NUP98-BPTF promotes oncogenic transformation through PIM1 upregulation.

INTRODUCTION: Nucleoporin 98 (NUP98) fusion proteins are recurrently found in leukemia and are associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. They are distributed to the nucleus and contribute to leukemogenesis via aberrant transcriptional regulation. We previously identified NUP98-BPTF (NB) fusion in patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) using next-generation sequencing. The FG-repeat of NUP98 and the PHD finger and bromodomain of bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor (BPTF) are retained in the fusion. Like other NUP98 fusion proteins, NB is considered to regulate genes that are essential for leukemogenesis. However, its target genes or pathways remain unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate the potential oncogenic properties of the NB fusion protein, we lentivirally transduced a doxycycline-inducible NB expression vector into mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts and human Jurkat T-ALL cells. RESULTS: NB promoted the transformation of mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts by upregulating the proto-oncogene Pim1, which encodes a serine/threonine kinase. NB transcriptionally regulated Pim1 expression by binding to its promoter and activated MYC and mTORC1 signaling. PIM1 knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 signaling suppressed NB-induced NIH3T3 cell transformation. Furthermore, NB enhanced the survival of human Jurkat T-ALL cells by inactivating the pro-apoptotic protein BCL2-associated agonist of cell death (BAD). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the pivotal role of NB in cell transformation and survival and identified PIM1as a key downstream target of NB. These findings propose a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with NB fusion-positive leukemia.

Mutational, immune microenvironment, and clinicopathological profiles of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma with BCL6 rearrangement.

BCL6-rearrangement (BCL6-R) is associated with a favorable prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL), but the mechanism is unknown. We analyzed the clinicopathological, immune microenvironment (immune checkpoint, immuno-oncology markers), and mutational profiles of 10 BCL6-R-positive FL, and 19 BCL6-R-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cases (both BCL2-R and MYC-R negative). A custom-made panel included 168 genes related to aggressive B-cell lymphomas and FL. FL cases were nodal, histological grade 3A in 70%, low Ki67; and had a favorable overall and progression-free survival. DLBCL cases were extranodal in 60%, IPI high in 63%, non-GCB in 60%, EBER-negative; and had a progression-free survival comparable to that of DLBCL NOS. The microenvironment had variable infiltration of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that were CD163, CSF1R, LAIR1, PD-L1, and CD85A (LILRB3) positive; but had low IL10 and PTX3 expression. In comparison to FL, DLBCL had higher TAMs, IL10, and PTX3 expression. Both lymphoma subtypes shared a common mutational profile with mutations in relevant pathogenic genes such as KMT2D, OSBPL10, CREBBP, and HLA-B (related to chromatin remodeling, metabolism, epigenetic modification, and antigen presentation). FL cases were characterized by a higher frequency of mutations of ARID1B, ATM, CD36, RHOA, PLOD2, and PRPRD (p < 0.05). DLBCL cases were characterized by mutations of BTG2, and PIM1; and mutations of HIST1H1E and MFHAS1 to disease progression (p < 0.05). Interestingly, mutations of genes usually associated with poor prognosis, such as NOTCH1/2 and CDKN2A, were infrequent in both lymphoma subtypes. Some high-confidence variant calls were likely oncogenic, loss-of-function. MYD88 L265P gain-of-function was found in 32% of DLBCL. In conclusion, both BCL6-R-positive FL and BCL6-R-positive DLBCL had a common mutational profile; but also, differences. DLBCL cases had a higher density of microenvironment markers.

Mutational Profile and Pathological Features of a Case of Interleukin-10 and RGS1-Positive Spindle Cell Variant Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with spindle cell morphology is a rare variant. We present the case of a 74-year-old male who initially presented with a right supraclavicular (lymph) node enlargement. Histological analysis showed a proliferation of spindle-shaped cells with narrow cytoplasms. An immunohistochemical panel was used to exclude other tumors, such as melanoma, carcinoma, and sarcoma. The lymphoma was characterized by a cell-of-origin subtype of germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) based on Hans' classifier (CD10-negative, BCL6-positive, and MUM1-negative); EBER negativity, and the absence of BCL2, BCL6, and MYC rearrangements. Mutational profiling using a custom panel of 168 genes associated with aggressive B-cell lymphomas confirmed mutations in ACTB, ARID1B, DUSP2, DTX1, HLA-B, PTEN, and TNFRSF14. Based on the LymphGen 1.0 classification tool, this case had an ST2 subtype prediction. The immune microenvironment was characterized by moderate infiltration of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TMAs) with positivity of CD163, CSF1R, CD85A (LILRB3), and PD-L1; moderate PD-1 positive T cells, and low FOXP3 regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs). Immunohistochemical expression of PTX3 and TNFRSF14 was absent. Interestingly, the lymphoma cells were positive for HLA-DP-DR, IL-10, and RGS1, which are markers associated with poor prognosis in DLBCL. The patient was treated with R-CHOP therapy, and achieved a metabolically complete response.

