Clinicopathologic Factors Associated with Prognosis in Patients with Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Objectives: Due to its rarity, there is insufficient evidence for managing ASCC patients with distant metastasis. Thus far, the therapeutic strategy for distant metastasis of ASCC is less standardized and requires a more individualized approach. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain information regarding treatment outcomes and prognostic factors following the development of distant metastasis to identify optimal care strategies for better patient outcomes and predict their prognosis. Methods: In the multi-institute cohort study conducted in Japan, we retrospectively assessed 58 ASCC patients with synchronous distant metastasis and 28 ASCC patients with metachronous distant metastasis. Results: When comparing the OS between ASCC patients with synchronous distant metastasis and metachronous distant metastasis, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The OS rate at five years was 37.4% for patients with synchronous distant metastasis and 27.6%; for metachronous distant metastasis. In ASCC patients with synchronous distant metastasis, patients with distant metastasis at multiple sites exhibited extremely worse OS than those at single sites (HR: 4.56, 95% CI: 1.16-18.00, P< 0.0001). In addition, in ASCC patients with metachronous distant metastasis, early recurrence was an independent factor for predicting poor OS in the multivariate analysis (HR: 4.13, 95% CI: 1.22-13.94, P = 0.022). Conclusions: ASCC patients with distant metastasis at multiple sites were a worse prognosis. In addition, early recurrence was identified as an independent prognostic factor for OS among ASCC patients.

Predictive modeling for the germline pathogenic variant of the APC gene in patients with adenomatous polyposis: proposing a new APC score.

BACKGROUND: The precise diagnosis and medical management of patients with suspected familial adenomatous polyposis should be based on genetic testing, which may not always be available. Therefore, establishing a new model for predicting the likelihood of a germline pathogenic variant (GPV) of APC based on its clinical manifestations could prove to be useful in clinical practice. METHODS: The presence of GPVs of APC gene was investigated in 162 patients with adenomatous polyposis (≥ 10 polyps) using a multigene panel or single-gene testing. To generate a predictive model for GPV of the APC gene, a logistic regression analysis was performed using the clinicopathological variables available at the time of the diagnosis of adenomatous polyposis. RESULTS: Ninety (55.6%) patients had GPV of the APC gene. According to a multivariate logistic regression analysis, age < 40 years, polyps ≥ 100, fundic gland polyposis, and a family history of colorectal polyposis were found to be independent predictors of the GPV of APC and were used to establish a formula for predicting the GPV of APC using the four predictors. The prediction model had an area under the curve of 0.91 (0.86-0.96) according to a receiver operating characteristic analysis. CONCLUSION: The model for predicting the GPV of APC will help patients with adenomatous polyposis and physicians make decisions about genetic testing.

Long-term Outcome After Surgical Resection of Paraaortic Lymph Node Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The significance of resection of paraaortic lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the prognosis of colorectal cancer after paraaortic lymph node metastasis resection. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective study. SETTINGS: Thirty-six institutions in Japan participated in this study. PATIENTS: Patients with resected and pathologically proven paraaortic lymph node metastasis of CRC between 2010 and 2015. DATA SOURCES: Database and medical records at each institution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall survival after paraaortic lymph node metastasis resection, recurrence-free survival, and recurrence patterns after R0 resection of paraaortic lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were included in the primary analysis population in this study. The 5-year overall survival rate (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 41.0% (32.0, 49.8), and the median survival (95% CI) was 4.1 (3.4, 4.7) years. Independent prognostic factors for overall survival were the pathological T stage (pT4 vs. pT1- 3, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.91, p = 0.006), other organ metastasis (present vs. absent, aHR: 1.98, p = 0.005), time to metastases (synchronous vs. metachronous, aHR: 2.02, p = 0.02), and number of paraaortic lymph node metastasis (≥3 vs. <3, aHR: 2.13, p = 0.001). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate (95% CI) was 21.1% (13.5, 29.7), with a median (95% CI) of 1.2 (0.9, 1.4) years. The primary tumor location (left- vs. right-sided colon, aHR: 4.77, p = 0.01; rectum vs. right-sided colon, aHR: 5.27, p = 0.006), other organ metastasis (present vs. absent, aHR: 1.90, p = 0.03), number of paraaortic lymph node metastasis (≥3 vs. <3, aHR: 2.20, p = 0.001), and hospital volume (<10 vs. ≥10, aHR: 2.18, p = 0.02) were identified as independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival. Paraaortic lymph node recurrence was the most common at 33.3%. LIMITATIONS: Selection bias cannot be ruled out because of the retrospective nature of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Less than three paraaortic lymph node metastasis was a favorable prognostic factor for both overall survival and recurrence-free survival. However, paraaortic lymph node metastases were considered to be a systemic disease and the significance of resection was limited. See Video Abstract.

Colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma characteristics according to causative mismatch repair gene variant in Japanese colorectal surveillance for Lynch syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The optimal interval of colonoscopy (CS) surveillance in cases with Lynch syndrome (LS), and stratification according to the causative mismatch repair gene mutation, has received much attention. To verify a feasible and effective CS surveillance strategy, we investigated the colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence at different intervals and the characteristics of precancerous colorectal lesions of LS cases. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted in Japan. CRCs and advanced adenomas (AAs) in 316 LS cases with germline pathogenic variants (path_) were analyzed according to the data of 1,756 registered CS. RESULTS: The mean time interval for advanced CRCs (ACs) detected via CS surveillance was 28.7 months (95% confidence interval: 13.8-43.5). The rate of AC detection within (2.1%) and beyond 2 years (8.7%) differed significantly (p = 0.0003). AAs accounted for 43%, 46%, and 41% of lesions < 10 mm in size in the MLH1-, MSH2-, and MSH6-groups, respectively. The lifetime incidence of metachronous CRCs requiring intestinal resection for path_MLH1, path_MSH2, and path_MSH6 cases was 34%, 23%, and 14% in these cases, respectively. The cumulative CRC incidence showed a trend towards a 10-year delay for path_MSH6 cases as compared with that for path_MLH1 and path_MSH2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In cases with path_MLH1, path_MSH2, and path_MSH6, maintaining an appropriate CS surveillance interval of within 2 years is advisable to detect of the colorectal lesion amenable to endoscopic treatment. path_MSH6 cases could be stratified with path_MLH1 and MSH2 cases in terms of risk of metachronous CRC and age of onset.

Marital status after colorectal surgery in familial adenomatous polyposis: a nationwide multicenter study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) experience psychological and social challenges concerning future events such as marriage and childbirth alongside the medical risks of colorectal cancer (CRC) and FAP-related disease. We retrospectively investigated the rate of marriage and childbirth postoperatively in Japanese patients with FAP. METHODS: We included 161 patients who had colorectal surgery and reported marital status from a national survey of 35 Japanese institutions. Participants were classified according to marital status: married before colectomy (80 patients), married after colectomy (13 patients), and unmarried (68 patients). RESULTS: The marriage rate for all 161 patients (57.8%, standardized ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-1.14) was comparable to that in the general Japanese population (57.1%). The marriage rate among the 81 patients who were unmarried before colectomy was low (16.0%); however, the standardized marital ratio (0.75, 95% CI 0.34-1.15) was not significantly lower than that of the general population. In multivariable logistic regression, younger age (born after 1980, odds ratio [OR] 0.12, p < 0.001) and genetic testing (OR 4.06, p = 0.001) were associated with postoperative marriage. Seventy-one percent of patients with FAP who married after colectomy became pregnant and achieved delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The marriage rate of patients with FAP was comparable to that of the general population whereas the rate after colectomy was low among patients with FAP. However, in patients with FAP, colorectal surgery itself may not lead to negative consequences in terms of fecundity.

Genomic landscape of comprehensive genomic profiling in patients with malignant solid tumors in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) can aid the discovery of clinically useful, candidate antitumor agents; however, the variant annotations sometimes differ among the various types of CGP tests as well as the public database. The aim of this study is to clarify the genomic landscape of evaluating detected variants in patients with a malignant solid tumor. METHODS: The present, cross-sectional study used data from 57,084 patients with a malignant solid tumor who underwent CGP at the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT) between June 1, 2019 and August 18, 2023. The pathogenicity of the variants was annotated using public databases. RESULTS: As a result of re-annotation of the detected variants, 20.1% were pathogenic and 1.4% were benign. The mean number of pathogenic variants was 4.30 (95% confidence interval: 4.27-4.32) per patient. Of the entire cohort, 5.7% had no pathogenic variant. The co-occurrence of the genes depended on the tumor type. Germline findings were detected in 6.2%, 8.8%, and 15.8% of the patients using a tumor/normal panel, tumor-only panel, and liquid panel, respectively, with the most common gene being BRCA2 followed by TP53 and BRCA1. CONCLUSIONS: The detected variants should be re-annotated because several benign variants or variants of unknown significance were included in the CGP, and the genomic landscape derived from these results will help researchers and physicians interpret the results of CGP tests. The method of extracting presumptive, germline, pathogenic variants from patients using a tumor-only panel or circulating tumor DNA panel requires improvement.

