Single-cell sequencing has revealed a more complex array of thymic epithelial cells.

Thymic epithelial cells participate in the maturation and selection of T lymphocytes. This review explores recent insights from single-cell sequencing regarding classifying thymic epithelial cells in both normal and neoplastic thymus. Cortical thymic epithelial cells facilitate thymocyte differentiation and contribute to positive selection.

Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study for the Detection of Micrometastases in Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lymphadenectomy represents a fundamental step in the staging and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To date, the extension of lymphadenectomy in early-stage NSCLC is a debated topic due to its possible complications. The detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) is a strategy that can improve the selection of patients in which a more extended lymphadenectomy is necessary.

Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Prevalence of Actionable Alterations in a Monocentric Consecutive Cohort.

Early-stage (ES) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is diagnosed in about 30% of cases. The preferred treatment is surgery, but a significant proportion of patients experience recurrence. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy has a limited clinical benefit.

Endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration: effectiveness and accuracy in non-small cell lung cancer staging.

Introduction: Endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has a cardinal role in the diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), providing an accurate nodal staging in a less invasive way than surgical biopsy. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in the pre-operative NSCLC mediastinal staging, as well as to evaluate EBUS-TBNA specificity and sensibility in our cohort.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of NSCLC patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA followed by major pulmonary resection between January 2020 and December 2022.

Validation of a Gene Expression Approach for the Cytological Diagnosis of Epithelioid and Biphasic Pleural Mesothelioma on a Consecutive Series.

Cytological diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma (PM) is controversial, even using ancillary markers (BAP1, MTAP and CDKN2A). Here, we aimed to prospectively validate a previously developed 117-gene expression panel for the differential cytological diagnosis of epithelioid, biphasic PM and mesothelial hyperplasia. Seventy-seven pleural effusions were classified using the 117-gene expression levels (NanoString system).

A Misleading Case of NTRK-Rearranged Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Herein, we present a misleading case of advanced papillary thyroid carcinoma with lung, node, and pleural metastases, initially diagnosed as metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with papillary features, based on the histological and immunohistochemical analysis of a pleural biopsy. Between August 2019 and August 2020, the patient received 2 ineffective lines of systemic therapy, including a first line of chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed, and a second line of immunotherapy with atezolizumab. Comprehensive genomic profiling by next-generation sequencing on the archival pleural biopsy revealed an NTRK1-TMP3 fusion and comutation of the TERT promoter, commonly found in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Melanocortin receptor 4 as a new target in melanoma therapy: Anticancer activity of the inhibitor ML00253764 alone and in association with B-raf inhibitor vemurafenib.

The aim of our study is to investigate in vitro and in vivo MC4R as a novel target in melanoma using the selective antagonist ML00253764 (ML) alone and in combination with vemurafenib, a B-rafV600E inhibitor. The human melanoma B-raf mutated A-2058 and WM 266-4 cell lines were used. An MC4R null A-2058 cell line was generated using a CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Robotic versus Open Surgery in Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Evaluation of Surgical and Oncological Outcomes.

Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) consists of a heterogeneous group, with different pulmonary extension and lymph nodal involvement. Robotic surgery can play a key role in these tumours thanks to its technological features, although open surgery is still considered the gold-standard approach. Our study aims to evaluate the surgical and oncological outcomes of locally advanced NSCLC patients who underwent robotic surgery in a high-volume centre.

New Immunohistochemical Markers for Pleural Mesothelioma Subtyping.

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) comprises three main subtypes: epithelioid, biphasic and sarcomatoid, which have different impacts on prognosis and treatment definition. However, PM subtyping can be complex given the inter- and intra-tumour morphological heterogeneity. We aim to use immunohistochemistry (IHC) to evaluate five markers (Mesothelin, Claudin-15, Complement Factor B, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 and p21-activated Kinase 4), whose encoding genes have been previously reported as deregulated among PM subtypes.

SARS-CoV-2 spread to endocrine organs is associated with obesity: an autopsy study of COVID-19 cases.

Purpose: SARS-CoV-2 infection may be limited to the respiratory tract or may spread to multiple organs. Besides disease severity, factors associated with virus spread within the host are elusive. Here, we tried to identify features associated with SARS-CoV-2 spread to endocrine organs.

SMARCA4 as a support for the differential diagnosis of poorly differentiated lung carcinomas.

