Lineage-Specific Alterations in Gynecologic Neoplasms with Choriocarcinomatous Differentiation: Implications for Origin and Therapeutics.

Purpose: Choriocarcinoma is most commonly gestational (androgenetic or biparental) but can be of germ cell origin or can develop as a component of a somatic neoplasm (genetically related to the patient). The latter type are aggressive neoplasms for which the underlying genetic alterations are not well characterized.

Experimental Design: To investigate the relationship between the different components of somatic neoplasms with choriocarcinomatous elements, the genetic differences between gestational and nongestational tumors, and identify potential targetable alterations, we analyzed 23 samples from 11 tumors, including five gynecologic-type somatic neoplasms with choriocarcinomatous differentiation (two to three different components each) and six pure choriocarcinomas, for somatic mutations, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and PD-L1 expression.

Identification of Adenosquamous Carcinoma as a Rare Aggressive HER2-negative Subgroup of Esophageal/Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Our purpose was to evaluate the prognostic impact of pathologically confirmed esophageal adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) and its association with HER2 status and clinicopathologic characteristics.

Methods: Among 796 patients with esophageal or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who underwent curative resection, surgical pathology reports were reviewed, and suspected ASC was confirmed utilizing p63 and CK5/6 immunostaining. HER2 status was determined using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Spindle Cell Lipomas Arising at Atypical Locations.

Objectives: Spindle cell lipomas (SCLs) are benign lipomatous neoplasms that classically arise in the posterior neck, upper back, and shoulders of older male patients. We sought to characterize the occurrence of this entity at nonclassic sites.

Methods: All cases of SCL arising at atypical sites were retrieved from our archives.

c-Met expression and MET amplification in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

c-Met is a receptor tyrosine kinase shown to be overexpressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Whereas MET mutations have been identified in 3%-16% of MPMs, MET amplification has recently been reported in a single epithelioid MPM. We studied c-Met expression and MET amplification in a large MPM cohort and correlated results with morphologic and clinical features.

Central nervous system relapse in patients with untreated HER2-positive esophageal or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Although HER2-positive breast cancers demonstrate a propensity for central nervous system (CNS) metastasis, it is unknown whether other HER2-positive tumors, including adenocarcinomas of the esophagus/gastroesophageal junction (EAC), share this characteristic. Insight into this association may inform the development of HER2-targeted therapies that penetrate the blood-brain barrier. We examined HER2 overexpression and gene amplification in 708 patients with EAC who underwent curative-intent surgery during a time period (1980-1997) when no patient received HER2-targeted therapy.

False Negative Cell-Free DNA Screening Result in a Newborn with Trisomy 13.

Background. Noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) is revolutionizing prenatal screening as a result of its increased sensitivity, specificity. NIPS analyzes cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) circulating in maternal plasma to detect fetal chromosome abnormalities.

Morphologic Features of ALK-negative Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphomas With DUSP22 Rearrangements.

Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) are classified into ALK-positive and ALK-negative types. We recently reported that ALK-negative ALCLs are genetically heterogenous. The largest subset, representing 30% of cases, had rearrangements of the DUSP22 locus.

HER-2/neu gene amplification in relation to expression of HER2 and HER3 proteins in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a therapeutic target in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), with gene amplification used as a selection criterion for treatment, although to the authors' knowledge the concordance between amplification and HER2 protein expression remains undefined in EAC. Furthermore, the association between HER2 and its interacting partner, human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3), is unknown yet appears to be of potential therapeutic relevance.

Methods: Patients with untreated EACs (N = 673) were analyzed for HER2 amplification and polysomy 17 by fluorescence in situ hybridization in parallel with immunohistochemistry (IHC) (IHC scores of 0-1+, 2+, and 3+).

Adverse prognostic impact of intratumor heterogeneous HER2 gene amplification in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: There is increasing recognition of the existence of intratumoral heterogeneity of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2), which affects interpretation of HER2 positivity in clinical practice and may have implications for patient prognosis and treatment. We determined the frequency and prognostic impact of heterogeneous HER2 gene amplification and polysomy 17 in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Patients And Methods: HER2 amplification (by fluorescence in situ hybridization) was examined in surgical EAC specimens (n = 675).

Association of HER2/ErbB2 expression and gene amplification with pathologic features and prognosis in esophageal adenocarcinomas.

Purpose: We examined the frequency, tumor characteristics, and prognostic impact of HER2 protein expression and gene amplification in patients with curatively resected esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Experimental Design: HER2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in surgical EAC specimens (n = 713). Gene amplification was examined by FISH in a large subset (n = 344).

Selection of embryos for day-3 transfer at the pronuclear-stage and pronuclear-stage cryopreservation results in high delivery rates in fresh and frozen cycles.

Purpose: Evaluate IVF-ET outcome data for a unique culture and cryopreservation strategy.

Methods: Retrospective study of 92 patients. Embryos for day-3 transfer were selected at pronuclear-stage; all extra zygotes were cryopreserved at pronuclear-stage.