Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Original Articles

Current state of cytopathology residency training: a Korean national survey of pathologists: Uiju Cho, Tae Jung Kim, Wan Seop Kim, Kyo Young Lee, Hye Kyoung Yoon, Hyun Joo Choi; J Pathol Transl Med. 2023;57(2):95-101. Published online March 14, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2023.01.06; Funded: Korean Society for Cytopathology, Korea

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Although the Korean Society for Cytopathology has developed educational goals as guidelines for cytopathology education in Korea, there is still no systematic approach to cytopathology education status for pathology residents. Furthermore, satisfaction with cytopathology education and with the outcome of the current training/educational program has not been investigated in Korea. This study aimed to obtain comprehensive data on the current state of cytopathology education for residents and evaluate education outcomes.
Methods
An online survey was conducted in December 2020 for the board-certified pathologists and training residents registered as members of the Korean Society for Cytopathology. The questionnaire comprised questions that investigated the current status of cytopathology at each training institution, the degree of satisfaction with the work and education related to cytopathology, outcomes of cytopathology training, and educational accomplishments.
Results
Of the participants surveyed, 12.3% (132/1,075) completed the questionnaire, and 36.8% (32/87) of cytopathology residents participated. The mean overall satisfaction with cytopathology education was 3.1 points (on a 1- to 5-point scale, 5: very satisfied). The most frequent suggestion among the free description format responses was to expand educational opportunities, such as online education opportunities, outside of the individual institutions.
Conclusions
Our results showed that cytopathology training in Korea needs further improvement. We expect that this study will inform systematic training of competent medical personnel armed with broad cytopathology knowledge and strong problem-solving abilities.

Postmortem lung and heart examination of COVID-19 patients in a case series from Jordan: Maram Abdaljaleel, Isra Tawalbeh, Malik Sallam, Amjad Bani Hani, Imad M. Al-Abdallat, Baheth Al Omari, Sahar Al-Mustafa, Hasan Abder-Rahman, Adnan Said Abbas, Mahmoud Zureigat, Mousa A. Al-Abbadi; J Pathol Transl Med. 2023;57(2):102-112. Published online March 14, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2023.01.30; Funded: Deanship of Scientific Research at the University of Jordan

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Abstract PDF: Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic for more than 2 years. Autopsy examination is an invaluable tool to understand the pathogenesis of emerging infections and their consequent mortalities. The aim of the current study was to present the lung and heart pathological findings of COVID-19–positive autopsies performed in Jordan.
Methods
The study involved medicolegal cases, where the cause of death was unclear and autopsy examination was mandated by law. We included the clinical and pathologic findings of routine gross and microscopic examination of cases that were positive for COVID-19 at time of death. Testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed through molecular detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction, serologic testing for IgM and electron microscope examination of lung samples.
Results
Seventeen autopsies were included, with male predominance (76.5%), Jordanians (70.6%), and 50 years as the mean age at time of death. Nine out of 16 cases (56.3%) had co-morbidities, with one case lacking such data. Histologic examination of lung tissue revealed diffuse alveolar damage in 13/17 cases (76.5%), and pulmonary microthrombi in 8/17 cases (47.1%). Microscopic cardiac findings were scarcely detected. Two patients died as a direct result of acute cardiac disease with limited pulmonary findings.
Conclusions
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem examination can be an incidental or contributory finding which highlights the value of autopsy examination to determine the exact cause of death in controversial cases.

