Navigating HER2-Low Testing in Invasive Breast Cancer: Update Recommendations for Pathologists.

The article discusses the importance of accurately distinguishing HER2-low from HER2-negative breast cancer, as novel ADCs have demonstrated activity in a large population of patients with HER2-low-expressing BC. While current guidelines recommend a dichotomous classification of HER2 as either positive or negative, the emergence of the HER2-low concept calls for standardization of HER2 testing in breast cancer, using currently available assays to better discriminate HER2 levels. This review covers the evolution and latest updates of the ASCO/CAP guidelines relevant to this important biomarker in breast cancer, including still-evolving concepts such as HER2 low, HER2 heterogeneity, and HER2 evolution. Our group presents the latest Mexican recommendations for HER2 status evaluation in breast cancer, considering the ASCO/CAP guidelines and introducing the HER2-low concept. In the era of personalized medicine, accurate HER2 status assessment remains one of the most important biomarkers in breast cancer, and the commitment of Mexican pathologists to theragnostic biomarker quality is crucial for providing the most efficient care in oncology.

Adenoma pleomorfo de la glándula submandibular: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland: report of a case and review of literature

Los tumores de las glándulas salivales constituyen alrededor de 5% de las neoplasias de cabeza y cuello. El adenoma pleomorfo es el tumor benigno más frecuente de las glándulas salivales, representa aproximadamente 60% de todas las neoplasias salivales, está compuesto fundamentalmente por una proliferación de células mioepiteliales y por un amplio espectro de componentes de tejido epitelial y mesenquimal, rodeado por una nítida cápsula fibrosa. Alrededor de 80% de los adenomas pleomorfos aparecen en la parótida, 10% en la glándula submandibular y 10% en las glándulas salivales menores de la cavidad oral. La edad media de presentación es a los 46 años, pero la edad oscila entre la tercera y la quinta década de la vida. No obstante, ha sido encontrado en individuos de todas las edades, presentando una ligera predilección por el sexo femenino. Respecto a su sitio de origen, el adenoma pleomorfo es asintomático, de crecimiento lento y consistencia firme. La tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) y la resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) son de gran utilidad para evaluar la extensión de la lesión, así como el compromiso de estructuras importantes. La biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina (BAAF) es un método útil para el diagnóstico de este tipo de neoplasias. El tratamiento de este tipo de lesiones consiste en la remoción quirúrgica de la tumoración junto con la glándula afectada. Menos de 1% de los casos de adenomas pleomorfos sufren transformación maligna, especialmente los que han presentado múltiples recidivas (AU)

The tumors of the salivary glands constitute about 5% of the neoplasms of the head and neck. The pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequent benign tumor of the salivary glands, represents approximately 60% of all salivary neoplasms, is composed mainly of a proliferation of myoepithelial cells and a wide spectrum of components of epithelial and mesenchymal tissue, surrounded by a sharp fibrous capsule. About 80% of pleomorphic adenomas appear in the parotid, 10% in the submandibular gland and 10% in the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity. The average age of presentation is 46 years, but age ranges between the third and fifth decade of life. However, it has been found in individuals of all ages, presenting a slight female predilection. Regarding its site of origin, the pleomorphic adenoma is asymptomatic, slow growing and firm consistency. Computed tomography (CT) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are very useful to evaluate the extent of the injury as well as the commitment of important structures. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a useful method for the diagnosis of this type of neoplasm. The treatment of this type of injuries consists in the surgical removal of the tumor together with the affected gland. Less than 1% of cases of pleomorphic adenomas suffer malignant transformation, especially those that have presented multiple recurrences (AU)

Clinical presentation and outcome prediction of clinical, serological, and histopathological classification schemes in ANCA-associated vasculitis with renal involvement.

Several classification schemes have been developed for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), with actual debate focusing on their clinical and prognostic performance. Sixty-two patients with renal biopsy-proven AAV from a single center in Mexico City diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 were analyzed and classified under clinical (granulomatosis with polyangiitis [GPA], microscopic polyangiitis [MPA], renal limited vasculitis [RLV]), serological (proteinase 3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies [PR3-ANCA], myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies [MPO-ANCA], ANCA negative), and histopathological (focal, crescenteric, mixed-type, sclerosing) categories. Clinical presentation parameters were compared at baseline between classification groups, and the predictive value of different classification categories for disease and renal remission, relapse, renal, and patient survival was analyzed. Serological classification predicted relapse rate (PR3-ANCA hazard ratio for relapse 2.93, 1.20-7.17, p = 0.019). There were no differences in disease or renal remission, renal, or patient survival between clinical and serological categories. Histopathological classification predicted response to therapy, with a poorer renal remission rate for sclerosing group and those with less than 25 % normal glomeruli; in addition, it adequately delimited 24-month glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) evolution, but it did not predict renal nor patient survival. On multivariate models, renal replacement therapy (RRT) requirement (HR 8.07, CI 1.75-37.4, p = 0.008) and proteinuria (HR 1.49, CI 1.03-2.14, p = 0.034) at presentation predicted renal survival, while age (HR 1.10, CI 1.01-1.21, p = 0.041) and infective events during the induction phase (HR 4.72, 1.01-22.1, p = 0.049) negatively influenced patient survival. At present, ANCA-based serological classification may predict AAV relapses, but neither clinical nor serological categories predict renal or patient survival. Age, renal function and proteinuria at presentation, histopathology, and infectious complications constitute the main outcome predictors and should be considered for individualized management.