Porocarcinomas with PAK1/2/3 fusions: a series of 12 cases.

AIMS: Porocarcinoma is a malignant sweat gland tumour differentiated toward the upper part of the sweat duct and may arise from the transformation of a preexisting benign poroma. In 2019, Sekine et al. demonstrated the presence of YAP1::MAML2 and YAP1::NUTM1 fusions in most poromas and porocarcinomas. Recently, our group identified PAK2-fusions in a subset of benign poromas. Herein we report a series of 12 porocarcinoma cases harbouring PAK1/2/3 fusions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five patients were male and the median age was 79 years (ranges: 59-95). Tumours were located on the trunk (n = 7), on the thigh (n = 3), neck (n = 1), or groin area (n = 1). Four patients developed distant metastases. Microscopically, seven cases harboured a benign poroma component and a malignant invasive part. Ductal formations were observed in all, while infundibular/horn cysts and cells with vacuolated cytoplasm were detected in seven and six tumours, respectively. In three cases, the invasive component consisted of a proliferation of elongated cells, some of which formed pseudovascular spaces, whereas the others harboured a predominant solid or trabecular growth pattern. Immunohistochemical staining for CEA and EMA confirmed the presence of ducts. Focal androgen receptor expression was detected in three specimens. Whole RNA sequencing evidenced LAMTOR1::PAK1 (n = 2), ZDHHC5::PAK1 (n = 2), DLG1::PAK2, CTDSP1::PAK1, CTNND1::PAK1, SSR1::PAK3, CTNNA1::PAK2, RNF13::PAK2, ROBO1::PAK2, and CD47::PAK2. Activating mutation of HRAS (G13V, n = 3, G13R, n = 1, Q61L, n = 2) was present in six cases. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that PAK1/2/3 fusions is the oncogenic driver of a subset of porocarcinomas lacking YAP1 rearrangement.

Current Progress in Vaccines against Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review and Update.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin cancer that mainly occurs in elderly and immunocompromised patients. Due to the success of immune checkpoint inhibition in MCC, the importance of immunotherapy and vaccines in MCC has increased in recent years. In this article, we aim to present the current progress and perspectives in the development of vaccines for this disease. Here, we summarize and discuss the current literature and ongoing clinical trials investigating vaccines against MCC. We identified 10 articles through a PubMed search investigating a vaccine against MCC. From the international clinical trial database Clinical.Trials.gov, we identified nine studies on vaccines for the management of MCC, of which seven are actively recruiting. Most of the identified studies investigating a vaccine against MCC are preclinical or phase 1/2 trials. The vaccine principles mainly included DNA- and (synthetic) peptide-based vaccines, but RNA-based vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and the combination of vaccines and immunotherapy are also under investigation for the treatment of MCC. Although the management of MCC is changing, when compared to times before the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors, it will still take some time before the first MCC vaccine is ready for approval.

A Prospective Study Investigating Immune Checkpoint Molecule and CD39 Expression on Peripheral Blood Cells for the Prognostication of COVID-19 Severity and Mortality.

In patients with COVID-19, broad panels of immune checkpoint molecules (ICPMs) and the purinergic signaling have not been studied in parallel. We aimed to perform in-depth immunophenotyping of major cell subsets present in human peripheral blood of COVID-19 patients and controls using PD1, TIM3, LAG3, TIGIT, and CD200R, as well as CD39, as markers for the purinergic signaling pathway. We studied 76 COVID-19 patients and 12 healthy controls using peripheral blood mononuclear cells on flow cytometry. Univariable and multivariable statistics were performed. All ICPMs studied were significantly overexpressed on different cell subsets of COVID-19 patients when compared with healthy controls. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase; C-reactive protein; age; and high expression of CD45+, CD39+CD45+, TIM3+CD39+CD4+CD45+, and TIM3+CD39+CD8+CD3+CD4+ cells were significantly associated with severe COVID-19. On multivariable analysis, however, only high expression of CD39+CD45+ (OR 51.4, 95% CI 1.5 to 1763) and TIM3+CD39+CD4+CD3+CD45+ (OR 22.6, 95% CI 1.8 to 277) cells was an independent predictor for severe COVID-19. In conclusion, numerous ICPMs are overexpressed in COVID-19 patients when compared with healthy controls, suggesting a pathophysiological role of these molecules in SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, only TIM3 in co-expression with CD39 remained as a significant independent prognostic ICPM on multivariable analysis. The flow cytometric evaluation of TIM3+CD39+CD4+CD3+CD45+, as well as CD39+CD45+, is a powerful tool for the prognostication of COVID-19 patients on hospital admission.