Incidence and molecular characteristics of deficient mismatch repair conditions across nine different tumors and identification of germline variants involved in Lynch-like syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Based on molecular characteristics, deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) solid tumors are largely divided into three categories: somatically MLH1-hypermethylated tumors, Lynch syndrome (LS)-associated tumors, and Lynch-like syndrome (LLS)-associated tumors. The incidence of each of these conditions and the corresponding pathogenic genes related to LLS remain elusive. METHODS: We identified dMMR tumors in 3609 tumors from 9 different solid organs, including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, small-bowel cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, upper urinary tract cancer, urinary bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and sebaceous tumor, and comprehensively summarized the characterization of dMMR tumors. Characterization of dMMR tumors were performed as loss of at least one of MMR proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2), by immunohistochemistry, followed by MLH1 promotor methylation analysis and genetic testing for MMR genes where appropriate. Somatic variant analysis of MMR genes and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed in patients with LLS. RESULTS: In total, the incidence of dMMR tumors was 5.9% (24/3609). The incidence of dMMR tumors and the proportion of the three categorized dMMR tumors varied considerably with different tumor types. One to three likely pathogenic/pathogenic somatic MMR gene variants were detected in 15 out of the 16 available LLS tumors. One patient each from 12 patients who gave consent to WES demonstrated non-MMR germline variants affect function (POLQ or BRCA1). CONCLUSIONS: Our data regarding the LS to LLS ratio would be useful for genetic counseling in patients who are suspected to have LS, though the genetic backgrounds for the pathogenesis of LLS need further investigation.

Clinicopathological characteristics of Lynch-like syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Lynch-like syndrome (LLS) has recently been proposed as a third type of microsatellite instability (MSI) tumor after Lynch syndrome (LS) and sporadic MSI colorectal cancer (CRC) without either a germline variant of mismatch repair (MMR) genes or hypermethylation of the MLH1 gene. The present study aimed to clarify and compare the clinicopathological characteristics of LLS with those of the other MSI CRC subtypes. METHODS: In total, 2634 consecutive patients with CRC who underwent surgical resection and subsequently received universal tumor screening (UTS), including MSI analysis were enrolled between January 2008 and November 2019. Genetic testing was performed in patients suspected of having Lynch syndrome. RESULTS: UTS of the cohort found 146 patients with MSI CRC (5.5%). Of these, excluding sporadic MSI CRC, 30 (1.1%) had a diagnosis of LS, and 19 (0.7%) had no germline pathogenic variants of the MMR gene. The CRC type in the latter group was identified as LLS. LLS occurred significantly more often in young patients, was left-sided, involved a KRAS variant and BRAF wild-type, and had a higher concordance rate with the Revised Bethesda Guidelines than sporadic MSI CRC. No significant differences were observed in terms of the clinicopathological factors between LLS and LS-associated MSI CRC; however, LLS had a lower frequency of LS-related neoplasms compared with LS. CONCLUSIONS: Distinguishing clinically between LS and LLS was challenging, but the incidence of neoplasms was higher in LS than in LLS, suggesting the need for different screening and surveillance methods for the two subtypes.

[Early Duodenal Cancer Resected by Using Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Assistance Surgery in a Patient with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome].

A 28-year-old female with a history of treatment for small intestinal polyps and characteristic pigmentation of her lip was clinically diagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome(PJS). Her sister had the pathogenic variant of STK11 upon genetic testing. A 20-mm polyp was identified in the second part the patient's duodenum on routine gastrointestinal surveillance, and biopsy revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Laparoscopic partial duodenectomy with endoscopy was planned. After confirming the location of the tumor and Kocherization using a laparoscope, the polyp was resected via submucosal dissection under direct visualization with a small incision. The polyp was diagnosed as well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in situ and was resected without remnants. PJS is characterized by a high incidence of malignant tumors, and lifelong surveillance for gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal tumors is necessary. The incidence of duodenal cancer is not high among patients with PJS. However, surgery for advanced cancer is highly invasive. It is desirable to detect the tumors at an early stage so that they can be resected via a less invasive treatment method such as endoscopic resection or laparoscopic surgery with an endoscope.

