Genetic ancestry and radical prostatectomy findings in Hispanic/Latino patients.

Background: African ancestry is a known factor associated with the presentation and aggressiveness of prostate cancer (PC). Hispanic/Latino populations exhibit varying degrees of genetic admixture across Latin American countries, leading to diverse levels of African ancestry. However, it remains unclear whether genetic ancestry plays a role in the aggressiveness of PC in Hispanic/Latino patients. We explored the associations between genetic ancestry and the clinicopathological data in Hispanic/Latino PC patients from Colombia. Patients and methods: We estimated the European, Indigenous and African genetic ancestry, of 230 Colombian patients with localized/regionally advanced PC through a validated panel for genotypification of 106 Ancestry Informative Markers. We examined the associations of the genetic ancestry components with the Gleason Grade Groups (GG) and the clinicopathological characteristics. Results: No association was observed between the genetic ancestry with the biochemical recurrence or Gleason GG; however, in a two groups comparison, there were statistically significant differences between GG3 and GG4/GG5 for European ancestry, with a higher mean ancestry proportion in GG4/GG5. A lower risk of being diagnosed at an advanced age was observed for patients with high African ancestry than those with low African ancestry patients (OR: 0.96, CI: 0.92-0.99, p=0.03). Conclusion: Our findings revealed an increased risk of presentation of PC at an earlier age in patients with higher African ancestry compared to patients with lower African ancestry in our Hispanic/Latino patients.

Epilepsy in neurofibromatosis type 1: Prevalence, phenotype, and genotype in adults.

PURPOSE: Studies have shown an increased risk of epilepsy in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). However, most reports focus on the pediatric population. In this study, we describe the trajectory of patients with NF1 and epilepsy beyond childhood. METHODS: Patients with NF1 ≥18 years-old consecutively seen at a multidisciplinary neurofibromatosis clinic during a four-year period were prospectively enrolled and offered routine EEG, MRI, and genetic testing. The lifelong and point prevalence of epilepsy in patients with NF1 were calculated. Demographic, genetic, radiological, and clinical features found to be statistically associated with having received a diagnosis of epilepsy were incorporated into a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among 113 patients with NF1 included in this study (median age at study inclusion: 33 years), the lifelong prevalence of epilepsy was 11% (CI95%=6-18%) and point prevalence 7% (CI95%= 3-13%). Most patients (73%) were diagnosed with epilepsy before the age of 18 and achieved seizure-freedom by adulthood. At study inclusion, three-quarters of patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy had been seizure-free for more than one year and a third had resolved epilepsy. A routine EEG with epileptiform discharges had a sensitivity of 25% (CI95%=3-65) and specificity of 99% (CI95%=93-100) for identifying adult patients with NF1 and unresolved epilepsy. A history of epilepsy was associated with having a low-grade glioma (OR: 38.2; CI95%=2.2-674.7; p<0.01), learning disability (OR: 5.7; CI95%=1.0-31.5; p<0.05), and no plexiform neurofibroma (OR: 0.05; CI95%=0.0-0.8; p=0.04). No single mutation type was associated with the development of epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NF1, although resolution of epilepsy over time was observed in many cases, the prevalence of epilepsy was higher among adults with NF1 than that reported in the general population. Epileptogenesis in NF1 likely requires the combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors and suggests involvement of a network that spreads beyond the borders of a well-defined parenchymal lesion.

Management and Clinical Outcomes of Breast Cancer in Women Diagnosed with Hereditary Cancer Syndromes in a Clinic-Based Sample from Colombia.

