Self-Assembled Nanomicelles as Curcumin Drug Delivery Vehicles: Impact on Solitary Fibrous Tumor Cell Protein Expression and Viability

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare soft tissue sarcomas that rely on several epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) protein regulators for invasion/metastatic progression. Curcumin (CUR) has several pharmacological activities, including anticancer activity and the ability to suppress the EMT process. However, poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and side effects at high doses limit the clinical applications of CUR. Here we present the results obtained by treating SFT cells with free CUR and three different CUR-loaded nanomicelles (NMs), each of which has its surface decorated with different ligands. All CUR-loaded NMs were more efficient in suppressing SFT cell viability and expression of EMT markers than CUR alone. Combined treatments with the pan-histone deacetylase dual inhibitor SAHA revealed a differential ability in inhibiting EMT markers expression and SFT cell invasiveness, depending on the NM-ligand type. Finally, combinations of photodynamic therapy and CUR-loaded NM administrations resulted in almost complete SFT cell viability abrogation 24 h after laser irradiation

Gastroblastoma in Adulthood-A Rarity among Rare Cancers-A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Gastroblastoma (GB) is a rare gastric epithelial-mesenchymal neoplasm, first described by Miettinen et al. So far, all reported cases described the tumor in children or young adults, and similarities with other childhood blastomas have been postulated. We report a case of GB in a 43-year-old patient with long follow up and no recurrence up to 100\u2009months after surgery. So far, this is the second case of GB occurring in the adult age >40-year-old. Hence, GB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of microscopically comparable conditions in adults carrying a worse prognosis and different clinical approach

The genomics of desmoplastic small round cell tumor reveals the deregulation of genes related to DNA damage response, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and immune response

Abstract Background Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare, aggressive, and poorly investigated simple sarcoma with a low frequency of genetic deregulation other than an Ewing sarcoma RNA binding protein 1 (EWSR1)-Wilm’s tumor suppressor (WT1) translocation. We used whole-exome sequencing to interrogate six consecutive pre-treated DSRCTs whose gene expression was previously investigated. Methods DNA libraries were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissue specimens following the Agilent SureSelectXT2 target enrichment protocol and sequenced on Illumina NextSeq 500. Raw sequence data were aligned to the reference genome with Burrows–Wheeler Aligner algorithm. Somatic mutations and copy number alterations (CNAs) were identified using MuTect2 and EXCAVATOR2, respectively. Biological functions associated with altered genes were investigated through Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software. Results A total of 137 unique somatic mutations were identified: 133 mutated genes were case-specific, and 2 were mutated in two cases but in different positions. Among the 135 mutated genes, 27% were related to two biological categories: DNA damage-response (DDR) network that was also identified through IPA and mesenchymal–epithelial reverse transition (MErT)/epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) already demonstrated to be relevant in DSRCT. The mutated genes in the DDR network were involved in various steps of transcription and particularly affected pre-mRNA. Half of these genes encoded RNA-binding proteins or DNA/RNA-binding proteins, which were recently recognized as a new class of DDR players. CNAs in genes/gene families, involved in MErT/EMT and DDR, were recurrent across patients and mostly segregated in the MErT/EMT category. In addition, recurrent gains of regions in chromosome 1 involving many MErT/EMT gene families and loss of one arm or the entire chromosome 6 affecting relevant immune-regulatory genes were recorded. Conclusions The emerging picture is an extreme inter-tumor heterogeneity, characterized by the concurrent deregulation of the DDR and MErT/EMT dynamic and plastic programs that could favour genomic instability and explain the refractory DSRCT profile

