Overexpression of FGFR3 in HPV-positive Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Cancer Is Correlated to Outcome.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Human papillomavirus-positive (HPV+) tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC) have better outcome than corresponding HPV- cancers. To better individualize treatment, additional predictive markers are needed. Previously, we have shown that mutated fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 protein (FGFR3) was correlated to poorer prognosis and here FGFR3 expression was further analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One-hundred-fifteen HPV+TSCC/ BOTSCC biopsies were analyzed for FGFR3 by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and 109/115 were analyzed for FGFR3 mutations by Ion Proton sequencing, or by Competitive Allele-Specific Taqman PCR (CAST-PCR). Disease-free survival (DFS) was then calculated according to FGFR3 IHC expression. RESULTS: CAST-PCR was useful for detecting the three most common FGFR3 mutations. Focusing especially on the 98/115 patients with HPV+TSCC/BOTSCC and wild-type FGFR3, high FGFR3 expression correlated to significantly better 3-year DFS, p=0.043. CONCLUSION: In patients with HPV+TSCC/BOTSCC and wild-type FGFR3, overexpression of FGFR3 was correlated with better DFS.

Fibroadenomas of anogenital mammary-like glands: from embryogenesis anomaly to apocrine origin.

Mammary-like anogenital fibroadenomas are rare entities within the wide spectrum of female genital pathology. Our paper provides an up-to-date review, by systematization of the concepts and controversies, from the origin to the development and the diagnosis of the lesion. The theories pertaining to its histogenesis incorporate its debated origin of ectopic mammary-derived lesions, of cutaneous apocrine, eccrine, sebaceous, and mammary-like anogenital glands. Although rare, both clinicians and pathologists should consider this lesion type within the differential diagnosis of anogenital pathology, regardless of the woman's age, and pathological confirmation is mandatory to exclude the possibility of other tumours, including malignancy. Immunohistochemistry may represent a useful tool in tumor characterisation and in differential diagnosis.

Comparative analysis of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes - evidences for different distribution in primary and secondary liver tumors.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of tumor cells on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in cancer development is not yet clarified. Our study analyzed the distribution and prognostic value of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases (LM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Archival tissue specimens of 35 HCC and 39 LM patients were immunohistochemically processed. The number of intratumoral (IT) and peritumoral (PT) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was quantitatively analyzed. RESULTS: We noted large variances of T lymphocyte subpopulations. Similar number of CD4+ and CD8+ lym-phocytes was present in HCC, whereas in LM the number of CD8+ cells was approximately two times higher than CD4+ lymphocytes. A significant prevalence of T cells in PT over IT areas was observed. The prognostic value was demonstrated only for PT CD8+ lymphocytes in LM, their reduced number being associated with shorter survival. CONCLUSIONS: The differences between proportions of T lymphocytes within tumor and its environment might be explained by proapoptotic effect of cancer cells on TILs.