The inhibition of YAP Signaling Prevents Chronic Biliary Fibrosis in the Abcb4-/- Model by Modulation of Hepatic Stellate Cell and Bile Duct Epithelium Cell Pathophysiology.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) represents a chronic liver disease characterized by poor prognosis and lacking causal treatment options. Yes-associated protein (YAP) functions as a critical mediator of fibrogenesis; however, its therapeutic potential in chronic biliary diseases such as PSC remains unestablished. The objective of this study is to elucidate the possible significance of YAP inhibition in biliary fibrosis by examining the pathophysiology of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and biliary epithelial cells (BEC). Human liver tissue samples from PSC patients were analyzed to assess the expression of YAP/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) relative to non-fibrotic control samples. The pathophysiological relevance of YAP/CTGF in HSC and BEC was investigated in primary human HSC (phHSC), LX-2, H69, and TFK-1 cell lines through siRNA or pharmacological inhibition utilizing verteporfin (VP) and metformin (MF). The Abcb4-/- mouse model was employed to evaluate the protective effects of pharmacological YAP inhibition. Hanging droplet and 3D matrigel culture techniques were utilized to investigate YAP expression and activation status of phHSC under various physical conditions. YAP/CTGF upregulation was observed in PSC patients. Silencing YAP/CTGF led to inhibition of phHSC activation and reduced contractility of LX-2 cells, as well as suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in H69 cells and proliferation of TFK-1 cells. Pharmacological inhibition of YAP mitigated chronic liver fibrosis in vivo and diminished ductular reaction and EMT. YAP expression in phHSC was effectively modulated by altering extracellular stiffness, highlighting YAP's role as a mechanotransducer. In conclusion, YAP regulates the activation of HSC and EMT in BEC, thereby functioning as a checkpoint of fibrogenesis in chronic cholestasis. Both VP and MF demonstrate effectiveness as YAP inhibitors, capable of inhibiting biliary fibrosis. These findings suggest that VP and MF warrant further investigation as potential therapeutic options for the treatment of PSC.

PPA1 Deficiency Causes a Deranged Galactose Metabolism Recognizable in Neonatal Screening.

Two siblings showed increased galactose and galactose-related metabolites in neonatal screening. Diagnostic workup did not reveal abnormalities in any of the known disease-causing enzymes involved in galactose metabolism. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous missense variant in PPA1 encoding the cytosolic pyrophosphatase 1 (PPA1), c.557C>T (p.Thr186Ile). The enzyme activity of PPA1 was determined using a colorimetric assay, and the protein content was visualized via western blotting in skin fibroblasts from one of the affected individuals. The galactolytic activity of the affected fibroblasts was determined by measuring extracellular acidification with a Seahorse XFe96 analyzer. PPA1 activity decreased to 22% of that of controls in the cytosolic fraction of homogenates from patient fibroblasts. PPA1 protein content decreased by 50% according to western blot analysis, indicating a reduced stability of the variant protein. The extracellular acidification rate was reduced in patient fibroblasts when galactose was used as a substrate. Untargeted metabolomics of blood samples revealed an elevation of other metabolites related to pyrophosphate metabolism. Besides hyperbilirubinemia in the neonatal period in one child, both children were clinically unremarkable at the ages of 3 and 14 years, respectively. We hypothesize that the observed metabolic derangement is a possible mild manifestation of PPA1 deficiency. Unresolved abnormalities in galactosemia screening might result in the identification of more individuals with PPA1 deficiency, a newly discovered inborn metabolic disorder (IMD).

[Molecular classification of endometrial carcinoma-a short summary for clinical use]. / Molekulare Klassifikation des Endometriumkarzinoms ­ ein kurzer Überblick.

BACKGROUND: Histopathological examination is still the backbone for the diagnosis and treatment decision making in endometrial carcinoma (EC). The binary classification of EC into type 1 (mostly endometrioid) and type 2 (mostly serous), although still helpful, showed overlapping clinical, morphological and molecular features and was not very prognostic discriminatory for all subtypes of EC. METHODS: Analysing the most recent studies dealing with the molecular classification of EC and the recommendations of the German S3-guidelines for EC. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Based on the comprehensive molecular study of The Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) four distinct molecular subtypes have been identified: EC with POLE mutation (POLEmut), with loss of mismatch repair proteins (MMR deficiency; dMMR), or with TP53 mutation (p53mut) and without any of these alterations, termed NSMP (no specific molecular profile). The molecular classification of EC presents a morphomolecular approach, based on histopathological evaluation (tumor diagnosis, subtyping, grading), immunohistochemistry (MMR, p53) and molecular analyses for POLE. The incorporation of this molecular classification is recommended for clinical use by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as many national guidelines and international societies. Due to the heterogeneity of NSMP-EC, which is the largest molecular group, additional research is indicated to further characterise these tumors.

[Breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic literature review]. / Brustimplantat assoziiertes Plattenepithelkarzinom (BIA-SCC) ­ eine systematische Literaturübersicht.

BACKGROUND: Breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC) is being discussed as a distinct malignant tumour entity originating from the implant capsule. The FDA and the ASPS published a safety communication on BIA-SCC in 2022, with a first case report of BIA-SCC having been published in the 1990s. This manuscript summarises the current scientific data on this rare tumour entity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This systematic literature review from two independent databases includes all publications of cases with histopathologically confirmed BIA-SCC. Data extraction included study design, demographic data, implant information and details regarding diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: Nineteen cases of BIA-SCC with a mean age of 57±10 years were reported in 16 publications. In most cases, the indication was aesthetic augmentation (n=13). Both silicone (n=11) and saline (n=7) implants with different surfaces (smooth n=3, textured n=3, polyurethane n=1) were used. Symptoms such as unilateral swelling (n=18), pain (n=14) and erythema (n=5) occurred on an average of 23±9 years after implantation. Imaging showed fluid collection (n=8) or a tumour mass (n=4) around the breast implant. The most common surgical treatment was explantation with capsulectomy. Metastasis was described in 6 cases. CONCLUSIONS: BIA-SCC is a malignant tumour entity associated with breast implant capsules. Based on current low-quality data (level of evidence class V), no definitive conclusion regarding correlation and causality of SCC in patients with breast implants can be drawn. There is an urgent need for national and international breast implant and breast cancer registries to obtain valid data on the incidence, pathogenesis and clinical presentation of rare tumour entities.

Characterization of Human Papilloma Virus in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy-A Prospective Study of 140 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The association between human papilloma virus (HPV) and the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa) is still controversial. Existing studies often lack information about clinical risk factors, are limited by their retrospective design or only use a single detection method for HPV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) for PCa at the Department of Urology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, were prospectively enrolled. Knowledge of HPV and sociodemographic parameters were assessed with questionnaires. The following methods were used for HPV detection: RP specimens were tested for HPV DNA by PCR. If HPV DNA was detected, an LCD-Array hybridization technique was used for HPV subtyping, and immunohistochemical staining for p16 was performed as a surrogate marker for HPV infection. Serological titers of HPV-16 L1 antibodies were measured using an HPV-16-specific immunoassay. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 9.3% (13/140) of RP specimens, with HPV-16 being the most predominantly detected subtype (5/13 = 39%). HPV-16 L1 antibody levels were below the limit of detection in 98% of patients (137/140). We found no significant difference between HPV PCR-positive (HPV+) and -negative (HPV-) patients in terms of HPV-16 antibody levels, history of HPV-associated diseases, level of education or marital status. Seventy-five percent of all PCa patients had never heard of HPV before. An acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate was the most frequently detected histologic type in both HPV+ (100%) and HPV- (98%) patients (p = 0.86). HPV+ patients had fewer positive biopsy cores (3.5 vs. 5.8; p = 0.01) and a lower maximal tumor infiltration rate per core (37% vs. 57%; p = 0.03) compared to HPV- patients. However, when analyzing the whole prostate and the lymph nodes after RP, there were no significant differences in TNM stage, Gleason score or tumor volume between both groups. In a subgroup analysis of all high-risk HPV patients (n = 6), we found no significant differences in sociodemographic, clinical or histopathological parameters compared to HPV- or low-risk HPV+ patients. CONCLUSION: In our prospective study, we were not able to prove a clinically significant impact of HPV status on tumor characteristics in RP specimens. Most men with PCa had never heard of HPV, despite its proven causal association with other tumor entities.