The proteomic landscape shows oncologic relevance in cystitis glandularis: Jun Yong Kim, Dohyun Han, Hyeyoon Kim, Minsun Jung, Han Suk Ryu; J Pathol Transl Med. 2023;57(1):67-74. Published online December 22, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.10.24; Funded: Korean Society of Pathologists

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Abstract PDF: Background
The relationship between cystitis glandularis (CG) and bladder malignancy remains unclear.
Methods
We identified the oncologic significance of CG at the molecular level using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of 10 CG, 12 urothelial carcinoma (UC), and nine normal urothelium (NU) specimens. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified based on an analysis of variance false discovery rate < 0.05, and their functional enrichment was analyzed using a network model, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and Gene Ontology annotation.
Results
We identified 9,890 proteins across all samples and 1,139 DEPs among the three entities. A substantial number of DEPs overlapped in CG/NU, distinct from UC. Interestingly, we found that a subset of DEP clusters (n = 53, 5%) was differentially expressed in NU but similarly between CG and UC. This “UC-like signature” was enriched for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and energy metabolism, growth and DNA repair, transport, motility, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cell survival. Using the top 10 shortlisted DEPs, including SOD2, PRKCD, CYCS, and HCLS1, we identified functional elements related to ROS metabolism, development, and transport using network analysis. The abundance of these four molecules in UC/CG than in NU was consistent with the oncologic functions in CG.
Conclusions
Using a proteomic approach, we identified a predominantly non-neoplastic landscape of CG, which was closer to NU than to UC. We also confirmed a small subset of common DEPs in UC and CG, suggesting that altered ROS metabolism might imply potential cancerous risks in CG.

Reviews

Single-cell and spatial sequencing application in pathology: Yoon-Seob Kim, Jinyong Choi, Sug Hyung Lee; J Pathol Transl Med. 2023;57(1):43-51. Published online January 10, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.12.12; Funded: National Research Foundation of Korea

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Abstract PDF: Traditionally, diagnostic pathology uses histology representing structural alterations in a disease’s cells and tissues. In many cases, however, it is supplemented by other morphology-based methods such as immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is one of the strategies that may help tackle the heterogeneous cells in a disease, but it does not usually provide histologic information. Spatial sequencing is designed to assign cell types, subtypes, or states according to the mRNA expression on a histological section by RNA sequencing. It can provide mRNA expressions not only of diseased cells, such as cancer cells but also of stromal cells, such as immune cells, fibroblasts, and vascular cells. In this review, we studied current methods of spatial transcriptome sequencing based on their technical backgrounds, tissue preparation, and analytic procedures. With the pathology examples, useful recommendations for pathologists who are just getting started to use spatial sequencing analysis in research are provided here. In addition, leveraging spatial sequencing by integration with scRNA-seq is reviewed. With the advantages of simultaneous histologic and single-cell information, spatial sequencing may give a molecular basis for pathological diagnosis, improve our understanding of diseases, and have potential clinical applications in prognostics and diagnostic pathology.

Perspectives on single-nucleus RNA sequencing in different cell types and tissues: Nayoung Kim, Huiram Kang, Areum Jo, Seung-Ah Yoo, Hae-Ock Lee; J Pathol Transl Med. 2023;57(1):52-59. Published online January 10, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.12.19; Funded: National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT

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Abstract PDF: Single-cell RNA sequencing has become a powerful and essential tool for delineating cellular diversity in normal tissues and alterations in disease states. For certain cell types and conditions, there are difficulties in isolating intact cells for transcriptome profiling due to their fragility, large size, tight interconnections, and other factors. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) is an alternative or complementary approach for cells that are difficult to isolate. In this review, we will provide an overview of the experimental and analysis steps of snRNA-seq to understand the methods and characteristics of general and tissue-specific snRNA-seq data. Knowing the advantages and limitations of snRNA-seq will increase its use and improve the biological interpretation of the data generated using this technique.

