Identifying Comprehensive Genomic Alterations and Potential Neoantigens for Cervical Cancer Immunotherapy in a Cohort of Chinese Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix

Objective Genomic alterations and potential neoantigens for cervical cancer immunotherapy were identified in a cohort of Chinese patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma(CSCC).Methods Whole-exome sequencing was used to identify genomic alterations and potential neoantigens for CSCC immunotherapy.RNA Sequencing was performed to analyze neoantigen expression.Results Systematic bioinformatics analysis showed that C>T/G>A transitions/transversions were dominant in CSCCs.Missense mutations were the most frequent types of somatic mutation in the coding sequence regions.Mutational signature analysis detected signature 2,signature 6,and signature 7 in CSCC samples.PIK3CA,FBXW7,and BICRA were identified as potential driver genes,with BICRA as a newly reported gene.Genomic variation profiling identified 4,960 potential neoantigens,of which 114 were listed in two neoantigen-related databases.Conclusion The present findings contribute to our understanding of the genomic characteristics of CSCC and provide a foundation for the development of new biotechnology methods for individualized immunotherapy in CSCC.

Mechanisms of Sophora flavescens in the treatment of cervical squamous cell carcinoma based on comprehensive biological analysis,network pharmacology,and experimental verification

Objective:This study used comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology analysis to investigate the potentially relevant mechanisms of Sophora flavescens against cervical squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:Consistently altered genes involved in cervical squamous cell cancerization were analyzed in the GEO database.The chemical ingredients and target genes of Sophora flavescens were explored using the TCMSP database.We obtained the potential therapeutic targets of Sophora flavescens by intersecting the above genesets and validated them in the GEPIA database.The interaction between Sophora flavescens and target genes was predicted by molecular docking.RT-qPCR was used to verify the changes of target genes in HeLa cells treated with Sophora flavescens.Single-gene GSEA functional analysis were performed to determine the molecular mechanisms.Results:Fifteen genes related to the transformation of cervical squamous cell carcinoma were identified,among which AR and ESR1 were confirmed as targets for kaempferol,wighteone,formononetin,and phaseolinon.These compounds are the active ingredients in Sophora flavescens.Low expressions of AR and ESR1 correlate with a poor prognosis,while Sophora flavescens treatment increases the expression of AR and ESR1 in HeLa.GSEA analysis showed that AR and ESR1 mainly participate in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusion:Sophora flavescens exert anti-tumor effects by targeting AR and ESR1,which may regulate cancer metastasis.

A preliminary study of genes related to concomitant chemoradiotherapy resistance in advanced uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Background Tumor intrinsic chemoradiotherapy resistance is the primary factor in concomitant chemoradiotherapy failure in advanced uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma. This study aims to identify a set of genes and molecular pathways related to this condition.

Nomograms based on HPV load for predicting survival in cervical squamous cell carcinoma: An observational study with a longterm follow-up

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment human papillomavirus(HPV) viral load for cervical cancer, and to develop nomograms based on HPV load and other clinicopathological factors for long-term survival.Methods: We conducted a prospective study on cervical squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) patients diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2008. Cervical samples were tested for HPV viral load by the Hybrid Capture II(HCII) assay before treatment and 6 months after treatment. Clinical characteristics and follow-up information were also collected. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to adjust covariates in both the radical hysterectomy(RH) treatment group and concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT) treatment group to identify relevant covariates, and then nomograms were constructed and used for internal validation.Results: A total of 520 SCC patients enrolled in this study with a median follow-up of 127 months, 360 patients received RH, whereas 160 patients received CCRT. The median HPV viral load in RH and CCRT groups was356.10 and 294.29, respectively. Tumor size was positively correlated with high pretreatment HPV load in both groups. In CCRT group, the advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO) stage and enlarged retroperitoneal lymph node status determined by computed tomography(LNSCT) were correlated with low HPV load group. Initial HPV viral load, FIGO stage and lymph node metastasis were prognostic factors for RH group, whereas HPV viral load, squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCC-Ag) level and LNSCT were identified as prognostic factors for CCRT group. Nomograms incorporating these predictors for 10-year progression-free survival(PFS) were constructed [concordance index(C-index): 0.756, 0.749].Conclusions: A low pretreatment HPV viral load is an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis of cervical SCC and is related to other clinicopathological factors. The survival nomogram based on HPV viral load could predict the long-term prognosis.