This study aimed to investigate prognosis and survival differences in 82 breast cancer patients with germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PVs) treated and followed at the Breast Unit of the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Colombia (INC-C) between 2018 and 2021. Median age at diagnosis was 46 years, with 62.2% presenting locally advanced tumors, 47.6% histological grade 3, and 35.4% with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype. Most carriers, 74.4% (61/82), had PVs in known breast cancer susceptibility genes (i.e., "associated gene carriers" group, considered inherited breast cancer cases): BRCA2 (30), BRCA1 (14), BARD1 (4), RAD51D (3), TP53 (2), PALB2 (2), ATM (2), CHEK2 (1), RAD51C (1), NF1 (1), and PTEN (1). BRCA1-2 represented 53.7%, and homologous recombination DNA damage repair (HR-DDR) genes associated with breast cancer risk accounted for 15.9%. Patients with PVs in non-breast-cancer risk genes were combined in a different category (21/82; 25.6%) (i.e., "non-associated gene carriers" group, considered other breast cancer cases). Median follow-up was 38.1 months, and 24% experienced recurrence, with 90% being distant. The 5-year Disease-Free Survival (DFS) for inherited breast cancer cases was 66.5%, and for other breast cancer cases it was 88.2%. In particular, for carriers of PVs in the BRCA2 gene, it was 37.6%. The 5-year Overall Survival (OS) rates ranged from 68.8% for those with PVs in BRCA2 to 100% for those with PVs in other HR-DDR genes. Further studies are crucial for understanding tumor behavior and therapy response differences among Colombian breast cancer patients with germline PVs.

Análisis de la coexpresión de HER2/GRB7 y su asociación con variables clinicopatológicas en un grupo de mujeres colombianas con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama invasivo / Analysis of HER2/GRB7 co-expression and its association with clinicopathological variables in a group of Colombian women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer

Objetivo. Analizar las diferencias en la presentación de variables clínico-patológicas, de acuerdo con la expresión proteica de GRB7, en tumores HER2 positivos en mujeres colombianas con cáncer de mama invasivo, diagnosticado entre los años 2013 y 2015 en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología E.S.E (INC). Métodos. Se incluyeron 158 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de cáncer de mama ductal invasivo. Se evaluó la expresión de los receptores hormonales (receptor de estrógeno (RE) y de progesterona (RP)), HER2, Ki67 y GRB7, mediante inmunohistoquímica (IHQ), y a partir de estos, se clasificaron los tumores en subtipos intrínsecos. Los análisis estadísticos incluyeron las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado/test exacto de Fisher para las variables categóricas, y la prueba U Mann Whitney/ Kruskal Wallis para las variables cuantitativas. Se evaluó la supervivencia global (SG) y libre de enfermedad (SLR) según la coexpresión de HER2/GRB7 usando el método de Kaplan-Meier y el test de log-rank. Resultados. La expresión de GRB7 se observó exclusivamente en tumores HER2-positivos (luminal B/HER2+ y HER2-enriquecidos: p<0,001). Los casos HER2+/GRB7+ mostraron una mayor expresión de Ki67 (40% vs. 27,5%, p=0,029), pero una tendencia a presentar un menor tamaño tumoral (30 mm vs. 51 mm, p=0,097), comparado con los tumores HER2+/GRB7-. No obstante, no se observaron diferencias en la supervivencia según la coexpresión de HER2/GRB7 (SG: p=0,6; SLR: p=0,07). Conclusiones. En nuestra muestra de estudio, la expresión de GRB7 en tumores HER2+ no se asoció con características clínico-patológicas de pronóstico desfavorable.

Objective: To analyze differences in the presentation of clinicopathological variables according to GRB7 protein expression in HER2-positive tumors in Colombian patients with invasive ductal breast carcinomas diagnosed between 2013 and 2015 at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (Bogotá, Colombia).Methods: A total of 158 breast cancer patients were included with a confirmed diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma. A single pathologist evaluated the protein expression of hormone receptors (estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)), HER2, Ki67, and GRB7 by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to assess differences between categorical variables, as well as the Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis U test for numerical variables. Overall (OS) and disease-free (DFS) survival were evaluated according to HER2/GRB7 co-expression using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.Results:GRB7 expression was observed exclusively in HER2-positive tumors (luminal B/HER2+ and HER2-enriched: p<0.001). HER2+/GRB7+ cases showed higher Ki67 expression (40% vs. 27.5%, p=0.029) and a tendency to present a smaller tumor (30 mm vs. 51 mm, p=0.097) compared to HER2+/GRB7- tumors. However, no differences in OS or DFS were observed by HER2/GRB7 co-expression (OS: p=0.6; DFS: p=0.07).Conclusions:Our results in Colombian patients indicate that GRB7 expression in HER2-positive breast tumors is not associated with unfavorable clinicopathological features.

