Multiscale quantification of morphological heterogeneity with creation of a predictor of longer survival in glioblastoma

Intratumor heterogeneity is a main cause of the dismal prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM). Yet, there remains a lack of a uniform assessment of the degree of heterogeneity. With a multiscale approach, we addressed the hypothesis that intratumor heterogeneity exists on different levels comprising traditional regional analyses, but also innovative methods including computer-assisted analysis of tumor morphology combined with epigenomic data. With this aim, 157 biopsies of 37 patients with therapy-naive IDH-wildtype GBM were analyzed regarding the intratumor variance of protein expression of glial marker GFAP, microglia marker Iba1 and proliferation marker Mib1. Hematoxylin and eosin stained slides were evaluated for tumor vascularization. For the estimation of pixel intensity and nuclear profiling, automated analysis was used. Additionally, DNA methylation profiling was conducted separately for the single biopsies. Scoring systems were established to integrate several parameters into one score for the four examined modalities of heterogeneity (regional, cellular, pixel-level and epigenomic). As a result, we could show that heterogeneity was detected in all four modalities. Furthermore, for the regional, cellular and epigenomic level, we confirmed the results of earlier studies stating that a higher degree of heterogeneity is associated with poorer overall survival. To integrate all modalities into one score, we designed a predictor of longer survival, which showed a highly significant separation regarding the OS. In conclusion, multiscale intratumor heterogeneity exists in glioblastoma and its degree has an impact on overall survival. In future studies, the implementation of a broadly feasible heterogeneity index should be considered.     

血液系统肿瘤患者的营养治疗专家共识

血液系统肿瘤患者诊治过程中普遍存在营养不良，化疗作为血液系统肿瘤最重要的治疗手段，进一步加剧患者的营养不 良，其最主要的原因是化疗引起的恶心、呕吐及摄食减少。诱导治疗后C反应蛋白的显著升高，提示感染发生率及炎症水平均较高， 这在一定程度上可能干扰机体代谢、加剧营养状态的恶化。血液系统肿瘤患者的营养不良表现为体质指数异常、人体成分异常、整体/ 综合评估异常和生化指标异常。血液系统肿瘤患者营养治疗的原则与其他肿瘤类似，肠内营养为主，肠外营养为辅。但是，需要注意 补充特殊营养剂：①谷氨酰胺；②针对“粒细胞减少”的饮食；③ω‐3多不饱和脂肪酸；④牛初乳及大豆饮食。通过营养筛查和评估，为 处于不同治疗阶段的血液系统肿瘤患者制定营养治疗方案，及时、恰当地进行个体化营养治疗，可显著改善血液系统肿瘤患者营养状 况、预防营养不良及相关并发症，降低治疗相关不良反应风险，提高耐受性、疗效及生活质量。     

Update on adrenal cortical neoplasia

The adrenal cortex gives rise to a biologically heterogenous group of neoplasms, each with a distinct morphology, antigen expression and molecular profile. Adrenal cortical adenomas have excellent prognosis and are usually cured by surgical resection alone, while adrenal cortical carcinomas are very aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis regardless of therapy. These tumors are rare and often challenging for a pathologist to diagnose, as significant overlap exists between benign and malignant lesions in some cases. In this review, we attempt to summarize most important histologic and clinical features of adrenal cortical adenomas and carcinomas, clarify the use of different grading systems, the use of special stains and the differential diagnosis for practicing pathologists. Most relevant hereditary syndromes associated with adrenal cortical tumors are listed. Updates in molecular alterations in adrenal cortical neoplasms and hyperplastic diseases as well as their clinical significance and potential therapeutic implications are also discussed.     

Immune microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma,intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and liver metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma: Relationship with histopathological and molecular classifications

Tumor tissue is composed of tumor cells and tumor stroma. Tumor stroma contains various immune cells and non-immune stromal cells, forming a complex tumor microenvironment which plays pivotal roles in regulating tumor growth. Recent successes in immunotherapies against tumors, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, have further raised interests in the immune microenvironment of liver carcinoma. The immune microenvironment of tumors is formed because of interactions among tumor cells, immune cells and non-immune stromal cells, including fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Different patterns of immune microenvironment are observed among different tumor subtypes, and their clinicopathological significance and intertumor/intratumor heterogeneity are being intensively studied. Here, we review the immune microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and liver metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma, focusing on its histopathological appearance, clinicopathological significance, and relationship with histological and molecular classifications. Understanding the comprehensive histopathological picture of a tumor immune microenvironment, in addition to molecular and genetic approaches, will further potentiate the effort for precision medicine in the era of tumor-targeting immunotherapy.     

Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of SCB01A,a Microtubule Inhibitor with Vascular Disrupting Activity,in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Lessons Learned

• SCB01A is a novel microtubule inhibitor with vascular disrupting activity.
• This first‐in‐human study demonstrated SCB01A safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity.
• SCB01A is safe and well tolerated in patients with advanced solid malignancies with manageable neurotoxicity.