Expression of CDC42 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics

Objective： The high expression of cell division cycle 42 protein （CDC42） may be involved in the occurrence and progression of several tumors. However, the expression and function of CDC42 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression of CDC42 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics. Methods： The expression of CDC42 in 162 cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples and 33 normal cervical tissue samples was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The CDC42 mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Results： The cervical squamous cell carcinoma group showed a significantly higher CDC42 positive rate, compared to the normal cervical tissues （P〈0.05）. Fttrthermore, the tissues of stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ carcinoma patients showed higher CDC42 expression levels compared to stage I patients （P=0.05）. In addition, the expression of CDC42 was not correlated to age of patients, differentiation degree of cancer cells, or lymph node metastasis （P〉0.05）. Furthermore, compare with normal cervical tissues, the CDC42 mRNA expression in cervical cancer had no significant difference. Conclusions： CDC42 was up-regulated at protein level, but not mRNA level, in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. The high expression of CDC42 was correlated to the clinical stage of the patients, indicating that CDC42 might contribute to the progression of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Coexistence of cervical extramedullary plasmacytoma and squamous cell carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Extramedullary plasmacytoma(EMP),a variant form of myeloma,is a rare solid plasma cell tumor that originates from the bone marrow hematopoietic tissue and accounts for about 3%of all plasma cell tumors.EMP can affect various tissues and organs,about 90%of which is found in the head and neck.However,EMP in the reproductive organs is rare,and is difficult to be distinguished from other primary or metastatic genital tumors according to clinical symptoms and imaging findings.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we report a case with coexistence of EMP and squamous cell carcinoma in the cervix.The first histopathological report of neoplasms on the surface of the cervix and vagina showed an EMP.Both ultrasound and pelvic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)indicated that there was a tumor in the cervix.Thus,another cervical biopsy and pathological examination were performed,which indicated EMP combined with squamous cell carcinoma.Then,the patient underwent extensive total hysterectomy(type C1)+systemic lymph node dissection and received 25 external pelvic irradiations with a dose of 50 Gy following surgery.During 2-year follow-up,no recurrence was reported.CONCLUSION In conclusion,EMP involving the reproductive system is relatively rare.In this case,MRI,B-ultrasound,and cervical canal scraping were used to further determine the diagnosis of EMP combined with squamous cell carcinoma.The patient had improved prognosis after appropriate treatments.

