Cytogenetic and pathologic characterization of MYC-rearranged B-cell lymphomas in pediatric and young adult patients.

MYC-rearranged B-cell lymphoma (BCL) in the pediatric/young adult (YA) age group differs substantially in disease composition from adult cohorts. However, data regarding the partner genes, concurrent rearrangements, and ultimate diagnoses in these patients is scarce compared to that in adult cohorts. We aimed to characterize the spectrum of MYC-rearranged (MYC-R) mature, aggressive BCL in the pediatric/YA population. A retrospective study of morphologic, immunophenotypic, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results of patients age ≤ 30 years with suspected Burkitt lymphoma (BL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL), and a MYC-R by FISH between 2013-2022 was performed. Two-hundred fifty-eight cases (129 (50%) pediatric (< 18 years) and 129 (50%) YA (18-30 years)) were included. Most MYC-R BCL in pediatric (89%) and YA (66%) cases were BL. While double-hit (DH) cytogenetics (MYC with BCL2 and/or BCL6-R, HGBCL-DH) was rare in the pediatric population (2/129, 2%), HGBCL-DH increased with age and was identified in 17/129 (13%) of YA cases. Most HGBCL-DH had MYC and BCL6-R, while BCL2-R were rare in both groups (3/258, 1%). MYC-R without an IG partner was more common in the YA group (14/116 (12%) vs 2/128 (2%), p = 0.001). The pediatric to YA transition is characterized by decreasing frequency in BL and increasing genetic heterogeneity of MYC-R BCL, with emergence of DH-BCL with MYC and BCL6-R. FISH to evaluate for BCL2 and BCL6 rearrangements is likely not warranted in the pediatric population but should continue to be applied in YA BCL.

IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: clinicopathologic features with and without IgM-related disorders.

A subset of patients with immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) develop IgM-related disorders (IgM-RD) including peripheral neuropathy, cryoglobulinemia and/or cold agglutinin disease (CAD). We examined the clinical and bone marrow pathologic findings in 191 IgM MGUS patients (2016 World Health Oragnization criteria). Clonal plasma cells were identified in 41 of 171 (24%) cases by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and clonal B cells in 43 of 157 (27%). IgM-RD was identified in 82 (43%) cases, including peripheral neuropathy (n=67, 35%), cryoglobulinemia (n=21, 11%), and CAD (n=10, 5%). Cases of CAD showed distinctive features including lack of MYD88 mutations (P=0.048), supporting the concept of primary CAD as a distinct clinicopathologic disorder. Following exclusion of CAD, comparison of the remaining cases with (n=72) or without (n=109) IgM-RD showed IgM-RD to be more frequent in men than women (P=0.02) and to be more highly associated with MYD88 L265P (P=0.011). Cases with and without IgM-RD otherwise showed similar features including serum IgM concentrations, presence of lymphoid aggregates, clonal B cells by flow cytometry or clonal plasma cells by IHC. No differences were observed in overall survival between cases with and without IgM-RD. No cases in this series met criteria for plasma cell type IgM MGUS as defined in the 2022 International Consensus Classification of lymphoid neoplasms. These results show IgM-RD to be common in patients with IgM MGUS. While CAD shows distinctive features, the remaining cases of IgM-RD largely show pathologic findings similar to IgM MGUS without IgM-RD.

The new WHO and ICC classification systems for myelodysplastic syndromes and their impact on the clinical laboratory.

The International Consensus Classification (ICC) and World Health Organization (WHO) proposed significant changes to the diagnostic criteria of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in 2022. The impact of these criteria on hematopathology practice is uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the 2022 ICC and WHO 5th edition classifications on the diagnosis of cytopenias and MDS. Cases from 2021 performed for primary diagnosis of cytopenia(s)/MDS and their clinical, laboratory, and pathologic findings were reviewed and classified according to the new classification systems. The rate of major changes to the diagnosis was determined and potential pitfalls in the diagnostic approach, laboratory workflow, and clinical communication challenges were investigated. A total of 49 cases were recruited. Major changes to the diagnostic entities were made in 18/49 (37%) cases according to the WHO 5th edition, and 23/49 (47%) cases classified according to the ICC. The difference was accounted for by five cases of MDS-EB2 (revised WHO 4th edition) classified as MDS/AML (major change) in the ICC in contrast to no significant change (MDS-IB2) in the WHO 5th edition. MDS-SLD cases were not subject to major reclassification according to either system. The new molecularly defined categories of CCUS/CHIP, MDS-SF3B1, and MDS with biallelic TP53 mutations were almost identically represented in both systems in our cohort. A case of MDS-MLD was reclassified as CMML by both classification systems. There are few but important differences between the new MDS classification systems. A preimplementation assessment is helpful to identify diagnostic and potential clinical impacts of their adoption.