BackgroundSCB01A, a novel microtubule inhibitor, has vascular disrupting activity.MethodsIn this phase I dose‐escalation and extension study, patients with advanced solid tumors were administered intravenous SCB01A infusions for 3 hours once every 21 days. Rapid titration and a 3 + 3 design escalated the dose from 2 mg/m² to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) based on dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT). SCB01A‐induced cellular neurotoxicity was evaluated in dorsal root ganglion cells. The primary endpoint was MTD. Safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and tumor response were secondary endpoints.ResultsTreatment‐related adverse events included anemia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy. DLTs included grade 4 elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in the 4 mg/m² cohort; grade 3 gastric hemorrhage in the 6.5 mg/m² cohort; grade 2 thromboembolic event in the 24 mg/m² cohort; and grade 3 peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, grade 3 elevated aspartate aminotransferase, and grade 3 hypertension in the 32 mg/m² cohort. The MTD was 24 mg/m², and average half‐life was ~2.5 hours. The area under the curve‐dose response relationship was linear. Nineteen subjects were stable after two cycles. The longest treatment lasted 24 cycles. SCB01A‐induced neurotoxicity was reversible in vitro.ConclusionThe MTD of SCB01A was 24 mg/m² every 21 days; it is safe and tolerable in patients with solid tumors.     

术中目标导向液体治疗在腹膜后巨大恶性肿瘤切除术患儿中的应用

目的:探讨基于脉压变异度（PPV）的目标导向液体治疗（GDFT）在腹膜后巨大恶性肿瘤切除术患儿中的应用。方法:择期行腹膜后巨大恶性肿瘤切除术患儿64例，年龄0.5~3岁，ASA Ⅱ-Ⅲ级。随机将患儿分为目标导向液体治疗组（G组）和常规液体治疗组（C组），每组32例。G组以PPV为指导，根据GDFT方案进行液体管理，C组采用常规液体管理。记录手术开始（T1）、手术开始后1 h（T2）、手术结束（T3）的MAP、CVP、PPV、Lac值、TNF-α、IL-6浓度。记录术中输注晶体液量、胶体液量、液体总量、出血量、尿量、手术时间、多巴胺使用率以及排气时间、术后住院时间和恶心呕吐发生率。结果:G组输注晶体液量显著少于C组（P＜0.05），而输注胶体液量显著多于C组（P＜0.05）。两组术中输注液体总量、出血量、尿量与多巴胺使用率方面差异无统计学意义。T2、T3时刻，G组PPV、TNF-α、IL-6显著低于C组（P＜0.05），而两组间MAP、CVP、Lac在各时点差异无统计学意义。G组术后排气时间明显短于C组（P＜0.05），而在术后恶心呕吐发生率和住院时间方面两组差异无统计学意义。结论:PPV指导的GDFT可以应用于腹膜后巨大恶性肿瘤切除术患儿，能维持其血流动力学稳定，减少炎症因子IL-6、TNF-α释放，促进胃肠功能恢复，但对术后转归无明显影响。     

Z形皮瓣及推进皮瓣修复眼睑缺损的作用探讨

目的探讨眼睑恶性肿瘤切除术中应用Z形皮瓣及推进皮瓣I期修复眼睑缺损的临床效果。方法将50例眼睑恶性肿瘤切除术患者按不同缝合方法分为两组,即对照组25例,术中直接缝合;观察组25例,术中行Z形皮瓣及推进皮瓣I期修复;比较两组眼睑修复效果。结果观察组术后皮瓣成活率96.0%、切口Ⅰ期愈合率100%、修复满意率92.0%,均高于对照组的72.0%、68.0%、56.0%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组术后并发症发生率低于对照组,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论眼睑恶性肿瘤切除术中眼睑缺损修复时,采用Z形皮瓣及推进皮瓣,眼睑修复良好,患者修复满意率高,值得推广应用。     

Defining the dimensions of circulating tumor cells in a large series of breast,prostate, colon,and bladder cancer patients

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of cancer patients are of high clinical relevance. Since detection and isolation of CTCs often rely on cell dimensions, knowledge of their size is key. We analyzed the median CTC size in a large cohort of breast (BC), prostate (PC), colorectal (CRC), and bladder (BLC) cancer patients. Images of patient‐derived CTCs acquired on cartridges of the FDA‐cleared CellSearch^® method were retrospectively collected and automatically re‐analyzed using the accept software package. The median CTC diameter (μm) was computed per tumor type. The size differences between the different tumor types and references (tumor cell lines and leukocytes) were nonparametrically tested. A total of 1962 CellSearch^® cartridges containing 71 612 CTCs were included. In BC, the median computed diameter (CD) of patient‐derived CTCs was 12.4 μm vs 18.4 μm for cultured cell line cells. For PC, CDs were 10.3 μm for CTCs vs 20.7 μm for cultured cell line cells. CDs for CTCs of CRC and BLC were 7.5 μm and 8.6 μm, respectively. Finally, leukocytes were 9.4 μm. CTC size differed statistically significantly between the four tumor types and between CTCs and the reference data. CTC size differences between tumor types are striking and CTCs are smaller than cell line tumor cells, whose size is often used as reference when developing CTC analysis methods. Based on our data, we suggest that the size of CTCs matters and should be kept in mind when designing and optimizing size‐based isolation methods.

Abbreviations

ACCEPT

Automated CTC Classification, Enumeration, and PhenoTyping software

BC

breast cancer

BLC

bladder cancer

CD

computed diameter

CEL

cultured tumor cell (cell line)

CK

cytokeratin

CRC

colorectal cancer

CTC‐L

circulating tumor cells derived from cerebrospinal fluid (liquor)

CTCs

circulating tumor cells

DAPI

4′6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole

EMT

epithelial–mesenchymal transition

EpCAM

epithelial cell adhesion molecule

IQR

interquartile range

KW test

Kruskal–Wallis test

MWU test

Mann–Whitney U test

NCR

nucleus/cytoplasm ratio

P2A

perimeter to area

PC

prostate cancer

TIF

tagged Image Format files

TXT

text file

μm

micrometer

µm²

square micrometers