Endu combined with concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for stage IIB-IVA cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND In recent years,the incidence of cervical cancer has increased with increasing life pressures and changes in women's social roles,posing a serious threat to women's physical and mental health.AIM To explore the clinical effect of Endo combined with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma.METHODS A total of 120 patients admitted to the oncology department of our hospital were selected as the research subjects.They were equally divided into the test group and the control group(60 patients each)with a random number table.The test group was treated with Endo combined with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy,and the control group was treated with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy.We compared the serum thymidine kinase 1(TK1),human epididymis protein 4(HE4),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen(SCC-Ag)levels,the clinical effects and survival before and after radiotherapy and chemotherapy,the quality score,and the 3-year follow-up outcomes between the two groups.RESULTS After chemotherapy,the complete remission+partial remission rate was 85.00%in the test group and 68.33%in the control group;the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Before chemotherapy,the serum TK1,HE4,VEGF,and SCC-Ag levels of the two groups were not significantly different(P>0.05).After chemotherapy,the levels of serum TK1(1.27±0.40 pmol/L),HE4(81.4±24.0 pmol/L),VEGF(235.1±38.0 pg/mL),and SCC-Ag(1.76±0.55 ng/mL)were lower than those in the control group[TK1(1.58±0.51 pmol/L),HE4(98.0±28.6)pmol/L,VEGF(284.2±54.1 pg/mL),and SCC-Ag(2.34±0.78 ng/mL)].The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Before chemotherapy,there were no significant differences in the physical,role,mood,cognition,social and symptom scale scores of the two groups(P>0.05).After chemotherapy,the physical,role,mood,cognitive and social scores were higher in the test group than in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The symptom scale scores of the test group were all lower than those of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The 3-year progression-free survival(PFS)rate was 43.33%in the test group and 26.67%in the control group;the overall survival(OS)rate was 48.33%in the test group and 33.33%in the control group;the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The 3-year PFS time of the test group was 20.0 mo,which was longer than that of the control group(15.0 mo),and the difference was significant(P<0.05).The OS time of the test group was 30.0 mo,which was longer than that of the control group(18.0 mo),and the difference was significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Endo combined with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma has a positive effect on reducing the level of tumor markers in patients,prolonging the PFS and OS times of patients,and improving the quality of life.

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.

Squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from unknown primary origin:the impact of chemoradiotherapy

The management of cervical lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary site is still a therapeutic challenge.We report here our experience in treating these patients with chemoradiotherapy as a curative approach.Data from 40 patients were reviewed.In total,20(50%) patients underwent excisional biopsy.All patients underwent radiotherapy,which was delivered to both sides of the neck and pharyngeal mucosa(extensive field),and concurrent chemotherapy consisting of weekly cisplatin at a dose of 40 mg/m2.The clinical stage of the cervical nodes at presentation was N1 in 25%,N2 in 60%,and N3 in 15%.Most patients(75%) developed at least grade 3 mucositis.Eight patients(20%) had grade 3 xerostomia and 18 patients(45%) required esophageal dilation for stricture.The 5-year overall survival(OS) rate of all patients was 67.5%.The 5-year OS rates of patients with N1,N2,and N3 lesions were 100%,67%,and 41%,respectively(P = 0.046).The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 62.5%.In multivariate analysis,only N stage significantly affected OS(P = 0.022).Emergence of the occult primary was very limited(1 patient only).Our results suggest that extensive irradiation of both sides of the neck and pharyngeal mucosa with concurrent chemotherapy results in a lower emergence of primary tumor.Because the survival of patients with unknown primary is comparable to that of patients with known primary,an attempt at cure should always be made.

Nimotuzumab with Concurrent Chemoradiation in Inoperable Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck: An Indian Experience

Background: The prognosis of patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) overexpression in inoperable Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck (LASCCHN) remains poor. Nimotuzumab is an Anti EGFR humanized monoclonal antibody approved for treatment of LASCCHN, with concurrent chemoradiation. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab with concurrent chemoradiation in inoperable LASCCHN patients. Methodology: This is a single-centre, single arm, retrospective study evaluating 35 patients with histologically confirmed inoperable LASCCHN (stages III-IV). The patients were administered IV cisplatin 50 mg/m2 and IV nimotuzumab 200 mg for 6 - 7 weeks, along with radiotherapy of 6600 - 7000 cGy over 35 fractions. Patients were evaluated over response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) criteria 12 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy. They were also followed up for overall survival and relapse free survival. Results: The median duration of follow-up was 20 months. The most common site of cancer was oropharynx (68.6%). One patient was lost to follow up. Objective Response Rate (ORR) was observed in 97% of the patients with 17 patients (48.6%) achieving complete response (CR) and 17 patients (48.6%) achieving partial response (PR). The median overall survival was 22.7 months (95% CI: 21.30, 34.27). The median relapse free survival was 16.7 months (95% CI: 9.80, 24.50). Nimotuzumab was safe and well tolerated with few mild, self-limiting adverse events. Conclusion: Nimotuzumab with chemoradiation is a safe and efficacious option in patients with LASCCHN. Larger studies are needed to verify the same.