Nuclear receptor co-repressor NCOR2 and its relation to GPER with prognostic impact in ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: The significance of the non-classical G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) as positive or negative prognostic factor for ovarian cancer patients remains still controversial. Recent results indicate that an imbalance of both co-factors and co-repressors of nuclear receptors regulates ovarian carcinogenesis by altering the transcriptional activity through chromatin remodeling. The present study aims to investigate whether the expression of the nuclear co-repressor NCOR2 plays a role in GPER signaling which thereby could positively impact overall survival rates of ovarian cancer patients. METHODS: NCOR2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 156 epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tumor samples and correlated with GPER expression. The correlation and differences in clinical and histopathological variables as well as their effect on prognosis were analyzed by Spearman's correlation, Kruskal-Wallis test and Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS: Histologic subtypes were associated with different NCOR2 expression patterns. More specifically, serous and mucinous EOC demonstrated a higher NCOR2 expression (P = 0.008). In addition, high nuclear NCOR2 expression correlated significantly with high GPER expression (cc = 0.245, P = 0.008). A combined evaluation of both high NCOR2 (IRS > 6) and high GPER (IRS > 8) expression revealed an association of a significantly improved overall survival (median OS 50.9 versus 105.1 months, P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that nuclear co-repressors such as NCOR2 may influence the transcription of target genes in EOC such as GPER. Understanding the role of nuclear co-repressors on signaling pathways will allow a better understanding of the factors involved in prognosis and clinical outcome of EOC patients.

RIPK1 and RIPK3 are positive prognosticators for cervical cancer patients and C2 ceramide can inhibit tumor cell proliferation in vitro.

Introduction: The enzymes Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) und 3 (RIPK3) as well as the protein Mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase (pMLKL) play a role in the signaling cascade of necroptosis. This is a form of programmed cell death which is caspase-independent. High-risk human papilloma virus infection can inhibit necroptosis. Thereby, a persistent infection and consequently the development of cervical cancer can be triggered. Aim of this study was the analysis of the expression of RIPK1, RIPK3 and pMLKL in cervical cancer tissue and the evaluation of its prognostic value on overall survival, progression-free survival and additional clinical parameters. Methods: The expression of RIPK1, RIPK3, and pMLKL in cervical cancer tissue microarrays of n = 250 patients was analyzed immunohistochemically. Further, the effect of C2 ceramide on several cervical cancer cell lines (CaSki, HeLa, SiHa) was examined. C2 ceramide is a biologically active short-chain ceramide that induces necroptosis in human luteal granulosa cells. Results: Significantly longer overall survival and progression-free survival rates could be detected in cervical cancer patients expressing nuclear RIPK1 or RIPK3 alone or simultaneously (RIPK1 and RIPK3). Cell viability and proliferation was reduced through C2 ceramide stimulation of cervical cancer cells. Simultaneous stimulation of C2 ceramide and the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk, or the RIPK1-inhibitor necrostatin-1, partly reversed the negative effect of C2 ceramide on cell viability. This observation could imply that caspase-dependent and -independent forms of cell death, including necroptosis, can occur. AnnexinV-FITC apoptosis staining induced a significant increase in apoptotic cells in CaSki and SiHa cells. The stimulation of CaSki cells with C2 ceramide led to a significant percentual increase in necrotic/intermediate (dying) cells after stimulation with C2 ceramide. In addition, after stimulation with C2 ceramide, CaSki and HeLa cells live cell imaging showed morphological changes which are common for necroptosis. Discussion: In conclusion, RIPK1 and RIPK3 are independent positive predictors for overall survival and progression-free survival in cervical cancer patients. C2 ceramide can reduce cell viability and proliferation in cervical cancer cells by inducing most likely both apoptosis and necroptosis.

KLF11 is an independent negative prognostic factor for breast cancer from a cohort study and induces proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The therapy concepts that target several members of krüppel like factor (KLF) family have been achieved in breast cancer (BC). However, the role of KLF11 in BC remains unclear. This study explored the prognostic significance of KLF11 in BC patients and investigated its functional roles in this malignancy. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of KLF11 in 298 patients' samples was performed to determine the prognostic role of the KLF11. Then the protein level was correlated to clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes. Afterward, the function of KLF11 was explored in vitro with siRNA-mediated loss-of-function of cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. RESULTS: From the cohort study, we found that the expression of KLF11 was positively associated with highly proliferative BC of BC. Furthermore, prognostic analysis demonstrated that KLF11 was an independent negative factor for disease-free survival (DFS) and distant-metastasis-free survival (DMFS) of BC. The KLF11-related prognostic model for DFS and DMFS showed high accuracy in predicting the 3-,5- and 10 -year survival probability of BC patients. Additionally, the knockdown of KLF11 inhibited cell viability and proliferation, as well as induced cell apoptosis in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, while only inhibited cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in SK-BR-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that targeting KLF11 is an interesting therapeutic concept and further research could lead to a new therapeutic improvement in BC, especially in highly aggressive molecular subtypes.

