Publications by authors named "J Lavernia"

Background: Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare tumor driven by the ASPSCR1-TFE3 fusion protein, with a propensity for metastasis. Prognostic factors remain poorly understood, and traditional chemotherapies are largely ineffective. Recent interest lies in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), yet predictive biomarkers for treatment response are lacking.

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Article Synopsis
  • Prognostic biomarkers are important for understanding sporadic desmoid tumors (DT) due to their unpredictable nature; this study focused on gene expression differences between DTs located in the thoracic versus abdominal wall.
  • A retrospective analysis of 197 sporadic DT patients showed significant relationships between relapse-free survival (RFS) and factors like tumor size, location, and specific gene mutations, notably the CTNNB1 T41A and S45F mutations.
  • Results suggest that tumors in the abdominal wall have a better prognosis compared to extra-abdominal locations, with distinct gene expression profiles influencing cancer pathways related to their behavior and outcomes.
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HMGA1 is a structural epigenetic chromatin factor that has been associated with tumor progression and drug resistance. Here, we reported the prognostic/predictive value of HMGA1 for trabectedin in advanced soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and the effect of inhibiting HMGA1 or the mTOR downstream pathway in trabectedin activity. The prognostic/predictive value of HMGA1 expression was assessed in a cohort of 301 STS patients at mRNA (n = 133) and protein level (n = 272), by HTG EdgeSeq transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

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Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, with proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (), or mutations detected in around 85% of cases. GISTs without or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha () mutations are considered wild-type (WT), and their diverse molecular alterations and biological behaviors remain uncertain. They are usually not sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

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Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBCLs) are B-cell lymphomas that can occur in the skin without evidence of extracutaneous involvement. The 2005 WHO/EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas and its 2018 update have distinguished three main categories based on clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and genetic characteristics: primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (PCMZL), primary cutaneous follicle centre lymphoma (PCFCL), and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBCL-LT). PCMZL and PCFCL are clinically indolent, while PCDLBCL-LT is an aggressive lymphoma.

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