Case of a pregnant woman with probable prolonged SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding 221 days after diagnosis.

We describe a case of probable prolonged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Alpha(B.1.1.7) variant shedding for 221 days from the diagnosis, in a healthy 20-year-old Japanese pregnant woman with a normal delivery. To our knowledge, this is the longest duration of SARS-CoV-2 shedding reported in an immunocompetent individual to date.

Lymphadenectomy issues in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This review aims to introduce preoperative scoring systems to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) and ongoing clinical trials to investigate the therapeutic role of lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer. METHODS: We summarized previous reports on the preoperative prediction models for LNM and evaluated their validity to omit lymphadenectomy in our recent cohorts. Next, we compared characteristics of two ongoing lymphadenectomy trials (JCOG1412, ECLAT) to examine the survival benefit of lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer, and described the details of JCOG1412. RESULTS: Lymphadenectomy has been omitted for 64 endometrial cancer patients who met low-risk criteria to omit lymphadenectomy using our scoring system (LNM score) and no lymphatic failure has been observed. Other two models also produced comparable results. Two randomized phase III trials to evaluate survival benefit of lymphadenectomy are ongoing for endometrial cancer. JCOG1412 compares pelvic lymphadenectomy alone with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy to evaluate the therapeutic role of para-aortic lymphadenectomy for patients at risk of LNM. For quality assurance of lymphadenectomy, we defined several regulations, including lower limit of the number of resected nodes, and submission of photos of dissected area to evaluate thoroughness of lymphadenectomy in the protocol. The latest monitoring report showed that the quality of lymphadenectomy has been well-controlled in JCOG1412. CONCLUSION: Our strategy seems reasonable to omit lymphadenectomy and could be generalized in clinical practice. JCOG1412 is a high-quality lymphadenectomy trial in terms of the quality of surgical procedures, which would draw the bona-fide conclusions regarding the therapeutic role of lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer.

Human papillomavirus genotype and prognosis of cervical cancer: Favorable survival of patients with HPV16-positive tumors.

The prognostic impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) type on invasive cervical cancer (ICC) was analyzed for 137 women treated for ICC at a single institution between 1999 and 2007. The study subjects were divided into three groups according to HPV genotype: HPV16-positive (n = 59), HPV18-positive (n = 33), and HPV16/18-negative ICC (non-HPV16/18, n = 45). The median follow-up time was 102.5 months (range, 5-179). The 10-year overall survival (10y-OS) rates in women with FIGO stage I/II disease were similar among HPV genotypes: 94.7% for HPV16 (n = 39), 95.2% for HPV18 (n = 26), and 96.4% for non-HPV16/18 (n = 29). However, the 10y-OS rates in women with FIGO stage III/IV tumors were 73.7% for HPV16 (n = 20), 45.7% for HPV18 (n = 7), and 35.7% for other types (n = 16), with significantly higher survival in HPV16-positive compared with HPV16-negative ICC (10y-OS; 73.7% vs. 39.5%, P = 0.04). This difference in FIGO stage III/IV tumors remained significant after adjusting for age and histology (hazard ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.09-0.86, P = 0.02). These results suggest that detection of HPV16 DNA may be associated with a favorable prognosis in patients with FIGO stage III/IV ICC. Given that most women with FIGO stage III/IV tumors received concurrent chemoradiotherapy, this finding may imply that HPV16-positive tumors are more chemoradiosensitive.

Endogenous reference RNAs for microRNA quantitation in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lymph node tissue.

Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important factors for tumor dissemination. Quantifying microRNA (miRNA) expression using real-time PCR in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lymph node can provide valuable information regarding the biological research for cancer metastasis. However, a universal endogenous reference gene has not been identified in FFPE lymph node. This study aimed to identify suitable endogenous reference genes for miRNA expression analysis in FFPE lymph node. FFPE lymph nodes were obtained from 41 metastatic cancer and from 16 non-cancerous tissues. We selected 10 miRNAs as endogenous reference gene candidates using the global mean method. The stability of candidate genes was assessed by the following four statistical tools: BestKeeper, geNorm, NormFinder, and the comparative ΔCt method. miR-103a was the most stable gene among candidate genes. However, the use of a single miR-103a was not recommended because its stability value exceeded the reference value. Thus, we combined stable genes and investigated the stability and the effect of gene normalization. The combination of miR-24, miR-103a, and let-7a was identified as one of the most stable sets of endogenous reference genes for normalization in FFPE lymph node. This study may provide a basis for miRNA expression analysis in FFPE lymph node tissue.

