Using an anomaly detection approach for the segmentation of colorectal cancer tumors in whole slide images.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Genetic testing is critical in assisting in the early detection of CRC and selection of individualized treatment plans, which have shown to improve the survival rate of CRC patients. The tissue slide review (TSR), a tumor tissue macro-dissection procedure, is a required pre-analytical step to perform genetic testing. Due to the subjective nature of the process, major discrepancies in CRC diagnostics by pathologists are reported, and metrics for quality are often only qualitative. Progressive context encoder anomaly detection (P-CEAD) is an anomaly detection approach to detect tumor tissue from whole slide images (WSIs), since tumor tissue is by its nature, an anomaly. P-CEAD-based CRC tumor segmentation achieves a 71% 26% sensitivity, 92% 7% specificity, and 63% 23% F1 score. The proposed approach provides an automated CRC tumor segmentation pipeline with a quantitatively reproducible quality compared with the conventional manual tumor segmentation procedure.

Phase I trial of adjuvant mature autologous dendritic cell/allogeneic tumor lysate vaccines in combination with temozolomide in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) has poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment. Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines are promising, but widespread clinical use has not been achieved, possibly reflecting manufacturing issues of antigen choice and DC potency. We previously optimized vaccine manufacture utilizing allogeneic human GBM tumor cell lysate and potent, mature autologous DCs. Here, we report a phase I study using this optimized DC vaccine in combination with standard therapy. Methods: Following surgical resection and radiation with concurrent temozolomide (TMZ), newly diagnosed adult GBM patients received intradermal DC vaccines plus TMZ. Primary endpoints were safety and feasibility. Immune and treatment responses were recorded. Results: Twenty-one patients were enrolled in this study. One progressed between leukapheresis and vaccine manufacture. Twenty patients received treatment per protocol. Vaccine doses (≥15) were generated following a single leukapheresis for each patient. No dose-limiting vaccine toxicities were encountered. One patient had symptomatic, histologically proven pseudoprogression. Median progression-free survival was 9.7 months. Median overall survival was 19 months. Overall survival was 25% at 2 years and 10% at 4 years. One patient remains progression-free 5 years after enrollment. Specific CD8 T-cell responses for the tumor-associated antigen gp100 were seen post-vaccination. Patients entered the trial with a leukocyte deficit compared to healthy donors which partly normalized over the course of therapy. Conclusions: This vaccine platform is safe and highly feasible in combination with standard therapy for newly diagnosed patients. Imaging, histological, survival, and immunological data suggest a positive biological response to therapy that warrants further investigation.

Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma: Role of Tumor Proliferative Indices and Pathological Factors in Survival.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the association of proliferation indices and pathologic biomarkers on overall and recurrence/metastasis-free survival (OS and RMFS) in patients with sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) and to assess the genetic mutational landscape of SNMM. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 45 SNMM patients without neoadjuvant therapy who underwent surgical therapy with curative intent and had tumor tissue available for histopathologic review, molecular analysis, and genetic mutational assessment. The OS and RMFS were assessed for associations with numerous tumor and patient-related factors. RESULTS: Among proliferative indices, higher Ki67 and mitotic rates were associated with worsened OS and RMFS (Ki67: p = 0.0007 and p < 0.0001; mitotic rate: p = 0.005 and p = 0.0009, respectively). The presence of brisk tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was associated with improved RMFS (p = 0.007) and the presence of lymphovascular invasion was associated with worsened OS and RMFS (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively). Patients with amelanotic tumors were more likely to have higher T-stage (p = 0.046), less likely to have brisk TILs (p = 0.02) and had worsened RMFS (p = 0.03). Patients on immunotherapy with tumor Ki67 < 40% had better 3-year OS compared to those with higher Ki67 index (p = 0.004). Actionable genetic mutations such as BRAF V600E are rare and present in only 1 of 20 patients tested. CONCLUSION: In SNMM patients, pathologic and proliferation markers such as Ki67, mitotic rate and brisk TILs are associated with survival and may be considered in future staging systems. Clinical response to immunotherapy appears to correlate with the Ki67 index. Given the distinct genetic profile of SNMM, targeted therapies against the MAPK kinase pathway have limited utility. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:2350-2358, 2022.

