Epidermal growth factor receptor as an adverse survival predictor in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

Penile carcinoma (PC) is more frequent in underdeveloped countries, generally is diagnosed at an advanced stage when therapeutic options are restricted, and thus is associated with high morbidity/mortality rates. Recent studies have demonstrated clinical benefits with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy in patients with PC, although there is no test that provides accurate patient selection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of EGFR gene and protein status in tumor samples from patients with primary penile squamous cell carcinoma. We assessed the expression of wild-type and 2 mutant EGFR isoforms (delA746-E750 and mL858R) by immunohistochemistry in 139 samples, of which 49 were also evaluated for EGFR copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Positive immunohistochemical staining of wild-type and mutant EGFR was evidenced by complete and strong membranous staining. For FISH analysis, cases were considered unaltered, polysomic, or amplified, as determined by signals of the EGFR gene and chromosome 7. An independent cohort of 107 PC samples was evaluated for mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF. Protein overexpression was noted in nearly half of the cases and was associated with cancer recurrence (P=.004) and perineural invasion (P=.005). Expression of the 2 mutated EGFR isoforms was not observed. The FISH status was not associated with protein expression. Altered FISH (polysomy and gene amplification) was an independent risk factor for dying of cancer. Only 1 patient of 107 presented KRAS mutations, and no mutations of EGFR or BRAF were observed.

Pathologic and imunohistochemical characterization of tumoral inflammatory cell infiltrate in invasive penile squamous cell carcinomas: Fox-P3 expression is an independent predictor of recurrence.

Penile carcinomas (PeCa) are relatively rare, but devastating neoplasms, more frequent among people of underprivileged socioeconomic status. There is mounting evidence that immune cells may trigger various mechanisms that enhance tumor growth and metastasis, but no data on the peritumoral inflammation is available for PeCa. The objectives of the present study are to evaluate the immunohistomorphology of tumoral inflammation in PeCa, and to correlate it with clinicopathological parameters, which could contribute to the prognostic evaluation. One hundred and twenty-two patients with the diagnosis of usual-type squamous cell penile carcinoma were included. Paraffin-embedded tissue was submitted to immunohistochemical evaluation of p16 protein, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, CD138, granzyme B, and Fox-P3. The Fisher's exact test was employed for comparison between histological variables and parameters, and the Kaplan-Meier method for the analysis of survival. Improved 5-year overall survival was significantly associated to age ≤60 years, stage I + II, tumor size T1 + T2, lymph node status N0, and absent perineural invasion. In a multivariate analysis age ≥60 years, presence of lymph node metastasis, urethral invasion, and high histologic grade retained a significantly more unfavorable outcome. Improved 5-year failure free survival was associated to stage of the disease I + II, lymph node status N0, absence of perineural, vascular, and urethral invasion, and Fox-P3 expression. In a multivariate analysis, presence of lymph node metastasis, perineural and vascular invasion, and of Fox-P3-positive lymphocytes together with low inflammatory infiltrate retained a significantly more unfavorable outcome. These results support the prognostic value of determining the levels of Fox-P3-positive lymphocytes by immunohistochemistry in PeCa, as this parameter adds value to the traditional clinicopathological features.