Nimotuzumab with Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck (LASCCHN)

Background: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) constitute 5% of all cancers globally and are the most common cancers in India. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not been proved to be effective in advanced cases and the prognosis remains dismal. This underscores the need for newer treatment options in these cases. Nimotuzumab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) monoclonal antibody, was safer when combined with chemo- or radio-therapy. Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of concurrently administered nimotuzumab with chemo-radiotherapy in patients with advanced inoperable squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck (LASCCHN). Methods:?This was an open-label, single arm study evaluating 57 patients with histologically confirmed inoperable LASCCHN (stages III and IV) and eastern co-operative oncology group (ECOG) performance status < 2. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. The patients were administered IV cisplatin 30 mg/m2?and IV nimotuzumab 200 mg weekly for 6 weeks, along with radiotherapy of 6600 cGy over 33 fractions. Patients were evaluated over response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) criteria 24 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy. Results: Mean age of patient was 50 years old (29 - 79 years old). The most common site of cancer was oral cavity (56.1%). Forty six patients (80.7%) completed 6 cycles of therapy. Objective response rate (ORR) was 80.7%, with 34 patients (59.6%) achieving complete response (CR), and 12 (21%) achieving partial response (PR). Stable disease (SD) was noted in 8 (14%) patients and progressive disease in 3 (5.2%) patients. Conclusion: Addition of nimotuzumab is a safe and efficacious option in patients with inoperable LASCCHN. Our observations confirm the available Phase II data. The long term survival benefits based on this encouraging response rate need to be further evaluated in this subset of cancer patients.

THE OVEREXPRESSION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF CYCLIN D1 AND P53 IN CERVICAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMAS

Objective To investigate the significance of overexpresson of cyclin D1 and P53 protein in cervical squamous cell carcinomas.Methods Fifty cases of invasive cervical squamous cell carcinomas and 10 cases of normal cervical squamous epithelia were investigated with immunihistochemical technique. Results The overexpression of cyclin D1 and P53 in invasive cervical carcinomas was 70% and 50%, respectively. There was no overexpression of them in the control group. The overexpression of cyclin D1 in grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ was much higher than that in gradeⅠ(P<0.05). The overexpresson of cyclin D1 in stage Ⅲ of cervical carcinoma was significantly higher than that in stage Ⅱ (P<0.05). The overexpression of P53 in grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ of cervical carcinoma was remarkably higher than that in grade Ⅰ (P<0.05).Conclusion The action point of both cyclin D1 and P53 may be at G1/S transition. The overexpression of them was associated with development and progression of cervical carcinoma probably in different mechanisms and different pathways.

