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1.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 117(28): 16516-16526, 2020 07 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32601179

ABSTRACT

LIN28B is highly expressed in neuroblastoma and promotes tumorigenesis, at least, in part, through inhibition of let-7 microRNA biogenesis. Here, we report that overexpression of either wild-type (WT) LIN28B or a LIN28B mutant that is unable to inhibit let-7 processing increases the penetrance of MYCN-induced neuroblastoma, potentiates the invasion and migration of transformed sympathetic neuroblasts, and drives distant metastases in vivo. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with massively parallel DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) and coimmunoprecipitation experiments show that LIN28B binds active gene promoters in neuroblastoma cells through protein-protein interaction with the sequence-specific zinc-finger transcription factor ZNF143 and activates the expression of downstream targets, including transcription factors forming the adrenergic core regulatory circuitry that controls the malignant cell state in neuroblastoma as well as GSK3B and L1CAM that are involved in neuronal cell adhesion and migration. These findings reveal an unexpected let-7-independent function of LIN28B in transcriptional regulation during neuroblastoma pathogenesis.


Subject(s)
N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Trans-Activators/metabolism , Animals , Animals, Genetically Modified , Cell Movement , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein/genetics , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/physiopathology , Protein Binding , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Trans-Activators/genetics , Zebrafish
2.
Pediatr Dev Pathol ; 25(4): 361-379, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35356839

ABSTRACT

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by acute hepatocellular injury occurring in children without recognized underlying liver disease. The clinicopathologic evaluation of PALF requires a different approach from that in adults. The diagnostic considerations differ depending on the age, personal and family history, geographical region, and clinical presentation. Distinct entities such as gestational alloimmune liver disease, herpes simplex virus infection, and metabolic disorders should be considered in neonates with acute liver failure, while acetaminophen toxicity and autoimmune hepatitis are more frequently seen in older children and adolescents. An identified cause for PALF despite a negative complete evaluation (indeterminate) is lacking in 30 to 50% of cases. Although not routinely performed in the setting of PALF, liver biopsy may be helpful in assessing the etiology, potential mechanisms of injury, determining the appropriateness of liver transplantation, and prognostication of the patients. In this article, we review the clinicopathologic characteristics of PALF with an emphasis on general approach of pathologic evaluation and histopathologic characteristic of selected entities.


Subject(s)
Liver Failure, Acute , Adolescent , Child , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Liver Failure, Acute/pathology , Liver Failure, Acute/therapy , Liver Transplantation
3.
Pediatr Dev Pathol ; 25(2): 197-202, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34606396

ABSTRACT

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is a form of fulminant myocarditis that is rapidly progressive and frequently lethal even in children. Over the course of 20 years, a definitive histopathologic diagnosis of GCM has been made at our institution in only two pediatric patients, and in neither instance was the diagnosis of GCM rendered on initial cardiac biopsy. We present the two patients and highlight the similarities in their clinical presentation and their challenging and inconclusive- albeit histologically similar- initial cardiac biopsy findings.


Subject(s)
Heart Transplantation , Immune System Diseases , Myocarditis , Biopsy , Child , Giant Cells/pathology , Heart , Humans , Immune System Diseases/pathology , Myocarditis/diagnosis , Myocarditis/pathology
4.
Genes Dev ; 28(9): 971-82, 2014 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24732380

ABSTRACT

Wilms Tumor, the most common pediatric kidney cancer, evolves from the failure of terminal differentiation of the embryonic kidney. Here we show that overexpression of the heterochronic regulator Lin28 during kidney development in mice markedly expands nephrogenic progenitors by blocking their final wave of differentiation, ultimately resulting in a pathology highly reminiscent of Wilms tumor. Using lineage-specific promoters to target Lin28 to specific cell types, we observed Wilms tumor only when Lin28 is aberrantly expressed in multiple derivatives of the intermediate mesoderm, implicating the cell of origin as a multipotential renal progenitor. We show that withdrawal of Lin28 expression reverts tumorigenesis and markedly expands the numbers of glomerulus-like structures and that tumor formation is suppressed by enforced expression of Let-7 microRNA. Finally, we demonstrate overexpression of the LIN28B paralog in a significant percentage of human Wilms tumor. Our data thus implicate the Lin28/Let-7 pathway in kidney development and tumorigenesis.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Kidney Neoplasms/genetics , Kidney Neoplasms/physiopathology , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Stem Cells/cytology , Wilms Tumor/genetics , Wilms Tumor/physiopathology , Animals , Gene Expression , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Humans , Kidney/embryology , Mice , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
5.
Pediatr Dev Pathol ; 24(6): 564-569, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34121507