Differentiation of epithelial ovarian cancer subtypes by use of imaging and clinical data: a detailed analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma is sub-classified into serous, mucinous, endometrioid and clear cell subtypes. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has become an alternative treatment option past several years, as serous carcinoma, the most common subtype, is known as chemotherapy-sensitive tumor. On the other hand, mucinous and clear cell carcinoma are known as chemotherapy-resistive. Therefore, it may be meaningful to estimate subtype of ovarian carcinoma using imaging modality. The purpose of this study is to study whether CT or MRI can determine the subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers. METHODS: The imaging and clinical findings obtained from 125 consecutive patients with primary ovarian carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-four of the patients had serous carcinoma; 13, mucinous carcinoma; 53, clear cell carcinoma; and 15, endometrioid carcinoma. We studied the bilateralism, morphological type, tumor diameter, solid portion ratio, relative signal intensity on T2WI and DWI, contrast ratio, and endometriosis on MRI and the calcification, peritoneal dissemination and lymph node metastasis, clinical staging, and thromboembolism on CT. We also studied the tumor markers and serum calcium concentrations. Each parameter was statistically analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Serous carcinoma showed a significantly higher incidence of bilateral disease, smaller tumor size, higher signal intensity on DWI, and less frequent hypercalcemia. The CA19-9 level was significantly higher in mucinous carcinoma, in which most of the tumors appeared as multilocular cystic masses. Clear cell carcinoma appeared as unilateral disease with a larger solid portion and hypercalcemia in younger patients. Endometrioid carcinoma only showed a lower incidence of intraperitoneal dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: CT and MRI combined with clinical data especially tumor markers and presence of paraneoplastic syndrome could partly predict epithelial ovarian cancer subtypes.

Clinicopathologic implications of DNA mismatch repair status in endometrial carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignancy in women with Lynch syndrome caused by mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency. We investigated the clinicopathologic significance of deficient MMR and Lynch syndrome presumed by MMR analyses in unselected endometrial carcinomas. METHODS: We analyzed immunohistochemistry of MMR proteins (MLH1/MSH2/MSH6/PMS2) and MLH1 promoter methylation in primary endometrial carcinomas from 221 consecutive patients. Based on these results, tumors were categorized as sporadic or probable Lynch syndrome (PLS). Clinicopathologic variables and prognosis were compared according to MMR status and sporadic/PLS classification. RESULTS: Deficient MMR showed only trends towards favorable overall survival (OS) compared with intact MMR (p=0.13), whereas PLS showed significantly better OS than sporadic (p=0.038). Sporadic was significantly associated with older age, obesity, deep myometrial invasion, and advanced stage (p=0.008, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03), while PLS was significantly associated with early stage and Lynch syndrome-associated multiple cancer (p=0.04 and 0.001). The trend towards favorable OS of PLS was stronger in advanced stage than in early stage (hazard ratio, 0.044 [95% CI 0-25.6] vs. 0.49 [0.063-3.8]). In the subset receiving adjuvant therapies, PLS showed trends towards favorable disease-free survival compared to sporadic by contrast with patients receiving no adjuvant therapies showing no such trend (hazard ratio, 0.045 [95% CI 0-20.3] vs. 0.81 [0.095-7.0]). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest that analyzing MMR status and searching for Lynch syndrome may identify a subset of patients with favorable survival and high sensitivity to adjuvant therapies, providing novel and useful implications for formulating the precision medicine in endometrial carcinoma.

Proposal for selection criteria of secondary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers.