Elective regional lymphadenectomy for advanced auricular squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the rate of occult lymph node disease in elective parotidectomy and neck dissection specimens in patients with advanced auricular cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma(cS CC). METHODS: At a single institution, from 2000 to 2010, 17 patients with advanced auricular cS CC were considered high risk for occult regional parotid and/or neck nodal metastases and, thus, underwent an auriculectomy and elective regional lymphadenectomy(parotidectomy and/or neck dissection). Indications for elective regional lymphadenectomy were large tumor size, locally invasive tumors, post-surgical and post-radiation recurrence, and being an immunosuppressed patient. We determined the presence of microscopic disease in the regional(parotid and neck dissection) pathology specimens.RESULTS: There were 17 advanced auricular c SCC patients analyzed for this study. Fifteen(88%) patients were men. The average age was 69(range: 33 to 86). Ten(59%) patients presented with post-surgical recurrence. Five(29%) patients presented with postradiation recurrence. Four(24%) patients presentedwith both post-surgical and post-radiation recurrence. Four(24%) patients were immunosuppressed(2(12%) were liver transplant patients, 2(12%) were chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, and 1(6%) was both). The subsite distribution of c SCC included helix(3, 18%), antihelix(2, 12%), conchal bowl(7, 41%), tragus(2, 12%), and postauricular sulcus(3, 18%). Four(24%) patients presented with multifocal auricular cS CC. No patients had bilateral disease. All patients were confirmed to have c SCC on final pathology. The tumors were well(5, 29%), moderately(10, 59%), and poorly(2, 12%) differentiated SCC. The average size of the cS CC tumor was 2.9 cm(range: 1.7 to 7 cm). Twelve(70%) tumors were greater than 2 cm. Six(35%) patients underwent partial auriculectomy. Eleven(65%) patients underwent total auriculectomy. Eight(47%) patients underwent elective parotidectomy and elective neck dissections; 3(18%) underwent only elective parotidectomy; 3(18%) underwent only an elective neck dissection; 2(12%) underwent an elective parotidectomy and therapeutic neck dissection; and 1(6%) underwent a therapeutic parotidectomy and an elective neck dissection. None of the elective parotidectomy or neck dissection specimens were found to contain any malignant disease. All therapeutic parotidectomy and neck dissection specimens contained metastatic SCC. Fourteen(82%) underwent parotidectomy. Of these, 10(71%) underwent superficial parotidectomy whereas 4(29%) underwent total parotidectomy. Fourteen(82%) underwent neck dissections [levels Ⅱ/Ⅴa(1, 7%), levels Ⅱ/Ⅲ/Ⅴa(2, 14%), levels Ⅰ/Ⅱ/Ⅲ/Ⅴa(2, 14%), and complete levels Ⅰ-Ⅴ(9, 64%)]. Three(18%) underwent concurrent temporal bone resections for tumor extension from the auricle. The average follow-up for our patients was 44 mo(range: 4 to 123 mo). At the time of the review, 6(35%) patients were alive and 11(65%) had passed away. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that, in patients with advanced auricular cutaneous SCC, elective regional lymphadenectomy is not necessary. However,furtherprospective studies are necessary to assess the necessity.

Relationship between Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in Cervical Carcinoma

Objective To study the relationship between cell proliferation and apoptosis in cervical carcinoma and its clinical significance. Methods The cell proliferation and apoptosis of cervical epithelial cells in archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of normal cervix, cervical intraepithelial neoplasms (GIN) and cervical squamous carcinoma were tested by using immunohistochemistry assay and DNA nick end-labeling technigue. The proliferation index (PI) and apoptosis index (AI) were calculated and their correlation with clinical and pathological data was analyzed.Results PI was gradually increased, but the AI and AI/PI ratio decreased from normal cervical epithelium, GIN to cervical carcinoma. There was no significant relationship among cell proliferation, apoptosis, clinical stages and pathological grades. High AI was always associated with a poor prognosis of the patients.Conclusion Cell proliferation and apoptosis allow to distinguish among normal epithelium, GIN and cervical carcinoma and are useful for the assessment of the malignant potential of tumor tissues.

Endometrial squamous cell carcinoma originating from the cervix: A case report

BACKGROUND Cervical squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)is the most common type of cervical carcinoma and is generally derived from a precancerous stage called cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(HSIL).Usually,the cancer metastasizes through lymphatic or hematogenous dissemination,but rarely spreads upward into the uterus.Here,we report a case of cervical HSIL extending into the endometrium and finally progressing to SCC in the uterine cavity.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old postmenopausal woman visited our department and requested a routine cervical check-up.Four years ago,she had undergone a cervical loop electrosurgical excision procedure because of HSIL found during the gynecological examination,and she had not been checked again since.This time,a relapse of the cervical HSIL was diagnosed along with uterine pyometra and endometrial polyps.After 2 wk of antibiotic treatment,a laparoscopic hysterectomy was performed,and the final pathological examination revealed that the cervical HSIL had spread directly upward into the uterine cavity,gradually developing into cervical SCC in the endometrium.CONCLUSION Cervical HSIL/SCC can directly spread upward into the uterus with the most common symptoms of pyometra and cervical stenosis.More attention should be given to the early detection and prevention of this disease.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma:A systematic review of phase-3 clinical trials