A standardized pathology report for gastric cancer: 2nd edition: Young Soo Park, Myeong-Cherl Kook, Baek-hui Kim, Hye Seung Lee, Dong-Wook Kang, Mi-Jin Gu, Ok Ran Shin, Younghee Choi, Wonae Lee, Hyunki Kim, In Hye Song, Kyoung-Mee Kim, Hee Sung Kim, Guhyun Kang, Do Youn Park, So-Young Jin, Joon Mee Kim, Yoon Jung Choi, Hee Kyung Chang, Soomin Ahn, Mee Soo Chang, Song-Hee Han, Yoonjin Kwak, An Na Seo, Sung Hak Lee, Mee-Yon Cho; J Pathol Transl Med. 2023;57(1):1-27. Published online January 15, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.12.23; Funded: Patient-Centered Clinical Research Coordinating Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements. The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

Original Articles

A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of primary and secondary breast angiosarcoma: Evi Abada, Hyejeong Jang, Seongho Kim, Rouba Ali-Fehmi, Sudeshna Bandyopadhyay; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(6):342-353. Published online October 27, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.08.31; Funded: National Institutes of Health

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
We aimed to study the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) (CD117, c-Myc, and p53) characteristics, and overall survival of primary and secondary breast angiosarcoma (BAS).
Methods
This was a retrospective study of BAS cases diagnosed between 1997 and 2020 at our institution. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were reviewed for tumor morphology, margin status, and lymph node metastasis. CD117, p53, D2-40, CD31, and c-Myc IHC stains were performed on 11 viable tissue blocks. Additional clinical information was obtained from the electronic medical records.
Results
Seventeen patients with BAS were identified. Of these, five (29%) were primary and 12 (71%) were secondary BAS, respectively. The median age at diagnosis for primary BAS was 36 years. The median age at diagnosis for secondary BAS was 67 years. The median time to secondary BAS development following radiotherapy was 6.5 years (range, 2 to 12 years). There was no significant difference between primary and secondary BAS in several histopathologic parameters examined, including histologic grade, necrosis, mitotic count, lymph node metastasis, and positive tumor margins. There was also no difference in CD117, p53, D2-40, CD31, and c-Myc expression by IHC between primary and secondary BAS. During a median followup of 21 months, primary BAS had two (40%) reported deaths and secondary BAS had three (25%) reported deaths. However, this difference in survival between both groups was not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.09 to 3.28; p = .450).
Conclusions
BAS is a rare and aggressive disease. No histologic, IHC (CD117, c-Myc, and p53), or survival differences were identified between primary and secondary BAS in this study.

Development of quality assurance program for digital pathology by the Korean Society of Pathologists: Yosep Chong, Jeong Mo Bae, Dong Wook Kang, Gwangil Kim, Hye Seung Han; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(6):370-382. Published online November 15, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.09.30; Funded: Korean Society of Pathologists

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Digital pathology (DP) using whole slide imaging is a recently emerging game changer technology that can fundamentally change the way of working in pathology. The Digital Pathology Study Group (DPSG) of the Korean Society of Pathologists (KSP) published a consensus report on the recommendations for pathologic practice using DP. Accordingly, the need for the development and implementation of a quality assurance program (QAP) for DP has been raised.
Methods
To provide a standard baseline reference for internal and external QAP for DP, the members of the Committee of Quality Assurance of the KSP developed a checklist for the Redbook and a QAP trial for DP based on the prior DPSG consensus report. Four leading institutes participated in the QAP trial in the first year, and we gathered feedback from these institutes afterwards.
Results
The newly developed checklists of QAP for DP contain 39 items (216 score): eight items for quality control of DP systems; three for DP personnel; nine for hardware and software requirements for DP systems; 15 for validation, operation, and management of DP systems; and four for data security and personal information protection. Most participants in the QAP trial replied that continuous education on unfamiliar terminology and more practical experience is demanding.
Conclusions
The QAP for DP is essential for the safe implementation of DP in pathologic practice. Each laboratory should prepare an institutional QAP according to this checklist, and consecutive revision of the checklist with feedback from the QAP trial for DP needs to follow.