"Quadruple-hit" primary testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with MYD88 L265P mutation, IGH::MYC, and IRF4- and BCL6-rearrangements.

Classification of DLBCL relies on clinical, immunohistochemical, and genetic information. We report a case of primary testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PT-DLBCL) with a hitherto unreported constellation of pathologic findings to illustrate the challenges of DLBCL classification. A standard hematopathology workup was followed by gene expression profiling (GEP) to determine the DLBCL cell of origin (COO). A 75-year-old man presented with a unilateral testicular mass that had developed over the course of 1 month. Pathologic examination demonstrated involvement by DLBCL. Clinical staging revealed no systemic disease. Genetic testing showed an MYD88 mutation, as well as IGH::MYC and IRF4- and BCL6-rearrangements. Gene expression profiling demonstrated an activated B-cell expression profile. This case highlights the genetic complexity of DLBCL arising in the testis and questions the clinical significance of the identified genetic abnormalities.

Tiered Somatic Variant Classification Adoption Has Increased Worldwide With Some Practice Differences Based on Location and Institutional Setting.

CONTEXT.­: The 2017 Association for Molecular Pathology/American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (CAP) tier classification guideline provides a framework to standardize interpretation and reporting of somatic variants. OBJECTIVE.­: To evaluate the adoption and performance of the 2017 guideline among laboratories performing somatic next-generation sequencing (NGS). DESIGN.­: A survey was distributed to laboratories participating in NGS CAP proficiency testing for solid tumors (NGSST) and hematologic malignancies (NGSHM). RESULTS.­: Worldwide, 64.4% (152 of 236) of NGSST and 66.4% (87 of 131) of NGSHM participants used tier classification systems, of which the 2017 guideline was used by 84.9% (129 of 152) of NGSST and 73.6% (64 of 87) of NGSHM participants. The 2017 guideline was modified by 24.4% (30 of 123) of NGSST and 21.7% (13 of 60) of NGSHM laboratories. Laboratories implementing the 2017 guideline were satisfied or very satisfied (74.2% [89 of 120] NGSST and 69.5% [41 of 59] NGSHM), and the impression of tier classification reproducibility was high (mean of 3.9 [NGSST] and 3.6 [NGSHM] on a 5-point scale). Of nonusers, 35.2% (38 of 108) of NGSST and 39.4% (26 of 66) of NGSHM laboratories were planning implementation. For future guideline revisions, respondents favored including variants to monitor disease (63.9% [78 of 122] NGSST, 80.0% [48 of 60] NGSHM) and germline variants (55.3% [63 of 114] NGSST, 75.0% [45 of 60] NGSHM). Additional subtiers were not favored by academic laboratories compared to nonacademic laboratories (P < .001 NGSST and P = .02 NGSHM). CONCLUSIONS.­: The 2017 guideline has been implemented by more than 50.0% of CAP laboratories. While most laboratories using the 2017 guideline report satisfaction, thoughtful guideline modifications may further enhance the quality, reproducibility, and clinical utility of the 2017 guideline for tiered somatic variant classification.

Does histological assessment accurately distinguish separate primary lung adenocarcinomas from intrapulmonary metastases? A study of paired resected lung nodules in 32 patients using a routine next-generation sequencing panel for driver mutations.

