Microvascular structural changes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma pathology according to intrapapillary capillary loop types under magnifying endoscopy

BACKGROUND The intrapapillary capillary loop(IPCL)characteristics,visualized using magnifying endoscopy,are commonly assessed for preoperative evaluation of the infiltration depth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Japan Esophageal Society(JES)classification is the most widely used classification.Microvascular structural changes are evaluated by magnifying endoscopy for the presence or absence of each morphological factor:tortuosity,dilatation,irregular caliber,and different shapes.However,the pathological characteristics of IPCLs have not been thoroughly investigated,especially the microvascular structures corresponding to the deepest parts of the lesions'infiltration.AIM To investigate differences in pathological microvascular structures of ESCC,which correspond to the deepest parts of the lesions'infiltration.METHODS Patients with ESCC and precancerous lesions diagnosed at Peking University Third Hospital were enrolled between January 2019 and April 2023.Patients first underwent magnified endoscopic examination,followed by endoscopic submucosal dissection or surgical treatment.Pathological images were scanned using a threedimensional slice scanner,and the pathological structural differences in different types,according to the JES classification,were analyzed using nonparametric tests and t-tests.RESULTS The 35 lesions were divided into four groups according to the JES classification:A,B1,B2,and B3.Statistical analyses revealed significant differences(aP<0.05)in the short and long calibers,area,location,and density between types A and B.Notably,there were no significant differences in these parameters between types B1 and B2 and between types B2 and B3(P>0.05).However,significant differences in the short calibers,long calibers,and area of IPCL were observed between types B1 and B3(aP<0.05);no significant differences were found in the density or location(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Pathological structures of IPCLs in the deepest infiltrating regions differ among various IPCL types classified by the JES classification under magnifying endoscopy,especially between the types A and B.

Advanced lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR 19-del mutation transforms into squamous cell carcinoma after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment

In this editorial we comment on the article by Ji et al.We focus specifically on the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor(EGFR-TKI)treatment and the development of drug resistance to EGFR-TKIs.

Diagnostic Value of GDF10 for the Tumorigenesis and Immune Infiltration in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective:Lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC)is associated with a low survival rate.Evidence suggests that bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs)and their receptors(BMPRs)play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and progression.However,a comprehensive analysis of their role in LUSC is lacking.Our study aimed to explore the relationship between BMPs/BMPRs expression levels and the tumorigenesis and prognosis of LUSC.Methods:The“R/Limma”package was utilized to analyze the differential expression characteristics of BMPs/BMPRs in LUSC,using data from TCGA,GTEx,and GEO databases.Concurrently,the“survminer”packages were employed to investigate their prognostic value and correlation with clinical features in LUSC.The core gene associated with LUSC progression was further explored through weighted gene correlation network analysis(WGCNA).LASSO analysis was conducted to construct a prognostic risk model for LUSC.Clinical specimens were examined by immunohistochemical analysis to confirm the diagnostic value in LUSC.Furthermore,based on the tumor immune estimation resource database and tumor-immune system interaction database,the role of the core gene in the tumor microenvironment of LUSC was explored.Results:GDF10 had a significant correlation only with the pathological T stage of LUSC,and the protein expression level of GDF10 decreased with the tumorigenesis of LUSC.A prognostic risk model was constructed with GDF10 as the core gene and 5 hub genes(HRASLS,HIST1H2BH,FLRT3,CHEK2,and ALPL)for LUSC.GDF10 showed a significant positive correlation with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression.Conclusion:GDF10 might serve as a diagnostic biomarker reflecting the tumorigenesis of LUSC and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment to guide more effective treatment for LUSC.

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma misdiagnosed as lung squamous cell carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma(PPLELC)is an uncommon subtype of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the lung,closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)infection.The pathological features of PPLELC closely resemble those of SCC,which makes it prone to misdiagnosis.Surgical intervention constitutes the primary treatment approach for PPLELC.CASE SUMMARY This report describes a 44-year-old woman who was hospitalized for 1 mo due to left chest pain.Computed tomography revealed a mass shadow in the anterior basal segment of the left lower lobe,and a subsequent needle biopsy suggested SCC.The patient underwent radical tumor resection in the lower left lobe of the lung,and postoperative pathological examination indicated lymphoepithelial carcinoma,and the test for EBV encoded small RNA was positive.Following surgery,the patient was scheduled to receive four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy,using the paclitaxel+carboplatin regimen,but the patient refused further treatment.CONCLUSION PPLELC is an exceptionally rare subtype of lung SCC and is prone to misdiagnosis.

