State-of-the-art and trends in fibroblast growth factor receptor-directed therapies in gastro-intestinal malignancies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review is timely and relevant due to the increasing recognition of the significance of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family in cancer biology. Understanding the role of FGFRs and their dysregulation in various cancers is crucial for developing targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: The review highlights the importance of the FGFR family in cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, and survival. It discusses how abnormalities in FGFR2, including overexpression, gene amplification, and other genetic alterations, contribute to cancer progression, particularly in gastro-intestinal cancers. The paper also emphasizes the promising results of FGFR-targeted therapies, especially tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in certain cancers such as cholangiocarcinoma and oesophagogastric cancers. SUMMARY: The findings underscore the potential of FGFR-targeted therapies in treating cancers with FGFR dysregulation. However, the review also addresses the challenges associated with these therapies, including toxicities and mechanisms of resistance. Understanding these complexities is essential for optimizing the efficacy of FGFR-targeted treatments and improving patient outcomes in clinical practice and research efforts.

Ectopic ACTH-Dependent Cushing's Syndrome Emerging at a Late Stage of a Mixed Histology Neuroendocrine Neoplasm: A Case Report.

Introduction: Neuroendocrine neoplasms encompass well-differentiated tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated carcinomas (neuroendocrine carcinomas [NECs]), which are distinguished by their clinical behavior and molecular characteristics. They can cause paraneoplastic syndromes, such as ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS), necessitating prompt recognition and management due to severe hypercortisolism. Case Presentation: A 66-year-old patient with a 3-year history of metastatic mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm with a NEC and adenocarcinoma component originating from the vulva presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and fatigue. Upon clinical examination, we found widespread hyperpigmentation, a moon-face appearance, hirsutism, buffalo hump, and muscle atrophy. Laboratory investigations revealed severe hypokalemia (2.3 mmol/L), elevated serum cortisol (1,726 nmol/L) and ACTH (194 ng/L) levels. Urinary free cortisol measurement was 21-fold the upper limit of the reference range (3,614.0 nmol/24 h), and cortisol concentration did not decrease after 1mg-dexamethasone suppression test (1,812 nmol/L for an expected value <50 nmol/L), confirming the ACTH-dependent CS. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated progressive neoplastic disease in the liver, kidney, lymph nodes, peritoneum, and lungs. Brain magnetic resonance imaging indicated multifocal metastatic infiltration but no evidence of pituitary adenoma. Interestingly, despite a previously negative 68Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography (PET)/CT performed 1 year prior, there was moderate somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression in lymphatic, pulmonary, peritoneal, and bone tissues, suggesting the presence of a component with redifferentiation and re-expression of the SSTR. After the workup, the patient was admitted to a supportive care facility. Hypercortisolism symptoms were effectively managed with an adrenal enzyme inhibitor (ketoconazole) in combination with somatostatin analogs. Unfortunately, the patient was too frail to benefit from peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Conclusion: This redifferentiation phenomenon in neuroendocrine tumors should be further investigated as patients might be, under certain conditions, eligible for PRRT. Therefore, we suggest that newly occurring paraneoplastic syndromes in patients with NEC should always be evaluated using 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT.

Prognostic Significance of a Scoring System Combining p16, Smoking, and Drinking Status in a Series of 131 Patients with Oropharyngeal Cancers.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco and alcohol are two main risk factors associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Studies showed that human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a role in the etiology of this cancer. HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients present in general a better response to conventional therapy and better overall survival (OS). However, OSCC is a heterogeneous disease regarding treatment. This study aimed to identify more effective prognostic factors associated with a poor clinical outcome for OSCC patients to improve treatment selection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OSCC patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2017, in two Belgian hospitals, were included. Demographic and clinicopathologic data were extracted from medical records. HPV status was determined through p16 immunohistochemistry. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses allowed to identify variables prognostic for OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Kaplan-Meier survival curves have been assessed for survival. RESULTS: The study included 131 patients. Statistics showed that monotherapies were significantly associated with a shorter OS; p16 overexpression was significantly associated with a weak consumption of tobacco or alcohol, and a high p16 expression was significantly associated with both longer RFS and OS. The study validated that tobacco and alcohol consumption were significantly correlated with poorer RFS and poorer OS. Only p16 expression trended to be significant for RFS when compared to smoking and drinking habits, while p16 upregulation and alcohol use were both vital for OS indicating that p16 is an independent and significant prognostic factor in OSCC patients. Finally, a scoring system combining p16, tobacco, and alcohol status was defined and was significantly associated with longer RFS and longer OS for nonsmoker and nondrinker p16-positive OSCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the overexpression of the p16 protein could be viewed as a factor of good prognosis for RFS and OS of OSCC patients. The prognostic significance of a scoring system combining p16 expression, smoking, and drinking status was evaluated and concluded to be a more effective tool to determine therapeutic orientations based on the risk factors for better treatment relevance and survival.