Among non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), sarcomatoid carcinomas account for 3%. They are rare tumours with a poor prognosis, classified into three subgroups, namely pleomorphic carcinoma, pulmonary blastoma and carcinosarcoma. In the 5th edition of WHO Classification of Thoracic Tumours more space is given to SMARC4-deficient lung cancers.

Different pathological response and histological features following neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy in resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy has led to clinical benefits in resectable NSCLC in comparison to chemo-therapy alone. Major pathological response (MPR) and pathological complete response (pCR) have been used as surrogates of neoadjuvant therapy response and clinical outcomes.

An asymptomatic giant AB thymoma in a patient with Down syndrome: a case report.

Background: Mediastinal mass management may represent a real challenge for all the physicians who deal with it. Mediastinum, in fact, contains different vital structures which are often involved by growing neoplasms with increasing severity. Therefore, up to 60% of the patients with mediastinal mass are symptomatic, according to the structure involved.

New Insights in Pleural Mesothelioma Classification Update: Diagnostic Traps and Prognostic Implications.

The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Pleura has introduced significant changes in mesothelioma codification beyond the three current histological subtypes-epithelioid, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Major advances since the 2015 WHO classification include nuclear grading and the introduction of architectural patterns, cytological and stromal features for epithelioid diffuse mesothelioma. Mesothelioma in situ has been recognized as a diagnostic category.

Case report: A giant lung leiomyosarcoma: From an accurate diagnosis to a successful surgery. A rare case and brief literature review.

Primary pulmonary leiomyosarcomas (PPLs) are incredibly rare tumors, characterized by an often-aggressive clinical behavior. Diagnosis is frequently incidental. Whenever present, symptoms are nonspecific, thus PPLs are usually misdiagnosed as other more common respiratory diseases or lung cancer subtypes.

Diagnostics of -Tumor Predisposition Syndrome by a Multitesting Approach: A Ten-Year-Long Experience.

Germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1-associated protein-1 () lead to tumor predisposition syndrome (-TPDS), characterized by high susceptibility to several tumor types, chiefly melanoma, mesothelioma, renal cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Here, we present the results of our ten-year experience in the molecular diagnosis of -TPDS, along with a clinical update and cascade genetic testing of previously reported -TPDS patients and their relatives. Specifically, we sequenced germline DNA samples from 101 individuals with suspected -TPDS and validated pathogenic variants (PVs) by assessing somatic loss in matching tumor specimens.

A Single mtDNA Deletion in Association with a LMNA Gene New Frameshift Variant: A Case Report.

Background: Proximal muscle weakness may be the presenting clinical feature of different types of myopathies, including limb girdle muscular dystrophy and primary mitochondrial myopathy. LGMD1B is caused by LMNA mutation. It is characterized by progressive weakness and wasting leading to proximal weakness, cardiomyopathy, and hearth conduction block.

Gene Expression Analysis of Biphasic Pleural Mesothelioma: New Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers.

Biphasic is the second most common histotype of pleural mesothelioma (PM). It shares epithelioid and sarcomatoid features and is challenging to diagnose. The aim of this study was to identify biphasic PM markers to improve subtyping and prognosis definition.

Bilateral testicular metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma in an adult male with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A syndrome: case report and review of literature.

Introduction: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare endocrine tumor, which can be sporadic or familial, as a component of multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN2). Overall, 10% of MTC cases have already developed at presentation or will develop metastasis during follow-up. Testicular metastases are exceptional and only one case of unilateral testis involvement by metastatic MTC has been already reported in literature.

Automated Analysis of Proliferating Cells Spatial Organisation Predicts Prognosis in Lung Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (lung NENs) are categorised by morphology, defining a classification sometimes unable to reflect ultimate clinical outcome. Subjectivity and poor reproducibility characterise diagnosis and prognosis assessment of all NENs. Here, we propose a machine learning framework for tumour prognosis assessment based on a quantitative, automated and repeatable evaluation of the spatial distribution of cells immunohistochemically positive for the proliferation marker Ki-67, performed on the entire extent of high-resolution whole slide images.

Prevalence of Delta-Like Protein 3 in a Consecutive Series of Surgically Resected Lung Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Delta-like protein 3 (DLL3) is a protein of the Notch pathway, and it is a potential therapeutic target for high-grade lung neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), i.e., small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC).