Successful Treatment of Metastatic Primary Cutaneous Adnexal Carcinoma With a PD-1 Inhibitor.

SUMMARY: Standard of care treatment for metastatic cutaneous adnexal carcinomas is not well established. In this case report, we highlight the successful use of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy in treating a patient with low tumor mutation burden, microsatellite stable, high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) gene expression, metastatic primary cutaneous adnexal carcinoma with significant radiographic, and circulating tumor DNA response with durable benefit. Immune checkpoint inhibitors hold promise as a future treatment option in rare instances of metastatic disease from primary skin adnexal carcinoma. Further studies are needed to identify better immune checkpoint inhibitor predictive biomarkers for rare, advanced-stage non-melanoma skin cancers.

Combining Dual Checkpoint Immunotherapy with Ablative Radiation to All Sites of Oligometastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Toxicity and Efficacy Results of a Phase 1b Trial.

PURPOSE: Ablative local treatment of all radiographically detected metastatic sites in patients with oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) increases progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Prior studies demonstrated the safety of combining stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with single-agent immunotherapy. We investigated the safety of combining SBRT to all metastatic tumor sites with dual checkpoint, anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (anti-CTLA-4), and anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1) immunotherapy for patients with oligometastatic NSCLC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a phase 1b clinical trial in patients with oligometastatic NSCLC with up to 6 sites of extracranial metastatic disease. All sites of disease were treated with SBRT to a dose of 30 to 50 Gy in 5 fractions. Dual checkpoint immunotherapy was started 7 days after completion of radiation using anti-CTLA-4 (tremelimumab) and anti-PD-L1 (durvalumab) immunotherapy for a total of 4 cycles followed by durvalumab alone until progression or toxicity. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients enrolled in this study, 15 patients received at least 1 dose of combination immunotherapy per protocol. The study was closed early (17 of planned 21 patients) due to slow accrual during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grade 3+ treatment-related adverse events were observed in 6 patients (40%), of which only one was possibly related to the addition of SBRT to immunotherapy. Median PFS was 42 months and median OS has not yet been reached. CONCLUSIONS: Delivering ablative SBRT to all sites of metastatic disease in combination with dual checkpoint immunotherapy did not result in excessive rates of toxicity compared with historical studies of dual checkpoint immunotherapy alone. Although the study was not powered for treatment efficacy results, durable PFS and OS results suggest potential therapeutic benefit compared with immunotherapy or radiation alone in this patient population.

Single-cell RNA sequencing of neurofibromas reveals a tumor microenvironment favorable for neural regeneration and immune suppression in a neurofibromatosis type 1 porcine model.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common genetically inherited disorders that affects 1 in 3000 children annually. Clinical manifestations vary widely but nearly always include the development of cutaneous, plexiform and diffuse neurofibromas that are managed over many years. Recent single-cell transcriptomics profiling efforts of neurofibromas have begun to reveal cell signaling processes. However, the cell signaling networks in mature, non-cutaneous neurofibromas remain unexplored. Here, we present insights into the cellular composition and signaling within mature neurofibromas, contrasting with normal adjacent tissue, in a porcine model of NF1 using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis and histopathological characterization. These neurofibromas exhibited classic diffuse-type histologic morphology and expected patterns of S100, SOX10, GFAP, and CD34 immunohistochemistry. The porcine mature neurofibromas closely resemble human neurofibromas histologically and contain all known cellular components of their human counterparts. The scRNA-seq confirmed the presence of all expected cell types within these neurofibromas and identified novel populations of fibroblasts and immune cells, which may contribute to the tumor microenvironment by suppressing inflammation, promoting M2 macrophage polarization, increasing fibrosis, and driving the proliferation of Schwann cells. Notably, we identified tumor-associated IDO1 +/CD274+ (PD-L1) + dendritic cells, which represent the first such observation in any NF1 animal model and suggest the role of the upregulation of immune checkpoints in mature neurofibromas. Finally, we observed that cell types in the tumor microenvironment are poised to promote immune evasion, extracellular matrix reconstruction, and nerve regeneration.

MmuPV1 E7's interaction with PTPN14 delays Epithelial differentiation and contributes to virus-induced skin disease.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) contribute to approximately 5% of all human cancers. Species-specific barriers limit the ability to study HPV pathogenesis in animal models. Murine papillomavirus (MmuPV1) provides a powerful tool to study the roles of papillomavirus genes in pathogenesis arising from a natural infection. We previously identified Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Non-Receptor Type 14 (PTPN14), a tumor suppressor targeted by HPV E7 proteins, as a putative cellular target of MmuPV1 E7. Here, we confirmed the MmuPV1 E7-PTPN14 interaction. Based on the published structure of the HPV18 E7/PTPN14 complex, we generated a MmuPV1 E7 mutant, E7K81S, that was defective for binding PTPN14. Wild-type (WT) and E7K81S mutant viral genomes replicated as extrachromosomal circular DNAs to comparable levels in mouse keratinocytes. E7K81S mutant virus (E7K81S MmuPV1) was generated and used to infect FoxN/Nude mice. E7K81S MmuPV1 caused neoplastic lesions at a frequency similar to that of WT MmuPV1, but the lesions arose later and were smaller than WT-induced lesions. The E7K81S MmuPV1-induced lesions also had a trend towards a less severe grade of neoplastic disease. In the lesions, E7K81S MmuPV1 supported the late (productive) stage of the viral life cycle and promoted E2F activity and cellular DNA synthesis in suprabasal epithelial cells to similar degrees as WT MmuPV1. There was a similar frequency of lateral spread of infections among mice infected with E7K81S or WT MmuPV1. Compared to WT MmuPV1-induced lesions, E7K81S MmuPV1-induced lesions had a significant expansion of cells expressing differentiation markers, Keratin 10 and Involucrin. We conclude that an intact PTPN14 binding site is necessary for MmuPV1 E7's ability to contribute to papillomavirus-induced pathogenesis and this correlates with MmuPV1 E7 causing a delay in epithelial differentiation, which is a hallmark of papillomavirus-induced neoplasia.

POU2AF3-rearranged sarcomas: A novel tumor defined by fusions of EWSR1 or FUS to a gene formerly designated COLCA2.

Gene fusions involving EWSR1 or FUS as the 5' partner have been reported in a diverse array of sarcomas. Here, we characterize the histopathology and genomics of six tumors harboring a gene fusion between EWSR1 or FUS and POU2AF3, an understudied, putative colorectal cancer predisposition gene. Striking morphologic features reminiscent of synovial sarcoma were observed including a biphasic appearance with variable fusiform to epithelioid cytomorphology and staghorn-type vasculature. RNA sequencing demonstrated variable breakpoints in EWSR1/FUS along with similar breakpoints in POU2AF3 that encompassed a 3' portion of this gene. For cases in which additional information was available, the behavior of these neoplasms was aggressive with local spread and/or distant metastases. Although further studies are needed to confirm the functional significance of our findings, POU2AF3 fusions to EWSR1 or FUS may define a novel type of POU2AF3-rearranged sarcomas with aggressive, malignant behavior.

MmuPV1-Induced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arises Preferentially from Lgr5+ Epithelial Progenitor Cells.

Murine papillomavirus, MmuPV1, causes natural infections in laboratory mice that can progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) making it a useful preclinical model to study the role of papillomaviruses in cancer. Papillomavirus can infect cells within hair follicles, which contain multiple epithelial progenitor cell populations, including Lgr5+ progenitors, and transgenic mice expressing human papillomavirus oncogenes develop tumors derived from Lgr5 progenitors. We therefore tested the hypothesis that Lgr5+ progenitors contribute to neoplastic lesions arising in skins infected with MmuPV1 by performing lineage tracing experiments. Ears of 6-8-week-old Lgr5-eGFP-IRES-CreERT2/Rosa26LSLtdTomato mice were treated topically with 4-OH Tamoxifen to label Lgr5+ progenitor cells and their progeny with tdTomato and, 72 h later, infected with MmuPV1. Four months post-infection, tissue at the infection site was harvested for histopathological analysis and immunofluorescence to determine the percentage of tdTomato+ cells within the epithelial lesions caused by MmuPV1. Squamous cell dysplasia showed a low percentage of tdTomato+ cells (7%), indicating that it arises primarily from non-Lgr5 progenitor cells. In contrast, cutaneous SCC (cSCC) was substantially more positive for tdTomato+ cells (42%), indicating that cSCCs preferentially arise from Lgr5+ progenitors. Biomarker analyses of dysplasia vs. cSCC revealed further differences consistent with cSCC arising from LGR5+ progenitor cells.

Role of IQGAP1 in Papillomavirus-Associated Head and Neck Tumorigenesis.