Tao brush endometrial cytology is a sensitive diagnostic tool for cancer and hyperplasia among women presenting to clinic with abnormal uterine bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal uterine bleeding requires the investigation of the endometrium. Histology is typically used but there remains room for the improvement and use of cytology. METHODS: Women presenting for clinically indicated office endometrial biopsy were prospectively enrolled. Tao endometrial brushing and office endometrial biopsy were performed, and surgical procedure if clinically indicated. Tao brush cytology specimens were blindly reviewed by up to three pathologists, consensus obtained, and scored as: benign, atypical (favor benign), suspicious, positive for malignancy, or non-diagnostic. Cytology and histology were compared to surgical pathology to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values to detect AH (atypical hyperplasia) or EC (endometrial cancer). RESULTS: Clinical indications of 197 enrolled patients included postmenopausal bleeding (90, 45.7%), abnormal uterine bleeding (94, 47.7%), and abnormal endometrium on ultrasound without bleeding (13, 6.6%). Of the 197 patients, 185 (93.9%) had cytology score consensus and a total of 196 (99.5%) had consensus regarding cytology positivity. Surgical pathology diagnoses (N = 85) were 13 (15.3%) FIGO grade 1 or 2 EC, 3 (3.5%) AH, and 69 (81.2%) benign endometrium. Sensitivity and specificity to detect EC or AH were 93.7% and 100%, respectively, via endometrial biopsy; 87.5% and 63.8%, respectively, via endometrial cytology when scores of malignancy, suspicious, or atypical were considered positive. CONCLUSIONS: In a high-risk population, Tao brush endometrial cytology showed high sensitivity to detect AH and EC comparable to biopsy histology when considering scores of malignancy, suspicious, atypical, and non-diagnostic. Revisiting the potential value of endometrial cytology in the contemporary era of endometrial diagnostic workup is warranted.

Ki-67 "hot spot" digital analysis is useful in the distinction of hepatic adenomas and well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas.

This study aims to investigate the utility of digital protocols for Ki-67 immunohistochemistry quantitative analysis ("hot spot" method) in the setting of well-differentiated hepatocellular neoplasms. Resection cases of typical hepatic adenomas (HAs) (n = 40), atypical HAs (n = 9), and well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (WD HCCs) (n = 56) were selected. HAs were further classified by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against liver fatty acid binding protein, glutamine synthetase, B-catenin, hepatic serum amyloid A, and C-reactive protein. Ki-67 proliferative index by immunohistochemistry was evaluated in all cases by digital analysis using a modified neuroendocrine tumor "hot spot" protocol. The proliferative rate of HAs (typical, median 1.2% (range 0-7.4%) and atypical, median 1.0% (range 0.3-3%)) was significantly lower than that of WD HCCs (median 4.5%, range 0-49.8%) (P < 0.0001). Only a few (7.5%) of the adenomas (all inflammatory/telangiectatic type) had proliferative rates higher than 4%, compared to most (51%) of HCCs. Ki-67 is a potentially useful adjunct marker in the evaluation of WD hepatocellular neoplasms, as "hot spot" proliferative rates are consistently very low in HAs but vary significantly in WD HCCs.

Increased Plasma Cells and Decreased B-cells in Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes are Associated with Worse Survival in Lung Adenocarcinomas.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical significance of tumor-infiltrating plasma cells and B-cells in lung adenocarcinoma is not well known. METHODS: CD3, CD20 and MUM1 immunostains were performed on representative tumor blocks selected from 120 consecutive lung adenocarcinoma cases treated by surgical resection at Mayo Clinic Rochester. CD3+ T-cells, CD20+ B-cells, and MUM1+ plasma cells were enumerated separately in the intraepithelial (IE) compartment and the stroma (ST) by digital image analyses using whole sections. Measured tumor-infiltrating plasma cells and B-cells were correlated with patient's overall survival (OS) using Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 69 years (range, 46-91 years) and 52 were male. Median numbers (interquartile range) of CD20+ B-cells per 1mm2 of tumor area (IE plus ST) and IE compartment within tumor area were 590 (224-1276) and 101 (38-109), respectively; the corresponding numbers of MUM1+ plasma cells were 298 (180-605), and 67 (22-145), respectively. The proportion of MUM1+ plasma cell among all TILs (MUM1+ cells/[CD3+ cells +CD20+ cells+MUM1+ cells] × 100) ranged 1%-59% (median13%) in the tumor area and showed a significant association with OS by univariate Cox analysis (negative correlation with hazard ratio (HR)=12.50 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.75-89.27]). There was a significant association between IE CD20+ B-cells and the patient's OS in univariate analysis (positive correlation with HR=0.81 [95% CI, 0.68-0.96]). Both parameters remained significant by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: High plasma cell % among TILs in the tumor area and low IE B-cell count were associated with worse prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

Ki-67 Labeling Index in Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumors: Comparison Between Small Biopsy and Resection Using Tumor Tracing and Hot Spot Methods.