Prediction of Tumor Microenvironment Characteristics and Treatment Response in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Pseudogene OR7E47P-related Immune Genes

Objective Pseudogenes are initially regarded as nonfunctional genomic sequences,but some pseudogenes regulate tumor initiation and progression by interacting with other genes to modulate their transcriptional activities.Olfactory receptor family 7 subfamily E member 47 pseudogene(OR7E47P)is expressed broadly in lung tissues and has been identified as a positive regulator in the tumor microenvironment(TME)of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).This study aimed to elucidate the correlation between OR7E47P and tumor immunity in lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC).Methods Clinical and molecular information from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)LUSC cohort was used to identify OR7E47P-related immune genes(ORIGs)by weighted gene correlation network analysis(WGCNA).Based on the ORIGs,2 OR7E47P clusters were identified using non-negative matrix factorization(NMF)clustering,and the stability of the clustering was tested by an extreme gradient boosting classifier(XGBoost).LASSO-Cox and stepwise regressions were applied to further select prognostic ORIGs and to construct a predictive model(ORPScore)for immunotherapy.The Botling cohorts and 8 immunotherapy cohorts(the Samstein,Braun,Jung,Gide,IMvigor210,Lauss,Van Allen,and Cho cohorts)were included as independent validation cohorts.Results OR7E47P expression was positively correlated with immune cell infiltration and enrichment of immune-related pathways in LUSC.A total of 57 ORIGs were identified to classify the patients into 2 OR7E47P clusters(Cluster 1 and Cluster 2)with distinct immune,mutation,and stromal programs.Compared to Cluster 1,Cluster 2 had more infiltration by immune and stromal cells,lower mutation rates of driver genes,and higher expression of immune-related proteins.The clustering performed well in the internal and 5 external validation cohorts.Based on the 7 ORIGs(HOPX,STX2,WFS,DUSP22,SLFN13,GGCT,and CCSER2),the ORPScore was constructed to predict the prognosis and the treatment response.In addition,the ORPScore was a better prognostic factor and correlated positively with the immunotherapeutic response in cancer patients.The area under the curve values ranged from 0.584 to 0.805 in the 6 independent immunotherapy cohorts.Conclusion Our study suggests a significant correlation between OR7E47P and TME modulation in LUSC.ORIGs can be applied to molecularly stratify patients,and the ORPScore may serve as a biomarker for clinical decision-making regarding individualized prognostication and immunotherapy.

Impact of Preoperative Serum Tumor Markers in Patients with Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Several previous researchers have investigated the prognostic value of serum tumor markers, especially carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Only a limited number of studies reported the usefulness of serum tumor markers for lung squamous cell carcinoma (SQ). We aimed to examine the significance of serum tumor markers for lung SQ. Methods: Eighty-five lung SQ patients who underwent surgery and followed more than 5-year were included. The ratios of 5-year survivors to all patients in groups with several clinicopathologic factors, including tumor markers, were compared. We also compared the clinicopathologic factors between central type and peripheral type SQ. Results: The majority of patients were male gender and current/ former smokers. Age, pN status, cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), and comorbid interstitial pneumonia (IP) were associated with the ratio of 5-year survivors significantly. When patients were compared based on tumor location, high p-stage and CYFRA 21-1 were related to central type SQ. Conclusion: Both SCC and CYFRA 21-1 appeared to be useful prognostic markers for patients with lung SQ. Furthermore, CYFRA 21-1 was related to central type SQ.

Synchronous multiple lung cancers with hilar lymph node metastasis of small cell carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Synchronous multiple lung cancers are rare and refer to the simultaneous presence of two or more primary lung tumors,which present significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of multiple synchronous lung cancers with hilar lymph node metastasis of small cell carcinoma of unknown origin in a 73-year-old man.Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma.Although enlargement of lymph node 12u was detected,no distant metastases were observed.The patient was preoperatively diagnosed with T1cN0M0 and underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobectomy with nodal dissection(ND2a).Based on histopathological findings,the primary lesion was squamous cell carcinoma.A microinvasive adenocarcinoma was also observed on the cranial side of the primary lesion.Tumors were detected in two resected lymph nodes(#12u and#11s).Both tumors were pathologically diagnosed as small cell carcinomas.The primary lesion of the small cell carcinoma could not be identified even by whole-body imaging;however,chemotherapy was initiated for hilar lymph node metastasis of the small cell carcinoma of unknown origin.CONCLUSION Multiple synchronous lung cancers can be accompanied by hilar lymph node metastasis of small cell carcinomas of unknown origin.