ABSTRACT

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare aggressive neoplasm that occurs predominantly in children. Like mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL), UESL harbors recurrent rearrangements involving 19q13.3 and 19q13.4, a region of the genome that contains a primate-specific cluster of micro-RNAs. Here, we present a case of a high-grade neoplasm that arose in the left hepatic lobe of a 5-year-old male and gave rise to widespread lymph node, visceral, and soft tissue metastases. The tumor was composed of sheets, tubules, and papillae of epithelioid cells with rhabdoid morphology. INI1 and BRG1 expression were retained. Tumor cells diffusely expressed epithelial markers, including multiple keratins. While the morphologic and immunophenotypic features were suggestive of poorly differentiated carcinoma with rhabdoid features, the tumor was found to harbor the t(11;19)(q13;q13.3) translocation characteristic of UESL, as well as a TP53 mutation. Given the clinical presentation, imaging, clinical course, the tumor was classified as UESL with unusual, carcinoma-like histopathologic features. In the context of an unclassified high-grade hepatic tumor in a young child, molecular or cytogenetic testing for chromosome 19q13 alterations should be considered.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma , Liver Neoplasms , Sarcoma , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Male , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Sarcoma/diagnosis , Sarcoma/genetics
6.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 67(9): e28326, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32667141

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Tissue from pediatric solid tumors is in high demand for use in high-impact research studies, making the allocation of tissue from an anatomic pathology laboratory challenging. We designed, implemented, and assessed an interdepartmental process to optimize tissue allocation of pediatric solid tumors for both clinical care and research. METHODS: Oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, interventional radiologists, pathology technical staff, and clinical research coordinators participated in the workflow design. Procedures were created to address patient identification and consent, prioritization of protocols, electronic communication of requests, tissue preparation, and distribution. Pathologists were surveyed about the value of the new workflow. RESULTS: Over a 5-year period, 644 pediatric solid tumor patients consented to one or more studies requesting archival or fresh tissue. Patients had a variety of tumor types, with many rare and singular diagnoses. Sixty-seven percent of 1768 research requests were fulfilled. Requests for archival tissue were fulfilled at a significantly higher rate than those for fresh tissue (P > .001), and requests from resection specimens were fulfilled at a significantly higher rate than those from biopsies (P > .0001). In an anonymous survey, seven of seven pathologists reported that the process had improved since the introduction of the electronic communication model. CONCLUSIONS: A collaborative and informed model for tissue allocation is successful in distributing archival and fresh tissue for clinical research studies. Our workflows and policies have gained pathologists' approval and streamlined our processes. As clinical and research programs evolve, a thoughtful tissue allocation process will facilitate ongoing research.


Subject(s)
Biomedical Research/methods , Neoplasms/pathology , Resource Allocation/methods , Specimen Handling/methods , Biopsy , Child , Humans , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Tissue Banks
7.
Pediatr Dev Pathol ; 23(3): 181-188, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31510861