BACKGROUND: The selection criteria for secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) in recurrent ovarian cancer are yet to be defined. The aim of this study was to propose the selection criteria through identifying predictive factors for successful SCS. METHODS: All patients who underwent SCS for recurrent epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers between 1982 and 2012 at our institution were identified through our database. Potential prognostic factors were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. Survival after SCS was examined by the grouping model based on the number of prognostic factors. RESULTS: We performed SCS in 80 consecutive patients, 48 (60 %) of whom achieved complete resection. Complete/incomplete resection significantly influenced survival (median 65 vs. 26 months; p = 0.0005). Among favorable prognostic factors determined before SCS, treatment-free interval >12 months, absent distant metastasis, solitary disease, and performance status 0 were independently associated with better survival (p = 0.0009, 0.00003, 0.0004, and 0.015, respectively). Patients with 3-4 of those factors had better survival than those with 2 or 0-1 factors (median 79, 26, and 19 months; p < 0.00001 and <0.0000000001, respectively). Complete resection of visible tumors was achieved in 79 % of patients with 3-4 factors, in 40 % of those with 2 factors, and in 33 % of those with 0-1 factor. Importantly, even when tumor removal was incomplete at SCS, median survival of patients with 3-4 factors was still quite favorable (83 vs. 67.5 months for complete/incomplete resection, respectively), while those of patients with 2 factors (41 vs. 25 months) and 0-1 factor (19 vs. 19 months) were not. CONCLUSION: We strongly recommend SCS for patients with 3-4 of the above favorable factors at recurrence. As for patients with 2 factors, SCS may be considered if complete resection is expected to be achieved. Prospective studies are warranted to validate our proposal.

Human leukocyte antigen class II DRB1*1302 allele protects against cervical cancer: At which step of multistage carcinogenesis?

We investigated the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles in multistage cervical carcinogenesis. Cross-sectional analysis for HLA association with cervical cancer included 1253 Japanese women: normal cytology (NL, n = 341), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1, n = 505), CIN grade 2 or 3 (CIN2/3, n = 96), or invasive cervical cancer (ICC, n = 311). The HLA class II allele frequencies were compared by Fisher's exact test or the χ(2) -test. The Bonferroni adjustment corrected for multiple comparisons. Among the study subjects, 454 women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cytology were prospectively monitored by cytology and colposcopy every 3-4 months to analyze cumulative risk of CIN3 within the next 10 years in relation to HLA class II alleles. HLA class II DRB1*1302 allele frequency was similar between women with NL (11.7%) and CIN1 (11.9%), but significantly decreased to 5.2% for CIN2/3 and 5.8% for ICC (P = 0.0003). Correction for multiple testing did not change this finding. In women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cytology, the cumulative risk of CIN3 diagnosed within 10 years was significantly reduced among DRB1*1302-positive women (3.2% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.03). In conclusion, the two different types of analysis in this single study showed the protective effect of the DRB1*1302 allele against progression from CIN1 to CIN2/3.

HPV genotyping for triage of women with abnormal cervical cancer screening results: a multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND: In cervical cancer screening programs, women with abnormal cytology are referred for colposcopy for histological evaluation. We examined whether a human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping assay could be used to identify women who do not need immediate colposcopy and biopsy because of low risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse (CIN3+). METHODS: We prospectively evaluated test performance for 2 carcinogenic HPV genotypes (HPV16/18), for 8 types (HPV16/18/31/33/35/45/52/58), and for 13 types (HPV16/18/31/33/35/45/51/52/56/58/59/68) for prediction of histological CIN3+ results among 427 screen-positive women referred for colposcopy. The study subjects consisted of 214 women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 184 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and 29 with atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H). RESULTS: Among women with LSIL cytology, HPV16/18 positivity was 29.4 % and increased to 58.9 % for 8 types and to 74.8 % for 13 types (P < 0.001). The risk of CIN3+ biopsy results was still 7.9 % for women testing negative for HPV16/18, but decreased to 0.0 % for those testing negative for at least eight types of HPV (HPV16/18/31/33/35/45/52/58). Although HPV genotyping results enabled additional risk stratification among women with HSIL/ASC-H cytology, the risk of histological CIN3+ diagnosis among women testing negative for eight types or more was still sufficiently high (>35 %) to warrant immediate colposcopy referral. CONCLUSIONS: Of women with LSIL cytology, those testing negative for at least eight of the highest-risk types of HPV (HPV16/18/31/33/35/45/52/58) may not need immediate colposcopy and biopsy. This would reduce the number of colposcopy referrals by approximately 40 %. However, the HPV genotyping assay is not likely to alter the clinical management of women with HSIL/ASC-H.