Landscape of EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma: a single institute experience with comparison of PANAMutyper testing and targeted next-generation sequencing: Jeonghyo Lee, Yeon Bi Han, Hyun Jung Kwon, Song Kook Lee, Hyojin Kim, Jin-Haeng Chung; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(5):249-259. Published online September 13, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.06.11; Funded: Ministry of Science and ICT, National Research Foundation of Korea, Korean Society of Pathologists

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are predictive biomarkers for response to EGFR–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Here, we characterized the clinicopathologic features associated with EGFR mutations via peptide nucleic acid clamping-assisted fluorescence melting curve analysis (PANAMutyper) and evaluated the feasibility of targeted deep sequencing for detecting the mutations.
Methods
We examined EGFR mutations in exons 18 through 21 for 2,088 LUADs from July 2017 to April 2020 using PANAMutyper. Of these, we performed targeted deep sequencing in 73 patients and evaluated EGFR-mutation status and TKI clinical response.
Results
EGFR mutation was identified in 55.7% of LUADs by PANAMutyper, with mutation rates higher in females (69.3%) and never smokers (67.1%) and highest in the age range of 50 to 59 years (64.9%). For the 73 patients evaluated using both methods, next-generation sequencing (NGS) identified EGFR mutation–positive results in 14 of 61 patients (23.0%) who were EGFR-negative according to PANAMutyper testing. Of the 10 patients reportedly harboring a sensitizing mutation according to NGS, seven received TKI treatment, with all showing partial response or stable disease. In the 12 PANAMutyper-positive cases, NGS identified two additional mutations in exon 18, whereas a discordant negative result was observed in two cases.
Conclusions
Although PANAMutyper identified high frequencies of EGFR mutations, targeted deep sequencing revealed additional uncommon EGFR mutations. These findings suggested that appropriate use of NGS may benefit LUAD patients with otherwise negative screening test results.

Cytopathologic features of human papillomavirus–independent, gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma: Min-Kyung Yeo, Go Eun Bae, Dong-Hyun Kim, In-Ock Seong, Kwang-Sun Suh; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(5):260-269. Published online September 13, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.07.05; Funded: Chungnam National University

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Abstract PDF: Background
Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA) is unrelated to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and is clinically aggressive compared with HPV-associated usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (UEA). The cytological diagnosis falls short of a definitive diagnosis of GEA and is often categorized as atypical glandular cells (AGCs). To improve cytologic recognition, cytological findings of HPV-independent GEA were analyzed and the results compared with HPV-associated UEA.
Methods
Cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smears from eight patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of GEA and 12 control cases of UEA were reviewed. All slides were conventionally prepared and/or liquid-based prepared (ThinPrep) and stained following the Pap method. A mucinous background, architectural, nuclear, and cytoplasmic features were analyzed and compared with UEA.
Results
Preoperative cytologic diagnoses of the eight GEA cases were AGCs, favor neoplastic in three cases, adenocarcinoma in situ in one case, and adenocarcinoma in four cases. Cytologically, monolayered honeycomb-like sheets (p = .002) of atypical endocervical cells with vacuolar granular cytoplasm (p = .001) were extensive in GEA, and three-dimensional clusters (p = .010) were extensive in UEA. Although the differences were not statistically significant, background mucin (p = .058), vesicular nuclei (p = .057), and golden-brown intracytoplasmic mucin (p = .089) were also discriminatory findings for GEA versus UEA.
Conclusions
Although GEA is difficult to diagnose on cytologic screening, GEA can be recognized based on cytologic features of monolayered honeycomb sheets of atypical endocervical cells with abundant vacuolar cytoplasm and some golden-brown intracytoplasmic mucin. UEA cases are characterized by three-dimensional clusters.