EGFR mutation identifies distant squamous cell carcinoma as metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer metastasis is typically determined by histologic similarity between distant and primary lesions. Herein, we present a 70-year-old Japanese woman with an adenocarcinoma in her lung and a squamous cell carcinoma in her femur; both tumors had an identical epidermal growth factor receptor mutation, G719 S. This indicated that both tumors had a common origin, despite their histologic dissimilarity. The tumor in the femur was thus identified genetically as a lung cancer metastasis. This case suggests that genetic analysis can determine whether a distant lesion is a lung cancermetastasis, particularly when the histology differs from that of the primary lesion.

Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma with EGFR 19-del Mutation Transformed into SCC after EGFR-tyrosine Kinase inhibitors Treatment:A Case report

BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs)significantly improve the survival of patients with Epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)sensitive mutations in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).CASE SUMMARY A 67-year-old female patient in advanced lung adenocarcinoma suffered from drug resistance after EGFR-TKIs treatment.Secondary pathological tissue biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)transformation.Patients inevitably encountered drug resistance issues after receiving EGFR-TKIs treatment for a certain period of time,while EGFR-TKIs can significantly improve the survival of patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations in NSCLC.Notably,EGFR-TKIs resistance includes primary and acquired.Pathological transformation is one of the mechanisms of acquired resistance in EGFR-TKIs,with SCC transformation being relatively rare.Our results provide more detailed results of the patient’s diagnosis and treatment process on SCC transformation after EGFR-TKIs treatment for lung adenocarcinoma.CONCLUSION Squamous cell carcinoma transformation is one of the acquired resistance mechanisms of EGFR-TKIs in advanced lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutations.

Colonic metastasis after resection of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lung:A case report and literature review

Lung cancer is a common malignancy in the world; however symptomatic colonic metastasis from primary lung cancer is rare. A 64-year-old man was originally found poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of right lung and received right lower lobectomy and lymph node dissection. Three years later, the patient presented to our emergency room with the symptom of upper abdominal pain and weight loss. Abdominal palpation and computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a large mass measuring 7.6 cm &#x000d7; 8.5 cm in the ascending colon. Colonoscopy and biopsy revealed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with similar morphological pattern to that of the previous lung cancer. Chemotherapy was given and the patient died 5 mo later. Lung cancer metastatic to the colon confers a poor prognosis: overall survival ranged from 5 wk to 1 year, with a median survival of 3 mo after the diagnosis of the colonic metastasis.

Protein Profile of Human Lung Squamous Carcinoma Cell Line NCI-H226

Objective To construct a database of human lung squamous carcinoma cell line NCI-H226 and to facilitate discovery of novel subtypes markers of lung cancer. Method Proteomic technique was used to analyze human lung squamous carcinoma cell line NCI-H226. The proteins of the NCI-H226 cells were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by mass spectrometry. Results The results showed that a good reproducibility of the 2-D gel pattern was attained. The position deviation of matched spots among three 2-D gels was 1.95±0.53 mm in the isoelectric focusing direction, and 1.73±0.45 mm in the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis direction. One hundred and twenty-seven proteins, including enzymes, signal transduction proteins, structure proteins, transport proteins, etc. were characterized, of which, 29 identified proteins in NCI-H226 cells were reported for the first time to be involved in lung cancer carcinogenesis. Conclusion The information obtained from this study could provide some valuable clues for further study on the carcinogenetic mechanism of different types of lung cancer, and may help us to discover some potential subtype-specific biomarkers of lung cancer.

REVERSION OF MALIGNANT PHENOTYPES OF HUMAN LUNG SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA CELLS BY ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE ANTISENSE RNA

Abnormally elevated activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and subsequent polyamine accumulation are intimately associated with the genesis.development and metastasis of cancer. In the present study, to control the growth of tumor cells, ODC antisense RNA was used to transfect human lung squamous carcinoma cell line LTEP-78. Compared with the parental cells, growth of the antisense transfected LTEP-78 cells arrested in G0/Gl phase and colony formation in soft agarose and tumorigenicity in nude mice were significantly reduced. Nucleic acid hybridization demonstrated that the transfectants expressed a high level of ODC antisense RNA and a significantly reduced level of endogenous ODC mRNA.The results suggest that the reversion of malignant phenotypes of human lung squamous carcinoma cells transfected with ODC antisense RNA is associated with the inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis.