MSX1-expression during the different phases in healthy human endometrium.

PURPOSE: The human endometrium consists of different layers (basalis and functionalis) and undergoes different phases throughout the menstrual cycle. In a former paper, our research group was able to describe MSX1 as a positive prognosticator in endometrial carcinomas. The aim of this study was to examine the MSX1 expression in healthy endometrial tissue throughout the different phases to gain more insight on the mechanics of MSX-regulation in the female reproductive system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we investigated a total of 17 normal endometrial tissues (six during proliferative phase and five during early and six during late secretory phase). We used immunohistochemical staining and an immunoreactive score (IRS) to evaluate MSX1 expression. We also investigated correlations with other proteins, that have already been examined in our research group using the same patient collective. RESULTS: MSX1 is expressed in glandular cells during the proliferative phase and downregulated at early and late secretory phase (p = 0.011). Also, a positive correlation between MSX1 and the progesterone-receptor A (PR-A) (correlation coefficient (cc) = 0.0671; p = 0.024), and the progesterone receptor B (PR-B) (cc = 0.0691; p = 0.018) was found. A trend towards negative correlation was recognized between MSX1 and Inhibin Beta-C-expression in glandular cells (cc = - 0.583; p-value = 0.060). CONCLUSION: MSX1 is known as a member of the muscle segment homeobox gene family. MSX1 is a p53-interacting protein and overexpression of homeobox MSX1 induced apoptosis of cancer cells. Here we show that MSX1 is expressed especially in the proliferative phase of glandular epithelial tissue of the normal endometrium. The found positive correlation between MSX1 and progesterone receptors A and B confirms the results of a previous study on cancer tissue by our research group. Because MSX1 is known to be downregulated by progesterone, the found correlation of MSX1 and both PR-A and -B may represent a direct regulation of the MSX1 gene by a PR-response element. Here further investigation would be of interest.

Treatment and survival of patients with malignant ovarian sex cord-stromal cell tumours: An analysis of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Gynäkologische Onkologie (AGO) study group CORSETT database.

BACKGROUND: Malignant sex cord-stromal cell tumours (SCST) account for only 7% of ovarian malignancies. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft fuer Gynaekologische Onkologie (AGO) study group has established a clinicopathological database to provide an overview of the current treatment strategies and survival of SCST patients and to identify research needs. METHODS: Twenty centres provided mixed retro- and prospective data of patients with tumour specimens and second-opinion pathology review treated between 2000 and 2014. Descriptive analyses of treatment strategies, Kaplan-Meier curves and cox regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-two SCST patients were included. One hundred and ninety-one Granulosa-cell tumour (GCT) and 17 Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour (SLCT) patients were stage I disease (>80%). Forty four GCT (18.7%) and two (8.3%) SLCT patients received adjuvant systemic treatment. After a median observation time of 78.2 months, 46% of all SCST patients experienced disease recurrence, treated predominantly with secondary debulking surgery (> 90%). Advanced FIGO stage, lymph node involvement and intra-operative capsule rupture were associated with disease recurrence on univariate analysis (all p < 0.05). Median OS time was not reached. DISCUSSION: In this analysis of SCST patients, adjuvant chemotherapy was unable to prevent disease recurrence. Despite high recurrence rates, overall survival rates were excellent.

Expression of Progesterone Receptor A as an Independent Negative Prognosticator for Cervical Cancer.

The role of progesterone receptor A (PRA) for the survival outcome of cervical cancer patients is ambiguous. In mouse models, it has been shown that PRA plays a rather protective role in cancer development. The aim of this study was to assess its expression by immunohistochemistry in 250 cervical cancer tissue samples and to correlate the results with clinicopathological parameters including patient survival. PRA expression was positively correlated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification scores. PRA was significantly overexpressed in adenocarcinomas compared to squamous epithelial carcinoma subtypes. Correlation analyses revealed a trend association with the HPV virus protein E6, a negative correlation with p16 and a positive correlation with EP3. PRA expression was also associated with the expression of RIP140, a transcriptional coregulator that we previously identified as a negative prognostic factor for survival in cervical cancer patients. Univariate survival analyses revealed PRA as a negative prognosticator for survival in patients with cervical adenocarcinoma. Multivariate analyses showed that simultaneous expression of RIP140 and PRA was associated with the worst survival, whereas with negative RIP140, PRA expression alone was associated with the best survival. We can therefore assume that the effect of nuclear PRA on overall survival is dependent upon nuclear RIP140 expression.

