the primary neoplasm. Germline BRCA mutation status was determined with Sanger or BROCA sequencing. RESULTS: PNN was <70% in 101 (33%) of 306 cases. PNN was significantly higher among subjects without optimal cytoreduction (P=0.018). 55 subjects had germline BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations. HGSC associated with BRCA2 but not BRCA1 mutations had significantly lower PNN compared to HGSC in non-carriers (54% vs. 70%, P=0.018). Overall survival was not significantly different between subjects with <70% or ≥70% PNN (median survival 51.8 vs. 46.6months, P=0.858). CONCLUSIONS: One-third of HGSC has PNN <70%. Higher PNN is associated with suboptimal cytoreduction, while lower PNN is associated with inherited BRCA2 mutations. Our findings suggest a nonrandom distribution of PNN that may reflect cancer biology. Further studies exploring the stromal microenvironment are needed. Molecular analyses of HGSC selected for high PNN exclude a significant fraction of patients.

Premalignant alterations in breast and endometrium associated with a PTEN mutation in a woman with Cowden syndrome: implications for preventive care.

•This case report documents the in vivo process of malignant transformation in a patient with Cowden syndrome.•PTEN-driven oncogenesis may proceed through a stage of pre-invasive intra-epithelial neoplasm.•Our findings have important implications for preventive care and for pathologic sampling at the time of prophylactic surgery.

Colonization of the upper genital tract by vaginal bacterial species in nonpregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the upper genital tract (UGT) presence of vaginal bacterial species using sensitive molecular methods capable of detecting fastidious bacterial vaginosis (BV)-associated bacteria. STUDY DESIGN: Vaginal swabs were collected prior to hysterectomy. The excised uterus was sterilely opened and swabs collected from the endometrium and upper endocervix. DNA was tested in 11 quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for 12 bacterial species: Lactobacillus iners, L crispatus, L jensenii, Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera spp, Prevotella spp, Leptotrichia/Sneathia, BVAB1, BVAB2, BVAB3, and a broad-range16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene assay. Endometrial fluid was tested with Luminex and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for cytokines and defensins and tissue for gene expression of defensins and cathelicidin. RESULTS: We enrolled 58 women: mean aged 43±7 years, mostly white (n=46; 79%) and BV negative (n=43; 74%). By species-specific quantitative PCR, 55 (95%) had UGT colonization with at least 1 species (n=52) or were positive by 16S PCR (n=3). The most common species were L iners (45% UGT, 61% vagina), Prevotella spp (33% UGT, 76% vagina) and L crispatus (33% UGT, 56% vagina). Median quantities of bacteria in the UGT were lower than vaginal levels by 2-4 log10 ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene copies per swab. There were no differences in the endometrial inflammatory markers between women with no bacteria, Lactobacillus only, or any BV-associated species in the UGT. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the endometrial cavity is not sterile in most women undergoing hysterectomy and that the presence of low levels of bacteria in the uterus is not associated with significant inflammation.