PIK3CA mutation in Chinese patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma

Objective： To investigate PIK3CA mutation in Chinese patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma （LSCC） and explore their relationship with clinicopathological profiles. Methods： Tumor samples from 123 cases of LSCC were included in this study. PIK3CA mutations in exon 9 and 20 were screened by pyrosequencing and confirmed by clone sequencing or amplification refractory mutation system （ARMS）. Denaturing performance liquid chromatography （DHPLC） was employed for evaluation of EGFR mutation in exon 19, 21 and KRAS mutation. Results： PIK3CA mutations were found in 3 （2.4%） patients. The mutation type included E545K, E452Q and H1047R. Of these three patients, one coupled with EGFR mutation, and the other two coupled with PIK3CA amplification. All the three patients shared the same clinicopathologic characteristics： male, less than 60 years old, had smoke history, stage III and carried wild-type KRAS. Conclusions： The frequency of PIK3CA mutation is low in Chinese patients with LSCC. The mutational status of PIK3CA is not mutually exclusive to EGFR mutation.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma presenting as rare clustered cystic lesions:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death.Early diagnosis is critical to improving a patient’s chance of survival.However,lung cancer associated with cystic airspaces is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed due to the absence of clinical symptoms,poor imaging specificity,and high risk of biopsy-related complications.CASE SUMMARY We report an unusual case of cancer in a 55-year-old man,in which the lesion evolved from a small solitary thin-walled cyst to lung squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)with metastases in both lungs.The SCC manifested as rare clustered cystic lesions,detected on chest computed tomography.There were air-fluid levels,compartments,and bronchial arteries in the cystic lesions.Additionally,there was no clear extrathoracic metastasis.After chemotherapy,the patient achieved a partial response,type I respiratory failure was relieved,and the lung lesions became a clustered thin-walled cyst.CONCLUSION Pulmonary cystic lesions require regular imaging follow-up.Lung SCC should be a diagnostic consideration in cases of thin-walled cysts as well as multiple clustered cystic lesions.

Pembrolizumab-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND For advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma,immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)have been regarded as one of the optimal therapies.While immune-related adverse events(ir AEs)are common in ICI treatment,cutaneous toxicities are among the most common ir AEs.Most immune-related skin toxicity grades are low,and the prognosis is good.However,Stevens-Johnson syndrome(SJS)is a rare but extremely severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction with high mortality.CASE SUMMARY We report a rare case of SJS induced by pembrolizumab.The case involved a 68-year-old female who was diagnosed with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.SJS appeared after one cycle of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy.After treatment with prednisone hormone symptoms,antiinfection,gamma globulin,and antipruritic agents,the skin toxicity of the patients gradually decreased and eventually disappeared.Although the antitumor treatment was stopped due to serious adverse reactions,the tumor of the patient remained stable for nearly half a year after one cycle of immune therapy combined with chemotherapy,which also corroborates the delayed effect of immunotherapy.CONCLUSION We believe our report can provide some references for the treatment of SJS and the treatment of immune-related adverse reactions.

Significance of the Expression of Rho-GDP Dissociation Inhibitor β,γ in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma

Objective： To study the expression of Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor β,γ （Rho-GDIβ, Rho-GDIγ） in lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and its relationship with the expression of RhoC （Ras homologus oncogenes C） and clinicopathologic parameters. Methods： Western blot assay was employed for Rho-GDIβ, Rho-GDIγand RhoC in lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and non-neoplastic lung tissues of 37 cases with fresh specimens. Results： The study showed that Rho-GDIβ, Rho-GDIγ and RhoC were expressed in lung cancer and non-neoplastic lung tissues, the level in lung cancer tissue was much higher than that in non-neoplastic tissues （P〈0.001）. In lung cancer, the expression of Rho-GDIβwas much higher in patients with lymph node metastasis （P=0.021）, and the expression of Rho-GDIγ was much higher in poorly differentiated tumor than in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumor, but both of them were not correlated with other clinicopathologic parameters. The expressions of Rho-GDIβ and Rho-GDIγ were not correlated with the expression of RhoC. Conclusion： In lung cancer, Rho-GDIβand Rho-GDIγ may play a role in the tumorigenesis, Rho-GDIβ may promote metastasis, and Rho-GDIγ may have some relationship with differentiation.