S1­Leitlinie Talgdrüsenkarzinom: S1­Guideline Sebaceous Carcinoma.

Sebaceous gland carcinomas are rare malignant cutaneous adnexal tumors with sebocytic differentiation. The typical predilection area is the head and neck region, where sebaceous gland carcinomas are the most common malignant adnexal tumors of the skin. According to their localization a distinction is made between periocular and extraocular sebaceous gland carcinomas. Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS) should always be ruled out if it is suspected. In terms of prognosis, sebaceous gland carcinomas are potentially aggressive tumors with a clear tendency to recur and metastasize. Only small extraocular sebaceous gland carcinomas that have been completely resected have a very good prognosis. Sebaceous gland carcinomas most frequently metastasize lymphogenously to regional or distant lymph nodes; organ metastasis occurs less frequently. Periocular sebaceous gland carcinomas have a higher metastasis rate (up to 15%) than extraocular sebaceous gland carcinomas (up to 2%). Complete micrographically controlled surgery (MCS) of the primary tumor is the therapy of first choice, regardless of periocular or extraocular localization. Adjuvant or therapeutic radiotherapy may be considered. There is currently no established standard therapy for advanced, inoperable or metastatic sebaceous gland carcinomas. Local procedures and system therapies such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy can be considered. The procedure should be determined individually in an interdisciplinary tumor board. Close follow-up care is recommended for these potentially aggressive carcinomas.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Integrating Epidemiology, Immunology, and Therapeutic Updates.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin cancer characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation. Its carcinogenesis is based either on the integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus or on ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis, both of which lead to high immunogenicity either through the expression of viral proteins or neoantigens. Despite this immunogenicity resulting from viral or UV-associated carcinogenesis, it exhibits highly aggressive behavior. However, owing to the rarity of MCC and the lack of epidemiologic registries with detailed clinical data, there is some uncertainty regarding the spontaneous course of the disease. Historically, advanced MCC patients were treated with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy yielding a median response duration of only 3 months. Starting in 2017, four programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors-avelumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab (utilized in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings), and retifanlimab-have demonstrated efficacy in treating patients with disseminated MCC on the basis of prospective clinical trials. However, generating clinical evidence for rare cancers, such as MCC, is challenging owing to difficulties in conducting large-scale trials, resulting in small sample sizes and therefore lacking statistical power. Thus, to comprehensively understand the available clinical evidence on various immunotherapy approaches for MCC, we also delve into the epidemiology and immune biology of this cancer. Nevertheless, while randomized studies directly comparing immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy in MCC are lacking, immunotherapy shows response rates comparable to those previously reported with chemotherapy but with more enduring responses. Notably, adjuvant nivolumab has proven superiority to the standard-of-care therapy (observation) in the adjuvant setting.

T antigen-specific CD8+ T cells associate with PD-1 blockade response in virus-positive Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly immunogenic skin cancer primarily induced by Merkel cell polyomavirus, which is driven by the expression of the oncogenic T antigens (T-Ags). Blockade of the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) pathway has shown remarkable response rates, but evidence for therapy-associated T-Ag-specific immune response and therapeutic strategies for the nonresponding fraction are both limited. We tracked T-Ag-reactive CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood of 26 MCC patients under anti-PD1 therapy, using DNA-barcoded pMHC multimers, displaying all peptides from the predicted HLA ligandome of the oncoproteins, covering 33 class I haplotypes. We observed a broad T cell recognition of T-Ags, including identification of 20 T-Ag-derived epitopes we believe to be novel. Broadening of the T-Ag recognition profile and increased T cell frequencies during therapy were strongly associated with clinical response and prolonged progression-free survival. T-Ag-specific T cells could be further boosted and expanded directly from peripheral blood using artificial antigen-presenting scaffolds, even in patients with no detectable T-Ag-specific T cells. These T cells provided strong tumor-rejection capacity while retaining a favorable phenotype for adoptive cell transfer. These findings demonstrate that T-Ag-specific T cells are associated with the clinical outcome to PD-1 blockade and that Ag-presenting scaffolds can be used to boost such responses.

S1-Guideline Sebaceous Carcinoma.

