Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase sustains a core epigenetic program that promotes metastatic colonization in breast cancer.

Metastatic colonization of distant organs accounts for over 90% of deaths related to solid cancers, yet the molecular determinants of metastasis remain poorly understood. Here, we unveil a mechanism of colonization in the aggressive basal-like subtype of breast cancer that is driven by the NAD+ metabolic enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). We demonstrate that NNMT imprints a basal genetic program into cancer cells, enhancing their plasticity. In line, NNMT expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with breast cancer. Accordingly, ablation of NNMT dramatically suppresses metastasis formation in pre-clinical mouse models. Mechanistically, NNMT depletion results in a methyl overflow that increases histone H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) and DNA methylation at the promoters of PR/SET Domain-5 (PRDM5) and extracellular matrix-related genes. PRDM5 emerged in this study as a pro-metastatic gene acting via induction of cancer-cell intrinsic transcription of collagens. Depletion of PRDM5 in tumor cells decreases COL1A1 deposition and impairs metastatic colonization of the lungs. These findings reveal a critical activity of the NNMT-PRDM5-COL1A1 axis for cancer cell plasticity and metastasis in basal-like breast cancer.

Hemicolectomy versus appendectomy for patients with appendiceal neuroendocrine tumours 1-2 cm in size: a retrospective, Europe-wide, pooled cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Awareness of the potential global overtreatment of patients with appendiceal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of 1-2 cm in size by performing oncological resections is increasing, but the rarity of this tumour has impeded clear recommendations to date. We aimed to assess the malignant potential of appendiceal NETs of 1-2 cm in size in patients with or without right-sided hemicolectomy. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we pooled data from 40 hospitals in 15 European countries for patients of any age and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status with a histopathologically confirmed appendiceal NET of 1-2 cm in size who had a complete resection of the primary tumour between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2010. Patients either had an appendectomy only or an appendectomy with oncological right-sided hemicolectomy or ileocecal resection. Predefined primary outcomes were the frequency of distant metastases and tumour-related mortality. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of regional lymph node metastases, the association between regional lymph node metastases and histopathological risk factors, and overall survival with or without right-sided hemicolectomy. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the relative all-cause mortality hazard associated with right-sided hemicolectomy compared with appendectomy alone. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03852693. FINDINGS: 282 patients with suspected appendiceal tumours were identified, of whom 278 with an appendiceal NET of 1-2 cm in size were included. 163 (59%) had an appendectomy and 115 (41%) had a right-sided hemicolectomy, 110 (40%) were men, 168 (60%) were women, and mean age at initial surgery was 36·0 years (SD 18·2). Median follow-up was 13·0 years (IQR 11·0-15·6). After centralised histopathological review, appendiceal NETs were classified as a possible or probable primary tumour in two (1%) of 278 patients with distant peritoneal metastases and in two (1%) 278 patients with distant metastases in the liver. All metastases were diagnosed synchronously with no tumour-related deaths during follow-up. Regional lymph node metastases were found in 22 (20%) of 112 patients with right-sided hemicolectomy with available data. On the basis of histopathological risk factors, we estimated that 12·8% (95% CI 6·5 -21·1) of patients undergoing appendectomy probably had residual regional lymph node metastases. Overall survival was similar between patients with appendectomy and right-sided hemicolectomy (adjusted hazard ratio 0·88 [95% CI 0·36-2·17]; p=0·71). INTERPRETATION: This study provides evidence that right-sided hemicolectomy is not indicated after complete resection of an appendiceal NET of 1-2 cm in size by appendectomy, that regional lymph node metastases of appendiceal NETs are clinically irrelevant, and that an additional postoperative exclusion of metastases and histopathological evaluation of risk factors is not supported by the presented results. These findings should inform consensus best practice guidelines for this patient cohort. FUNDING: Swiss Cancer Research foundation.

Comprehensive analysis of SARS-CoV-2 receptor proteins in human respiratory tissues identifies alveolar macrophages as potential virus entry site.