Prognostic significance of BLK expression in R-CHOP treated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Soyeon Choi, Yoo Jin Lee, Yunsuk Choi, Misung Kim, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji Eun Kim, Sukjoong Oh, Seoung Wan Chae, Hee Jeong Cha, Jae-Cheol Jo; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(5):281-288. Published online September 13, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.07.26; Funded: Ulsan University Hospital

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Abstract PDF: Background
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of B-cell lymphocyte kinase (BLK) expression for survival outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with R-CHOP.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 89 patients from two tertiary referral hospitals. The expression of BLK, SYK, and CDK1 were evaluated in a semiquantitative method using an H-score, and the proportions of BCL2 and C-MYC were evaluated.
Results
A total of 89 patients received R-CHOP chemotherapy as a first-line chemotherapy. The expression rates of BLK in tumor cells was 39.2% (n = 34). BLK expression status was not significantly associated with clinical variables; however, BLK expression in tumor cells was significantly associated with the expression of both C-MYC and BCL2 (p = .003). With a median follow-up of 60.4 months, patients with BLK expression had significantly lower 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival rates (49.8% and 60.9%, respectively) than patients without BLK expression (77.3% and 86.7%, respectively). In multivariate analysis for PFS, BLK positivity was an independent poor prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 2.208; p = .040).
Conclusions
Here, we describe the clinicopathological features and survival outcome according to expression of BLK in DLBCL. Approximately 39% of DLBCL patients showed BLK positivity, which was associated as a predictive marker for poor prognosis in patients who received R-CHOP chemotherapy.

Evaluation of the characteristics of multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) infections identified using the BD Onclarity HPV assay and comparison with those of single HPV infection: Jinhee Kim, Moonsik Kim, Ji Young Park; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(5):289-293. Published online September 13, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.08.02; Funded: Korean Society for Cytopathology

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major cause of cervical cancer and associated precursor lesions. Multiple HPV genotype infections have been reported. However, their clinicopathological characteristics still remain elusive.
Methods
For this study, 814 consecutive patients who had undergone colposcopy and HPV genotyping test using BD Onclarity HPV assay were retrospectively selected. Clinicopathological parameters of multiple HPV infections were compared with those of single HPV infection.
Results
Multiple HPV infections were found in 110 out of 814 cases (13.5%). Multiple HPV infections were associated with a significantly higher incidence of high-grade intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) compared with single HPV infection. Other high-risk HPV genotypes, in addition to HPV 16, were found more frequently in the multiple HPV infections group; these included HPV 51, 52, 33/58, 56/59/66, and 35/39/68. No specific coinfection pattern was not identified. Additionally, the number of HPV genotypes in multiple HPV infections was not associated with the progression to HSIL or squamous cell carcinoma.
Conclusions
Multiple HPV infections have distinct clinicopathological characteristics (compared with single HPV infection). As their biological behavior is uncertain, close and frequent follow-up is warranted.

Correlation between myoferlin expression and lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Ji Min Na, Dong Chul Kim, Dae Hyun Song, Hyo Jung An, Hyun Min Koh, Jeong-Hee Lee, Jong Sil Lee, Jung Wook Yang, Min Hye Kim; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(4):199-204. Published online May 11, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.03.19; Funded: Gyeongsang National University

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Abstract PDF: Background
Myoferlin is a multifunctional protein expressed in various normal and cancer cells, with novel oncogenic roles being newly discovered. Recently, correlations have been found between myoferlin expression and unfavorable prognosis in various carcinomas. This study investigated the prognostic role of myoferlin expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), specifically that associated with nodal metastasis.
Methods
We collected clinicopathological data and PTC tissues from 116 patients who had been admitted to Gyeongsang National University Hospital in 2010. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on surgical specimen-derived tissue microarray blocks. Myoferlin expression was graded, and the relationship between expression level and pathological features of tumors based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system was evaluated.
Results
Of the 116 patient samples, 100 cases exhibited positive myoferlin expression. Higher grade of myoferlin expression was correlated with lower T category group (p = .010). Presence of lymph node metastasis was determined to be significantly correlated with low-grade myoferlin expression (p = .019), with no significant difference between pN1a and pN1b tumors.
Conclusions
Our study revealed an adverse correlation between myoferlin expression and pathological features of PTC, evidence of the potential prognostic role of myoferlin in PTC lymph node metastasis.