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are only 15 reported hepatic epidermoid cysts; they include patients presenting congenitally through adulthood, with varied speculations about pathogenesis. Aside from recently reported pancytokeratin staining, no other descriptions have included immunohistochemistry. Splenic epidermoid cysts were recently characterized as positive for HBME-1, p63, CEA, CK7 (luminal), and CK19. We interrogate 2 hepatic epidermoid cysts with a broad panel of immunohistochemistry, with the aim of elucidating histogenesis. METHODS: Archives were searched for "liver," "hepatic," and "cyst." Hepatic cysts lined by squamous epithelium were included. Clinical records, macroscopic findings, and hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemically stained slides were reviewed. RESULTS: We identified 2 patients with epidermoid cysts of the liver, first detected on antenatal ultrasound. Both were females and asymptomatic; neither had other congenital abnormalities. Cysts enlarged slowly after birth. Resection was at ages 2 and 6 months, done to avoid potentially more difficult surgery in the future. Cysts were unilocular (4.8 cm) and multilocular (7.0 cm). Both were lined by stratified nonkeratinizing squamous to focally transitional-like epithelium and surrounded by paucicellular fibrous stroma. In the multilocular cyst, hepatocytes and fibrous stroma populated septa. Epithelium was positive for HBME-1, p63, CK19, CEA, Cam5.2, and CK7, negative for EMA, D2-40, WT-1, calretinin, and Ca19-9. Cytogenetic analysis of one showed a normal female karyotype. During the study period, 22 other pediatric liver cysts were diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Hepatic epidermoid cyst is a distinct entity, rare but nevertheless constituting 8% of pediatric hepatic cysts at our institution. It is characterized by intrauterine onset and growth roughly commensurate with that of the fetus/infant; it is apparently unsyndromic. It may be unilocular or multilocular. It stains for an array of epithelial markers as well as HBME-1. Strong immunohistochemical overlap with splenic epidermoid cyst points to a shared pathogenesis and detracts from hypotheses that hepatic epidermoid cysts derive from hepatic elements.


Subject(s)
Epidermal Cyst/congenital , Epidermal Cyst/pathology , Liver Diseases/congenital , Liver Diseases/pathology , Age of Onset , Biomarkers/analysis , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Infant, Newborn
8.
Pediatr Radiol ; 50(9): 1284-1292, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32495175

ABSTRACT

Splenic masses present a diagnostic challenge to radiologists and clinicians alike, with a relative paucity of data correlating radiologic findings to pathological diagnosis in the pediatric population. To illustrate splenic mass imaging findings and approximate lesion prevalence, we retrospectively reviewed all splenectomies and splenic biopsies for splenic masses at a single academic pediatric hospital over a 10-year period in patients 18 years and younger. A total of 31 splenic masses were analyzed. Lesion prevalence, pathology and imaging features associated with sampled splenic masses are described. The lesions encountered include benign splenic cysts (9), vascular anomalies (7), hamartoma (3), leukemia/lymphoma (3), granulomata (3) and metastasis (2). We also identified single cases of angiosarcoma, splenic cord capillary hemangioma, congestive hemorrhage, and benign smooth muscle neoplasm.


Subject(s)
Splenic Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Adolescent , Biopsy , Child , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Retrospective Studies , Splenectomy , Splenic Diseases/pathology , Splenic Diseases/surgery
9.
Mod Pathol ; 32(3): 423-434, 2019 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30310176

ABSTRACT

Lipofibromatosis is a rare pediatric soft tissue tumor with predilection for the hands and feet. Previously considered to represent "infantile fibromatosis", lipofibromatosis has distinctive morphological features, with mature adipose tissue, short fascicles of bland fibroblastic cells, and lipoblast-like cells. Very little is known about the genetic underpinnings of lipofibromatosis. Prompted by our finding of the FN1-EGF gene fusion, previously shown to be a characteristic feature of calcifying aponeurotic fibroma (CAF), in a morphologically typical case of lipofibromatosis that recurred showing features of CAF, we studied a cohort of 20 cases of lipofibromatosis for this and other genetic events. The cohort was composed of 14 males and 6 females (median age 3 years; range 1 month-14 years). All primary tumors showed classical lipofibromatosis morphology. Follow-up disclosed three local recurrences, two of which contained calcifying aponeurotic fibroma-like nodular calcifications in addition to areas of classic lipofibromatosis, and no metastases. By FISH and RNA sequencing, four cases were positive for FN1-EGF and one case each showed an EGR1-GRIA1, TPR-ROS1, SPARC-PDGFRB, FN1-TGFA, EGFR-BRAF, VCL-RET, or HBEGF-RBM27 fusion. FN1-EGF was the only recurrent fusion, suggesting that some cases of "lipofibromatosis" may represent calcifying aponeurotic fibroma lacking hallmark calcifications. Several of the genes involved in fusions (BRAF, EGFR, PDGFRB, RET, and ROS1) encode receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), or ligands to the RTK EGFR (EGF, HBEGF, TGFA), suggesting a shared deregulation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in a large subset of lipofibromatosis cases.