Copy Number Alteration and Mutational Profile of High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 Rearrangements, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with MYC-Rearrangement, and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with MYC-Cluster Amplification.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with MYC alteration is classified as high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (double/triple-hit lymphoma; DHL/THL), DLBCL with MYC rearrangement (single-hit lymphoma; SHL) and DLBCL with MYC-cluster amplification (MCAD). To elucidate the genetic features of DHL/THL, SHL, and MCAD, 23 lymphoma cases from Tokai University Hospital were analyzed. The series included 10 cases of DHL/THL, 10 cases of SHL and 3 cases of MCAD. The analysis used whole-genome copy number microarray analysis (OncoScan) and a custom-made next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel of 115 genes associated with aggressive B-cell lymphomas. The copy number alteration (CNA) profiles were similar between DHL/THL and SHL. MCAD had fewer CNAs than those of DHL/THL and SHL, except for +8q24. The NGS profile characterized DHL/THL with a higher "mutation burden" than SHL (17 vs. 10, p = 0.010), and the most relevant genes for DHL/THL were BCL2 and SOCS1, and for SHL was DTX1. MCAD was characterized by mutations of DDX3X, TCF3, HLA-A, and TP53, whereas MYC was unmutated. In conclusion, DHL/THL, SHL, and MCAD have different profiles.

The multilobated morphology is still a better prognosis factor of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the R-CHOP era.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of B-cell lymphoma. Although the multilobated subtype of DLBCL has been observed since the 1970s, little is known about the clinical significance of this unique variant in the era of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin, prednisone/prednisolone (R-CHOP) therapy. In this study, the retrospective clinicopathological analysis of 312 patients diagnosed with DLBCL showed that the multilobated DLBCL group comprised 11% of the cases and was predominantly male (p = 0.027), achieved complete remission in the first therapy (p = 0.023), and exhibited germinal center B-cell phenotypes in the Hans algorithm (p = 0.025). The multilobated DLBCL groups had a better prognosis in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) than the non-multilobated DLBCL group (OS, p = 0.006; PFS, p = 0.010). In the multivariate Cox regression analyses for OS, independent prognosis factors were high soluble IL-2 receptor (p = 0.025), high risk of International Prognostic Index, and multilobated morphology (p = 0.031). The most characteristic copy number gains found in more than 50% of the cases were located at 1q, 3p, 10q, 12q, and 14q. Overall, the multilobated morphology in DLBCL exhibits a good outcome in the R-CHOP era.

Surface CD3-negative monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma.

Intestinal T/NK-cell lymphomas include enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL), monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL), indolent T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders of the GI tract (ITCLPD), extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL), and intestinal T-cell lymphoma NOS (ITCL-NOS). Here we describe a case of surface CD3-negative MEITL. A 63-year-old Japanese female had a tumor located in the conglomerated ileum, which formed multiple mass lesions. The resected tissue showed a diffuse infiltration of monomorphic medium-sized lymphocytes with epitheliotropism. Flowcytometry using a fresh specimen of the tumor revealed positivity for CD7, CD8, CD38, and CD56, but not surface CD3. On immunohistochemistry, the tumor showed positivity for cytoplasmic CD3, CD8, CD56, TIA-1, Granzyme B, and perforin. EBER with in situ hybridization was negative. Moreover, H3K36me3, which is negative in MEITL with SETD2-mutation, was positive. This is an important case of MEITL due to its oncogenesis.

A study on safe forceps grip force for the intestinal tract using haptic technology.