Criterios para la identificación de síndromes de cáncer de mama hereditarios. Revisión de la literatura y recomendaciones para el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología - Colombia / Criteria for the identification of hereditary breast cancer syndromes. Review of the literature and recommendations for the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología - Colombia

Introducción. Los síndromes de cáncer de mama hereditario (SCMH) corresponden a un 5% a 10% de todos los casos de la enfermedad, en su mayoría explicados por mutaciones en los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2. Se han publicado múltiples guías y recomendaciones internacionales actualizadas, con el fin de dar lineamientos para seleccionar los casos con sospecha de un SCMH. Como antecedentes locales, el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de Colombia cuenta con un "Programa institucional para la identificación y manejo de familias con sospecha de cáncer hereditario", con fines asistenciales, dentro del cual el cáncer de mama es la patología más remitida al servicio de genética (55%; 540/986). En el 21% de los casos con cáncer de mama que cumplieron criterios NCCN se diagnosticó un SCMH, la mayoría asociados a mutaciones en los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2 (12,3%) y en menor proporción a otros genes de susceptibilidad al cáncer de mama (8,6%).Objetivo. Identificar los criterios de selección más implementados para diagnosticar los casos de cáncer de mama hereditarios a través de una revisión de la literatura, y realizar un consenso Institucional sobre las indicaciones de remisión a consejería genética y solicitud de pruebas para fines diagnósticos y de tratamiento sistémico con iPARP. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura científica publicada en los últimos 10 años, al 30 de agosto del 2021, sobre la prevalencia de mutaciones germinales en los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2, y en otros genes no BRCA, en pacientes con cáncer de mama, obteniéndose en total 146 y seleccionándose un total de 41 artículos. En el interior de las unidades funcionales de mama y tejidos blandos, genética y oncología clínica, se presentó la evidencia disponible, realizando una discusión amplia entre las tres unidades y finalmente se definieron las indicaciones para remisión a genética, para solicitar estudios genéticos y de tratamiento sistémico con iPARP.Resultados. Según lo reportado en la literatura, los principales criterios de sospecha de un SCMH deben incluir: el subtipo triple negativo, la presentación bilateral, la edad muy temprana de diagnóstico y los antecedentes familiares (AF) de cáncer de mama antes de los 50 años o cáncer de ovario a cualquier edad.Conclusiones. Se adoptan las recomendaciones de la NCCN para la remisión a consejería genética y solicitud de estudios genéticos para identificar cáncer de mama hereditario, y se establecen los criterios del estudio OlympiA para la solicitud de estudios genéticos con el fin de guiar el tratamiento sistémico con iPARP en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología. Lo anterior permitirá que desde nuestra Institución se ofrezca adecuadamente este servicio a la población colombiana.

ntroduction: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes (HBOC) represents 5% to 10% of all breast cancer cases, and BRCA1andBRCA2 explain most of these syndromes. Multiple guidelines and updated recommendations have been published to define which patients should be selected for genetic testing based on a clinical suspicion of a HBOC syndrome. For context, the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología from Colombia developed an "Institutional Program for the identification and management of families with suspected hereditary cancer" for healthcare purposes, within which breast cancer is the most referred pathology to the genetics service (55%; 540/986). Inherited cancer was diagnosed in 21% of the patients with breast cancer who met NCCN criteria; most of these were associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations (12.3%) and to a lesser extent to other breast cancer susceptibility genes (8.6%).Objective: To identify the most implemented selection criteria to diagnose inherited breast cancer cases, through a review of the literature, and to achieve an institutional consensus on the indications for referral to genetic counseling and genetic testing for diagnostic and systemic treatment with PARPi.Materials and methods: A narrative review of the scientific literature published in the last 10 years as of August 30, 2021 on the prevalence of germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and in other non-BRCA genes, in patients with breast cancer was carried out. Overall, 146 articles were first identified but only 41 were selected. Within the functional units of breast and soft tissue, genetics and clinical oncology, the available evidence was presented and a broad discussion was carried out; finally the indications for referral to genetic counseling, for genetic testing and for systemic treatment with PARPi were defined.Results: As reported in the literature, clinical criteria for HBOC syndrome should include: triple negative subtype, bilateral presentation, very early age of diagnosis and family history (FH) of breast cancer before 50 years of age or ovarian cancer at any age. Conclusions: The NCCN recommendations for referral to genetic counseling and ordering genetic testing to diagnose HBOC cases are adopted at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología from Colombia, as well as the OlympiA study criteria for ordering genetic testing to guide systemic PARPi therapy. This will allow our Institution to adequately offer this service to the Colombian population.