CONTEXT.­: Pulmonary carcinoids are classified as typical or atypical by assessing necrosis and mitoses, which usually cannot be adequately assessed on small biopsies. Ki-67 is not currently used to grade pulmonary carcinoids, but it may be helpful to determine preliminary grade in biopsies. However, the rate at which Ki-67 could underestimate or overestimate grade on small biopsies has not been well studied. OBJECTIVE.­: To compare Ki-67 labeling obtained on small biopsies to subsequent resection. DESIGN.­: Ki-67 was performed on paired biopsy and resection specimens from 55 patients. Slides were scanned using Aperio ScanScope. Labeling index was determined using automated hot spot and tumor tracing methods. RESULTS.­: The study included 41 typical and 14 atypical carcinoids. Atypical carcinoids were larger and had more distant metastases. Death from disease occurred in 3 patients (all had atypical carcinoids). Median hot spot Ki-67 labeling index was greater in resection compared with biopsy by 0.7% (P = .02). Median tumor tracing Ki-67 was lower in resection compared with biopsy by 0.5% (P < .001). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed similar hot spot Ki-67 cutoffs to predict atypical histology (3.5% for biopsy, 3.6% for resection; area under the curve [AUC], 0.75 and 0.74, respectively). Different optimal cutoffs were needed for tracing method based on biopsy (2.1%; AUC, 0.75) compared with resection (1.0%; AUC, 0.67). CONCLUSIONS.­: Hot spot Ki-67 tends to underestimate grade on small biopsies, whereas grade is overestimated by tumor tracing. Hot spot Ki-67 cutoff of 3.5% predicted atypical histology for both biopsy and resection. Different biopsy and resection cutoffs were necessary for tumor tracing, which would make clinical implementation more difficult.

Macrophage Density Predicts Facial Nerve Outcome and Tumor Growth after Subtotal Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma.

Introduction Vestibular schwannoma (VS) behavior following subtotal resection (STR) is highly variable. Overall progression rates have been reported as high as 44%, and optimal treatment is controversial. Correspondingly, identification of a reliable clinical or pathologic marker associated with progression after STR would help guide decision-making. Methods A prospectively maintained institutional VS registry from 1999 to 2014 was retrospectively reviewed for sporadic VS patients who underwent primary STR without preceding stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) by a single neurosurgery-neurotology team. Primary endpoints included tumor progression and postoperative facial nerve function. Pathologic specimens were stained for Ki67, CD68, S100, and SOX10 and were quantitated by digital imaging analysis. Macrophage density was defined as the ratio of CD68 + macrophages to S100 + macrophages and Schwannian tumor cells. Clinical outcomes were correlated with pathologic markers. Results Forty-six patients met the study inclusion criteria. Thirteen (28%) progressed during a mean 57 months of follow-up (range 15-149). Favorable postoperative facial nerve function (House-Brackmann I-II) was achieved in 37 (80%). CD68 + cells were present at significantly higher concentrations in tumors that progressed ( p = 0.03). Higher macrophage density was significantly associated with both tumor progression ( p = 0.02) and unfavorable facial nerve function ( p = 0.02). Ki67 percent positivity was not significantly associated with either primary endpoint ( p = 0.83; p = 0.58). Conclusions Macrophage density may provide an important marker for individuals at the highest risk for progression of VS after STR, potentially prompting closer surveillance or consideration for upfront SRS following STR. This finding supports preceding conclusions that an intratumoral macrophage-predominant inflammatory response may be a marker for tumor growth and a potential therapeutic target.