AIMS: COVID-19 has had enormous consequences on global health-care and has resulted in millions of fatalities. The exact mechanism and site of SARS-CoV-2 entry into the body remains insufficiently understood. Recently, novel virus receptors were identified, and alveolar macrophages were suggested as a potential viral entry cell type and vector for intra-alveolar virus transmission. Here, we investigated the protein expression of 10 well-known and novel virus entry molecules along potential entry sites in humans using immunohistochemistry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples of different anatomical sites from up to 93 patients were incorporated into tissue microarrays. Protein expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, furin, CD147, C-type lectin receptors (CD169, CD209, CD299), neuropilin-1, ASGR1 and KREMEN1 were analysed. In lung tissues, at least one of the three receptors ACE2, ASGR1 or KREMEN1 was expressed in the majority of cases. Moreover, all the investigated molecules were found to be expressed in alveolar macrophages, and co-localisation with SARS-CoV-2 N-protein was demonstrated using dual immunohistochemistry in lung tissue from a COVID-19 autopsy. While CD169 and CD209 showed consistent protein expression in sinonasal, conjunctival and bronchiolar tissues, neuropilin-1 and ASGR1 were mostly absent, suggesting a minor relevance of these two molecules at these specific sites. CONCLUSION: Our results extend recent discoveries indicating a role for these molecules in virus entry at different anatomical sites. Moreover, they support the notion of alveolar macrophages being a potential entry cell for SARS-CoV-2.

Multiomics surface receptor profiling of the NCI-60 tumor cell panel uncovers novel theranostics for cancer immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has revolutionized cancer therapy. However, therapeutic targeting of inhibitory T cell receptors such as PD-1 not only initiates a broad immune response against tumors, but also causes severe adverse effects. An ideal future stratified immunotherapy would interfere with cancer-specific cell surface receptors only. METHODS: To identify such candidates, we profiled the surface receptors of the NCI-60 tumor cell panel via flow cytometry. The resulting surface receptor expression data were integrated into proteomic and transcriptomic NCI-60 datasets applying a sophisticated multiomics multiple co-inertia analysis (MCIA). This allowed us to identify surface profiles for skin, brain, colon, kidney, and bone marrow derived cell lines and cancer entity-specific cell surface receptor biomarkers for colon and renal cancer. RESULTS: For colon cancer, identified biomarkers are CD15, CD104, CD324, CD326, CD49f, and for renal cancer, CD24, CD26, CD106 (VCAM1), EGFR, SSEA-3 (B3GALT5), SSEA-4 (TMCC1), TIM1 (HAVCR1), and TRA-1-60R (PODXL). Further data mining revealed that CD106 (VCAM1) in particular is a promising novel immunotherapeutic target for the treatment of renal cancer. CONCLUSION: Altogether, our innovative multiomics analysis of the NCI-60 panel represents a highly valuable resource for uncovering surface receptors that could be further exploited for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the context of cancer immunotherapy.

Systematic Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Protein Distribution along Viral Entry Routes in Humans.

BACKGROUND: The novel beta-coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), enters the human body via mucosal surfaces of the upper and/or lower respiratory tract. Viral entry into epithelial cells is mediated via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and auxiliary molecules, but the precise anatomic site of infection still remains unclear. METHODS: Here, we systematically investigated the main SARS-CoV-2 receptor proteins ACE2 and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), as well as 2 molecules potentially involved in viral entry, furin and CD147, in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human tissues. Tissue microarrays incorporating a total of 879 tissue cores from conjunctival (n = 84), sinonasal (n = 95), and lung (bronchiolar/alveolar; n = 96) specimens were investigated for protein expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were expressed in ciliated epithelial cells of the conjunctivae and sinonasal tissues, with highest expression levels observed in the apical cilia. In contrast, in the lung, the expression of those molecules in bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial cells was much rarer and only very focal when present. Furin and CD147 were more uniformly expressed in all tissues analyzed, including the lung. Interestingly, alveolar macrophages consistently expressed high levels of all 4 molecules investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms and extends previous findings and contributes to a better understanding of potential SARS-CoV-2 infection sites along the human respiratory tract.