Subject(s)
Fibroma , Lipoma , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Soft Tissue Neoplasms , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Fibroma/genetics , Fibroma/metabolism , Fibroma/pathology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Lipoma/genetics , Lipoma/metabolism , Lipoma/pathology , Male , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Signal Transduction/physiology , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/genetics , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/metabolism , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology
10.
Genet Med ; 21(7): 1517-1524, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30542204

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA) is a rare, frequently aggressive, systemic disorder of the lymphatic vasculature, occurring primarily in children. Even with multimodal treatments, KLA has a poor prognosis and high mortality rate secondary to coagulopathy, effusions, and systemic involvement. We hypothesized that, as has recently been found for other vascular anomalies, KLA may be caused by somatic mosaic variants affecting vascular development. METHODS: We performed exome sequencing of tumor samples from five individuals with KLA, along with samples from uninvolved control tissue in three of the five. We used digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) to validate the exome findings and to screen KLA samples from six other individuals. RESULTS: We identified a somatic activating NRAS variant (c.182 A>G, p.Q61R) in lesional tissue from 10/11 individuals, at levels ranging from 1% to 28%, that was absent from the tested control tissues. CONCLUSION: The activating NRAS p.Q61R variant is a known "hotspot" variant, frequently identified in several types of human cancer, especially melanoma. KLA, therefore, joins a growing group of vascular malformations and tumors caused by somatic activating variants in the RAS/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathways. This discovery will expand treatment options for these high-risk patients as there is potential for use of targeted RAS pathway inhibitors.


Subject(s)
GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics , Lymphatic Diseases/genetics , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Genetic Variation , Humans , Infant , Lymphatic Diseases/pathology , Male , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Exome Sequencing
11.
Mod Pathol ; 31(3): 463-473, 2018 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29099503

ABSTRACT

Infantile fibrosarcoma and congenital mesoblastic nephroma are tumors of infancy traditionally associated with the ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion. However, a number of case reports have identified variant fusions in these tumors. In order to assess the frequency of variant NTRK3 fusions, and in particular whether the recently identified EML4-NTRK3 fusion is recurrent, 63 archival cases of infantile fibrosarcoma, congenital mesoblastic nephroma, mammary analog secretory carcinoma and secretory breast carcinoma (tumor types that are known to carry recurrent ETV6-NTRK3 fusions) were tested with NTRK3 break-apart FISH, EML4-NTRK3 dual fusion FISH, and targeted RNA sequencing. The EML4-NTRK3 fusion was identified in two cases of infantile fibrosarcoma (one of which was previously described), and in one case of congenital mesoblastic nephroma, demonstrating that the EML4-NTRK3 fusion is a recurrent genetic event in these related tumors. The growing spectrum of gene fusions associated with infantile fibrosarcoma and congenital mesoblastic nephroma along with the recent availability of targeted therapies directed toward inhibition of NTRK signaling argue for alternate testing strategies beyond ETV6 break-apart FISH. The use of either NTRK3 FISH or next-generation sequencing will expand the number of cases in which an oncogenic fusion is identified and facilitate optimal diagnosis and treatment for patients.


Subject(s)
Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics , Discoidin Domain Receptor 2/genetics , Fibrosarcoma/diagnosis , Kidney Neoplasms/diagnosis , Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/genetics , Nephroma, Mesoblastic/diagnosis , Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics , Serine Endopeptidases/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Carcinoma/genetics , Child, Preschool , Female , Fibrosarcoma/genetics , Genetic Testing , Humans , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kidney Neoplasms/congenital , Kidney Neoplasms/genetics , Male , Middle Aged , Nephroma, Mesoblastic/congenital , Nephroma, Mesoblastic/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets/genetics , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Sequence Analysis, RNA , ETS Translocation Variant 6 Protein
13.
Mod Pathol ; 30(4): 474-485, 2017 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28059097