PURPOSE: The present study used haptic technology to determine the safe forceps grip force for preventing organ damage when handling the intestinal tract. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The small intestines of ten male beagle dogs (weighing 9.5-10 kg) were grasped with the entire forceps for one minute; the small intestines were then pulled out of the forceps and evaluated for damage. The force at which the shaft inside the forceps was pulled to close the tip of the forceps was defined as the grip force. Small intestine damage was classified into macroscopic (serosal defects, hemorrhage, hematomas, grip marks) and microscopic (damage layer to the mucosa, submucosa/muscularis mucosa, inner orbicularis muscle, external longitudinal muscle, serosa/subserosa). Grip marks and damage layer to the serosa/subserosa have been considered as acceptable safety margins when grasping the small intestines of beagle dogs. RESULTS: The macroscopic findings showed that the maximum grip force that produced a 0% incidence of hemorrhage and hematoma was 15 N. At the microscopic level, the maximum grip force that produced a 0% incidence of external longitudinal muscle injury was 15 N, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A grip force of 15 N does not damage the small intestines of beagle dogs.

High PTX3 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are associated with a poor prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). As macrophages are heterogeneous, the immune polarization and their pathological role warrant further study. We characterized the microenvironment of DLBCL by immunohistochemistry in a training set of 132 cases, which included 10 Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER)-positive and five high-grade B-cell lymphomas, with gene expression profiling in a representative subset of 37 cases. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma had a differential infiltration of TAMs. The high infiltration of CD68 (pan-macrophages), CD16 (M1-like), CD163, pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and interleukin (IL)-10-positive macrophages (M2c-like) and low infiltration of FOXP3-positive regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) correlated with poor survival. Activated B cell-like DLBCL was associated with high CD16, CD163, PTX3, and IL-10, and EBER-positive DLBCL with high CD163 and PTX3. Programmed cell death-ligand 1 positively correlated with CD16, CD163, IL-10, and RGS1. In a multivariate analysis of overall survival, PTX3 and International Prognostic Index were identified as the most relevant variables. The gene expression analysis showed upregulation of genes involved in innate and adaptive immune responses and macrophage and Toll-like receptor pathways in high PTX3 cases. The prognostic relevance of PTX3 was confirmed in a validation set of 159 cases. Finally, in a series from Europe and North America (GSE10846, R-CHOP-like treatment, n = 233) high gene expression of PTX3 correlated with poor survival, and moderately with CSF1R, CD16, MITF, CD163, MYC, and RGS1. Therefore, the high infiltration of M2c-like immune regulatory macrophages and low infiltration of FOXP3-positive Tregs is associated with a poor prognosis in DLBCL, for which PTX3 is a new prognostic biomarker.

AID is a poor prognostic marker of high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with MYC rearrangement is defined as double/triple-hit lymphoma (DHL/THL) or single-hit lymphoma (SHL) by the inclusion of the BCL2 and BCL6 rearrangements status. DHL/THL is called as "high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements" in the World Health Organization 2017 Classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. To find a prognostic biomarker of DHL/THL, we firstly examined 19 cases (molecular analysis series;10 cases of DHL/THL and 9 cases of SHL) with gene expression profile analysis. The gene expression profile analysis showed that the high expression of AICDA was associated with an adverse prognosis in DHL/THL, but not in SHL. Then, we evaluated immunohistochemical expression of AID, the protein product of AICDA, in 50 cases (molecular analysis series of 19 cases and additional immunohistochemistry series of 31 cases; 12 cases of DHL/THL and 19 cases of SHL) and confirmed that its expression was also associated with an adverse prognosis in DHL/THL. Therefore, AICDA and AID can be a predictor of an adverse clinical outcome in DHL/THL and immunohistochemistry of AID is useful to find DHL/THL-adverse prognosis group.

Artificial Neural Networks Predicted the Overall Survival and Molecular Subtypes of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Using a Pancancer Immune-Oncology Panel.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most frequent subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We used artificial neural networks (multilayer perceptron and radial basis function), machine learning, and conventional bioinformatics to predict the overall survival and molecular subtypes of DLBCL. The series included 106 cases and 730 genes of a pancancer immune-oncology panel (nCounter) as predictors. The multilayer perceptron predicted the outcome with high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.98, and ranked all the genes according to their importance. In a multivariate analysis, ARG1, TNFSF12, REL, and NRP1 correlated with favorable survival (hazard risks: 0.3-0.5), and IFNA8, CASP1, and CTSG, with poor survival (hazard risks = 1.0-2.1). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed enrichment toward poor prognosis. These high-risk genes were also associated with the gene expression of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (CD163), and MYD88 expression. The prognostic relevance of this set of 7 genes was also confirmed within the IPI and MYC translocation strata, the EBER-negative cases, the DLBCL not-otherwise specified (NOS) (High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements excluded), and an independent series of 414 cases of DLBCL in Europe and North America (GSE10846). The perceptron analysis also predicted molecular subtypes (based on the Lymph2Cx assay) with high accuracy (AUC = 1). STAT6, TREM2, and REL were associated with the germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtype, and CD37, GNLY, CD46, and IL17B were associated with the activated B-cell (ABC)/unspecified subtype. The GSEA had a sinusoidal-like plot with association to both molecular subtypes, and immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed the correlation of MAPK3 with the GCB subtype in another series of 96 cases (notably, MAPK3 also correlated with LMO2, but not with M2-like tumor-associated macrophage markers CD163, CSF1R, TNFAIP8, CASP8, PD-L1, PTX3, and IL-10). Finally, survival and molecular subtypes were successfully modeled using other machine learning techniques including logistic regression, discriminant analysis, SVM, CHAID, C5, C&R trees, KNN algorithm, and Bayesian network. In conclusion, prognoses and molecular subtypes were predicted with high accuracy using neural networks, and relevant genes were highlighted.

