Understanding the Treatment Algorithm of Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis Comparing Outcomes of Chemotherapy, Molecular Targeted Therapy, and Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy in 255 Patients.

BACKGROUND: The number of therapeutic options for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNEN) has increased, but the optimal therapeutic algorithm has not been defined due to lack of randomised trials comparing different modalities. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in patients with metastatic PNEN treated with ≥1 line of systemic therapy. The relationship between baseline characteristics, treatment type, and time to treatment failure (TTF), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-five patients with metastatic PNEN had 491 evaluable lines of therapy. Independent predictors of TTF included treatment type, Ki-67, tumour grade, and chromogranin A. To reduce selection bias, a subgroup of 114 patients with grade 2 (G2) metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNET) was analysed separately. These patients had received 234 lines of treatment (105 chemotherapy, 82 molecular targeted therapy, and 47 peptide receptor radionuclide therapy [PRRT]). In the G2 cohort, TTF and TTP were superior for PRRT compared with both chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. OS in the G2 cohort was also superior for those that had received PRRT compared with those that had not (median 84 vs. 56 months; HR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.31-0.98, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that PRRT is associated with superior clinical outcomes relative to other systemic therapies for G2 metastatic PNET. Prospective studies are required to confirm these observations.

Diagnostic Approaches to Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of Unknown Primary Site.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) arise from cells of neuronal and endocrine differentiation. While they are a rare entity, an increasing proportion of patients with NEN present with metastatic disease and no evident primary site using routine imaging or histopathology. NENs of unknown primary site have a poorer prognosis, often due to the challenge of selecting appropriate evidence-based management. We review the available literature and guidelines for the management of NENs of unknown primary site including clinical features, biochemical tests, histopathology, imaging, surgical exploration and localised and systemic treatments. We also discuss novel molecular techniques currently under investigation to aid primary site identification.

Circulating tumour cells and their association with bone metastases in patients with neuroendocrine tumours.

BACKGROUND: Bone metastases are associated with a worse outcome in patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Tumour overexpression of C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) appears predictive of skeletal involvement. We investigated the role of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and CXCR4 expression on CTCs as potential predictors of skeleton invasion. METHODS: Blood from patients with metastatic bronchial, midgut or pancreatic NET (pNET) was analysed by CellSearch. CXCR4 immunohistochemistry was performed on matched formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-four patients were recruited with 121 midgut and 119 pNETs, of which 51 and 36% had detectable CTCs, respectively. Bone metastases were reported in 30% of midgut and 23% of pNET patients and were significantly associated with CTC presence (p = 0.003 and p < 0.0001). In a subgroup of 40 patients, 85% patients with CTCs had CTCs positive for CXCR4 expression. The proportion of CXCR4-positive CTCs in patients with bone metastases was 56% compared to 35% in those without (p = 0.18) it. Staining for CXCR4 on matched FFPE tissue showed a trend towards a correlation with CXCR4 expression on CTCs (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: CTC presence is associated with bone metastases in NETs. CXCR4 may be involved in CTC osteotropism and present a therapeutic target to reduce skeletal morbidity.

Neuroendocrine tumors and fibrosis: An unsolved mystery?

Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of slow-growing neoplasms arising mainly from the enterochromaffin cells of the digestive and respiratory tract. Although they are relatively rare, their incidence is rising. It has long been observed that they often are associated with the development of fibrosis, both local and distant. Fibrotic complications, such as carcinoid heart disease and mesenteric desmoplasia, may lead to considerable morbidity or even affect prognosis. The elucidation of the pathophysiology of fibrosis would be of critical importance for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. In this article, the authors review the available evidence regarding the biological basis of fibrosis in neuroendocrine tumors. They explore the role of the tumor microenvironment and the interplay between tumor cells and fibroblasts as a key factor in fibrogenesis and tumor development/progression. They also review the role of serotonin, growth factors, and other peptides in the development of carcinoid-related fibrotic reactions. Cancer 2017;123:4770-90. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Expression of somatostatin receptors 2 and 5 in circulating tumour cells from patients with neuroendocrine tumours.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumours (NET) overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTR) that can be targeted for therapy. Somatostatin receptor expression is routinely measured by molecular imaging but the resolution is insufficient to define heterogeneity. We hypothesised that SSTR expression could be measured on circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and used to investigate heterogeneity of expression and track changes during therapy. METHODS: MCF-7 cells were transfected with SSTR2 or 5 and spiked into donor blood for analysis by CellSearch. Optimum anti-SSTR antibody concentration and exposure time were determined, and flow cytometry was used to evaluate assay sensitivity. For clinical evaluation, blood was analysed by CellSearch, and SSTR2/5 immunohistochemistry was performed on matched tissue samples. RESULTS: Flow cytometry confirmed CellSearch was sensitive and that detection of SSTR was unaffected by the presence of somatostatin analogue up to a concentration of 100 ng ml-l. Thirty-one NET patients were recruited: grade; G1 (29%), G2 (45%), G3 (13%), primary site; midgut (58%), pancreatic (39%). Overall, 87% had SSTR-positive tumours according to somatostatin receptor scintigraphy or 68-Ga-DOTATE PET/CT. Circulating tumour cells were detected in 21 out of 31 patients (68%), of which 33% had evidence of heterogeneous expression of either SSTR2 (n=5) or SSTR5 (n=2). CONCLUSIONS: Somatostatin receptors 2 and 5 are detectable on CTCs from NET patients and may be a useful biomarker for evaluating SSTR-targeted therapies and this is being prospectively evaluated in the Phase IV CALMNET trial (NCT02075606).

Long-Term Outcomes of Surgical Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors with Synchronous Liver Metastases.

BACKGROUND: The value of surgical resection in the management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) with liver metastases (LM) is still debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgery of PNET with LM. METHODS: Patients with PNET with synchronous LM between 2000 and 2011 from 4 high-volume institutions were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups: curative resection, palliative resection, and no resection. RESULTS: Overall, 166 patients were included. Eighteen patients (11%) underwent curative resection, 73 patients (43%) underwent palliative resection, and 75 patients (46%) underwent conservative treatment. The median overall survival (OS) from the time of diagnosis was 73 months. Patients who underwent curative resection had a significantly better median OS from the initial diagnosis compared with those who underwent palliative resection and those who were conservatively treated (97 vs. 89 vs. 36 months, p = 0.0001). The median OS from the time of diagnosis in those patients who underwent radical or palliative resection was 97 months, with a 5-year survival rate of 76%. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with OS from the time of diagnosis were the presence of bilobar metastases, tumor grading, and curative resection in a first model. On a second model, curative or palliative surgery was an independent predictor of OS. Among 91 patients who underwent surgery, the presence of pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma G3 was the only factor independently associated with a poorer survival after surgery (median OS: 35 vs. 97 months, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LM from PNET benefit from surgical resection, although surgery should be reserved to well- or moderately differentiated forms.

Combination of cross-sectional and molecular imaging studies in the localization of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Molecular imaging modalities exploit aspects of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) pathophysiology for both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic purposes. The characteristic metabolic pathways of NET determine which tracers are useful for their visualization. In this review, we summarize the diagnostic value of all available molecular imaging studies, present data about their use in daily practice in NET centers globally, and finally make recommendations about the appropriate use of those modalities in specific clinical scenarios. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) continues to have a central role in the diagnostic workup of patients with NET, as it is also widely available. However, and despite the lack of prospective randomized studies, many NET experts predict that Gallium-68 ((68)Ga)-DOTA positron emission tomography (PET) techniques may replace SRS in the future, not only because of their technical advantages, but also because they are superior in patients with small-volume disease, in patients with skeletal metastases, and in those with occult primary tumors. Carbon-11 ((11)C)-5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) PET and (18)F-dihydroxyphenylalanine ((18)F-DOPA) PET are new molecular imaging techniques of limited availability, and based on retrospective data, their sensitivities seem to be inferior to that of (68)Ga-DOTA PET. Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor imaging seems promising for localization of the primary in benign insulinomas, but is currently available only in a few centers. Fluorine-18 ((18)F)-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) PET was initially thought to be of limited value in NET, due to their usually slow-growing nature. However, according to subsequent data, (18)F-FDG PET is particularly helpful for visualizing the more aggressive NET, such as poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, and well-differentiated tumors with Ki67 values >10%. According to limited data, (18)F-FDG-avid tumor lesions, even in slow-growing NET, may indicate a more aggressive disease course. When a secondary malignancy has already been established or is strongly suspected, combining molecular imaging techniques (e.g. (18)F-FDG PET and (68)Ga-DOTA PET) takes advantage of the diverse avidities of different tumor types to differentiate lesions of different origins. All the above-mentioned molecular imaging studies should always be reviewed and interpreted in a multidisciplinary (tumor board) meeting in combination with the conventional cross-sectional imaging, as the latter remains the imaging of choice for the evaluation of treatment response and disease follow-up.

Oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: case report and single-center retrospective review.

AIMS: Sorafenib is the only standard therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, but has a low response rate. Leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) has a superior response rate versus doxorubicin among Asian sorafenib-naive patients. We aimed to retrospectively review the outcome of 20 consecutive patients treated with FOLFOX at a single European center. MATERIALS & METHODS: Patients had symptomatic disease burdens unlikely to regress with sorafenib or had no proven treatment options (sorafenib-refractory or recurrence post liver transplantation). RESULTS: One sorafenib-refractory patient had a complete response and two liver transplant patients experienced partial responses. Median overall survival was 6.3 months. There was one chemotherapy death due to neutropenic sepsis. CONCLUSION: In advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, FOLFOX can induce clinically relevant responses, but needs prospective validation.

European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society 2023 guidance paper for functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour syndromes.

This ENETS guidance paper aims to provide practical advice to clinicians for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of functioning syndromes in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET). A NET-associated functioning syndrome is defined by the presence of a clinical syndrome combined with biochemical evidence of inappropriately elevated hormonal levels. Different hormonal syndromes can be encountered in pancreatic NET patients, including insulinoma, gastrinoma as well as the rare glucagonoma, VIPoma, ACTHoma, PTHrPoma, carcinoid syndrome, calcitoninoma, GHRHoma and somatostatinoma. The recommendations provided in this paper focus on the biochemical, genetic and imaging work-up as well as therapeutic management of the individual hormonal syndromes in well-differentiated, grade 1-3, functioning NET with the primary tumour originating in the pancreas, and for specific subtypes also in the duodenum.

A Multinational Pilot Study on Patients' Perceptions of Advanced Neuroendocrine Neoplasms on the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-GINET21 Questionnaires.

Among the available neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN)-specific HR-QoL scales, only the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-G.I.NET21 questionnaires have been validated in several languages. We aim to assess patients' perceptions of these questionnaires. A cross-sectional qualitative pilot study was conducted among 65 adults from four countries with well-differentiated advanced gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) or unknown primary NENs. Patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-G.I.NET21 questionnaires and then a survey containing statements concerning the questionnaires. The majority of patients had a small intestine NET (52%). Most tumors were functioning (55%) and grade 2 NET (52%). Almost half of the patients identified limitations in the questionnaires, with nine (14%) patients scoring the questionnaires as poor and 16 (25%) patients as moderate. Overall, 37 (57%) patients were positive towards the questionnaires. Approximately a quarter of patients considered the questionnaires not suitable for all ages, missing some of their complaints, not representative of their overall HR-QoL regarding the treatment of their NET and too superficial. The current validated EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-G.I.NET21 questionnaires may show some limitations in the design of questions and the patients' final satisfaction reporting of the questionnaire. Large-scale, high-quality prospective studies are required in HR-QoL assessment regarding NETs.