Optimizing biopsy procedures during colposcopy for women with abnormal cervical cancer screening results: a multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND: In cervical cancer screening programs, women with abnormal cytology results are referred to colposcopy for histological diagnosis. This study was designed to evaluate the sensitivity of colposcopic procedures for detecting cervical cancer and its precursor, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). METHODS: Women referred to colposcopy for abnormal cytology were enrolled from four hospitals. Gynecologists were required to take a colposcopy-guided biopsy from the worst of the abnormal-looking areas as a first biopsy. They were also asked to take ≥ 3 cervical specimens including by endocervical curettage (ECC). Random biopsies were performed at the gynecologist's discretion. We analyzed 827 biopsy results from 255 women who were diagnosed by central pathologists as having histology of CIN or cancer. RESULTS: In this study, 78.1% of diagnoses of CIN grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) (the threshold that would trigger intensive management) were obtained from a first colposcopy-guided biopsy. The additional diagnostic utility of second and third colposcopy-guided biopsies was 16.4 and 1.8%, respectively. The combined sensitivity of two colposcopy-directed biopsies for CIN2+ detection was >90%, regardless of the colposcopist. Random biopsies and ECC increased the diagnostic yield of CIN2+ lesions otherwise missed by colposcopy-guided biopsies alone, but only by 1.2 and 2.4%, respectively. Random biopsies were more useful for women referred after low-grade abnormal cytology (P = 0.01). The utility of ECC was greatest among women with unsatisfactory colposcopy (P = 0.03) or aged ≥ 40 years (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that at least two colposcopy-directed biopsies should be taken for histological diagnosis. Random biopsies and ECC are recommended for special populations.

Diversity in size and signal intensity in multilocular cystic ovarian masses: new parameters for distinguishing metastatic from primary mucinous ovarian neoplasms.

PURPOSE: To differentiate primary mucinous ovarian neoplasms from metastatic ones with MR using diversity in size and signal intensity of multilocular cystic masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight cases of primary malignant or borderline mucinous malignant neoplasms and 14 metastatic ovarian tumors were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed whether the tumor was unilateral or bilateral, the diversity in the size and signal intensity of each loculus in multilocular tumors, namely the size ratio of the smallest/largest loculus (size diversity ratio), and the standard deviation of the signal intensity at the level with the most varying signal on T2-weighted images within tumors (signal diversity ratio). We performed statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Bilateral tumors were more commonly observed among metastatic tumors than primary mucinous tumors (2/28 in primary versus 11/14 in metastatic, P < 0.01). The size diversity ratio was higher in primary mucinous tumors than in metastatic tumors (mean, 50.2 versus 23.2; P < 0.01). The signal diversity ratio was also higher in primary mucinous tumors than in metastatic tumors (334.3 versus 231.2; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Bilateral tumors were more common among metastatic tumors, which tended to be composed of cysts of uniform sizes and signal intensities compared with those of primary mucinous tumors.

Safety and efficacy of substituting nedaplatin after carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions in gynecologic malignancies.