A surgical Case of Synchronous Multiple Primary Lung Cancers with Small Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The incidence of synchronous multiple primary lung cancers has increased in recent years, however, there are few reports of cases involving small cell carcinoma. A 72-year-old man was referred to our department because of an abnormal shadow on chest radiography. He was receiving treatment for pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer. Computed tomography revealed two lung nodules in the left lower lobe. A definitive diagnosis was unable to be made based on transbronchial lung biopsy. Positron emission tomography demonstrated abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the two lung nodules and lung cancer (cT3N0M0) was suspected. Thoracoscopic partial resection of the left lower lobe was performed. As primary lung cancer was diagnosed using the frozen specimen, we performed left lower lobectomy with lymph node dissection. Pathological examination of the S9 and S6 tumors revealed combined small cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. Both tumors were separated and diagnosed as synchronous multiple primary lung cancers. No lymph node metastasis was found. We report a rare case of synchronous multiple primary lung cancers, including small cell carcinoma.

[A case of simultaneous multicentric cancer in the gallbladder duct and the common bile duct without pancreaticobiliary maljunction].

A 68-year-old man who underwent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and was diagnosed with gallbladder duct carcinoma was referred to our hospital. Postoperative computed tomography showed thickening of the middle to lower bile duct without any tumorous lesions. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and intraductal ultrasonography revealed irregular wall thickening of the lower bile duct and apparent infiltration of gallbladder duct tumor to the common bile duct without pancreaticobiliary maljunction. Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Pathological examination showed papillary adenocarcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma in the gallbladder duct and BilIN-3 lesion in the distal bile duct. The final diagnosis was biliary simultaneous multicentric cancer without pancreaticobiliary maljunction.

Monomorphic Epitheliotropic Intestinal T-Cell Lymphoma in Asia Frequently Shows SETD2 Alterations.

Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) is a rare primary T-cell lymphoma of the digestive tract derived from intraepithelial lymphocytes and characterized by an aggressive clinical course. In this study, nine cases of Japanese MEITL were analyzed by targeted Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and immunohistochemistry and were integrated with previously reported whole-genome copy number microarray-based assay data. The highlight of our findings is that all cases showed alterations of the tumor suppressor gene SETD2 by mutations and/or loss of the corresponding 3p21 locus. We also demonstrated that all cases showed mutations in one or more genes of JAK/STAT pathway. Therefore, the combination of epigenetic deregulation and cell signaling activation represent major oncogenic events in the pathogenesis of MEITL in Asian MEITL, similar to Western MEITL.

Pulmonary Manifestations of Plasma Cell Type Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease: A Clinicopathological Study in Comparison with IgG4-Related Disease.

Plasma cell type idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (PC-iMCD) occasionally manifests as parenchymal lung disease. This study aimed to elucidate the detailed clinicopathological features of lung lesions in PC-iMCD and compare the findings with those in immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related disease (IgG4-RD), the most difficult differential diagnosis of PC-iMCD. We analyzed the clinicopathological findings and immunohistochemical expression patterns of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Igs in lung specimens from 16 patients with PC-iMCD and 7 patients with IgG4-RD. Histologically, pulmonary PC-iMCD could not be differentiated from IgG4-RD based on lesion distribution patterns, the number of lymphoid follicles and obliterative vasculitis, or fibrosis types. The eosinophil count was higher in the IgG4-RD group than in the PC-iMCD group (p = 0.004). The IgG4/IgG-positive cell ratio was significantly higher in the IgG4-RD group (p < 0.001). The IgA-positive cell count and IL-6 expression intensity were higher in the PC-iMCD group than in the IgG4-RD group (p < 0.001). Based on these findings, we proposed a new diagnostic approach to differentiate lung lesions of PC-iMCD and IgG4-RD. Our approach can be utilized to stratify patients with suspected lung-dominant PC-iMCD to identify candidates for strong immunosuppressive treatment, including IL-6 blockade, at an early stage.