L1-CAM in Mucinous Ovarian Carcinomas and Borderline Tumors: Impact on Tumor Recurrence and Potential Role in Tumor Progression.

Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is a rare histotype of primary ovarian carcinoma. Frequent pathogenic molecular alterations include mutations in KRAS , TP53 , and overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, but without having prognostic relevance. As L1-CAM (cell adhesion molecule) has previously shown prognostic relevance in other epithelial tumors of the female genital tract, we analyzed whether L1-CAM expression affected MOC prognosis. In addition, we investigated L1-CAM expression in mucinous borderline tumors (MBOTs) with and without adjacent MOC to identify its potential role in the pathogenesis of MOC. We examined a well-characterized collective of 39 MOCs by immunohistochemistry and compared their expression with clinicopathologic data. L1-CAM positivity was defined as any (even single-cell) positivity. Furthermore, we compared the L1-CAM expression in 20 MBOT regions adjacent to a MOC with that of 15 pure MBOTs. L1-CAM expression in MOC was significantly associated with recurrence, independent of tumor stage. Overall, 7/20 positive cases recurred versus 0/19 L1-CAM-negative cases ( P =0.032), showing a significant difference in time to progression. Furthermore, the presence of at least 1 defined molecular alteration (L1-CAM, aberrant p53, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) was found more frequently in the MBOT regions adjacent to a MOC (14/20) than in pure MBOTs (3/15) ( P =0.024). Expression of the tumor marker L1-CAM is frequent (51%) in MOC and is associated with tumor recurrence. The lack of L1-CAM may serve to characterize cases with a low risk of recurrence. Furthermore, the presence of specific molecular alterations in MBOTs is associated with adjacent carcinomas and may define potential pathways in tumor progression.

Treatment of Mitochondrial Phenylalanyl-tRNa-Synthetase Deficiency (FARS2) with Oral Phenylalanine.

OBJECTIVE: By loading transfer RNAs with their cognate amino acids, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARS) are essential for protein translation. Both cytosolic ARS1-deficiencies and mitochondrial ARS2 deficiencies can cause severe diseases. Amino acid supplementation has shown to positively influence the clinical course of four individuals with cytosolic ARS1 deficiencies. We hypothesize that this intervention could also benefit individuals with mitochondrial ARS2 deficiencies. METHODS: This study was designed as a N-of-1 trial. Daily oral L-phenylalanine supplementation was used in a 3-year-old girl with FARS2 deficiency. A period without supplementation was implemented to discriminate the effects of treatment from age-related developments and continuing physiotherapy. Treatment effects were measured through a physiotherapeutic testing battery, including movement assessment battery for children, dynamic gait index, gross motor function measure 66, and quality of life questionnaires. RESULTS: The individual showed clear improvement in all areas tested, especially in gross motor skills, movement abilities, and postural stability. In the period without supplementation, she lost newly acquired motor skills but regained these upon restarting supplementation. No adverse effects and good tolerance of treatment were observed. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Our positive results encourage further studies both on L-phenylalanine for other individuals with FARS2 deficiency and the exploration of this treatment rationale for other ARS2 deficiencies. Additionally, treatment costs were relatively low at 1.10 €/day.

PLA2G7/PAF-AH as Potential Negative Regulator of the Wnt Signaling Pathway Mediates Protective Effects in BRCA1 Mutant Breast Cancer.

Past studies have confirmed that aberrant activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling is associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis in breast cancer, while the role of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PLA2G7/PAF-AH) in this signaling pathway remains unclear. In this study, we analyze the functional impact of PAF-AH on BRCA1 mutant breast cancer and explore its relationship to the Wnt signaling pathway. By performing immunohistochemistry, PAF-AH expression and ß-catenin expression were examined in both BRCA1 WT and BRCA1 mutant breast cancer specimens. The BRCA1 mutant breast cancer cell line HCC1937 was used for in vitro experiments to assess the impact of PAF-AH on cellular functions. The intracellular distribution of ß-catenin depending on PLA2G7/PAF-AH expression was investigated by immunocytochemistry. Significantly higher nuclear expression levels of PAF-AH were found in BRCA1 mutant tissue specimens than in BRCA1 WT samples. Cell viability, proliferation, and the motility rate of HCC1937 were significantly enhanced after PLA2G7 silencing, which indicated a protective role of PAF-AH in breast cancer. Nuclear PAF-AH expressed correlatedly with membranous ß-catenin. PLA2G7 silencing provoked the ß-catenin translocation from the membrane to the nucleus and activated Wnt signaling downstream genes. Our data showed a protective effect of high PAF-AH expression in BRCA1 mutant breast cancer. PAF-AH may achieve its protective effect by negatively regulating the Wnt pathway. In conclusion, our research sheds new light on the regulatory pathways in BRCA1 mutant breast cancer.