Radical prostatectomy and positive surgical margins: relationship with prostate cancer outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Positive surgical margins (PSMs) are an adverse factor that may predict a worse outcome in patients submitted to radical prostatectomy (RP). However, not all of these cases will evolve to biochemical (BCR) or clinical (CR) recurrence, therefore relationship between PSMs and these recurrent events has to be correlated with other clinical and pathologic findings to indicate complementary treatment for selected patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 1250 patients submitted to open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP), between March 1991 and June 2008, the outcome of 161 patients with PSMs and of 67 without PSMs as a control group, comprising a total of 228 cases were retrospectively reviewed. A minimum follow-up time of 2 years after surgery was considered. BCR was determined when PSA ≥ 0.2 ng/mL. CR was determined whenever there was clinical evidence of tumor. Chi-square test was used to correlate clinical and pathologic variables with PSMs. Time interval to biochemical recurrence was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier product limit analysis using the log-rank test for comparison between groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox stepwise logistic regression models were used to identify significant predictors of risk of shorter intervals to BCR. RESULTS: Prostate circumference margin was the most common site with 78 cases (48.44%). Regarding the outcome of 228 cases from both groups, BCR occurred in 68 patients (29.82%), and CR in 10 (4.38%). Univariate analysis showed statistically significant associations (p < 0.001) between presence of PSMs with BCR, but not with CR (p = 0.05). At follow-up of the 161 patients with PSMs, only 61(37.8%) presented BCR, while 100 (62.8%) did not. BCR correlated with pathologic stage; Gleason score; preoperative PSA; tumor volume in the specimen; capsular and perineural invasion; presence and number of PSMs. CR correlated only with angiolymphatic invasion and Gleason score. Considering univariate analysis of clinical and pathologic factors predicting progression-free survival at 5 years, prostate weight; preoperative PSA; Gleason score; pathologic stage; tumor volume; PSMs; capsular and perineural invasion were correlated with BCR. At multivariate analysis, only Gleason score and percentage of tumor volume correlated as significant independent predictors of BCR. CONCLUSION: At univariate analysis, presence, number and location of PSMs have consistent correlation with BCR after RRP, but at follow-up BCR occurred only in 37.8% of patients with PSMs. However at multivariate analysis, the significant risk factors for BCR were percentage of tumor volume (p = 0.022) and Gleason score (p < 0.005) in the surgical specimen. Angiolymphatic invasion and Gleason score were significantly correlated with CR.

Prognostication of OCT4 isoform expression in prostate cancer.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) refer to a subset of tumor cells that self-renew and affect tumor heterogeneity. This model has attracted considerable interest in recent years due to its implications in the prognosis and clinical management of cancer because CSCs mediate the occurrence, growth, and recurrence of tumors. OCT4 is central to embryonic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation into specific lineages and encodes two chief isoforms that are generated by alternative splicing--OCT4A and OCT4B. Their function in prostate cancer (PCa) is unknown. The prognostic function of OCT4 isoforms in PCa samples was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and sensitivity and specificity of the antibodies used were evaluated by molecular biology techniques. Biochemical and pathological data and specimens from 193 patients with PCa were evaluated retrospectively. IHC, western blot, immunofluorescence, and automated image analysis were also performed. IHC was performed on a tissue microarray, and western blot and immunofluorescence were performed using the PCa cell line DU-145. IHC expression of OCT4 isoforms correlated with biochemical and pathological parameters, particularly biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS). Patients with higher levels of OCT4B had lower Gleason scores and decreased likelihood of experiencing biochemical recurrence (BR). OCT4A(+) OCT4B(-) patients had the shortest BCRFS, and positivity for OCT4B expression was an independent prognostic factor for BCRFS in the multivariate analysis. We conclude that the expression of OCT4B is a strong marker of good prognosis, and its presence is associated with a decreased likelihood of BR. Thus, OCT4B might represent a powerful clinical prognostic biomarker for PCa patients.