AIM: Repeated treatment with carboplatin increases the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions. Current managements for carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions involve premedication, desensitization, and replacing agents. However, preventive effects for recurrent reactions by the former two methods are still limited, and substituting non-platinum agent can attenuate efficacy against platinum-sensitive diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of substituting nedaplatin, another platinum compound, as a strategy to deal with carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions in gynecologic cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who experienced carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions and subsequently switched to nedaplatin between 2001 and 2009 were identified through our database. The incidence and severity of nedaplatin hypersensitivity were examined. Response to nedaplatin therapy was evaluated according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and serum CA-125 levels. RESULTS: Forty-six of 570 patients (8.1%) experienced carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions, and the increased cycle numbers of carboplatin-based regimens correlated with the high incidence of hypersensitivity (≤6, 0.9% vs ≥7, 19.2%). Of these 46 patients, 38 subsequently switched to nedaplatin-based regimens (ovarian, tubal or peritoneal carcinoma, 30; endometrial carcinoma, 6; cervical carcinoma, 2). Three of the 38 patients (7.9%) eventually developed hypersensitivity against nedaplatin, and all their reactions were grade 2. The response rate to nedaplatin therapy among 32 evaluable patients was 31.3%. CONCLUSION: Replacing carboplatin with nedaplatin provided a safe and efficacious approach to manage carboplatin hypersensitivity. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to indicate the usefulness of nedaplatin after carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions. Further evaluations are warranted to confirm our finding.

PIK3CA overexpression is a possible prognostic factor for favorable survival in ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

Dysregulated signaling on the PI3-kinase/Akt cascade is reportedly associated with early stage and favorable prognosis in some kinds of malignancies including breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and colorectal cancer. PIK3CA, a catalytic subunit of PI3-kinase, is known to be activated in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC), which is categorized as type I ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of PIK3CA overexpression in the disease. We performed immunohistochemical analyses of PIK3CA, PTEN, p-Akt, p27 and p53 expressions in primary ovarian clear cell carcinomas from 62 Japanese patients. Genetic analyses of PIK3CA mutation and amplification were further conducted. PIK3CA was overexpressed in 45 tumors (73%), PTEN expression was negative in 3 (5%), and p53 was positive in 8 (13%). Overexpressed PIK3CA was found to be associated with p-Akt overexpression (P = .007). PIK3CA overexpression tended to be observed in more of stage I disease (73% versus 47%, P = .07) and was associated with absence of residual tumor at the initial surgery (96% versus 71%, P = .01). Furthermore, survival analyses revealed that PIK3CA overexpression correlated with improved overall survival (P = .03). Subsequent genetic analyses demonstrated that PIK3CA overexpression correlated with the presence of mutation or amplification of the PIK3CA gene in tumors (P = .009). Our observations suggest that the subgroup of ovarian clear cell carcinomas harboring activated PIK3CA seems to have better prognosis possibly due to more indolent biological property compared to tumors without PIK3CA activation. PIK3CA may serve as a biomarker for good prognosis and a possible therapeutic target in this lethal subtype of ovarian cancer.

Association between carotenoids and outcome of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that micronutrients such as alpha-tocopherol, retinol, lutein, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and alpha- and beta-carotene may help in the prevention of cervical cancer. Our aim was to investigate whether serum concentrations and/or dietary intake of micronutrients influence the regression or progression of low-grade cervical abnormalities. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study of 391 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1-2 lesions, we measured serum micronutrient concentrations in addition to a self-administered questionnaire about dietary intake. We evaluated the hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for CIN grade, human papillomavirus genotype, total energy intake and smoking status. RESULTS: In non-smoking regression subjects, regression was significantly associated with serum levels of zeaxanthin/lutein (HR 1.25, 0.78-2.01, p = 0.024). This benefit was abolished in current smokers. Regression was inhibited by high serum levels of alpha-tocopherol in smokers (p = 0.042). In progression subjects, a significant protective effect against progression to CIN3 was observed in individuals with a medium level of serum beta-carotene [HR 0.28, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.71, p = 0.007), although any protective effect from a higher level of serum beta-carotene was weaker or abolished (HR 0.52, 95 % CI 0.24-1.13, p = 0.098). Increasing beta-carotene intake did not show a protective effect (HR 2.30, 95 % CI 0.97-5.42, p = 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of serum levels of carotenoids suggest that regression is modulated by smoking status. Maintaining a medium serum level of beta-carotene has a protective effect for progression; however, carotene intake is not correlated with serum levels of carotenoids.