Sebaceous gland carcinomas are rare malignant cutaneous adnexal tumors with sebocytic differentiation. The typical predilection area is the head and neck region, where sebaceous gland carcinomas are the most common malignant adnexal tumors of the skin. According to their localization a distinction is made between periocular and extraocular sebaceous gland carcinomas. Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS) should always be ruled out if it is suspected. In terms of prognosis, sebaceous gland carcinomas are potentially aggressive tumors with a clear tendency to recur and metastasize. Only small extraocular sebaceous gland carcinomas that have been completely resected have a very good prognosis. Sebaceous gland carcinomas most frequently metastasize lymphogenously to regional or distant lymph nodes; organ metastasis occurs less frequently. Periocular sebaceous gland carcinomas have a higher metastasis rate (up to 15%) than extraocular sebaceous gland carcinomas (up to 2%). Complete micrographically controlled surgery (MCS) of the primary tumor is the therapy of first choice, regardless of periocular or extraocular localization. Adjuvant or therapeutic radiotherapy may be considered. There is currently no established standard therapy for advanced, inoperable, or metastatic sebaceous gland carcinomas. Local procedures and systemic therapies such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy can be considered. The procedure should be determined individually by an interdisciplinary tumor board. Close follow-up care is recommended for these potentially aggressive carcinomas.

The RANKL inhibitor denosumab in combination with dual checkpoint inhibition is associated with increased CXCL-13 serum concentrations.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests additional immunomodulatory properties of RANKL inhibition possibly boosting the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicentre clinical trial in unresectable stage IV melanoma patients with bone metastases who received denosumab in parallel with dual ICI (BONEMET) and performed comprehensive immune monitoring at baseline and 4, 12, and 24 weeks after initiation of therapy. Secondary endpoints included tolerability and efficacy. For comparison, biospecimens from melanoma patients treated with dual ICI without denosumab were analyzed accordingly and served as retrospective reference cohort. RESULTS: In both the BONEMET (n = 16) and the reference cohort (n = 18) serum levels of 17 cytokines, including IFNγ were significantly increased after 4 weeks of treatment. Patients who received ICI and denosumab showed a significantly higher increase in serum CXCL-13 and a significant decrease in VEGFc compared with the reference cohort. While no changes in T cell composition were observed at 4 weeks, patients in the BONEMET cohort showed a significant decrease in the peripheral naïve T-cell population and an increase in CD8+ effector cells after 12 weeks. Treatment-related adverse events occurred with comparable frequency (93.8% in the BONEMET cohort versus 83.3% in the reference cohort). 7/16 patients in the BONEMET cohort and 8/18 patients in the reference cohort achieved disease control. CONCLUSION: Denosumab in combination with dual ICI modulates cytokine expression and T-cell composition in peripheral blood. The upregulation of CXCL-13, a key factor for initiating tertiary lymphoid structures, strengthens the hypothesis that denosumab indeed boost immunological effects.

Intratumoural and systemic inflammation as predictors for treatment response in BRAF-mutated melanoma patients under targeted therapies.

Intratumoural as well as systemic inflammation in melanoma has thoroughly been studied in the context of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors but not with BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi). We aimed to study whether parameters of intratumoral and systemic inflammation correlate with clinical outcome in patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma treated with BRAFi/MEKi. We studied 51 CM patients with unresectable stage III or IV who had the indication for BRAFi/MEKi treatment based on confirmed BRAF mutation. Baseline systemic immune-inflammation markers such as the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the expression of intratumoral inflammation markers such as COX-2 protein expression were correlated with clinical outcome measures. On multivariable analyses, lower intratumoral COX-2 expression (OR 33.9, 95% CI 3.2-356.8) and lower SII (OR 6.3, 95% CI 1.1-34.8) proved to be significant independent predictors for objective response to targeted therapy. Elevated S100B (HR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03-1.3) was a significant predictor for progressive disease. Moreover, elevated S100B (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.14-1.65) and LDH (HR 1.002, 95% CI 1.0001-1.003) were significant independent predictors for melanoma-specific death. In conclusion, the present study indicates that low SII values and low intratumoral COX-2 protein expression are significant independent predictors for treatment response to BRAFi/MEKi.

S3 guideline "actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma" - update 2023, part 2: epidemiology and etiology, diagnostics, surgical and systemic treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), surveillance and prevention.