[Development of Cancer of the Remnant Colorectal Segment after Ileal-Pouch Anal Anastomosis/Ileorectal Anastomosis in Patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis].

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was performed to investigate the recent trend of occurrence of cancer of the remnant colorectal segment(RCRS)after ileal-pouch anal anastomosis(IPAA)/ileorectal anastomosis(IRA)and to consider the optimal surveillance methods in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis(FAP)undergoing(procto)colectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subject was a total of patients with FAP undergoing IPAA or IRA between 2005 and 2022. Clinicopathological data were extracted from medical charts and analyzed. Cumulative incidence of cancer in the RCRS and overall survival after treatment of such tumors were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: There were 45 male and 56 female. IPAA was performed in 49 patients(hand-sewn; n=33, stapled; n=16)and IRA was performed in 52 patients. The median age at initial colorectal surgery was 32 years old(range, 13-66 years old). Median postoperative follow-up was 11 years(range, 1-48 years). Eighty-one patients were confirmed to have pathogenic variant of APC by genetic test. The cumulative incidence of cancer of the RCRS did not differ between patients undergoing IPAA and those undergoing IRA(p= 0.73, 4.1% versus 1.9% at 10 years). The cumulative 5-year overall survival rate after additional surgery for the tumor of RCRS was 82%. CONCLUSION: This study has several limitations due to single institutional retrospective study with small cases and non-standardized postoperative endoscopic surveillance. However, our results seem to show satisfactory oncological outcomes of patients with FAP in terms of the control of cancer of the RCRS under postoperative periodic surveillance, regardless of the type of colorectal resection.

Risk of metachronous colorectal cancer after surgical resection of index rectal cancer in Lynch syndrome: a multicenter retrospective study in Japan.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the risk of metachronous colorectal cancer (CRC) after resection of index (first) rectal cancer in patients with Lynch syndrome (LS). METHODS: Clinicopathological data of patients with genetically proven LS were retrospectively analyzed in this multicenter Japanese study. The cumulative incidence of metachronous CRC and the overall survival were compared between patients with index rectal cancer (rectal group) and those with index colon cancer (colon group). RESULTS: The median age at index CRC surgery was lower in the rectal group than in the colon group (37 vs. 46 years old, P = 0.01). The cumulative 5-, 10-, and 20-year incidences of metachronous CRC were 3.5%, 13.9%, and 21.1%, respectively, in the rectal cancer group and 14.9%, 22.0%, and 57.9%, respectively, in the colon cancer group (P = 0.02). The overall survival curves were not significantly different between two groups (P = 0.23). CONCLUSION: This is the first report from an East Asian country to report the risk of metachronous CRC after resection of index rectal cancer in patients with LS. Despite this study having several limitations, we cannot recommend extended resection, such as total proctocolectomy, for index rectal cancer as a standard surgical treatment in patients with LS.

Risk of gastric adenoma and adenocarcinoma in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis in Japan: a nationwide multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have an increased risk of developing gastric neoplasms. However, the clinical course of FAP with these gastric lesions has not yet been fully clarified. The present study aimed to clarify the changes in the incidence risk of developing gastric adenoma or gastric cancer during the lifespan of patients with FAP. METHODS: Four hundred forty-three patients with data regarding gastric adenoma and gastric cancer retrospectively registered in a nationwide Japanese multicenter study were enrolled. The cumulative incidences and hazard rates (HRs) of gastric neoplasms were evaluated. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence rates in 50-year-old patients with FAP were 22.8% for gastric adenoma and 7.6% for gastric cancer, respectively. No significant association was found between gastric neoplasms and the colonic phenotype. The peak age for the HR of gastric adenoma was 65 years, with the highest HR (0.043). Regarding the incidence of gastric cancer, the HR increased moderately up to the age of 40 years, but the increase accelerated from the age of 50 years (HR = 0.0067). CONCLUSION: Careful surveillance of the upper gastrointestinal tract in elderly patients with FAP, such as shortening the interval of follow-up according to age, may be helpful for early diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Clinical features and distribution of the APC variant in duodenal and ampullary polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Management of duodenal or ampullary adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a major challenge for clinicians. Insufficient data are available to evaluate the clinical manifestations and distribution of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) variants in these patients. METHODS: We enrolled 451 patients with data regarding duodenal or ampullary polyps from 632 patients with FAP retrospectively registered in a nationwide Japanese multicenter study. Clinicopathological features and distribution of APC variants were compared between patients with and without duodenal or ampullary polyps. RESULTS: Duodenal and ampullary polyps were found in 59% and 18% of patients with FAP, respectively. The incidence of duodenal cancer was 4.7% in patients with duodenal polyps, and that of ampullary cancer was 18% in patients with ampullary polyps. Duodenal polyps were significantly associated with the presence of ampullary polyps and jejunal/ileal polyps. Duodenal polyps progressed in 35% of patients with a median follow-up of 776 days, mostly in those with early Spigelman stage lesions. Ampullary polyps progressed in 50% of patients with a follow-up of 1484 days. However, only one patient developed a malignancy. The proportion of patients with duodenal polyps was significantly higher among those with intermediate- or profuse-type APC variants than attenuated-type APC variants. The presence of duodenal polyps was significantly associated with ampullary and jejunal/ileal polyps in patients with intermediate- or profuse-type APC variants. CONCLUSIONS: Periodic endoscopic surveillance of the papilla of Vater and small intestine should be planned for patients with FAP with duodenal polyps.