Do neutralizing antibody responses generated by human papillomavirus infections favor a better outcome of low-grade cervical lesions?

To determine the role of neutralizing antibody generated by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, baseline levels of serum neutralizing antibodies directed against HPV 16 and cervical HPV DNA were determined in 242 unvaccinated women with low-grade cervical abnormalities, who were then monitored by cytology and colposcopy every 4 months. In women infected with HPV 16 (n = 42), abnormal cytology persisted longer in those positive for HPV 16-specific neutralizing antibodies at baseline (median time to cytological regression: 23.8 vs. 7.2 months). Progression to cervical precancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3) within 5 years occurred only among women carrying HPV 16-specific neutralizing antibodies (P = 0.03, log-rank test). In women infected with types other than HPV 16 (n = 200), detection of HPV 16-specific neutralizing antibodies was not correlated with disease outcome. In conclusion, development of specific neutralizing antibodies following natural HPV 16 infection did not favor a better outcome of low-grade cervical lesions induced by HPV 16 or by other types; rather, detection of neutralizing antibodies generated by current infection may reflect viral persistence and thus help identify those who are at high risk of disease progression.

HLA class II DRB1*1302 allele protects against progression to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Genetic variations in human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II regions may influence the risk of cervical cancer by altering the efficiency of the immune responses to human papillomavirus antigens. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effects of HLA class II alleles on the natural course of cervical precursor lesions. METHODS: We followed a total of 454 Japanese women with cytological low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and histological cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 1 to 2 (CIN1-CIN2). Patients were tested for HLA class II alleles and cervical human papillomavirus DNA at the time of entry and then monitored by cytology and colposcopy every 4 months for a mean follow-up of 39.0 months. We analyzed cumulative probabilities of cytological regression to at least 2 consecutive negative Papanicolaou tests and histological progression to biopsy-positive CIN3. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 39 lesions progressed to CIN3, and 282 lesions regressed to normal cytology. Progression to CIN3 did not occur in DRB1*1302-positive women, and this protective effect of DRB1*1302 was statistically significant (P = 0.03). Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion regressed to normal cytology more quickly in DRB1*1302-positive women than in DRB1*1302-negative women (median time, 8.9 months vs 14.2 months), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.16). The risk of LSIL persistence or progression to CIN3 within 5 years was not affected by any other HLA class II alleles. CONCLUSION: By using a prospective study design, we demonstrated the protective effect of the DRB1*1302 allele against progression to CIN3 among Japanese women with LSIL.

Subsequent risks for cervical precancer and cancer in women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions unconfirmed by colposcopy-directed biopsy: results from a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the natural course of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) that cannot be histologically confirmed by colposcopy-directed biopsy. METHODS: In a multicenter, prospective, cohort study of Japanese women with LSILs, we analyzed the follow-up data from 64 women who had a negative biopsy result at the initial colposcopy (biopsy-negative LSIL) in comparison with those from 479 women who had a histologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (LSIL/CIN1). Patients were monitored by cytology and colposcopy every 4 months for a mean follow-up period of 39.0 months, with cytologic regression defined as two consecutive negative smears and normal colposcopy. RESULTS: In women with biopsy-negative LSILs, there were no cases of CIN3 or worse (CIN3+) diagnosed within 2 years; the difference in the 2-year risk of CIN3+ between the two groups was marginally significant (0 vs. 5.5%; P = 0.07). The cumulative probability of cytologic regression within 12 months was much higher in the biopsy-negative LSIL group (71.2 vs. 48.6%; P = 0.0001). The percentage of women positive for high-risk human papillomaviruses (hrHPVs) was significantly lower in the biopsy-negative LSIL group than in the LSIL/CIN1 group (62.1 vs. 78.4%; P = 0.01); however, the 12-month regression rate of biopsy-negative LSIL was similar between hrHPV-positive and -negative women (67.3 vs. 74.4%, P = 0.73). CONCLUSION: In women with biopsy-negative LSILs, the risk of CIN3+ diagnosed within 2 years was low; furthermore, approximately 70% underwent cytologic regression within 12 months, regardless of HPV testing results. Biopsy-negative LSILs may represent regressing lesions rather than lesions missed by colposcopy.