ABSTRACT

Fibrous hamartoma of infancy is a rare soft tissue lesion of infants and young children with characteristic triphasic morphology, which typically occurs in the axilla and less commonly in other locations. We reviewed 145 cases of fibrous hamartoma of infancy from our consultation archives. Cases occurred in 106 males and 39 females (mean age-15 months; range-birth to 14 years), and involved both typical sites (eg, axilla/back/upper arm) (n=69) and unusual locations (n=76). Six were congenital. The tumors presented as subcutaneous masses and ranged from 0.4 to 17 cm (mean 3 cm). All displayed triphasic morphology, but varied widely in the relative percentages of fat, fibroblastic fascicles, and primitive mesenchyme. Hyalinized zones with cracking artifact, mimicking giant cell fibroblastoma, were present in a 44 (30%) of cases; however FISH for PDGFB gene rearrangement was negative in five tested cases. In addition to classical fibrous hamartoma of infancy, two lesions contained large sarcomatous-appearing foci with high cellularity, high nuclear grade, and brisk mitotic activity. One occurred in a 10-month-old female as a new mass in a congenital fibrous hamartoma of infancy; the other occurred as a leg mass in a 6-year-old male. ETV6 gene rearrangement was negative in the tumor from the 10-month-old female. Genomic microarray (OncoScan) showed normal molecular karyotype in eight tested cases, whereas the two tumors with sarcomatous features showed a hyperdiploid/near tetraploid molecular karyotype with copy neutral loss of heterozygosity of chromosomes 1p and 11p, and loss of 10p, chromosome 14, and a large portion of chromosome 22q (22q11.23q13.33), respectively. Follow-up (52 patients; range: 1-208 months, median: 8 months) showed only two local recurrences and no metastases. Extensive local disease in the 10-month-old female with sarcomatous-appearing fibrous hamartoma of infancy necessitated forequarter amputation. In summary, our study confirms the classic clinicopathologic features, including the triphasic morphologic appearance of most cases. In contrast to earlier studies, our series illustrates a broader histologic spectrum than previously appreciated, including its close resemblance to giant cell fibroblastoma in one quarter of cases and the rare presence of 'sarcomatous' areas, the latter providing evidence that these are complex neoplasms rather than hamartomas.


Subject(s)
Hamartoma/pathology , Sarcoma/pathology , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Gene Rearrangement , Hamartoma/genetics , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/genetics , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis/genetics , Sarcoma/genetics , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/genetics
14.
Genes Chromosomes Cancer ; 55(5): 442-51, 2016 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26773439

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of the clinicopathological and molecular spectrum of pediatric renal cell carcinomas (RCC) remains limited, and approximately 16%-24% of these neoplasms cannot be classified into specific subtypes. In this review of 168 pediatric RCC prospectively registered on Children's Oncology Group AREN03B2 protocol, six RCC (3.5%) that demonstrated a unique epithelioid morphology and a peculiar immunophenotypic profile that includes expression of ALK, TFE3, and retention of INI1 was identified. Further investigation revealed ALK rearrangements in all cases, manifested molecularly by fusion transcripts of either VCL-ALK (3 patients all with sickle cell trait which had been previously reported) or TPM3-ALK (3 patients, none with sickle cell trait). Based on the shared unique morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic features, it was proposed that these neoplasms belonged to a distinct subgroup of RCC frequently occurring in pediatric patients, which they have termed as ALK-rearranged RCC. Importantly, additional therapeutic options may be available for these patients.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Renal Cell/genetics , Gene Order , Kidney Neoplasms/genetics , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase , Child , Humans , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
15.
Pediatr Radiol ; 46(9): 1282-90, 2016 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27053281