AIM: Various approaches have been reported for distinguishing separate primary lung adenocarcinomas from intrapulmonary metastases in patients with two lung nodules. The aim of this study was to determine whether histological assessment is reliable and accurate in distinguishing separate primary lung adenocarcinomas from intrapulmonary metastases using routine molecular findings as an adjunct. METHODS: We studied resected tumour pairs from 32 patients with lung adenocarcinomas in different lobes. In 15 of 32 tumour pairs, next-generation sequencing (NGS) for common driver mutations was performed on both nodules. The remainder of tumour pairs underwent limited NGS, or EGFR genotyping. Tumour pairs with different drivers (or one driver/one wild-type) were classified as molecularly unrelated, while those with identical low-frequency drivers were classified as related. Three pathologists independently and blinded to the molecular results categorised tumour pairs as related or unrelated based on histological assessment. RESULTS: Of 32 pairs, 15 were classified as related by histological assessment, and 17 as unrelated. Of 15 classified as related by histology, 6 were classified as related by molecular analysis, 4 were unrelated and 5 were indeterminate. Of 17 classified as unrelated by histology, 14 were classified as unrelated by molecular analysis, none was related and 3 were indeterminate. Histological assessment of relatedness was inaccurate in 4/32 (12.5%) tumour pairs. CONCLUSIONS: A small but significant subset of two-nodule adenocarcinoma pairs is inaccurately judged as related by histological assessment, and can be proven to be unrelated by molecular analysis (driver gene mutations), leading to significant downstaging.

A comprehensive analysis of cytopenias and bone marrow morphology in patients with a history of bariatric and metabolic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Following bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS), patients may develop persistent cytopenia(s) despite adequate micronutrient levels. A comprehensive analysis of laboratory and hematopathologic findings in BMS patients with unexplained cytopenia(s) has not been previously described. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and laboratory data, bone marrow histology, and used ancillary testing to characterize patients with a history of BMS who had subsequent bone marrow biopsies due to unexplained cytopenia(s). RESULTS: All patients had anemia and 59% (23/39) had additional cytopenias. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and clonal cytopenia of unknown significance (CCUS) were diagnosed in 8% (3/39) and 10% (4/39), respectively. Remaining cases were classified as idiopathic cytopenia of unknown significance (ICUS) with anemia alone (ICUS-A) in 47% (15/32) or multiple cytopenias (ICUS-PAN) in 53% (17/32). Time since surgery, age, or amount of weight loss was not associated with a specific diagnosis. No patient was vitamin B12 or folate deficient. However, vitamin B6 and zinc were decreased in 47% (5/11) and 29% (9/29), respectively. Examination of bone marrow aspirates revealed slight erythroid dyspoiesis affecting <10% of precursors in 60% (9/15) ICUS-A and 59% (10/17) ICUS-PAN. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow findings in patients with unexplained cytopenia(s) after BMS are not specific in the majority of cases, and caution is advised when interpreting dyserythropoiesis. Levels of micronutrients and vitamins other than iron, folate and vitamin B12 are frequently disturbed in this patient cohort and warrant correction and close clinical follow-up.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications of Caspase-1 and PD-L1 Co-Expression Patterns in Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The inflammasome plays an essential role in lower risk MDS and immune subversion, with the up-regulation of immune checkpoint molecules in the progression to higher-risk disease. In this study, we explored the utility of immune-related biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of MDS. METHODS: We performed an exploratory, case-control study with 20 randomly selected MDS patients and nine controls with non-inflammatory (n = 3) and inflammatory conditions (n = 6). Patients were stratified in groups of lower (n = 10) and higher risk (n = 10) using IPSS-R. For the exploration of inflammasome and immune checkpoint activities, the expression of caspase-1 (Casp1), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) were assessed in bone marrow samples using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, we observed significant differences for Casp1 but not PD1/PD-L1 expression in our four conditions (p = 0.003). We found a discordant co-expression of Casp1/PD-L1 in MDS (rho = -0.41, p = 0.07) compared with a concordant co-expression in controls (rho = 0.64, p = 0.06). Neutrophil counts correlated directly with Casp1 (rho = 0.57, p = 0.009) but inversely with PD-L1 expression (rho = -0.58, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: We identified characteristic discordant co-expression patterns in lower- (Casp1high/PD-L1low) and higher-risk MDS (Casp1low/PD-L1high), contrasting with concordant patterns in the non-inflammatory (Casp1low/PD-L1low) and inflammatory conditions (Casp1high/PD-L1high). Further validation is warranted in larger, prospective studies.

Routine testing for herpes simplex virus in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens is unwarranted.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections of the lung are rare, but HSV is occasionally detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens. We assessed whether routinely performing HSV PCR tests in BAL specimens is warranted. HSV was detected in 7% (52/722) of BALs. In 47% of HSV-positive patients a typical respiratory virus or pathologic microorganism was identified. Oral HSV reactivation was identified in 27%; however, anti-HSV therapy was initiated in just three patients following the positive HSV test. Patients undergoing BAL for transplant surveillance received anti-HSV prophylaxis more often than those with acute respiratory failure, but both groups did not differ significantly in terms of patient outcome or co-infections. No patient was diagnosed with HSV pneumonia. These findings suggest that positive HSV PCR results in BAL specimens most commonly represents contamination from oral HSV reactivation, and that HSV PCR should be ordered selectively, rather than routinely, as part of a test panel.