High TNFRSF14 and low BTLA are associated with poor prognosis in Follicular Lymphoma and in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma transformation.

The microenvironment influences the behavior of follicular lymphoma (FL) but the specific roles of the immunomodulatory BTLA and TNFRSF14 (HVEM) are unknown. Therefore, we examined their immunohistochemical expression in the intrafollicular, interfollicular and total histological compartments in 106 FL cases (57M/49F; median age 57-years), and in nine relapsed-FL with transformation to DLBCL (tFL). BTLA expression pattern was of follicular T-helper cells (TFH) in the intrafollicular and of T-cells in the interfollicular compartments. The mantle zones were BTLA+ in 35.6% of the cases with similar distribution of IgD. TNFRSF14 expression pattern was of neoplastic B lymphocytes (centroblasts) and "tingible body macrophages". At diagnosis, the averages of total BTLA and TNFRSF14-positive cells were 19.2%±12.4STD (range, 0.6%-58.2%) and 46.7 cells/HPF (1-286.5), respectively. No differences were seen between low-grade vs. high-grade FL but tFL was characterized by low BTLA and high TNFRSF14 expression. High BTLA correlated with good overall survival (OS) (total-BTLA, Hazard Risk=0.479, P=0.022) and with high PD-1 and FOXP3+Tregs. High TNFRSF14 correlated with poor OS and progression-free survival (PFS) (total-TNFRSF14, HR=3.9 and 3.2, respectively, P<0.0001), with unfavorable clinical variables and higher risk of transformation (OR=5.3). Multivariate analysis including BTLA, TNFRSF14 and FLIPI showed that TNFRSF14 and FLIPI maintained prognostic value for OS and TNFRSF14 for PFS. In the GSE16131 FL series, high TNFRSF14 gene expression correlated with worse prognosis and GSEA showed that NFkB pathway was associated with the "High-TNFRSF14/dead-phenotype".In conclusion, the BTLA-TNFRSF14 immune modulation pathway seems to play a role in the pathobiology and prognosis of FL.

Genomic Profile and Pathologic Features of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Subtype of Methotrexate-associated Lymphoproliferative Disorder in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients often develop the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtype of methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (DLBCL). We characterized the genomic profile and pathologic characteristics of 20 biopsies using an integrative approach. DLBCL was associated with extranodal involvement, a high/high-intermediate international prognostic index in 53% of cases, and responded to MTX withdrawal. The phenotype was nongerminal center B-cell in 85% of samples and Epstein-Barr encoding region positive (EBER) in 65%, with a high proliferation index and intermediate MYC expression levels. The immune microenvironment showed high numbers of CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD163 M2 macrophages with an (CD163/CD68) M2 ratio of 3.6. Its genomic profile was characterized by 3p12.1-q25.31, 6p25.3, 8q23.1-q24.3, and 12p13.33-q24.33 gains, 6q22.31-q24.1 and 13q21.33-q34 losses, and 1p36.11-p35.3 copy neutral loss-of-heterozygosity. This profile was closer to nongerminal center B-cell DLBCL not-otherwise-specified, but with characteristic 3q, 12q, and 20p gains and lower 9p losses (P<0.05). We successfully verified array results using fluorescent DNA in situ hybridization on PLOD2, MYC, WNT1, and BCL2. Protein immunohistochemistry revealed that DLBCL expressed high IRF4 (6p25.3) and SELPLG (12q24.11) levels, intermediate TNFRSF14 (1p36.32; the exons 1 to 3 were unmutated), BTLA (3q13.2), PLOD2 (3q24), KLHL6 (3q27.1), and MYC (8q24.21) levels, and low AICDA (12p13.31) and EFNB2 (13q33.3) levels. The correlation between the DNA copy number and protein immunohistochemistry was confirmed for BTLA, PLOD2, and EFNB2. The characteristics of EBER versus EBER cases were similar, with the exception of specific changes: EBER cases had higher numbers of CD163 M2 macrophages and FOXP3 regulatory T lymphocytes, high programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 expression levels, slightly fewer genomic changes, and 3q and 4p focal gains. In conclusion, DLBCL has a characteristic genomic profile with 3q and 12 gains, 13q loss, different expression levels of relevant pathogenic biomarkers, and a microenvironment with high numbers of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and M2 macrophages.