Update on Histological Reporting Changes in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Classification and nomenclature of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) have frequently changed over the last years. These changes reflect both increasing knowledge and international standardisation. RECENT FINDINGS: The most recent changes in the Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic system induced the concept of well-differentiated NET with high proliferation rate (NET G3), explaining partially the heterogeneity of G3 NEN. Even if the nomenclature in pulmonary NEN is still different, the terms 'carcinoid' and 'atypical carcinoid' are widely overlapping with NET G1 and NET G2. Molecular data shows an additional heterogeneity both in well-differentiated NET and poorly differentiated NEC. However, no studies are available demonstrating clinical usefulness yet. The heterogeneity of NEN regarding the organ of origin, differentiation and molecular subtypes make development of personalised therapy a challenge needing more international and interdisciplinary collaborations and clinical trials allowing stratification according to biological subgroups.

PARP-1 expression as a prognostic factor in Desmoid-type fibromatosis.

Desmoid-type fibromatoses (or desmoid tumors) are entities of intermediate biological potential and are locally invasive. Radical surgery, as state of the art therapy, is frequently limited by incomplete resections. Hormone modifying therapies are promising but further research is required. Poly Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose Polymerase-1 (PARP-1), a DNA repairing enzyme, might be a pathogenetic factor and could become a potential target for therapy as shown by the successful treatment of selected carcinomas and sarcomas by PARP-inhibition. In this study, we investigated the expression of estrogen receptors (ER) α (1) and ß (2), progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR), as well as PARP-1 via immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR in 69 tissue samples of desmoid tumors. Immunohistochemistry was quantified using the Immunoreactivity Score (IRS). Overall expression patterns were correlated with clinical-pathologic parameters to determine their value as a prognostic factor. Among the investigated hormone receptors only ERß showed partial cytoplasmic reactivity. PARP-1 revealed variable nuclear positivity with IRS ranging from 0 to 6. Univariate survival analysis showed that higher expression of estrogen receptor 1 was associated with shorter disease-free survival (p = 0.005). Uni- (p = 0.03) and multivariate (p = 0.003) analyses of mRNA data revealed that higher PARP-1 expression correlated with earlier recurrence. According to this study PARP-1 expression is associated with poorer prognosis, that is faster recurrence, highlighting the possibility of PARP-1-targeting agents as a therapeutic option. Hormone receptors were of minor prognostic relevance in this study.

[Practical application of immunohistochemistry in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms : Tips and pitfalls]. / Praktische Anwendung von Immunhistochemie in pankreatischen neuroendokrinen Neoplasien : Tipps und Pitfalls.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNEN) are rather rare entities. Morphology, combined with immunohistochemistry, allows typing and grading, thereby leading therapeutic decisions. Depending on tumor stage and differential diagnosis, a broad diagnostic panel may be required. The present work summarizes the minimal diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers in PanNEN.Markers of choice for defining a neuroendocrine phenotype are synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and INSM1. The proliferation fraction Ki67 is indispensable for grading, while p53 and Rb1 can help in the differentiation from neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). Transcription factors, such as cdx2, TTF­1, and Islet­1, can indicate the site of a primary tumor in the setting of a cancer of unknown primary (CUP). DAXX/ATRX immunohistochemistry has mainly prognostic value. Molecular pathology studies currently have little practical value in the diagnosis of PanNEN.An important pitfall in routine diagnostics is the wide spectrum of differential diagnoses mimicking neuroendocrine neoplasms. An expanded immunohistochemical panel is strongly recommended in case of doubt.

Urine biomarkers can predict prostate cancer and PI-RADS score prior to biopsy.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) based screening of prostate cancer (PCa) needs refinement. The aim of this study was the identification of urinary biomarkers to predict the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score and the presence of PCa prior to prostate biopsy. Urine samples from patients with elevated PSA were collected prior to prostate biopsy (cohort = 99). The re-analysis of mass spectrometry data from 45 samples was performed to identify urinary biomarkers to predict the PI-RADS score and the presence of PCa. The most promising candidates, i.e. SPARC-like protein 1 (SPARCL1), Lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE1), Alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP), keratin 13 (KRT13), cluster of differentiation 99 (CD99) and hornerin (HRNR), were quantified by ELISA and validated in an independent cohort of 54 samples. Various biomarker combinations showed the ability to predict the PI-RADS score (AUC = 0.79). In combination with the PI-RADS score, the biomarkers improve the detection of prostate carcinoma-free men (AUC = 0.89) and of those with clinically significant PCa (AUC = 0.93). We have uncovered the potential of urinary biomarkers for a test that allows a more stringent prioritization of mpMRI use and improves the decision criteria for prostate biopsy, minimizing patient burden by decreasing the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies.