Speckle type POZ adaptor protein (SPOP) and its role in cancer / La proteína adaptadora Speckle-type POZ (SPOP) y su papel en cáncer

Abstract Proteasomal degradation is an essential regulatory mechanism for cellular homeostasis maintenance. The speckle-type POZ adaptor protein (SPOP) is part of the ubiquitin ligase E3 cullin-3 RING-box1 complex, responsible for the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of biomolecules involved in cell cycle control, proliferation, response to DNA damage, epigenetic control, and hormone signaling, among others. Changes in SPOP have been associated with the development of different types of cancer, since it can act as a tumor suppressor mainly in prostate, breast, colorectal, lung cancer and liver cancer, due to point mutations and/or reduced expression, or as an oncogene in kidney cancer by protein overexpression. In endometrial cancer it has a dual role, since it can act as a tumor suppressor or as an oncogene. SPOP is a potential prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target.

Resumen La degradación proteosómica es un mecanismo de regulación esencial para el mantenimiento de la homeostasis celular. La proteína adaptadora Speckle-type POZ (SPOP) hace parte del complejo ubiquitin ligasa E3 cullin-3 RING-box1, encargado de la ubiquitinación y degradación proteosomal de biomoléculas involucradas en el control del ciclo celular, proliferación, respuesta al daño de ADN, control epigenético, señalización hormonal, entre otros. Las alteraciones en SPOP han sido asociadas al desarrollo de diferentes tipos de cáncer, ya que puede actuar como supresor tumoral principalmente en cáncer de próstata, mama, colorrectal y pulmón, debido a mutaciones puntuales y/o expresión reducida o como oncogén en cáncer riñón por sobreexpresión de la proteína. En cáncer endometrial tiene un rol dual, ya que puede actuar como supresor tumoral o como oncogén. SPOP es considerado como un potencial biomarcador pronóstico y un objetivo terapéutico prometedor.

Biomarcadores de pronóstico en pacientes con cáncer de próstata localizado / Prognostic biomarkers in patients with localised prostate cancer

Resumen El tratamiento para cáncer de próstata localizado (prostatectomía radical o radioterapia) ofrece unas altas tasas de curación; sin embargo, del 20 al 30% de los casos desarrollan recurrencia bioquímica. Actualmente, existen factores clínicos y patológicos que ayudan a predecir recurrencia; no obstante tanto el carácter heterogéneo de estos tumores, las diferencias en los tiempos de progresión de cáncer localizado a metastásico como la resistencia al tratamiento han dado lugar a imprecisiones en la predicción del pronóstico y a tratamientos insuficientes o excesivos. Debido a esto se han estudiado biomarcadores con el fin de estratificar más acertadamente el riesgo y mejorar las decisiones de tratamiento de una manera adecuada y oportuna. Este manuscrito presenta una revisión de marcadores moleculares de pronóstico que se han propuesto en los pacientes con cáncer de próstata localizado, lo que podría permitir establecer con mayor precisión el riesgo de recurrencia de la enfermedad.

Abstract Treatment for localised prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy), offers high cure rates; nevertheless, 20% to 30% of the cases develop biochemical recurrence. There are clinical and pathological features that are currently being used to predict recurrence of the disease. However, tumour heterogeneity in prostate cancer, along with differences in time of progression to metastasis and treatment resistance, have led to inaccuracies in predicting the risk of biochemical relapse, and therefore, misleading in treatment decisions. Because of this, many genetic markers have been studied in order to refine risk stratification and improve treatment decisions in a suitable and opportune manner. This paper presents a review of molecular prognostic markers that have been proposed in patients with localised prostate cancer, which potentially could allow establishing the risk of recurrence of the disease more accurately.