Approximately 25% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In these cancers as well as in HPV-associated anogenital cancers, PI3K signaling is highly activated. We previously showed that IQ motif-containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), a PI3K pathway scaffolding protein, is overexpressed in and contributes to HNSCC and that blocking IQGAP1-mediated PI3K signaling reduces HPV-positive HNSCC cell survival and migration. In this study, we tested whether IQGAP1 promotes papillomavirus (PV)-associated HNSCCs. IQGAP1 was necessary for optimal PI3K signaling induced by HPV16 oncoproteins in transgenic mice and MmuPV1 infection, a mouse papillomavirus that causes HNSCC in mice. Furthermore, we found that, at 6 months post-infection, MmuPV1-infected Iqgap1-/- mice developed significantly less severe tumor phenotypes than MmuPV1-infected Iqgap1+/+ mice, indicating a role of IQGAP1 in MmuPV1-associated HNSCC. The tumors resulting from MmuPV1 infection showed features consistent with HPV infection and HPV-associated cancer. However, such IQGAP1-dependent effects on disease severity were not observed in an HPV16 transgenic mouse model for HNC. This may reflect that IQGAP1 plays a role in earlier stages of viral pathogenesis, or other activities of HPV16 oncogenes are more dominant in driving carcinogenesis than their influence on PI3K signaling.

A Rare Case of Primary Pericardial Schwannoma.

Schwannomas are typically benign, indolent neoplasms. Primary pericardial schwannomas are extremely rare and arise from the cardiac plexus and vagus nerve innervating the heart. Few case reports have been documented to date. Pericardial schwannomas are difficult to diagnose at plain radiography or transthoracic echocardiography, often leading to further characterization with either CT or MRI. Biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis. A case of primary pericardial schwannoma of the posterior pericardium with concerns for compression of the left atrium and left ventricle is presented. © RSNA, 2021.

Genetic characterisation of adult primary pleomorphic uterine rhabdomyosarcoma and comparison with uterine carcinosarcoma.

AIMS: To characterise the genetic alterations in adult primary uterine rhabdomyosarcomas (uRMSs) and to investigate whether these tumours are genetically distinct from uterine carcinosarcomas (UCSs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Three tumours originally diagnosed as primary adult pleomorphic uRMS were subjected to massively parallel sequencing targeting 468 cancer-related genes and RNA-sequencing. Mutational profiles were compared with those of UCSs (n = 57) obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Sequencing data analyses were performed using validated bioinformatic approaches. Pathogenic TP53 mutations and high levels of genomic instability were detected in the three cases. uRMS1 harboured a likely pathogenic YTHDF2-FOXR1 fusion. uRMS2 harboured a PPP2R1A hotspot mutation and amplification of multiple genes, including WHSC1L1, FGFR1, MDM2, and CCNE1, whereas uRMS3 harboured an FBXW7 hotspot mutation and an ANKRD11 homozygous deletion. Hierarchical clustering of somatic mutations and copy number alterations revealed that these tumours initially diagnosed as pleomorphic uRMSs and UCSs were similar. Subsequent comprehensive pathological re-review of the three uRMSs revealed previously unidentified minute pan-cytokeratin-positive atypical glands in one case (uRMS3), favouring its reclassification as UCS with extensive rhabdomyosarcomatous overgrowth. CONCLUSIONS: Adult pleomorphic uRMSs harbour TP53 mutations and high levels of copy number alterations. Our findings underscore the challenge in discriminating between uRMS and UCS with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation.

The Merkel Cell Polyomavirus T Antigens Function as Tumor Promoters in Murine Skin.

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) causes the majority of human Merkel cell carcinomas (MCC), a rare but highly aggressive form of skin cancer. We recently reported that constitutive expression of MCC tumor-derived MCPyV tumor (T) antigens in the skin of transgenic mice leads to hyperplasia, increased proliferation, and spontaneous epithelial tumor development. We sought to evaluate how the MCPyV T antigens contribute to tumor formation in vivo using a classical, multi-stage model for squamous cell carcinoma development. In this model, two chemical carcinogens, DMBA and TPA, contribute to two distinct phases of carcinogenesis-initiation and promotion, respectively-that are required for tumors to develop. By treating the MCPyV transgenic mice with each chemical carcinogen, we determined how the viral oncogenes contributed to carcinogenesis. We observed that the MCPyV T antigens synergized with the tumor initiator DMBA, but not with the tumor promoter TPA, cause tumors. Therefore, the MCPyV tumor antigens function primarily as tumor promoters, similar to that seen with human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins. These studies provide insight into the role of MCPyV T antigen expression in tumor formation in vivo and contribute to our understanding of how MCPyV may function as a human DNA tumor virus.