BACKGROUND The outcomes of patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)who are not candidates for local salvage therapy and of those diagnosed with recurrent or metastatic disease are dismal.A relatively new systemic therapy option that emerged in recent years in the treatment of advanced HNSCC is immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs).The safety profile and anti-tumor activity of these agents demonstrated in early phase clinical trials paved the way to the initiation of several promising phase-3 trials in the field.AIM To evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of ICIs in HNSCC,based on published phase-3 clinical trials.METHODS We searched PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,and Scopus to identify published literature evaluating immunotherapy using ICIs in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC(R/M HNSCC)and locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(LAHNSCC).We used a combination of standardized search terms and keywords including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma,recurrent,metastatic,locally advanced,immunotherapy,immune checkpoint inhibitors,monoclonal antibodies,programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1),programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1),cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4(CTLA-4),and phase-3 clinical trial.A sensitive search filter was used to limit our results to randomized controlled trials.RESULTS Five phase-3 clinical trials have reported the data on the effectiveness of immunotherapy in HNSCC so far:Four in R/M HNSCC and one in LAHNSCC.In patients with R/M HNSCC,anti-PD-1 agents nivolumab and pembrolizumab demonstrated improved survival benefits in the second-line treatment setting compared to the standard of care(standard singleagent systemic therapy).While the net gain in overall survival(OS)with nivolumab was 2.4 mo[hazard ratio(HR)=0.69,P=0.01],that with pembrolizumab was 1.5 mo(HR=0.80 nominal P=0.0161).The anti-PD-L1 agent durvalumab with or without the anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 agent tremelimumab did not result in any beneficial outcomes.In the first-line setting,in R/M HNSCC,pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in significant improvement in survival with a net gain in OS of 2.3 mo(HR=0.77,P=0.0034)in the overall population and a net gain in OS of 4.2 mo in the PD-L1 positive(combined positive score>20)population compared to standard of care(EXTREME regime).In patients with PD-L1 positive R/M HNSCC,monotherapy with pembrolizumab also demonstrated statistically significant improvement in survival compared to EXTREME.In LAHNSCC,immunotherapy using avelumab(an anti-PD-L1 agent)along with standard chemoradiation therapy did not result in improved outcomes compared to placebo plus chemoradiation therapy.CONCLUSION Anti-PD-1 agents provide survival benefits in R/M HNSCC in the first and second-line settings,with acceptable toxicity profiles compared to standard therapy.There is no proven efficacy in the curative setting to date.

Expression and clinical significance of Klotho and Beclin1 in cervical squamous carcinoma

Objective:To detect the expression of klotho and beclin1 protein in chronic cervicitis, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) group, high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) group and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) group.Methods:Immunohistochemical technique (Envision) was used to detect the expression of Klotho and Beclin1 proteins in each study group. The correlation between the expression of the above two proteins and the pathological features of SCC and the expression of the two proteins in SCC were analyzed.Results: The positive expression rates of Klotho protein in chronic cervicitis group, LSIL group, HSIL group and SCC group were 95%, 92.86%, 65.38%, 27.90%, respectively. The positive rates of Beclin1 protein in chronic cervicitis group, LSIL group, HSIL group were 25.0%, 28.57%, 38.46% and 74.42%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant. The expression of Klotho and Beclin1 in SCC was correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, but not with the age, figo stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor size, depth of invasion and vessel invasion, but not with the age of the patient, tumor figo stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor size, depth of invasion and vessel invasion. There was no correlation between the expression of klotho and beclin1 in SCC tissues.Conclusion: The abnormal expression of klotho and beclin1 may be related to the development, invasion and metastasis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