Villin1, a diagnostic marker for endometrial adenocarcinoma with high grade nuclear atypia.

Villin1 (VIL1) has a role in regulating actin dynamics, cell morphology, anti-apoptotic mechanisms, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Previously we reported VIL1 as a novel diagnostic marker for cervical adenocarcinoma (AC) with poor radioresponse. This study further investigated the diagnostic role of VIL1 in gynecological tumors especially endometrial AC. We recruited 107 patients with AC (41 tumors in the corpus and 66 tumors in cervix), most of whom treated by total abdominal hysterectomy. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed VIL1-positive tumors in 37% of cases; 10 of 41 corpus tumors and 30 of 66 tumors in the cervix. VIL1-positive tumors were further examined histologically and immunostained for epithelial cell surface marker, EpCAM, and mesenchymal stem cell marker, CD44. Most of these tumors were CD44 negative and EpCAM positive, and the cytoplasmic VIL1 immunoreactivity in endometrial AC was more selective than EpCAM in reflecting histological aggressiveness with high grade nuclear atypia. This study confirmed our previous finding of VIL1 as a diagnostic marker of cervical AC. In addition, VIL1 immunostaining was detected in 25% of endometrial AC cases. These results suggested the existence of an aggressive and VIL1-positive subtype of gynecological tumor.

Ovarian serous surface papillary borderline tumors form sea anemone-like masses.

PURPOSE: To clarify the imaging characteristics of ovarian serous surface papillary borderline tumor (SSPBT), whose prognosis is far better than that of serous surface papillary adenocarcinoma (SSPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and imaging findings of six cases (age range, 26-58 years; mean, 43 years) with SSPBT encountered at our institute from 1996 to 2008. RESULTS: Serum levels of CA125 were elevated, and they were clinically suspected to have ovarian cancer. All masses were almost entirely solid and showed hyperintense papillary architecture with hypointense internal branching on T2-weighted MRI. Five patients had peritoneal implants, and two had lymph node enlargement, and all tumors were accompanied by ascites. In all cases, contralateral ovaries had cystic masses with mural nodules or mixed solid and cystic masses, of which the solid part was similar to the contralateral mass. No evidence of recurrence was noted at a follow-up of >12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: SSPBT, which has more favorable prognosis than those of flank ovarian carcinoma, is characterized by a solid mass with papillary architecture and internal branching resembling a sea anemone on MR.

Solid non-invasive ovarian masses on MR: histopathology and a diagnostic approach.

PURPOSE: The purpose is to clarify the histopathology of the solid, non-invasive ovarian masses and to investigate the MR characteristics that distinguish benign from malignant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2008, we identified 38 cases with predominantly solid non-invasive ovarian masses examined by contrast MR. We evaluated the signal intensity on T2WI and degree of contrast enhancement. In 31 of these cases with dynamic contrast study, we classified the enhancing patterns of the masses into gradually increasing and plateau after rapid increase patterns. RESULT: Sixteen cases were benign sex-cord stromal tumors, three were other types of benign tumors, nine cases were diagnosed with primary malignant ovarian tumors, and 10 showed metastatic tumors. Low intensity on T2WI was observed in 15 benign and 2 malignant tumors. The gradually increasing pattern was observed in all 17 benignancies and 5 of the 14 malignancies. In the equilibrium phase, the masses were weakly enhanced in all 19 benignancies and only 4 of 19 malignancies. The diagnostic criteria, that low signal intensity masses with gradual weak enhancement are benign showed 93.3% accuracy and 100% positive predictive value. CONCLUSION: Benign solid ovarian masses tended to show low signal intensity on T2WI and gradual weak enhancement.