Clonality assessment and clonal ordering of individual neoplastic crypts shows polyclonality of colorectal adenomas.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: According to the somatic mutation theory, monoclonal colorectal lesions arise from sequential mutations in the progeny of a single stem cell. However, studies in a sex chromosome mixoploid mosaic (XO/XY) patient indicated that colorectal adenomas were polyclonal. We assessed adenoma clonality on an individual crypt basis and completed a genetic dependency analysis in carcinomas-in-adenomas to assess mutation order and timing. METHODS: Polyp samples were analyzed from the XO/XY individual, patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis, patients with small sporadic adenomas, and patients with sporadic carcinoma-in-adenomas. Clonality was analyzed using X/Y chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization, analysis of 5q loss of heterozygosity in XO/XY tissue, and sequencing of adenomatous polyposis coli. Individual crypts and different phenotypic areas of carcinoma-in-adenoma lesions were analyzed for mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli, p53, and K-RAS; loss of heterozygosity at 5q, 17p, and 18q; and aneuploidy. Phylogenetic trees were constructed. RESULTS: All familial adenomatous polyposis-associated adenomas and some sporadic lesions had polyclonal genetic defects. Some independent clones appeared to be maintained in advanced adenomas. No clear obligate order of genetic events was established. Top-down growth of dysplastic tissue into neighboring crypts was a possible mechanism of clonal competition. CONCLUSIONS: Human colorectal microadenomas are polyclonal and may arise from a combination of host genetic features, mucosal exposures, and active crypt interactions. Analyses of tumor phylogenies show that most lesions undergo intermittent genetic homogenization, but heterotypic mutation patterns indicate that independent clonal evolution can occur throughout adenoma development. Based on observations of clonal ordering the requirement and timing of genetic events during neoplastic progression may be more variable than previously thought.

Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation27 BeadChip.

Aberrant DNA methylation of promoter and other genomic regions can lead to changes in gene expression, such as over-expression of oncogenes and the silencing of tumour suppressor genes in the context of cancer. Ability to accurately assess the DNA methylation status is therefore of great importance in health and disease. Recently, various platforms for genome-wide analysis of promoter DNA methylation have been developed, including the Illumina Infinium platform. While some of these platforms can be used with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, no protocol has yet been developed for the analysis of FFPE-derived DNA on the Infinium platform using the HumanMethylation27 BeadChip which interrogates 27,578 cytosine-guanine (CpG) dinucleotide sites, selected predominantly from the promoter regions of 14,000 annotated genes. As FFPE preservation has been the method of choice for the archiving of clinical samples, the ability to analyse such samples opens the possibility to study large numbers of clinically well annotated samples which can be expected to lead to more powerful and robust data, particularly for rare cancers. Here, we describe a protocol for the analysis of FFPE samples using the Infinium HumanMethylation27 BeadChip.

High-Grade Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms and Improved Prognostic Stratification With the New World Health Organization 2019 Classification: A Validation Study From a Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: There is a pressing need to develop clinical management pathways for grade 3 (G3) gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP NEN). METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on patients with metastatic G3 GEP NEN. The relationship between baseline characteristics and progression-free survival and overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: We included 142 patients (74 well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors [WDNETs], 68 poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas [PDNECs]). Patients with WDNET had prolonged survival compared with PDNEC (median, 24 vs 15 months, P = 0.0001), which persisted in both pancreatic and nonpancreatic cohorts. Well-differentiated morphology, Ki-67 <50% and positive somatostatin receptor imaging were independently associated with prolonged survival. Of the subgroup treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, response rates were favorable (partial response, 47%; stable disease, 30%); there was no significant difference in response rates nor progression-free survival between WDNET and PDNEC despite significantly prolonged overall survival in the WDNET cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Our study corroborates the knowledge of 2 prognostically distinct subgroups within the World Health Organization 2019 G3 GEP NEN population, observed in both pancreatic and nonpancreatic gastrointestinal cohorts. Definitive management pathways are needed to reflect the differences between G3 WDNET and PDNEC.

Whole-genome sequencing of single circulating tumor cells from neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Single-cell profiling of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as part of a minimally invasive liquid biopsy presents an opportunity to characterize and monitor tumor heterogeneity and evolution in individual patients. In this study, we aimed to compare single-cell copy number variation (CNV) data with tissue and define the degree of intra- and inter-patient genomic heterogeneity. We performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) whole-genome CNV analysis of 125 single CTCs derived from seven patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) alongside matched white blood cells (WBC), formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), and fresh frozen (FF) samples. CTC CNV profiling demonstrated recurrent chromosomal alterations in previously reported NEN copy number hotspots, including the prognostically relevant loss of chromosome 18. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering revealed CTCs with distinct clonal lineages as well as significant intra- and inter-patient genomic heterogeneity, including subclonal alterations not detectable by bulk analysis and previously unreported in NEN. Notably, we also demonstrated the presence of genomically distinct CTCs according to the enrichment strategy utilized (EpCAM-dependent vs size-based). This work has significant implications for the identification of therapeutic targets, tracking of evolutionary change, and the implementation of CTC-biomarkers in cancer.