[A Case of Transverse Colon Cancer Associated with Lynch Syndrome with Excellent Response to Pembrolizumab].

A 47-year-old woman diagnosed with transverse colon cancer with liver, peritoneal, and lymph node metastases was admitted. Modified FOLFOX6(mFOLFOX6)regimen was given as a first line chemotherapy and was followed by pembrolizumab after 1 cycle of the mFOLFOX6, because microsatellite instability(MSI)test of the tumor showed high-frequency MSI. Because of the transverse colon obstruction after 2 cycles of pembrolizumab, she underwent right hemicolectomy. Histological examination of the resected specimen revealed no residual tumor cells in the primary tumor and reginal lymph nodes. Immunohistochemistry for mismatch repair proteins(IHC-MMR)showed loss of MSH2 and MSH6 expression. Genetic test identified a MSH2 pathogenic variant leading to the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome. The present case shows the importance of MSI test or IHC-MMR before the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

[Complete Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Unresectable Gastric Cancer-A Report of Five Cases].

Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)are widely used for the treatment of unresectable gastric cancer. We treated approximately 70 patients with ICIs. ICI treatment with pembrolizumab was administered for MSI-high cases and nivolumab for MSS cases in the second- or third-line chemotherapy. We observed 5 cases of complete response. Among these, 2 patients presented with liver metastases, 2 with peritoneal disseminations, and 1 with pulmonary metastasis. In 1 patient, the primary tumor invaded the diaphragm and descending aorta; whereas, in another patient the primary tumor invaded the pancreas and liver. All patients had progressive disease after first-line chemotherapy.

A Case of Lamina Lucida-Type Linear IgA Disease Complicated by Colon Polyposis and Rectal Adenocarcinoma.

Linear IgA disease (LAD) is a rare autoimmune bullous disease characterized by IgA deposition in the basement membrane zone (BMZ). A 66-year-old male was treated for myelodysplastic syndrome at our hospital for 5 years, during which his condition remained stable. He visited our department because of erythema with itching, which appeared 1 year ago and gradually exacerbated with the development of blisters and erosions. During the first visit, multiple erythemas with erosions and crusts on their periphery were observed on the trunk and lower limbs. Histopathological examination revealed subepidermal blisters with inflammatory cell infiltration, mainly constituting of neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes. Direct and indirect immunofluorescence showed linear IgA deposits in the BMZ and IgA anti-BMZ antibodies, respectively, while immunoblotting using a concentrated culture supernatant of HaCaT cells detected IgA antibodies reactive to 120-kDa LAD-1. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with lamina lucida-type LAD. Subsequent colonoscopy revealed multiple colorectal polyps and rectal adenocarcinoma (Tis, N0, and M0). Multigene panel test showed an ATM variant of unknown significance but did not detect any pathogenic variants associated with intestinal polyposis syndrome. The skin lesions quickly resolved with oral diaphenylsulfone 50 mg/day and resection of the colorectal polyps and adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of LAD associated with multiple colorectal polyps and rectal adenocarcinoma. Additionally, we also analyzed reported cases of LAD associated with malignancy from the literature.

Clinical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Cowden Syndrome/PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome in Children and Adults-Secondary Publication.