Inflammatory Pseudotumor-Like Follicular/Fibroblastic Dendritic Cell Sarcomas of the Spleen Are EBV-Associated and Lack Other Commonly Identifiable Molecular Alterations.

Inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular/fibroblastic dendritic cell sarcoma (IPT-like FFDCS) is a rare, indolent neoplasm that occurs in the spleen or liver and harbors Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) integrated into the host genome. The molecular genetic characteristics of IPT-like FFDCS have not been well studied and there are no established and actionable molecular features to guide treatment decisions or diagnosis beyond the recognition of viral genome integration. We subjected two cases of IPT-like FFDCS to a comprehensive next-generation sequencing analysis. Several variants of uncertain clinical significance were detected in both tumors. No variants of potential or strong clinical significance were detected within the targeted regions of the evaluated genes. Additionally, no fusion events were detected involving the genes in either tumor. The performed molecular analysis identified no genetic aberrations in IPT-like FFDCS and its genomic landscape remains, with the exception of a monoclonal EBV gene, largely undefined.

Cytology and curetting diagnosis of endocervical adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Papanicolaou testing is effective in identifying squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix. Endocervical adenocarcinoma (EAC) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) are far less commonly identified. Endocervical curettings (ECCs) are usually obtained after colposcopic biopsy, sample the endocervical canal, and aid in the detection of endocervical glandular lesions. Here, we examine the utility of Papanicolaou testing and endocervical curetting for detecting AIS and EAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases from 2007 to 2019 with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of AIS and EAC were identified and the clinical data and diagnostic material, including the cytology and surgical specimens, obtained. RESULTS: A total of 108 cases of AIS and EAC were identified, Papanicolaou tests were performed in 97 of these cases, and ECC in 87. AIS or EAC were detected in 46.4% of Papanicolaou tests; 41.4% of ECC showed AIS or EAC. A total of 92.7% of cases were positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and concurrent squamous intraepithelial lesion was present in 53.3% of cases. AIS or EAC were more commonly identified in cases without concurrent squamous intraepithelial lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Papanicolaou testing and endocervical curettings have a low detection rate for AIS and EAC. The majority of AIS and EAC cases test positive for high-risk HPV. Papanicolaou test and ECC show different detection rates and are complementary tools in patients with AIS and EAC. In some settings, an ECC can increase the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the pathologic diagnosis.

Primary tumor types and origins in positive abdominopelvic washing cytology, a single institution experience.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominopelvic washing cytology is a common specimen evaluated for ovarian, fallopian tubal, and peritoneal cancer staging or other nongynecologic malignancies presented as metastases. We reviewed our experience in diagnosing abdominopelvic washing specimens and assessing the primary tumor types and origins of the positive abdominopelvic washings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pathology archive database search was performed for abdominopelvic washing specimens from 2007 to 2018. The corresponding cytologic diagnoses, results of ancillary studies, clinical histories, and surgical follow-up were reviewed. The primary sites were determined based on the synoptic reports, when available. RESULTS: A total of 5.8% (350 of 6023) of cases were positive for malignancy or neoplasm. Additionally, 1.3% (78 of 6023) were diagnosed as atypical cells. Of the 350 positive cases, 93.4% were müllerian tumors. The frequency of primary sites for müllerian tumors in descending order were: ovary, uterus, fallopian tube, peritoneum, and uncertain müllerian sites. The common ovarian tumors identified in pelvic washing in descending order were: high-grade serous carcinoma, serous borderline tumor, clear cell carcinoma, low-grade serous carcinoma, and endometrioid carcinoma. Gastrointestinal, breast, bladder, and lymphoma primaries were the 23 nongynecologic tumors identified in pelvic washings. CONCLUSIONS: Positive findings in abdominopelvic washing cytology is rare. The majority of the positive cases were from müllerian origins, with ovary and uterus as the most common sites. Endometrial adenocarcinoma, endometrioid type and ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma were the most common tumor types. Knowing prior history of malignancy, morphologic comparison with concurrent surgical cases, and performing ancillary studies are keys to improve diagnostic accuracy of abdominopelvic washings.