Somatostatin receptor 2 expression in nasopharyngeal cancer is induced by Epstein Barr virus infection: impact on prognosis, imaging and therapy.

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), endemic in Southeast Asia, lacks effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Even in high-income countries the 5-year survival rate for stage IV NPC is less than 40%. Here we report high somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) expression in multiple clinical cohorts comprising 402 primary, locally recurrent and metastatic NPCs. We show that SSTR2 expression is induced by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) via the NF-κB pathway. Using cell-based and preclinical rodent models, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of SSTR2 targeting using a cytotoxic drug conjugate, PEN-221, which is found to be superior to FDA-approved SSTR2-binding cytostatic agents. Furthermore, we reveal significant correlation of SSTR expression with increased rates of survival and report in vivo uptake of the SSTR2-binding 68Ga-DOTA-peptide radioconjugate in PET-CT scanning in a clinical trial of NPC patients (NCT03670342). These findings reveal a key role in EBV-associated NPC for SSTR2 in infection, imaging, targeted therapy and survival.

Immune Surveillance in Clinical Regression of Preinvasive Squamous Cell Lung Cancer.

Before squamous cell lung cancer develops, precancerous lesions can be found in the airways. From longitudinal monitoring, we know that only half of such lesions become cancer, whereas a third spontaneously regress. Although recent studies have described the presence of an active immune response in high-grade lesions, the mechanisms underpinning clinical regression of precancerous lesions remain unknown. Here, we show that host immune surveillance is strongly implicated in lesion regression. Using bronchoscopic biopsies from human subjects, we find that regressive carcinoma in situ lesions harbor more infiltrating immune cells than those that progress to cancer. Moreover, molecular profiling of these lesions identifies potential immune escape mechanisms specifically in those that progress to cancer: antigen presentation is impaired by genomic and epigenetic changes, CCL27-CCR10 signaling is upregulated, and the immunomodulator TNFSF9 is downregulated. Changes appear intrinsic to the carcinoma in situ lesions, as the adjacent stroma of progressive and regressive lesions are transcriptomically similar. SIGNIFICANCE: Immune evasion is a hallmark of cancer. For the first time, this study identifies mechanisms by which precancerous lesions evade immune detection during the earliest stages of carcinogenesis and forms a basis for new therapeutic strategies that treat or prevent early-stage lung cancer.See related commentary by Krysan et al., p. 1442.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1426.

The evolving (epi)genetic landscape of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a relatively rare group of heterogeneous tumours originating from neuroendocrine cells found throughout the body. Pancreatic NENs (PanNENs) are the second most common pancreatic malignancy accounting for 1-3% of all neoplasms developing in the pancreas. Despite having a low background mutation rate, driver mutations in MEN1, DAXX/ATRX and mTOR pathway genes (PTEN, TSC1/2) are implicated in disease development and progression. Their increased incidence coupled with advances in sequencing technologies has reignited the interest in PanNEN research and has accelerated the acquisition of molecular data. Studies utilising such technological advances have further enriched our knowledge of PanNENs' biology through novel findings, including higher-than-expected presence of germline mutations in 17% of sporadic tumours of no familial background, identification of novel mutational signatures and complex chromosomal rearrangements and a dysregulated epigenetic machinery. Integrated genomic studies have progressed the field by identifying the synergistic action between different molecular mechanisms, while holding the promise for deciphering disease heterogeneity. Although our understanding is far from being complete, these novel findings have provided the optimism of shaping the future of PanNEN research, ultimately leading to an era of precision medicine for NETs. Here, we recapitulate the existing knowledge on pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs) and discuss how recent, novel findings have furthered our understanding of these complex tumours.