Actinic keratosis (AK) are common lesions in light-skinned individuals that can potentially progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Both conditions may be associated with significant morbidity and constitute a major disease burden, especially among the elderly. To establish an evidence-based framework for clinical decision making, the guideline "actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma" was updated and expanded by the topics cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease) and actinic cheilitis. The guideline is aimed at dermatologists, general practitioners, ear nose and throat specialists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and radiation oncologists in hospitals and office-based settings, as well as other medical specialties, policy makers and insurance funds involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with AK and cSCC. A separate guideline exists for patients and their relatives. In this part, we will address aspects relating to epidemiology and etiology, diagnostics, surgical and systemic treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), surveillance and prevention.

Prognostic Performance of Inflammatory Biomarkers Based on Complete Blood Counts in COVID-19 Patients.

With the end of the pandemic, COVID-19 has entered an endemic phase with expected seasonal spikes. Consequently, the implementation of easily accessible prognostic biomarkers for patients with COVID-19 remains an important area of research. In this monocentric study at a German tertiary care hospital, we determined the prognostic performance of different clinical and blood-based parameters in 412 COVID-19 patients. We evaluated the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), and absolute eosinopenia (AEP, 0/µL) of COVID-19 patients (n = 412). The Siddiqui and Mehra staging proposal, the WHO clinical progression scale, and COVID-19-associated death were used as COVID-19 outcome measures. With respect to Siddiqi and Mehra staging, patient age of older than 75 years, high C-reactive protein (CRP), absolute eosinopenia (AEP), cardiovascular comorbidities, and high ferritin were significant independent predictors for severe COVID-19. When outcome was determined according to the WHO clinical progression scale, patient age of older than 75 years, high CRP, high LDH, AEP, high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the presence of pulmonal comorbidities were significant independent predictors for severe COVID-19. Finally, COVID-19-associated death was predicted independently by patient age of older than 75 years, high LDH, high NLR, and AEP. Eosinopenia (< 40/µL) was observed in 74.5% of patients, and AEP in almost 45%. In conclusion, the present real-world data indicate that the NLR is superior to more complex systemic immune-inflammation biomarkers (e.g., SII and PIV) in COVID-19 prognostication. A decreased eosinophil count emerged as a potential hallmark of COVID-19 infection, whereas AEP turned out to be an accessible independent biomarker for COVID-19 severity and mortality.

Correlation of tumor PD-L1 expression in different tissue types and outcome of PD-1-based immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma - analysis of the DeCOG prospective multicenter cohort study ADOREG/TRIM.

BACKGROUND: PD-1-based immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) is the major backbone of current melanoma therapy. Tumor PD-L1 expression represents one of few biomarkers predicting ICI therapy outcome. The objective of the present study was to systematically investigate whether the type of tumor tissue examined for PD-L1 expression has an impact on the correlation with ICI therapy outcome. METHODS: Pre-treatment tumor tissue was collected within the prospective DeCOG cohort study ADOREG/TRIM (CA209-578; NCT05750511) between February 2014 and May 2020 from 448 consecutive patients who received PD-1-based ICI for non-resectable metastatic melanoma. The primary study endpoint was best overall response (BOR), secondary endpoints were progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). All endpoints were correlated with tumor PD-L1 expression (quantified with clone 28-8; cutoff ≥5%) and stratified by tissue type. FINDINGS: Tumor PD-L1 was determined in 95 primary tumors (PT; 36.8% positivity), 153 skin/subcutaneous (34.0% positivity), 115 lymph node (LN; 50.4% positivity), and 85 organ (40.8% positivity) metastases. Tumor PD-L1 correlated with BOR if determined in LN (OR = 0.319; 95% CI = 0.138-0.762; P = 0.010), but not in skin/subcutaneous metastases (OR = 0.656; 95% CI = 0.311-1.341; P = 0.26). PD-L1 positivity determined on LN metastases was associated with favorable survival (PFS, HR = 0.490; 95% CI = 0.310-0.775; P = 0.002; OS, HR = 0.519; 95% CI = 0.307-0.880; P = 0.014). PD-L1 positivity determined in PT (PFS, HR = 0.757; 95% CI = 0.467-1.226; P = 0.27; OS; HR = 0.528; 95% CI = 0.305-0.913; P = 0.032) was correlated with survival to a lesser extent. No relevant survival differences were detected by PD-L1 determined in skin/subcutaneous metastases (PFS, HR = 0.825; 95% CI = 0.555-1.226; P = 0.35; OS, HR = 1.083; 95% CI = 0.698-1.681; P = 0.72). INTERPRETATION: For PD-1-based immunotherapy in melanoma, tumor PD-L1 determined in LN metastases was stronger correlated with therapy outcome than that assessed in PT or organ metastases. PD-L1 determined in skin/subcutaneous metastases showed no outcome correlation and therefore should be used with caution for clinical decision making. FUNDING: Bristol-Myers Squibb (ADOREG/TRIM, NCT05750511); German Research Foundation (DFG; Clinician Scientist Program UMEA); Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS; Medical Scientist Academy UMESciA).