Prognostication of prostate cancer based on TOP2A protein and gene assessment: TOP2A in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: TOP2A encodes for topoisomerase IIα, a nuclear enzyme that controls DNA topological structure and cell cycle progression. This enzyme is a marker of cell proliferation in normal and neoplastic tissues; however, little information is available about its expression in prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was automated using mouse monoclonal antibody against TOP2A (clone SWT3D1; DAKO, Carpenteria, CA, USA) at dilution 1:800 and Flex Plus detection system in autostainer 48Ultra (DAKO). FISH was performed using TOP2A (17q21)/ CEP17 probe kit (Kreateck Biotechnology, San Diego, CA, USA). Biochemical and pathological data from 193 patients with PCa were retrieved for the analysis, whose significance was considered when p < 0.05. Also, fractal analysis was performed in a subset of 20 randomly selected cases. RESULTS: TOP2A protein expression correlated with higher Gleason scores and higher levels of preoperative PSA (p = 0.018 and p = 0.011). Patients with higher levels of TOP2A presented shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) (p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, we found that TOP2A remained an independent prognostic factor of BRFS, with a relative risk of 1.98 (p = 0.001; 95% CI, 1.338-2.93); thus, cases that expressed high levels of this enzyme had a shorter BRFS compared with TOP2A-negative or TOP2A-low cases. No alterations in TOP2A gene status nor correlation between FISH and IHC results were observed. Concerning fractal analysis, patients who expressed higher levels of TOP2A have angiolymphatic invasion and presented higher Gleason scores (p = 0.033 and p = 0.025, respectively). Also, patients with higher expression of TOP2A presented shorter BRFS (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to perform TOP2A protein and gene digital assessment and fractal analysis in association with BRFS in a large series of PCa. Also, we show that TOP2A gene copy number alterations are not observed in this type of tumor. So, higher protein expression of TOP2A is not related to gene amplification in PCa. Furthermore, TOP2A protein assessment has prognostic importance and, due to its relation with poor outcome, TOP2A IHC evaluation in the biopsy can represent an important tool for selecting the most suitable surgical and clinical approach for patients with PCa.

Analysis of PTEN gene by fluorescent in situ hybridization in renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of deletion of the PTEN gene in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its impact on the rates of overall and disease-free survival. METHODS: We analyzed 110 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy between 1980 and 2007. In 53 cases it was possible to analyse the PTEN gene by the method of fluorescent in situ hybridization using the technique of tissue microarray. For statistical analysis, patients were classified in two groups according to the presence or absence of the deletion. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 41.9 months. Hemizygous deletion was detected in 18 patients (33.9%), while the homozygous one was present in three (5.6%). Deletion was present in approximately 40% of the analyzed cases. Monosomy and trisomy were detected in nine (17%) and two patients (3.8%), respectively. In 21 patients (39.6%) the analysis of the PTEN gene by in situ hybridization was normal. There were no statistically significant differences in overall (p = 0.468) and disease-free (p = 0.344) survival rates between patients with or without deletion. Factors which were independent for overall survival: TNM clinical stage, symptoms at diagnosis, high Fuhrmann grade, performance status (ECoG) and tumor recurrence. Disease-free survival was influenced only by the clinical TNM stage. CONCLUSION: Deletion of the PTEN gene in RCC was detected with a frequency of approximately 40% and its presence was not determinant of lower survival rates, the traditional prognostic factors remaining as determinants of outcome.

Sex with animals (SWA): behavioral characteristics and possible association with penile cancer. A multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Zoophilia has been known for a long time but, underreported in the medical literature, is likely a risk factor for human urological diseases. AIM: To investigate the behavioral characteristics of sex with animals (SWA) and its associations with penile cancer (PC) in a case-control study. METHODS: A questionnaire about personal and sexual habits was completed in interviews of 118 PC patients and 374 controls (healthy men) recruited between 2009 and 2010 from 16 urology and oncology centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SWA rates, geographic distribution, duration, frequency, animals involved, and behavioral habits were investigated and used to estimate the odds of SWA as a PC risk factor. RESULTS: SWA was reported by 171 (34.8%) subjects, 44.9% of PC patients and 31.6% of controls (P < 0.008). The mean ages at first and last SWA episode were 13.5 years (standard deviation [SD] 4.4 years) and 17.1 years (SD 5.3 years), respectively. Subjects who reported SWA also reported more venereal diseases (P < 0.001) and sex with prostitutes (P < 0.001), and were more likely to have had more than 10 lifetime sexual partners (P < 0.001) than those who did not report SWA. SWA with a group of men was reported by 29.8% of subjects and SWA alone was reported by 70.2%. Several animals were used by 62% of subjects, and 38% always used the same animal. The frequency of SWA included single (14%), weekly or more (39.5%), and monthly episodes (15%). Univariate analysis identified phimosis, penile premalignancies, smoking, nonwhite race, sex with prostitutes, and SWA as PC risk factors. Phimosis, premalignant lesions, smoking, and SWA remained as risk factors in multivariate analysis. However, SWA did not impact the clinicopathological outcomes of PC. CONCLUSION: SWA is a risk factor for PC and may be associated with venereal diseases. New studies are required in other populations to test other possible nosological links with SWA.