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis is a rare, aggressive lymphatic disorder. The imaging and presenting features of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis can overlap with those of central conducting lymphatic anomaly and generalized lymphatic anomaly. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the imaging findings of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis disorder and highlight features most suggestive of this diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified and characterized 20 children and young adults with histopathological diagnosis of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis and radiologic imaging referred to the vascular anomalies center between 1995 and 2015. RESULTS: The median age at onset was 6.5 years (range 3 months to 27 years). The most common presenting features were respiratory compromise (dyspnea, cough, chest pain; 55.5%), swelling/mass (25%), bleeding (15%) and fracture (5%). The thoracic cavity was involved in all patients; all patients had mediastinal involvement followed by lung parenchymal disease (90%) and pleural (85%) and pericardial (50%) effusions. The most common extra-thoracic sites of disease were the retroperitoneum (80%), bone (60%), abdominal viscera (55%) and muscles (45%). There was characteristic enhancing and infiltrative soft-tissue thickening in the mediastinum and retroperitoneum extending along the lymphatic distribution. CONCLUSION: Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis has overlapping imaging features with central conducting lymphatic anomaly and generalized lymphatic anomaly. Presence of mediastinal or retroperitoneal enhancing and infiltrative soft-tissue disease along the lymphatic distribution, hemorrhagic effusions and moderate thrombocytopenia (50-100,000/µl) should favor diagnosis of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis.


Subject(s)
Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Hemangioendothelioma/diagnostic imaging , Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Lymphatic Abnormalities/diagnostic imaging , Sarcoma, Kaposi/diagnostic imaging , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Retrospective Studies
17.
Histopathology ; 67(3): 306-12, 2015 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25556515

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Distinguishing clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) from other paediatric malignancies, particularly blastema-rich Wilms tumour (WT) and congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN), is challenging. Specific immunohistochemistry for CCSK does not exist, and diagnosis rests upon histopa thology. Recently, the YWHAE-FAM22 rearrange ment, identical to that in endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), has been identified in CCSKs. As this fusion results in overexpression of cyclin D1 in ESS, we postulated that overexpression would also occur in CCSK; cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry could then be used to differentiate CCSK from other tumours. The goal of this study was therefore to evaluate the utility of cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry in identifying CCSK and helping to differentiate it from its mimics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cyclin D1 expression was evaluated in 59 renal tumours-CCSK (14), WT (25), rhabdoid tumour (four), Ewing sarcoma (five), and CMN (11)-and four neuroblastomas. All 14 CCSKs showed diffuse and strong reactivity. In contrast, the blastematous component of most WTs showed only rare positive nuclei, that of rhabdoid tumours showed rare to focal immunoreactivity, and that of more than half of CMNs showed weak or focal immunoreactivity. Most Ewing sarcomas and all neuroblastomas showed diffuse moderate to strong staining. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclin D1 is most helpful in distinguishing CCSK from WT, rhabdoid tumour, and some CMNs, but not from neuroblastoma or Ewing sarcomas.


Subject(s)
Cyclin D1/metabolism , Kidney Neoplasms/metabolism , Kidney Neoplasms/pathology , Sarcoma, Clear Cell/metabolism , Sarcoma, Clear Cell/pathology , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Kidney Neoplasms/diagnosis , Male , Nephroma, Mesoblastic/diagnosis , Nephroma, Mesoblastic/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/diagnosis , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Rhabdoid Tumor/diagnosis , Rhabdoid Tumor/metabolism , Sarcoma, Clear Cell/diagnosis , Sarcoma, Ewing/diagnosis , Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism , Wilms Tumor/diagnosis , Wilms Tumor/metabolism
18.
J Pediatr ; 164(2): 383-8, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24252784

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of a new lymphatic disorder with a unique histological pattern and poor prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: An observational, retrospective study identified and characterized 20 patients with distinct lymphatic histopathology referred to the Vascular Anomalies Center at Boston Children's Hospital between 1995 and 2011. RESULTS: The median age at onset was 6.5 years (range, birth to 44 years). Clinical and radiologic findings suggested a generalized process. The most common presentations were respiratory symptoms (50%), hemostatic abnormalities (50%), and an enlarging, palpable mass (35%). All patients had mediastinal involvement; 19 patients developed pericardial (70%) and/or pleural effusions (85%). Extrathoracic disease manifested in bone and spleen and less frequently in abdominal viscera, peritoneum, integument, and extremities. Despite aggressive procedural and medical therapies, the 5-year survival was 51% and the overall survival was 34%. Mean interval between diagnosis and death was 2.75 years (range, 1-6.5 years). CONCLUSIONS: We describe a clinicopathologically distinct lymphatic anomaly. We propose the term kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA) because of characteristic clusters or sheets of spindled lymphatic endothelial cells accompanying malformed lymphatic channels. The intrathoracic component is most commonly implicated in morbidity and mortality; however, extrathoracic disease is frequent, indicating that KLA is not restricted to pulmonary lymphatics. The mortality rate of KLA is high despite aggressive multimodal therapy.