Adjuvant immunotherapy with nivolumab versus observation in completely resected Merkel cell carcinoma (ADMEC-O): disease-free survival results from a randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an immunogenic but aggressive skin cancer. Even after complete resection and radiation, relapse rates are high. PD-1 and PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors showed clinical benefit in advanced MCC. We aimed to assess efficacy and safety of adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibition in completely resected MCC (ie, a setting without an established systemic standard-of-care treatment). METHODS: In this multicentre phase 2 trial, patients (any stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1) at 20 academic medical centres in Germany and the Netherlands with completely resected MCC lesions were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive nivolumab 480 mg every 4 weeks for 1 year, or observation, stratified by stage (American Joint Committee on Cancer stages 1-2 vs stages 3-4), age (<65 vs ≥65 years), and sex. Landmark disease-free survival (DFS) at 12 and 24 months was the primary endpoint, assessed in the intention-to-treat populations. Overall survival and safety were secondary endpoints. This planned interim analysis was triggered when the last-patient-in was followed up for more than 1 year. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02196961) and with the EU Clinical Trials Register (2013-000043-78). FINDINGS: Between Oct 1, 2014, and Aug 31, 2020, 179 patients were enrolled (116 [65%] stage 3-4, 122 [68%] ≥65 years, 111 [62%] male). Stratification factors (stage, age, sex) were balanced across the nivolumab (n=118) and internal control group (observation, n=61); adjuvant radiotherapy was more common in the control group. At a median follow-up of 24·3 months (IQR 19·2-33·4), median DFS was not reached (between-groups hazard ratio 0·58, 95% CI 0·30-1·12); DFS rates in the nivolumab group were 85% at 12 months and 84% at 24 months, and in the observation group were 77% at 12 months and 73% at 24 months. Overall survival results were not yet mature. Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in 48 [42%] of 115 patients who received at least one dose of nivolumab and seven [11%] of 61 patients in the observation group. No treatment-related deaths were reported. INTERPRETATION: Adjuvant therapy with nivolumab resulted in an absolute risk reduction of 9% (1-year DFS) and 10% (2-year DFS). The present interim analysis of ADMEC-O might suggest clinical use of nivolumab in this area of unmet medical need. However, overall survival events rates, with ten events in the active treatment group and six events in the half-the-size observation group, are not mature enough to draw conclusions. The explorative data of our trial support the continuation of ongoing, randomised trials in this area. ADMEC-O suggests that adjuvant immunotherapy is clinically feasible in this area of unmet medical need. FUNDING: Bristol Myers Squibb.

Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Correlates with Disease Relapse and Death of Patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly malignant skin tumor that occurs mainly in elderly and/or immunosuppressed patients. MCC prognosis has been significantly improved by the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Recently, blood-based biomarkers have been investigated that can potentially predict the outcome of MCC patients. In this context, parameters of liver scores have not yet been investigated. We retrospectively recruited 47 MCC patients with available relevant laboratory data at primary diagnosis. At this time, we investigated blood-based scores as follows: model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), aspartate aminotransferase/platelet count ratio index (APRI), and the alanine transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase ratio (De Ritis ratio). MCC relapse was negatively correlated with the De Ritis score (r = -0.3, p = 0.024) and positively correlated with the MELD score (r = 0.3, p = 0.035). Moreover, MCC-specific death positively correlated with CCI score (r = 0.4, p = 0.01) and MELD score (r = 0.4, p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, the MELD score remained in the regression model as significant independent predictor for MCC relapse (hazard ratio: 1.16 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.29; p = 0.008) and MCC-specific death (hazard ratio: 1.2 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.3; p = 0.009). We observed for the first time that the MELD score appears to independently predict both MCC relapse and MCC-specific death. These results should be further investigated in larger prospective studies.