Cowden syndrome (CS)/PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited condition caused by germline pathogenesis. It is associated with multiple hamartomatous lesions occurring in various organs and tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract, skin, mucous membranes, breast, thyroid, endometrium, and brain. Macrocephaly or multiple characteristic mucocutaneous lesions commonly develop in individuals in their 20s. This syndrome is occasionally diagnosed in childhood due to the occurrence of multiple gastrointestinal polyps, autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual disability. CS/PHTS can be diagnosed taking the opportunity of multigene panel testing in patients with cancer. Appropriate surveillance for early diagnosis of associated cancers is required because patients have a high risk of cancers including breast, thyroid, colorectal, endometrial, and renal cancers. Under these circumstances, there is growing concern regarding the management of CS/PHTS in Japan, but there are no available practice guidelines. To address this situation, the guideline committee, which included specialists from multiple academic societies, was organized by the Research Group on Rare and Intractable Diseases granted by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Japan. The present clinical guidelines explain the principles in the diagnosis and management of CS/PHTS, together with four clinical questions and the corresponding recommendations, incorporating the concept of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. Herein, we present an English version of the guideline, some of which have been updated, to promote seamless implementation of accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients with CS/PHTS.

Novel quantitative immunohistochemical analysis for evaluating PD-L1 expression with phosphor-integrated dots for predicting the efficacy of patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Introduction: Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in tumor tissues is measured as a predictor of the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in many cancer types. PD-L1 expression is evaluated by immunohistochemical staining using 3,3´-diaminobenzidine (DAB) chronogenesis (IHC-DAB); however, quantitative and reproducibility issues remain. We focused on a highly sensitive quantitative immunohistochemical method using phosphor-integrated dots (PIDs), which are fluorescent nanoparticles, and evaluated PD-L1 expression between the PID method and conventional DAB method. Methods: In total, 155 patients with metastatic or recurrent cancer treated with ICIs were enrolled from four university hospitals. Tumor tissue specimens collected before treatment were subjected to immunohistochemical staining with both the PID and conventional DAB methods to evaluate PD-L1 protein expression. Results: PD-L1 expression assessed using the PID and DAB methods was positively correlated. We quantified PD-L1 expression using the PID method and calculated PD-L1 PID scores. The PID score was significantly higher in the responder group than in the non-responder group. Survival analysis demonstrated that PD-L1 expression evaluated using the IHC-DAB method was not associated with progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). Yet, PFS and OS were strikingly prolonged in the high PD-L1 PID score group. Conclusion: Quantification of PD-L1 expression as a PID score was more effective in predicting the treatment efficacy and prognosis of patients with cancer treated with ICIs. The quantitative evaluation of PD-L1 expression using the PID method is a novel strategy for protein detection. It is highly significant that the PID method was able to identify a group of patients with a favorable prognosis who could not be identified by the conventional DAB method.

Usefulness of genotyping APC gene for individualizing management of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal polyp burden is crucial for the management of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). However, accurate evaluation of polyp burden is difficult to standardize. This study aimed to examine the possible utility of genotype-oriented management of colorectal neoplasms in patients with FAP. METHODS: Clinicopathological data from genetically proven patients with FAP was analyzed using the database of a nationwide retrospective Japanese multicenter study. The cumulative incidence of CRC was evaluated between different genotype groups. Genotype-1 were defined as germline variants on attenuated FAP-associated regions (codons 1-177, alternative splice site of exon 10 (codon 312), 1581-2843) and Genotype-2 as the other variants. Weibull and Joinpoint analyses were performed to determine the annual percentage changes in CRC risk. RESULTS: Overall, 69 men and 102 women were included. Forty-eight patients underwent colorectal resection for the first CRC, and five patients underwent resection for first cancer in the remnant anorectal segment after prophylactic surgery. The 70-year cumulative incidence of CRC in all patients was 59.3%. Patients with Genotype-1 (n = 23) demonstrated a lower risk of CRC stages II-IV than those with Genotype-2 (n = 148, P = 0.04). The risk of stage II-IV CRC was estimated to increase markedly at the age of 49 years in the Genotype-1 patients and 34 years in the Genotype-2 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Different interventional strategies based on genotypes may be proposed for the clinical management of patients with FAP. This policy needs to be validated in further prospective studies focusing on long-term endoscopic intervention and optimal age at prophylactic (procto)colectomy.