Molecular Subtyping of Invasive Breast Cancer Using a PAM50-Based Multigene Expression Test-Comparison with Molecular-Like Subtyping by Tumor Grade/Immunohistochemistry and Influence on Oncologist's Decision on Systemic Therapy in a Real-World Setting.

In intermediate risk hormone receptor (HR) positive, HER2 negative breast cancer (BC), the decision regarding adjuvant chemotherapy might be facilitated by multigene expression tests. In all, 142 intermediate risk BCs were investigated using the PAM50-based multigene expression test Prosigna® in a prospective multicentric study. In 119/142 cases, Prosigna® molecular subtyping was compared with local and two central (C1 and C6) molecular-like subtypes relying on both immunohistochemistry (IHC; HRs, HER2, Ki-67) and IHC + tumor grade (IHC+G) subtyping. According to local IHC, 35.4% were Luminal A-like and 64.6% Luminal B-like subtypes (local IHC+G subtype: 31.9% Luminal A-like; 68.1% Luminal B-like). In contrast to local and C1 subtyping, C6 classified >2/3 of cases as Luminal A-like. Pairwise agreement between Prosigna® subtyping and molecular-like subtypes was fair to moderate depending on molecular-like subtyping method and center. The best agreement was observed between Prosigna® (53.8% Luminal A; 44.5% Luminal B) and C1 surrogate subtyping (Cohen's kappa = 0.455). Adjuvant chemotherapy was suggested to 44.2% and 88.6% of Prosigna® Luminal A and Luminal B cases, respectively. Out of all Luminal A-like cases (locally IHC/IHC+G subtyping), adjuvant chemotherapy was recommended if Prosigna® testing classified as Prosigna® Luminal A at high / intermediate risk or upgraded to Prosigna® Luminal B.

Carbonic anhydrase XII as biomarker and therapeutic target in ovarian carcinomas.

Targeting the tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase XII (CA XII) is considered a promising strategy to improve cancer treatment. As such progress is highly demanded for ovarian carcinomas, the present study aimed to provide deeper information about their CA XII expression profile. A large collection of tissue specimens was stained immunohistochemically with a specific anti-CA XII antibody to evaluate the expression in neoplastic and non-neoplastic epithelial ovarian cells. In addition, flow cytometry was used to measure CA XII expression on tumor cells from malignant ascites fluid. Binding of the antibody revealed a significant CA XII expression in most ovarian carcinoma tissue samples and ascites-derived ovarian carcinoma cells. Moreover, CA XII was expressed at higher levels in ovarian carcinomas as compared to borderline ovarian tumors and non-neoplastic ovarian epithelia. Within the carcinoma tissues, high expression of CA XII was associated with higher tumor grading and a trend towards shorter overall survival. Our results indicate that CA XII plays a crucial role for the malignancy of ovarian carcinoma cells and emphasize the potential of CA XII as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in the management of ovarian carcinomas.

X-ray Stain Localization with Near-Field Ptychographic Computed Tomography.

Although X-ray contrast agents offer specific characteristics in terms of targeting and attenuation, their accumulation in the tissue on a cellular level is usually not known and difficult to access, as it requires high resolution and sensitivity. Here, quantitative near-field ptychographic X-ray computed tomography is demonstrated to assess the location of X-ray stains at a resolution sufficient to identify intracellular structures by means of a basis material decomposition. On the example of two different X-ray stains, the nonspecific iodine potassium iodide, and eosin Y, which mostly interacts with proteins and peptides in the cell cytoplasm, the distribution of the stains within the cells in murine kidney samples is assessed and compared to unstained samples with similar structural features. Quantitative nanoscopic stain concentrations are in good agreement with dual-energy micro computed tomography measurements, the state-of-the-art modality for material-selective imaging. The presented approach can be applied to a variety of X-ray stains advancing the development of X-ray contrast agents.