Syndromic MEN1 parathyroid adenomas consist of both subclonal nodules and clonally independent tumors.

Primary hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid tumors is a typical manifestation of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) and is historically termed "primary hyperplasia". Whether these tumors represent a multi-glandular clonal disease or hyperplasia has not been robustly proven so far. Loss of Menin protein expression is associated with inactivation of both alleles and a good surrogate for a MEN1 gene mutation. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) gene is mutated in MEN4 and encodes for protein p27 whose expression is poorly studied in the syndromic MEN1 setting.Here, we analyzed histomorphology and protein expression of Menin and p27 in parathyroid adenomas of 25 patients of two independent, well-characterized MEN1 cohorts. The pattern of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in one MEN1-associated parathyroid adenoma. Further, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on eleven nodules of four MEN1 patients.Morphologically, the majority of MEN1 adenomas consisted of multiple distinct nodules, in which Menin expression was mostly lost and p27 protein expression reduced. FISH analysis revealed that most nodules exhibited MEN1 loss, with or without the loss of centromere 11. NGS demonstrated both subclonal evolution and the existence of clonally unrelated tumors.Syndromic MEN1 parathyroid adenomas therefore consist of multiple clones with subclones, which supports the current concept of the novel WHO classification of parathyroid tumors (2022). p27 expression was lost in a large fraction of MEN1 parathyroids and must therefore be used with caution in suggesting MEN4.

Patient derived tumoroids of high grade neuroendocrine neoplasms for more personalized therapies.

There are no therapeutic predictive biomarkers or representative preclinical models for high-grade gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN), a highly aggressive, fatal, and heterogeneous malignancy. We established patient-derived (PD) tumoroids from biobanked tissue samples of advanced high-grade GEP-NEN patients and applied this model for targeted rapid ex vivo pharmacotyping, next-generation sequencing, and perturbational profiling. We used tissue-matched PD tumoroids to profile individual patients, compared ex vivo drug response to patients' clinical response to chemotherapy, and investigated treatment-induced adaptive stress responses.PD tumoroids recapitulated biological key features of high-grade GEP-NEN and mimicked clinical response to cisplatin and temozolomide ex vivo. When we investigated treatment-induced adaptive stress responses in PD tumoroids in silico, we discovered and functionally validated Lysine demethylase 5 A and interferon-beta, which act synergistically in combination with cisplatin. Since ex vivo drug response in PD tumoroids matched clinical patient responses to standard-of-care chemotherapeutics for GEP-NEN, our rapid and functional precision oncology approach could expand personalized therapeutic options for patients with advanced high-grade GEP-NEN.

Value of an Action Cam in Surgical Pathology.

Grossing of surgical pathology specimens is a complex task, which may be challenging to master correctly. Despite the growing use of digital technology in other aspects of surgical pathology, little has been done so far to modernize the documentation of grossing. We used a portable video camera ("GoPro") to document different grossing procedures. The video material may be used for teaching purposes or might enhance the more commonplace macroscopic description by adding another dimension. Furthermore, video documentation may encourage the discussion of upcoming clinical questions or help rectify some possible initial impreciseness.

[Mucous retention cyst of the alveolar bone radiologically mimicking a radicular cyst: A case presentation.] / Aussergewöhnliche Schleimretentionszyste im Kieferknochen imponiert radiologisch als radikuläre Zyste. Ein Fallbericht.

One of the most frequent pathologies of jaw bone is a bacteria-induced inflammation at the apices of teeth with subsequent bone resorption that typically presents as a radiolucency in radiographs. Usually, corresponding clinical and radiographic findings correlate and allow for an accurate diagnosis. However, occasionally an unexpected and completely different diagnosis presents as documented in this case report. In a 55-year-old female patient, a radicular cyst was suspected in her right maxillary bone. The treatment plan included a cystectomy as well as apical surgery of the adjacent and root-canal filled teeth 15 and 16. However, the intraoperative finding absolutely did not fit a radicular cyst but rather a mucous retention cyst, as could be confirmed subsequently by histopathology. The diagnosis of a mucous retention cyst within the jaw bone is extraordinary and as such has never been described before in the literature.