Subject(s)
Hemangioendothelioma/diagnosis , Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome/diagnosis , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Neoplasm Staging , Sarcoma, Kaposi/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Combined Modality Therapy , Diagnosis, Differential , Endothelial Cells/pathology , Female , Hemangioendothelioma/mortality , Hemangioendothelioma/therapy , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome/mortality , Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome/therapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Sarcoma, Kaposi/mortality , Sarcoma, Kaposi/therapy , Survival Rate/trends , United States/epidemiology , Young Adult
19.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 108(39): 16386-91, 2011 Sep 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21930930

ABSTRACT

Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS), one of the most common human sarcomas, is poorly responsive to radiation and chemotherapy, and the lack of animal models suitable for experimental analysis has seriously impeded functional investigation of its pathobiology and development of effective targeted therapies. Here, we show that zebrafish expressing constitutively active Akt2 in mesenchymal progenitors develop WDLPS that closely resembles the human disease. Tumor incidence rates were 8% in p53 wild-type zebrafish, 6% in p53 heterozygotes, and 29% in p53-homozygous mutant zebrafish (P = 0.013), indicating that aberrant Akt activation collaborates with p53 mutation in WDLPS pathogenesis. Analysis of primary clinical specimens of WDLPS, and of the closely related dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) subtype, revealed immunohistochemical evidence of AKT activation in 27% of cases. Western blot analysis of a panel of cell lines derived from patients with WDLPS or DDLPS revealed robust AKT phosphorylation in all cell lines examined, even when these cells were cultured in serum-free media. Moreover, BEZ235, a small molecule inhibitor of PI3K and mammalian target of rapamycin that effectively inhibits AKT activation in these cells, impaired viability at nanomolar concentrations. Our findings are unique in providing an animal model to decipher the molecular pathogenesis of WDLPS, and implicate AKT as a previously unexplored therapeutic target in this chemoresistant sarcoma.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Liposarcoma/enzymology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Animals , Apoptosis , Blotting, Western , Cell Cycle , Enzyme Activation , Genes, p53 , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Liposarcoma/pathology , Mutation , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/antagonists & inhibitors , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Zebrafish
20.
EBioMedicine ; 104: 105147, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38749302

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Paediatric hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) traditionally arise in the context of a normal structural and functional liver and carry a dismal prognosis. While chemotherapy is the frontline standard, there is emerging interest in the study of immunotherapies for paediatric patients with relapsed/refractory disease. There is limited data to support whether immunotherapies will be of utility in this patient population. METHODS: Six paediatric patients (median age:16 years, range: 12-17 at the time of treatment) with advanced hepatocellular neosplams, either conventional hepatocellular or fibrolamellar carcinoma, were treated with immunotherapy. Patients were consented to institutional genomic profiling and biobanking protocols. Baseline samples and serial tissue samples, when available, were evaluated for somatic mutation rate, actionable gene mutations, and pan-immune bulk RNA expression profiling. Results were correlated with clinical course. FINDINGS: Three patients responded to checkpoint inhibition: one achieved a complete, durable response and the other two, prolonged stable disease. Three additional patients progressed. Diagnostic tissue from the complete responder demonstrated a higher relative mutational burden and robust immune infiltrate. Pre-treatment samples from the three responders demonstrated decreased expression of genes associated with T-cell dysfunction. INTERPRETATION: A subset of patients with primary paediatric hepatocellular tumours will respond to immunotherapy. Immunotherapies are currently under prospective study for relapsed/refractory liver tumours in paediatric patients. Results from this report support the prospective collection of serial serum and tissue samples which may further identify genomic and immunophenotypic patterns predictive of response. FUNDING: This work was supported by Philanthropic funds (Pan Mass Challenge, Team Angus and Team Perspective).


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Immunophenotyping , Immunotherapy , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Liver Neoplasms/immunology , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Immunotherapy/methods , Mutation , Treatment Outcome , Biomarkers, Tumor , Gene Expression Profiling
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