Coexpression of androgen receptor and FOXA1 in nonmetastatic triple-negative breast cancer: ancillary study from PACS08 trial

International audienceAim: Microarray studies identified a subgroup of molecular apocrine tumors (estrogen receptor [ER] negative/androgen receptor [AR] positive) that express luminal genes including FOXA1. FOXA1 may direct AR to sites normally occupied by ER in luminal tumors, inducing an estrogen-like gene program that stimulated proliferation. Materials & methods: Expression of AR and FOXA1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 592 patients with nonmetastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Results: Coexpression of AR and FOXA1 was found in 15.2% of patients. These tumors were more frequently lobular, found in older patients and exhibited a lower nuclear grade and a greater degree of node involvement. They less often exhibited lymphocytic infiltrate, pushing margins, syncytial architecture, central fibrosis or necrosis. Conclusion: TNBC with coexpression of AR and FOXA1 seems to behave like luminal tumors with a morphological profile distinct from other TNBC. These biomarkers could be useful to identify a subgroup of TNBC and could have future therapeutic implications

Dual time point [18F]FLT-PET for differentiating proliferating tissues vs non-proliferating tissues

International audienceFor differentiating tumor from inflammation and normal tissues, fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) dual time point PET could be helpful. Albeit [18F]FLT is more specific for tumors than [18F]FDG; we explored the role of dual time point [18F]FLT-PET for discriminating benign from malignant tissues

Central profile on a transverse slice of phantoms.

<p>Data are normalized to the maximum value intensity of the profile. No abnormality was seen.</p

Mean activity concentration estimated from 15 cm diameter circular Regions of Interest (ROIs) on 15 consecutive slices and accuracy.

<p>Data acquired on the 8 PET systems used in 3D mode. Activity concentration in images and in phantom expressed in kBq/mL. Standard deviation (SD), accuracy and maximum deviation are in %.</p

Observed artefacts on images acquired on uniform phantom.

<p>Display scale is [0; 100%]. A: no artefacts (site 9), B: LOR-RAMLA concentric ring artefacts (site 6), C: FBP concentric ring artefacts (site 4).</p

Dose calibrator reproducibility and accuracy results.

<p>Repeated measurements of certified standard source (⁶⁸Ge) on the dose calibrators of 11 sites. Standard source activity was calculated by applying decay calculation between the calibration date and the measurements date. Measurements expressed in MBq. Standard deviation (SD) and accuracy are in %.</p

Mean activity concentration estimated from 15 cm diameter circular Regions of Interest (ROIs) on 15 consecutive slices and accuracy.

<p>Data acquired on the 4 PET systems used in 2D mode. Activity concentration in images and in phantom expressed in kBq/mL. Standard deviation (SD), accuracy and maximum deviation are in %.</p