EGFL7 expression profile in IDH-wildtype glioblastomas is associated with poor patient outcome: Bruno Henrique Bressan da Costa, Aline Paixão Becker, Luciano Neder, Paola Gyuliane Gonçalves, Cristiane de Oliveira, Allan Dias Polverini, Carlos Afonso Clara, Gustavo Ramos Teixeira, Rui Manuel Reis, Lucas Tadeu Bidinotto; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(4):205-211. Published online June 15, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.04.22; Funded: The São Paulo Research Foundation, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Despite the advances in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment, the average life span of patients is 14 months. Therefore, it is urgent to identity biomarkers of prognosis, treatment response, or development of novel treatment strategies. We previously described the association of high epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 7 (EGFL7) expression and unfavorable outcome of pilocytic astrocytoma patients. The present study aims to analyze the prognostic potential of EGFL7 in GBM isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype, using immunohistochemistry and in silico approaches.
Methods
Spearman’s correlation analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas RNA sequencing data was performed. The genes strongly correlated to EGFL7 expression were submitted to enrichment gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Additionally, EGFL7 expression was associated with patient overall survival. The expression of EGFL7 was analyzed through immunohistochemistry in 74 GBM IDH-wildtype patients’ samples, and was associated with clinicopathological data and overall survival.
Results
In silico analysis found 78 genes strongly correlated to EGFL7 expression. These genes were enriched in 40 biological processes and eight KEGG pathways, including angiogenesis/vasculogenesis, cell adhesion, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase–Akt, Notch, and Rap1 signaling pathways. The immunostaining showed high EGFL7 expression in 39 cases (52.7%). High immunolabelling was significantly associated with low Karnofsky Performance Status and poor overall survival. Cox analysis showed that GBMs IDH-wildtype with high EGFL7 expression presented a higher risk of death compared to low expression (hazard ratio, 1.645; 95% confidence interval, 1.021 to 2.650; p = .041).
Conclusions
This study gives insights regarding the genes that are correlated with EGFL7, as well as biological processes and signaling pathways, which should be further investigated in order to elucidate their role in glioblastoma biology.

Frequency of PIK3CA mutations in different subsites of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in southern Thailand: Arunee Dechaphunkul, Phatcharaporn Thongwatchara, Paramee Thongsuksai, Tanadech Dechaphunkul, Sarayut Lucien Geater; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(3):126-133. Published online February 28, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.01.04; Funded: Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University

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Abstract PDF

Background
Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutations have been reported in many cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The frequency of these mutations varies among tumor locations and might be relevant to treatment outcomes among HNSCC. In this study, we examined the frequency of PIK3CA mutations in the different subsites of HNSCC.
Methods
Ninety-six fresh biopsy specimens were investigated for mutations in PIK3CA exons 4, 9, and 20 using allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patient characteristics and survival were analyzed and compared between specimens with or without PIK3CA mutations.
Results
The study included primary tumors originating from the oral cavity (n=63), hypopharynx (n=23), and oropharynx (n=10). We identified mutations in 10.4% of patients (10 of 96 specimens). The overall mutational frequency was 17.4% (4/23) and 9.5% (6/63) in the hypopharynx and oral cavity, respectively. No patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma had mutations. Among the 10 mutant specimens, five were missense mutations (exon 9 [E545K] in two samples and exon 20 [H1047R] in three samples) and five were silent mutations in exon 20 (T1025T). Mutations were not found in exon 4. Among 84 patients with available clinical data, we found no significant differences in clinical characteristics and survival based on the presence or absence of PIK3CA mutations.
Conclusions
The results indicate that PIK3CA mutations are involved in HNSCC carcinogenesis, and the hypopharynx should be considered a primary site of interest for future studies, particularly in Southeast Asian populations.

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An empirical review on the resistance mechanisms of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and predictive molecular biomarkers in colorectal cancer
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Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology.2023; 183: 103916. CrossRef

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