Development and characterization of patient-derived xenografts from non-small cell lung cancer brain metastases.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastasis cell lines and in vivo models are not widely accessible. Herein we report on a direct-from patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model system of NSCLC brain metastases with genomic annotation useful for translational and mechanistic studies. Both heterotopic and orthotopic intracranial xenografts were established and RNA and DNA sequencing was performed on patient and matching tumors. Morphologically, strong retention of cytoarchitectural features was observed between original patient tumors and PDXs. Transcriptome and mutation analysis revealed high correlation between matched patient and PDX samples with more than more than 95% of variants detected being retained in the matched PDXs. PDXs demonstrated response to radiation, response to selumetinib in tumors harboring KRAS G12C mutations and response to savolitinib in a tumor with MET exon 14 skipping mutation. Savolitinib also demonstrated in vivo radiation enhancement in our MET exon 14 mutated PDX. Early passage cell strains showed high consistency between patient and PDX tumors. Together, these data describe a robust human xenograft model system for investigating NSCLC brain metastases. These PDXs and cell lines show strong phenotypic and molecular correlation with the original patient tumors and provide a valuable resource for testing preclinical therapeutics.

PAX8-positive, Cytokeratin-positive Intra-abdominal Ewing Sarcoma Masquerading as a Mullerian Carcinoma in a Postmenopausal Female.

Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma presenting as intra-abdominal or pelvic disease in adult female patients is very rare and may lead to diagnostic difficulty due to clinical and histologic overlap with Mullerian adenocarcinomas, which are far more common. We report a case of an intra-abdominal Ewing sarcoma in a postmenopausal female patient whose clinical and radiological presentation closely resembled that of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Biopsy of an omental nodule revealed numerous histologic features suggestive of a Mullerian carcinoma, including gland-like rosettes, strong, diffuse PAX8 immunoreactivity and cytokeratin expression. After excluding other differential diagnostic considerations, the possibility that this might represent an intra-abdominal Ewing sarcoma was entertained. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing demonstrated the presence of an EWSR1-ERG fusion transcript, confirming the diagnosis. The differential diagnostic considerations when dealing with this unusual clinical scenario and the uncommon yet important pitfall of PAX8 immunoreactivity in Ewing sarcoma are discussed.

Long Non-coding RNAs in Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are classified into low-grade neuroendocrine tumors and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). There are significant differences in therapeutic strategies of the different NEN subtypes, and therefore, precise classification of pulmonary NENs is critical. However, challenges in pulmonary NEN classification include overlap of diagnostic histological features among the subtypes and reduced or negative expression of neuroendocrine markers in poorly differentiated pulmonary NECs. Recently, transcription factor insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) was identified as a sensitive marker of neuroendocrine and neuroepithelial differentiation. In this study, INSM1 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in greater than 94% of pulmonary NENs, indicating that it is a highly sensitive marker of pulmonary NENs and is useful to detect poorly differentiated pulmonary NECs. Although there are well-established morphological and immunohistologic criteria to diagnose pulmonary NENs, there is no universal consensus regarding prognostic markers of pulmonary NENs. Studies have shown that non-small cell lung cancers express long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which regulate gene expression, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and carcinogenesis. We characterized expression and function of lncRNAs, including HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), maternally expressed 3 (MEG3), and prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) in pulmonary NENs, including typical carcinoid tumors, atypical carcinoid tumors, small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC/NEC), and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC/NEC). In situ hybridization and real-time polymerase chain reaction studies showed higher expression (p < 0.01) of all lncRNAs in SCLC/NEC. Small interfering RNA studies indicated a role for MEG3 and PCA3 in tumor proliferation. Therefore, these lncRNAs may serve as prognostic indicators of pulmonary NEN aggressiveness and as possible therapeutic targets.

An Infection-Based Murine Model for Papillomavirus-Associated Head and Neck Cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted pathogen, and high-risk HPVs contribute to 5% of human cancers, including 25% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Despite the significant role played by HPVs in HNSCC, there is currently no available in vivo system to model the process from papillomavirus infection to virus-induced HNSCC. In this paper, we describe an infection-based HNSCC model, utilizing a mouse papillomavirus (MmuPV1), which naturally infects laboratory mice. Infections of the tongue epithelium of two immunodeficient strains with MmuPV1 caused high-grade squamous dysplasia with early signs of invasive carcinoma over the course of 4 months. When combined with the oral carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO), MmuPV1 caused invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the tongue of both immunodeficient and immunocompetent mice. These tumors expressed markers of papillomavirus infection and HPV-associated carcinogenesis. This novel preclinical model provides a valuable new means to study how natural papillomavirus infections contribute to HNSCC.IMPORTANCE The species specificity of papillomavirus has limited the development of an infection-based animal model to study HPV-associated head and neck carcinogenesis. Our study presents a novel in vivo model using the mouse papillomavirus MmuPV1 to study papillomavirus-associated head and neck cancer. In our model, MmuPV1 infects and causes lesions in both immunodeficient and genetically immunocompetent strains of mice. These virally induced lesions carry features associated with both HPV infections and HPV-associated carcinogenesis. Combined with previously identified cancer cofactors, MmuPV1 causes invasive squamous cell carcinomas in mice. This model provides opportunities for basic and translational studies of papillomavirus infection-based head and neck disease.