EFFECT OF SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE AND DIETHYLDITHICARBAMATE ON THE INDUCTION OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF LUNG WITHMETHYLCHOLANTHREN IN RATS

The 3rd Hospital of Wuchang District ,Wuhan 432600)The squamous cell carcinoma of lung was induced with methylcholanthrene (MCA) in iodized oil in wistar rts- During the development of the cancer, the animals were given superoxide dismutase (SOD) or its inhibitor diethyldio-carhamate (DDC). In DDC group, 3 out of 50 rats developed cancer and 4 developed atypical hyperplasia of hronchial epithelium within 35 to 40 days.In SOD group, no cancer developed in all of the 52 rats.and only one had atypical hyperplasia in the lungs. Only one of 42 control rats had cancer and 2 rats had atypical hyperplasia of bronchial epithelium . The difference in cancer frequency between groups DDC and SOD was significant (P<0.05). The results suggest that there is a synergism between DDC and MCA in the induction of lung cancer, while SOD can inhibit MCA-induced lung cancer development. The mechanism of the effect of SOD and DDC was discussed.

Expressions of FEZ1 and Survivin, and their significance in small cell lung cancer and squamous cell lung carcinoma

Objective： To detect the expressions of FEZ1 and Survivin in small cell lung cancer （SOLO） and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma （PDSCC）, and to approach a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods： Immunohistochemical and flow cytometry method were used to detect the expressions of FEZ1 and Survivin. Apoptosis ratio and cell proliferation index in normal lung tissue, SCLC and PDSCC were analyzed. Results： The expressions of FEZ1 and Survivin were significantly different between SCLC and PDSCC （P 〈 0.05）. The apoptosis ratio and proliferation index of normal lung tissue were lower than those of PDSCC and SOLO, with a significant difference （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The expressions of FEZ1 and Survivin are significantly different between SCLC and PDSCC, indicating that detecting the expressions of the two indexes may be helpful for clinical diagnosis.

Solitary pancreatic metastasis from squamous cell lung carcinoma: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Pancreatic metastases from squamous cell lung carcinoma(SCLC)are unusual.These lesions are often asymptomatic and detected incidentally or during followup investigations,occasionally several years after removal of the primary tumor.CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old male with SCLC developed jaundice 1 mo after the cancer diagnosis.An abdominal computed tomography(CT)scan showed a mass in the pancreatic head with distention of both intra-and extrahepatic biliary ducts.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy were performed first,culminating with plastic biliary stent placement.Cytological examination of the pancreatic mass sample collected by fine-needle aspiration(FNA)under endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)guidance revealed the presence of malignant cells compatible with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.After liver function normalized,chemotherapy was initiated with carboplatin and paclitaxel;however,4 d later,the patient presented dysphagia.Cervico-thoracoabdominal CT showed tracheoesophageal fistula and stent migration.After replacement with a 10 cm/10 mm uncovered metallic biliary stent and treatment of the tracheoesophageal fistula with a fully covered esophageal stent,the patient was able to start oral feeding progressively.He died 9 mo after the initial diagnosis.CONCLUSION The diagnosis of pancreatic metastasis from SCLC is challenging for clinicians.EUS-FNA is the primary exam for confirmatory diagnosis.

High Secretion of Beta-HCG by Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung in a Postmenopausal Female

With the development of research in tumor, some of them have been found to secrete beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) ectopically and lung cancer is one of them. Generally, lung cancer secreting β-HCG is mostly undifferentiated small cell carcinoma. Here, we report a rare case of squamous cell lung cancer secreting high level of β-HCG in a postmenopausal female. The tumor secreted β-HCG, measuring 16,500 mIU/ml. The patient presented with hemoptysis and postmenopausal bleeding. Pathological examination of CT-guided biopsy and investigations could not tell whether it was primary squamous cell lung cancer or choriocarcinoma with lung metastasis, to be responsible for the high level of β-HCG. The chemotherapy in the early stage seemed to be effective, but not good in the late stage. Then she underwent a right pulmonary middle lobectomy and the pathological examination finally confirmed the diagnosis of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The auxiliary chemotherapy made a decreased β-HCG. Only a few reports of squamous cell lung cancer secreting that high level of β-HCG can be found in the literature.