HPV Related Retroperitoneal Squamous Cell Cancer: A Rare Presentation

Objective: To describe the primary carcinoma of the retroperitoneum that was positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), a surrogate molecular marker for high-risk HPV (p16) and p53. Methods: This is a case report. Results: We report a case of 50-year-old woman with a large retroperitoneal mass (squamous cell carcinoma on histology) that was treated in September of 2014 with radical concurrent chemotherapy with weekly cisplatin and pelvic radiation (4500 cGY) and additional right pelvic boost of 900 cGY. It was assumed she had FIGO stage IIIB local advanced cervical cancer. She initially presented with the right leg swelling, severe pain and difficulty in walking and was treated with antibiotics for presumed cellulitis. Several months later right leg extensive deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was diagnosed and was started on anticoagulation. CT scan and MRI reported a large right-sided retroperitoneal mass occluding the illiac vessels and ureter. The mass had invaded into the adjacent pelvic sidewall, with destruction of the iliacus muscle and underlying iliac wing. MRI showed that the cervix and uterus were both normal. On examination cervix appeared grossly normal and cervical punch biopsy revealed HSIL only. CT-guided biopsy of the mass revealed a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma positive for p16 and p53. Conclusion: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the retroperitoneum is a real entity that is unknown. It is unclear if primary neoplasia in the cervix was small from which a cell clone arose and migrated to the retroperitoneal space.

核转录因子红系2相关因子2和p62在宫颈鳞状细胞癌和上皮内病变中的表达及诊断价值

目的 探讨核转录因子红系2相关因子2(Nrf2)与选择性自噬接头蛋白p62/Sequestosome1 (SQSTM1)在诊断宫颈癌和上皮内病变中的价值,并且分析二者在不同宫颈病变中的相关性。方法 收集2008年1月至2021年12月南通市肿瘤医院120例宫颈鳞状细胞癌(SCC)、102例低级别鳞状上皮内病变(LSIL)和101例高级别鳞状上皮内病变(HSIL)病人及49例宫颈良性/反应性鳞状上皮病人的石蜡标本,免疫组织化学方法检测其中Nrf2和p62的表达,并分析二者在不同宫颈病变中的相关性及评估二者在诊断中的价值。结果 Nrf2和p62在LSIL、HSIL和SCC中表达明显高于良性/反应性宫颈鳞状上皮(均P<0.05),Nrf2和p62在HSIL和SCC中表达明显高于LSIL(均P<0.05),p62在SCC中表达明显高于HSIL(P<0.05),而Nrf2在HSIL中表达稍低于SCC(P<0.05)。Nrf2和p62在良性/反应性宫颈鳞状上皮、LSIL、HSIL和SCC中均具有正相关性,相关系数分别为0.63、0.58、0.69和0.38(均P<0.05)。ROC曲线结果显示,除Nrf2在诊断HSIL与SCC中差异无统计学意义外,Nrf2、p62以及联合Nrf2和p62在诊断良性/反应性鳞状上皮与LSIL、良性/反应性鳞状上皮与HSIL、良性/反应性鳞状上皮与SCC、LSIL与HSIL、LSIL与SCC、HSIL与SCC各个组别中均差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论 Nrf2和p62在良性/反应性鳞状上皮中不表达或低表达,LSIL中表达有所增高,HSIL和SCC中表达最高,二者在不同宫颈病变中均具有正相关性,而且单独使用Nrf2或p62就能够有效诊断不同的宫颈病变,二者联用诊断效果更佳。

卡瑞利珠单抗治疗宫颈鳞状细胞癌致反应性皮肤毛细血管增生症

报告1例宫颈鳞状细胞癌放化疗后使用卡瑞利珠单抗治疗导致反应性皮肤毛细血管增生症。患者女,58岁。全身多发丘疹1个月。皮肤科检查:全身散在粟米至米粒大红色丘疹,以头面颈为重,下唇见一外生性红色结节,头皮及耳前大部分丘疹融合成片,呈桑椹样外观。皮损组织病理检查:真皮浅层见分叶状肿瘤细胞团块,并可见较多血管腔,增生的血管及内皮细胞形态较规则,无异形。诊断:反应性皮肤毛细血管增生症。