FGFR Inhibition Enhances Sensitivity to Radiation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

FGFRs are commonly altered in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). FGFRs activate multiple pathways including RAS/RAF/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and STAT, which may play a role in the cellular response to radiation. We investigated the effects of combining the selective FGFR 1-3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor AZD4547 with radiation in cell line and xenograft models of NSCLC. NSCLC cell lines were assessed with proliferation, clonogenic survival, apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle, and DNA damage signaling and repair assays. In vivo xenografts and IHC were used to confirm in vitro results. NSCLC cell lines demonstrated varying degrees of FGFR protein and mRNA expression. In vitro clonogenic survival assays showed radiosensitization with AZD4547 in two NSCLC cell lines. In these two cell lines, an increase in apoptosis and autophagy was observed with combined radiation and AZD4547. The addition of AZD4547 to radiation did not significantly affect γH2AX foci formation. Enhanced xenograft tumor growth delay was observed with the combination of radiation and AZD4547 compared with radiation or drug alone. IHC results revealed inhibition of pMAPK and pS6 and demonstrated an increase in apoptosis in the radiation plus AZD4547 group. This study demonstrates that FGFR inhibition by AZD4547 enhances the response of radiation in FGFR-expressing NSCLC in vitro and in vivo model systems. These results support further investigation of combining FGFR inhibition with radiation as a clinical therapeutic strategy.

A Mouse Model of Oropharyngeal Papillomavirus-Induced Neoplasia Using Novel Tools for Infection and Nasal Anesthesia.

Human head and neck cancers that develop from the squamous cells of the oropharynx (Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas or OPSCC) are commonly associated with the papillomavirus infection. A papillomavirus infection-based mouse model of oropharyngeal tumorigenesis would be valuable for studying the development and treatment of these tumors. We have developed an efficient system using the mouse papillomavirus (MmuPV1) to generate dysplastic oropharyngeal lesions, including tumors, in the soft palate and the base of the tongue of two immune-deficient strains of mice. To maximize efficiency and safety during infection and endoscopy, we have designed a nose cone for isoflurane-induced anesthesia that takes advantage of a mouse's need to breathe nasally and has a large window for oral manipulations. To reach and infect the oropharynx efficiently, we have repurposed the Greer Pick allergy testing device as a virus delivery tool. We show that the Pick can be used to infect the epithelium of the soft palate and the base of the tongue of mice directly, without prior scarification. The ability to induce and track oropharyngeal papillomavirus-induced tumors in the mouse, easily and robustly, will facilitate the study of oropharyngeal tumorigenesis and potential treatments.

A PI3K/AKT Scaffolding Protein, IQ Motif-Containing GTPase Associating Protein 1 (IQGAP1), Promotes Head and Neck Carcinogenesis.

PURPOSE: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50%. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is frequently implicated in HNC. Recently, IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) was discovered to scaffold the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. IQGAP1 gene expression is increased in HNC, raising the hypothesis that IQGAP1 contributes to HNC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed a combination of in vitro studies using human cancer cell lines treated with a cell-permeable peptide that interferes with IQGAP1's ability to bind to PI3K, and in vivo studies utilizing mice genetically knocked out for the Iqgap1 (Iqgap1 -/-). In vivo EGF stimulation assays were used to evaluate PI3K signaling. To study the role of IQGAP1 in HNC, we used a well-validated mouse model that drives HNC via a synthetic oral carcinogen, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO). RESULTS: IQGAP1 is necessary for efficient PI3K signaling in vitro and in vivo. Disruption of IQGAP1-scaffolded PI3K/AKT signaling reduced HNC cell survival. Iqgap1 -/- mice had significantly lower cancer incidences, lesser disease severity, and fewer cancer foci. IQGAP1 protein levels were increased in HNC arising in Iqgap1+/+ mice. The level of PI3K signaling in 4NQO-induced HNC arising in Iqgap1 -/- mice was significantly reduced, consistent with the hypothesis that IQGAP1 contributes to HNC at least partly through PI3K signaling. High IQGAP1 expression correlated with reduced survival, and high pS6 levels correlated with high IQGAP1 levels in patients with HNC. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that IQGAP1 contributes to head and neck carcinogenesis.