Clinicopathological characteristics and genomic profile of primary sinonasal tract diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) reveals gain at 1q31 and RGS1 encoding protein; high RGS1 immunohistochemical expression associates with poor overall survival in DLBCL not otherwise specified (NOS).

AIMS: We aimed to define the clinicopathological characteristics of 29 primary sinonasal diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCLsn ) in a series of 240 cases of DLBCL not otherwise specified [DLBCLall (NOS) ], including DLBCLsn training set (n = 11) and validation set (n = 18), and DLBCLnon-sn (n = 211). METHODS AND RESULTS: In the training set, 82% had a non-germinal center B-cell-like (Hans' Classifier) (non-GCB) phenotype and 18% were Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs (EBER)+ . The genomic profile showed gains(+) of 1q21.3q31.2 (55%), 10q24.1 (46%), 11q14.1 (46%) and 18q12.1q23 (46%); losses(-) of 6q26q27 (55%) and 9p21.3 (64%); and copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity (LOH) (acquired uniparental disomy, UPD) at 6p25.3p21.31 (36%). This profile is comparable to DLBCLNOS (GSE11318, n = 203.) and closer to non-GCB/activated B-cell-like subtype (ABC). Nevertheless, +1q31, -9p21.3 and -10q11.1q26.2 were more characteristic of DLBCLsn (P < 0.001). Array results were verified successfully by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on +1q21.3 (CKS1B), -6q26 (PARK2), +8q24.21 (MYC), -9p21.3 (MTAP, CDKN2A/B), -17p13.1 (TP53) and +18q21.33 (BCL2) with 82-91% agreement. Minimal common regions included biologically relevant genes of MNDA (+1q23.1), RGS1 and RGS13 (+1q31.2), FOXP1 (+3p13), PRDM1 (BLIMP1) and PARK2 (-6q21q26), MYC (+8q24.21), CDKN2A (-9p21.3), PTEN (-10q23.31), MDM2 (+12q15), TP53 (-17p13.1) and BCL2 (+18q21.33). Correlation between DNA copy number and protein immunohistochemistry was confirmed for RGS1, RGS13, FOXP1, PARK2 and BCL2. The microenvironment had high infiltration of M2-like tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) and CD8+ T lymphocytes that associated with higher genomic instability. The DLBCLsn validation set confirmed the clinicopathological characteristics, all FISH loci and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for RGS1. RGS1, one of the most frequently altered genes, was analysed by IHC in DLBCLall and high RGS1 expression associated with non-GCB, EBER+ and unfavourable overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.794; P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: DLBCLsn has a characteristic genomic profile. High RGS1 IHC expression associates with poor overall survival in DLBCLall (NOS) .

Two-year follow-up period showing the natural history of a superficial esophageal adenocarcinoma arising in a long segment of Barrett's esophagus.

A 55-year-old woman experienced gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by scleroderma. An initial endoscopy revealed an erosive lesion in a long segment of Barrett's esophagus, and a biopsy led to a diagnosis of ectopic gastric mucosa. Two years later, an irregular, elevated tumor developed at the same site. This tumor was suspected of having invaded the submucosal layer. A second biopsy led to a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. The patient subsequently underwent a thoracoscopic esophagectomy. The resected specimen revealed an invasive tumor front that had invaded the deep layer of a duplicated muscularis mucosae. Intraepithelial neoplasia partially surrounded the tumor. This lesion was thought to have developed into an adenocarcinoma according to the orderly sequence of metaplasia, intraepithelial neoplasia and finally adenocarcinoma over a 2-year period. The present case suggests that erosive lesions in Barrett's esophagus should be strictly followed up by endoscopy, even if a biopsy does not reveal any neoplastic findings.

A Case of Colon Cancer Associated with Ulcerative Colitis: Evaluation Using CT Colonography.

A 29-year-old female with ulcerative colitis was found to have advanced sigmoid colon cancer on colonoscopy. Computed tomography (CT) was performed after colonoscopy for the evaluation of metastasis. CT colonography (CTC) could be understood adding carbon dioxide because of soon after colonoscopic examination. Images of CTC were evaluated by two- and three-dimensional images including virtual endoscopic, virtual colon dissection and air images, and then compared with conventional endoscopic images. Virtual endoscopic images of flat elevated cancer with shallow ulcer were similar to those findings by conventional endoscopy. This lesion could be depicted by computer-aided detection.