Cholesterol Deprivation Drives DHEA Biosynthesis in Human Adrenals.

Adrenarche is an early event in sexual maturation in prepubertal children and corresponds to the postnatal development of the adrenocortical zona reticularis (zR). However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the onset and maturation of zR remain unknown. Using tissue laser microdissection combined with transcript quantification and immunodetection, we showed that the human zR receives low levels of cholesterol in comparison with other adrenal layers. To model this metabolic condition, we challenged adrenal cells in vitro using cholesterol deprivation. This resulted in reprogramming the steroidogenic pathway toward inactivation of 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD3B2), increased CYB5A expression, and increased biosynthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 3 key features of zR maturation during adrenarche. Finally, we found that cholesterol deprivation leads to decreased transcriptional activity of POU3F2, which normally stimulates the expression of HSD3B2 by directly binding to its promoter. These findings demonstrate that cholesterol deprivation can account, at least in part, for the acquisition of a zR-like androgenic program in humans.

Intrameningioma metastasis: A case-based literature review.

A tumor-to-tumor metastasis inside a meningioma is a rare phenomenon. Malignant neoplasms of the breast and lung are the most common primary tumors. Other sites of origin include prostate, renal and gastric neoplasms. The included case files were retrieved from the medical records of the University Hospital of Crete, Greece. A review of the literature was conducted in March 2020 via PubMed. Relevant search results were few. We report a case of a 66-year-old female, with known Small Cell Lung Cancer, who presented with left-sided hemiparesis. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan revealed a right frontal extra-axial mass. The patient underwent a craniotomy and a gross total removal of the tumor. Histological examination of the excised mass revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma deposits inside a meningioma: tumor-to-tumor metastasis. Reviewing the available literature, it has been hypothesized that the following factors play a role in the pathophysiology of this phenomenon: progesterone and estrogen receptors, cell-to-cell adhesion molecules, rich vascularization, favorable metabolic, micro-and immunological environment. Meningiomas seem to be the most common type of intracranial neoplasm to host a metastasis. There is a difference between tumor-to-tumor metastasis and collision tumors. The former implies a recipient role of the host tumor, and the latter refers to a co-localization of two different tumors that grow into one another, both being in the same organ. Tumor-to-tumor brain metastasis is a well-described phenomenon but with unclear pathophysiology. Deeper knowledge could be beneficial for its management.

Epigenetic landscape of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours reveals distinct cells of origin and means of tumour progression.

Recent data suggest that Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (PanNETs) originate from α- or ß-cells of the islets of Langerhans. The majority of PanNETs are non-functional and do not express cell-type specific hormones. In the current study we examine whether tumour DNA methylation (DNAme) profiling combined with genomic data is able to identify cell of origin and to reveal pathways involved in PanNET progression. We analyse genome-wide DNAme data of 125 PanNETs and sorted α- and ß-cells. To confirm cell identity, we investigate ARX and PDX1 expression. Based on epigenetic similarities, PanNETs cluster in α-like, ß-like and intermediate tumours. The epigenetic similarity to α-cells progressively decreases in the intermediate tumours, which present unclear differentiation. Specific transcription factor methylation and expression vary in the respective α/ß-tumour groups. Depending on DNAme similarity to α/ß-cells, PanNETs have different mutational spectra, stage of the disease and prognosis, indicating potential means of PanNET progression.

Pathogenesis of idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A review of knowledge.

Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a frequent neuropsychiatric entity. Clinically it is characterised by Hakim's triad: Dementia, gait disturbance and urinary incontinence. While its symptomatology is typical, the etiology and thereby physiopathology of iNPH still remain enigmatic. This review summarizes and synthesizes different etiologic conceptions and physiopathologic aspects of iNPH. A research of literature via the PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane database was conducted. Only English language articles clearly outlining a reasonable concept of physiopathology were included. Most authors advocate that iNPH is a result of chronically altered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics, i.e. deranged CSF production, kinetics and reabsorption. In addition, there are vascular, metabolo-neurodegenerative and hereditary factors. Neuroinflammation does not seem to play a significant role in the etiology of iNPH. All in all, iNPH seems to combine several pathogenetic factors leading to a self-reinforcing vicious circle. The majority of studies hint at CSF disturbances on grounds of altered hemodynamics.