NUT carcinoma of the submandibular gland: A case report

Abstract Background NUT carcinoma (NUTc) is a rare and aggressive malignant epithelial tumor characterized by rearrangement of the NUT gene on chromosome 15q14. Methods In this article, we present the fifth case worldwide of a young woman affected by a NUTc arising from a submandibular gland, presenting as a rapidly evolving mass. She underwent a right scialoadenectomy and received the initial diagnosis of high‐grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Due to evidence of local recurrence at magnetic resonance imaging 1 month later, a subsequent right radical neck dissection was performed. The patient then sought a second opinion at our cancer center and finally received the correct diagnosis of NUT carcinoma. Given the well‐known aggressive behavior of this neoplasm, as well as clinical and radiological features, she underwent adjuvant chemo‐radiation (intensity‐modulated radiotherapy + concurrent chemotherapy with cisplatin). Results After a disease‐free interval of 2.6 months, a widespread metastatic disease led to rapid deterioration of performance status and patient death in a few weeks after metastatic onset. Conclusions We presented a case of NUTc arising from salivary gland aiming to improve the knowledge of this rare malignancy. First, we pointed out that in the setting of rare tumors like salivary gland cancers, the diagnosis should be obtained by expert pathologists, and patients should be referred to tertiary cancer centers for their clinical management. Second, molecular profiling may help to identify possible druggable targets that may be exploited to treat patients suffering from this aggressive malignancy. Sharing the molecular data provided in this case will be useful for further research

Poster session. Multiple myeloma with IGH-involving del(14q): Report of 34 cases

Chromosomal translocations involving the IGH locus on 14q32 are a hallmark of B-cell malignancies. These translocations are particularly frequent in non-hyperdiploid (NHD) multiple myeloma (MM), representing approximately 50% of myeloma cases. MM-associated primary t(14q32) target at least 7 partner genes including cyclins D (CCND1, –D3), MAF transcription factors (CMAF, MAF B and A) and MMSET/FGFR3. Some of the translocations are predictive of clinical outcome. Recently, we identified a novel interstitial del(14q) involving IGH and recurrent in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and MM (Pospisilova et al, Leukemia, 2007). In spite of extensive studies, the mechanism(s) and molecular consequences of del(14q) remain unknown. We report here 34 cases of plasma cell (PC) malignancies with del(14q) involving IGH, as proven by FISH. Cases were collected in UK and Belgium. The estimated incidence of these aberrations in PC malignancies was 1.4%. There were 13 female and 21 male patients ranging in age from 49 to 86 years (average 68). Twenty seven patients had MM, one had SMM and 6 had MGUS. In almost all cases, the del(14q) was detected at diagnosis. Clinical data of the reported cases have been collected. The del(14q) were roughly mapped by FISH and grouped into 3 categories according to the proximal breakpoint: 1. del(14)(q24.1q32.33) involving the ZFP36L1 region (11 cases); 2. deletions proximal to ZFP36L1 (14 cases) and 3. deletions distal to ZFP36L1 (7 cases). The size of del(14q) was not determined in 2 cases. Biallelic deletion of TRAF3/14q32.33 recurrently occurring in MM, was detected by FISH in 1 out of 9 analyzed cases. Additional FISH analysis showed that the del(14q) was predominantly associated with NHD tumors (62% vs 38% with hyperdiploid karyotypes) and frequently (60%) accompanied by del(13q), regarded as a poor prognostic factor. All reported cases were negative for t(4;14) and t(11;14); they also showed a normal status of CCND3, CMAF, MAFB and CMYC, when examined. A gain of 1q/CKS1B was found in 57% (8/14) of analyzed cases. The expression pattern of cyclin D1–D3 has been examined

Identification of a gene expression driven progression pathway in Myxoid liposarcoma

AIM: to investigate the events involved in the progression of myxoid liposarcoma (MLS). Gene expression profiling and immunohistochemical/biochemical analyses were applied to specimens representative of the opposite ends of the MLS spectrum: pure myxoid (ML) and pure round cell (RC) liposarcomas. The analyses revealed the involvement of both coding and non coding RNAs (SNORDs located in DLK1-DIO3 region) and support a model of stepwise progression mainly driven by epigenetic changes involving tumour vascular supply and tumoral cellular component. In this model, a switch in the vascular landscape from a normal to a pro-angiogenic signature and the silencing of DLK1-DIO3 region mark the progression from ML to RC in concert with the acquisition by the latter of the over-expression of YYI/C-MYC/HDAC2, together with over-expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and stemness: MKNK2, MSX1 and TRIM71. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that to progress from ML to RC liposarcoma the cells have to overcome the epigenetic silencing restriction point in order to reset their new stem-like differentiation signature. Our findings provide a first attempt at identifying the missing links between ML and RC liposarcomas, that may also have broader applications in other clinico-pathological settings characterised by a spectrum of progression