Claudin expression is dysregulated in prostate adenocarcinomas but does not correlate with main clinicopathological parameters.

AIMS: Claudins, a large family of essential tight junction (TJ) proteins, are abnormally regulated in human carcinomas. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of claudins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 11 in prostate samples from Brazilian patients and correlate it with the clinicopathological features of prostate cancer. METHODS: Using a tissue microarray (TMA) of specimens of prostate adenocarcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) we analysed the expression of claudins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 11 by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Claudin 4 was down-regulated and claudins 2, 3, and 5 were overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinomas compared with BPH samples. Expression of claudins 1 and 7 was similar in tumours and BPH samples. Claudin 11 was absent from all prostate samples. Overexpression of claudin 3 was associated with perineural invasion (p = 0.014) and tended to occur in advanced stages of the disease (p = 0.064). Increased expression of claudin 5 was marginally associated with perineural invasion (p = 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that alterations in claudin expression occur in prostate cancer cells, although we have not found an association with the main clinicopathological parameters.

Primary invasive versus progressive invasive transitional cell bladder cancer: multicentric study of overall survival rate.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: When feasible, the treatment for all-invasive bladder cancer is radical cystectomy. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prognostic difference, disease-specific survival rate, of muscle-invasive transitional cell cancer of the bladder (TCCB) for progressive invasive TCCB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective multicentric analysis was performed studying a total of 242 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for invasive TCCB from 1993 to 2005. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included 57 patients with progressive invasive TCCB, and group 2 included 185 patients with primary invasive TCCB. Both groups were further divided according to the pathological findings in pT2/3 (muscle and/or perivesical fat invasion), pT4 (adjacent organs/structure invasion), N+ (positive lymphatic nodes) and M+ (distant organ metastasis). Several tests were employed for statistical analysis: chi2, Mann-Whitney, Kaplan-Meier method and Wilcoxon (Breslow) method were used to compare the possible survival curve differences of groups 1 and 2. Multivariated analysis determined by proportional risk regression excluded sex, age and disease stage interferences in the final results. RESULTS: The average time for a superficial TCCB to become muscle-invasive was 37.4 months, and the average number of transurethral resections performed in each patient was 3. The average and median global survival rates were, respectively, 96 and 88 months in group 1 and 98 and 90 months in group 2, without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0734). The 1-year survival rate was 84.32% in group 1 and 76.54% in group 2. After 3 years of follow-up the survival rate fell to 74.50% in group 1 and to 59.05% in group 2. Finally, the 5-year survival rate was 57.94% in group 1 and 52.24% in group 2. CONCLUSION: In the present study, patients with primary invasive and progressive invasive TCCB showed a similar 5-year disease-specific survival rate. Pathological stage (pTN, N and M) and patient demography did not interfere with the results.

Do proliferating cell nuclear antigen and MIB-1/Ki-67 have prognostic value in penile squamous cell carcinoma?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and MIB-1/Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression in predicting lymph node metastasis and survival in primary penile squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of 125 patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma submitted to primary tumor treatment, with information on lymph node status. Clinical and pathologic data for PCNA and MIB-1/Ki-67 expression in the primary tumor were analyzed. Correlations between these data and lymph node metastasis risk and survival were calculated. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, low MIB-1/Ki-67 expression, the presence of lymphovascular permeation, clinically positive lymph nodes, tumor thickness greater than 5 mm, and infiltration of cavernous bodies were correlated with lymph node metastasis. However, the independent factors for lymph node metastasis risk were PCNA and MIB-1/Ki-67 immunoreactivity, lymphovascular permeation, and N clinical stage. Independent variables for disease-free survival were urethra infiltration and the presence of lymph node metastasis. For death risk evaluation the independent variables were age, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage. CONCLUSIONS: There was a correlation between PCNA and MIB1/Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression and the presence of lymph node metastasis. However, PCNA and MIB1/Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression did not have a relationship with survival and death risk.