Deciphering the genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic landscapes of pre-invasive lung cancer lesions.

The molecular alterations that occur in cells before cancer is manifest are largely uncharted. Lung carcinoma in situ (CIS) lesions are the pre-invasive precursor to squamous cell carcinoma. Although microscopically identical, their future is in equipoise, with half progressing to invasive cancer and half regressing or remaining static. The cellular basis of this clinical observation is unknown. Here, we profile the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic landscape of CIS in a unique patient cohort with longitudinally monitored pre-invasive disease. Predictive modeling identifies which lesions will progress with remarkable accuracy. We identify progression-specific methylation changes on a background of widespread heterogeneity, alongside a strong chromosomal instability signature. We observed mutations and copy number changes characteristic of cancer and chart their emergence, offering a window into early carcinogenesis. We anticipate that this new understanding of cancer precursor biology will improve early detection, reduce overtreatment, and foster preventative therapies targeting early clonal events in lung cancer.

Well-differentiated bronchial neuroendocrine tumors: Clinical management and outcomes in 105 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchial neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors representing approximately 20%-30% of all neuroendocrine tumors and 2%-3% of all adult lung cancers. Here, they present a large case series of well-differentiated bronchial NETs with the aim of investigating the behavior of these tumors and long-term outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 105 patients with bronchial NETs managed in a tertiary referral center in the period between January 1998 and January 2012. RESULTS: Bronchial NETs are commoner in females and the commonest presenting symptoms were cough (13.9%) and dyspnoea (11.6%). OctreoscanTM and Gallium-68 DOTATATE PET were found to have similar diagnostic sensitivity and FDG PET was more sensitive for higher-grade tumors. Over a median follow-up period of 35.5 months mortality rate was 5.7%. The 5-year survival was 76% and the 10-year survival was 62%. Female patients survived longer but this difference was not statistically significant (P = .59). Older age greater than 50 years (P = .027), higher levels of Chromogranin A (CgA) (P = .034), first-line treatment with surgery (P = .005), ki67 over 10% (P = .037), and tumor stage (P = .036) but not tumor grade (P = .22), were significantly associated with survival. DISCUSSION: Several factors have been identified which are independently associated with survival including CgA levels greater than 100 pmol/L, tumor stage, age greater than 50, ki67 over 10% and having surgery as first-line treatment. There was no difference in survival between typical and atypical carcinoids.

A prognostic index for systemic AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: The established International Prognostic Index for lymphomas has not included patients with systemic AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma. OBJECTIVE: To establish the most appropriate prognostic index for use in patients with systemic AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma. DESIGN: A prospective study involving univariate and multivariable analyses of patients with AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma whose data were used to examine standard and new criteria for survival after diagnosis. SETTING: The Chelsea and Westminster cohort of HIV-1-infected persons. PATIENTS: 9621 HIV-positive patients, 111 in whom AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma was treated after 1996, in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). INTERVENTION: Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to determine the prognostic significance of multiple clinicopathologic variables. RESULTS: Survival of patients with AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma has increased in the HAART era (log-rank chi-square, 9.23; P = 0.002). Univariate analyses using the established International Prognostic Index factors of age, tumor stage, lactate dehydrogenase level, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and number of extranodal sites were confirmed to be significant variables. Regression modeling for patients in whom disease was diagnosed after 1996 revealed only 2 independent predictors of death: International Prognostic Index risk group and CD4 cell count. These predictors yielded 4 internally validated risk strata with predicted 1-year survival rates of 82%, 47%, 20%, and 15% (P < 0.001). Prognostic risk scores in the highest quartile yielded a likelihood ratio for death of 7.90 (hazard ratio, 1.0), whereas a prognostic score less than 1.0 yielded a likelihood ratio of 0.23 (hazard ratio, 0.15 [95% CI, 0.06 to 0.33]). LIMITATIONS: The sample was small, and different HAART regimens were used. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma that was diagnosed in the era of HAART, application of the International Prognostic Index remains useful. The addition of CD4 cell count provides further independent prognostic information. Patients who present with AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a low CD4 cell count have a poor prognosis; this information can be used to guide therapeutic options.