Correlations between tumor-infiltrating and circulating lymphocyte subpopulations in advanced renal cancer patients treated with nivolumab.

BACKGROUND: In clinical trials with immunotherapy, histological features such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are investigated as potential predictive biomarkers, with the limit of an outdated parameter for a typically dynamic element. METHODS: This explorative study compared, in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients, basal pathological data about TILs on diagnostic histological specimens with circulating lymphocyte subpopulations measured before and during therapy with nivolumab. RESULTS: Of 11 mRCC patients, 5 had low presence of TILs (L-TILs), 3 moderate amount (M-TILs) and 3 high number (H-TILs). Overall, 8 patients had low intratumoral pathological CD4+/CD8+ ratio (LIPR) ≤1 and 3 cases high intratumoral pathological ratio (HIPR) ≥2. Of 8 patients with LIPR, only 2 matched with low circulating CD4+/CD8+ ratio (LCR) ≤1; 5 had high circulating ratio (HCR) ≥2. All 3 cases with HIPR (≥2) conversely had LCR (≤1). Circulating CD4+/CD8+ ratio remained unchanged during therapy (mean -0.12 in 8 weeks). The respective percentage values of CD4+ and CD8+ circulating T cells also remained stable (variation 0%); the absolute value of CD4+ was more likely to increase (mean +46.3/mm3); the level of CD8+ tended to slightly decrease (mean -6.5/mm3). No correlation of lymphocyte subpopulations with treatment outcome was found. Of note, we did not evidence correspondence between histopathological and circulating findings in terms of T-lymphocyte subpopulations, also suggesting the inconsistency of circulating data in terms of relative variations. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the likely high dynamism of TILs, rebiopsy before therapy might be proposed to assess the utility of TILs characterization for predictive purpose. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Loss of heterozygosity of key tumor suppressor genes in advanced renal cancer patients treated with nivolumab.

AIM: We studied the possible clinical significance of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at key tumor suppressor genes loci in advanced renal cancer patients treated with nivolumab. METHODS: LOH study was performed on 3p14.2 (FHIT gene); 3p21.3-21.2; 9p21 (BDMF gene); 9p22 (SH3GL2 gene). RESULTS: Of 12 patients, 8 (67%) had LOH. The most affected gene was FHIT. All five patients with LOH at FHIT locus had good outcome, mean progression free survival of 6.8 months. The patients LOH negative at FHIT locus had mean progression free survival of 4 months, 67% were treatment refractory. Overall, 75% of patients with LOH of at least one gene had benefit; 75% of LOH negative cases were refractory. CONCLUSION: LOH at key tumor suppressor genes should be further investigated as predictive for immunotherapy.

MRI in acute ligamentous injuries of the ankle.

Ankle sprains are the most common lower limb injuries and affect more frequently young athletes; imaging is needed for an accurate diagnosis of such traumatic injuries. The purpose of this review is to analyse the magnetic resonance (MR) findings of both normal and pathological ankle's ligaments; indeed, MRI is the gold standard for the diagnosis of acute traumatic injuries and is useful for differentiation of the causes of ankle instability as well as for pre-operative planning.

Use of DWI in identification of small solid pancreatic focalities (≤ 2 cm).

Incidental finding of pancreatic focalities has increased thanks to a larger use of radiological examinations (Ultrasound, CT). The differential diagnosis between focal inflammatory and heteroplastic disease is frequently complicated by the wide spectrum of lesions and by the aspecificity of clinical and medical history, as well as of imaging findings. MRI is the second level choice of examination thanks to its higher intrinsic contrast resolution and parametric capability (1); furthermore, the use of Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) sequences provides additional diagnostic informations.

Imaging of congenital pulmonary malformations.

Congenital pulmonary malformations represent a broad spectrum of anomalies that may result in varied clinical and pathologic pictures, ranging from recurrent pulmonary infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which require timely drug therapy, up to large space-occupying lesions needing surgical treatment. This classification includes three distinct anatomical and pathological entities, represented by Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation, Bronchopulmonary Sequestration and Congenital Lobar Emphysema. The final result in terms of embryological and fetal development of these alterations is a Congenital Lung Hypoplasia. Since even Bronchial Atresia, Pulmonary Bronchogenic Cysts and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernias are due to Pulmonary Hypoplasia, these diseases will be discussed in this review (1, 2).