The Influence of Tumor Stage on the Prognostic Value of Ki-67 Index and Mitotic Count in Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Tumor cell proliferation rate determined by either Ki-67 index or mitotic count (MC) has shown to be a prognostic factor for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors in general, and after its incorporation in the 2010 World Health Organization tumor grading system, it has become essentially mandatory in pathology reports for all gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, regardless of tumor location. Nevertheless, clinical significance for the Ki-67 index or MC has not been well demonstrated in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor (SINET), especially those without distant metastasis, the majority of which have very low proliferation rates. We assessed the clinical behavior of 130 SINETs in relation to stage, Ki-67 index, MC, and other pathologic features. Most SINETs (86%) were grade 1 and 14% were grade 2. There were no grade 3 tumors or poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas. On multivariate analysis, age, Ki-67 index >5%, MC >10/50 high-power field, stage IV, and liver metastases were associated with increased risk of death in all patients. When both stage and grade were considered, Ki-67 index >5% was associated with a nearly 4-fold increased risk of death in stage IV cases (n=60). In contrast, Ki-67 index did not show prognostic value for patients with stages I to III disease (n=70), although MC >1/50 high-power field was significantly associated with death on multivariable analysis. Our study confirms that liver metastasis and increased tumor cell proliferation rate are independent prognostic factors for SINETs, but shows that most SINETs have a very low proliferation rate, which limits its value for predicting tumor behavior. By combining staging and grading information, we demonstrate different roles and cutoff values of Ki-67 index and MC in SINET with different stages.

Comparison of Three Ki-67 Index Quantification Methods and Clinical Significance in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

The Ki-67 index is essential in the pathological reports for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. There are three methods to determine the Ki-67 index including eyeball estimation, manual counting, or automated digital imaging analysis. The goal of this study was to compare the three quantification methods with the clinical outcome to determine the best method for clinical practice. Ki-67 immunostaining was performed on 97 resected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The three methods of quantification were employed: (1) an average of eyeball estimation by three pathologists; (2) manual counting of at least 500 tumor cells; and (3) digital imaging analysis quantitation by selecting 8-10 hot spot regions. All tumors were graded according to the 2010 WHO grading system. The three quantification methods for the Ki-67 index had almost perfect agreement. The concordance between manual counting and digital imaging analysis and between manual counting and average eyeball estimation were 0.97 and 0.88, respectively. The concordance among the three pathologists' eyeball estimation was 0.86. All three methods correlated with patients' survival using the 2010 WHO grading system. Eyeball estimation scores were significantly less than those of the other two methods and tended to downgrade more tumors to grade 1, but they had higher predictive ability for survival and recurrence. The WHO system using the mitotic rate could also separate patients with different survival and even downgraded more tumors to grade 1. The results suggest the necessity of a consensus among pathologists for the method to determine the Ki-67 index and proper cutoff of the Ki-67 index for better clinical correlation.

Detection of endometrial cancer via molecular analysis of DNA collected with vaginal tampons.

OBJECTIVE: We demonstrate the feasibility of detecting EC by combining minimally-invasive specimen collection techniques with sensitive molecular testing. METHODS: Prior to hysterectomy for EC or benign indications, women collected vaginal pool samples with intravaginal tampons and underwent endometrial brushing. Specimens underwent pyrosequencing for DNA methylation of genes reported to be hypermethylated in gynecologic cancers and recently identified markers discovered by profiling over 200 ECs. Methylation was evaluated individually across CpGs and averaged across genes. Differences between EC and benign endometrium (BE) were assessed using two-sample t-tests and area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Thirty-eight ECs and 28 BEs were included. We evaluated 97 CpGs within 12 genes, including previously reported markers (RASSF1, HSP2A, HOXA9, CDH13, HAAO, and GTF2A1) and those identified in discovery work (ASCL2, HTR1B, NPY, HS3ST2, MME, ADCYAP1, and additional CDH13 CpG sites). Mean methylation was higher in tampon specimens from EC v. BE for 9 of 12 genes (ADCYAP1, ASCL2, CDH13, HS3ST2, HTR1B, MME, HAAO, HOXA9, and RASSF1) (all p<0.05). Among these genes, relative hypermethylation was observed in EC v. BE across CpGs. Endometrial brush and tampon results were similar. Within tampon specimens, AUC was highest for HTR1B (0.82), RASSF1 (0.75), and HOXA9 (0.74). This is the first report of HOXA9 hypermethylation in EC. CONCLUSION: DNA hypermethylation in EC tissues can also be identified in vaginal pool DNA collected via intravaginal tampon. Identification of additional EC biomarkers and refined collection methods are needed to develop an early detection tool for EC.