Loss Of PMS2 Research Articles

HGG-44. DEFECTS OF MISMATCH REPAIR PROTEINS IN PEDIATRIC HIGH GRADE GLIOMAS

Hetero- and homozygous germline mutations of the mismatch repair genes MLH1, PMS2, MSH2 and MSH6 cause Lynch and constitutional mismatch repair (CMMRD) cancer predisposition syndrome, respectively. Affected CMMRD individuals are at risk to develop a variety of neoplasms including CNS tumors, particularly high grade gliomas (HGG), during childhood. Currently, few data exist on the prevalence of CMMRD in children with pediatric HGG. We screened a consecutive series of 79 supratentorial HGGs. Tumor tissue was available in 42 patients, 5 were reclassified as non-HGGs. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against MLH1, PMS2, MSH2 and MSH6 was performed in 37 tumors. Four patients (3 families) with known CMMRD were included. The evaluation of the slides was performed blinded to the CMMRD status. All four patients with known CMMRD (3 patients with PMS2, one with MSH6 mutation) were identified, showing loss of PMS2 and MSH2/MSH6, respectively. Additionally, we identified 6 patients with loss of MSH2/MSH6 staining in tumor cells, but retained staining in preexisting cells, indicating a pattern like in Lynch syndrome. NGS sequencing of these tumor tissues revealed in 2 patients MSH2 mutations and in one patient a hypermutator phenotype with MSH2 and MSH6 mutations. In 3/6 patients no mutations in the MMR genes were detectable. In summary, we found a low prevalence of CMMRD among HGGs, but identified also 2 patients with probable Lynch syndrome. Immunhistochemistry is an effective tool to screen for patients with MMR defects and should be performed in HGGs to optimize treatment and offer affected families genetic counseling.

Mismatch Repair Gene Expression In Testicular Germ Cell Tumors And Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Metastasis

Abstract Introduction/Objective Testicular germ cell tumors (TCGT) with somatic mismatch repair pathway defects have shown to have worse prognosis and response to therapy. Immunohistochemical staining pattern of MMR panel was classified in a previous study as low (absent or minimal) and high staining (moderate or high staining), with the low staining pattern suggestive of poor prognosis and high risk of recurrence. Herein, we studied the MMR staining pattern in TGCT and lymph node metastasis. Methods 21 TGCT were included in the study: 10 primary testicular tumors and 11 unrelated retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis. All cases were analyzed for MMR protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Clinical, histopathological and follow-up was obtained in all cases. Retained MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 was defined as nuclear staining. Loss of expression was defined as absence of nuclear staining within tumor cells with retained expression in internal control cells, including benign testicular tissue, stromal cells, and infiltrating lymphocytes. Results All primary testicular tumors were mixed GCT: embryonal carcinomas was present in 5, yolk sac tumor in 3 and teratoma in 6 cases. One (10%) of the primary tumors showed focal loss of MLH1 and PMS2 expression in a focus of embryonal carcinoma. All lymph node metastases consisted of teratoma. Seven (64%) metastatic cases showed scattered areas of focal MLH1 loss, 5 (45%) of which showed also focal loss of PMS2. High staining for MSH2 and MSH6 was detected in all 21 cases. Conclusion In our small cohort, focal loss of MLH1 and PMS2 was detected in 10% of primary TGCT, compared to focal loss of MLH1 and PMS2 is 64% and 45%, respectively, of metastatic tumors, suggesting a possible relationship between heterogeneous MLH1 and PMS2 expression and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis. The current cohort will be expanded to include additional cases.

False Negative Rate (2%) of Lynch Syndrome Screening Utilizing A Two-Antibody (PMS2/MSH6) Immunohistochemistry Panel: Failure To Detect a Subset of MSH2-Deficient Endometrial Carcinomas

Abstract Introduction/Objective Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited condition caused by defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR), leading to a higher incidence of cancers of multiple sites. Screening for LS is now recommended for new diagnoses of endometrial cancer (EC) using either two- (PMS2, MSH6) or four-antibody (2/4Ab) (PMS2, MSH6, MSH2, MLH1) immunohistochemical (IHC) panels. The 2Ab panel assumes consistent loss of expression of the minor dimer component, PMS2 or MSH6, when the major component, MLH1 or MSH2, respectively, is lost due to mutation. Recent studies have indicated that 2Ab testing may lead to underdiagnosis of MSH2-deficient tumors in cases where MSH6 staining is weak or focal, potentially leading to underdiagnosis of LS. Methods We conducted a retrospective study using archived slides for 293 cases of EC (identified via LIS search from 2016-2019) that were screened using the 2Ab panel (expanded to 4Ab when PMS2 or MSH6 were negative). MSH6 expression was reviewed; if weak, focal (less than 10% staining), or both, MSH2 IHC was performed. When a previously undetected loss of MSH2 expression was found, the attending clinician was informed such that referral to medical genetics could be arranged. Results Results Overall, 68 (23.2%) tumors were MMR deficient, with 54 (18.4%) showing MLH1/PMS2 loss, 7 (2.4%) with MSH2/MSH6 loss, 2 (0.7%) with isolated PMS2 loss, 4 (1.4%) with isolated MSH6 loss, and 6 (2.0%) with isolated MSH2 loss (i.e. intact but weak/focal MSH6, seen in biopsy and hysterectomy specimens). Interestingly, 1 tumor (1.5%) demonstrated loss of MSH6, MLH1 and PMS2. Two tumors (0.7%) with isolated MSH2 loss were previously unrecognized as MMR-deficient and hence at high risk for LS. Both cases were evaluated by PCR for microsatellite instability (MSI) and confirmed to have high-degree MSI. Conclusion This study identifies the frequency of mismatch repair deficient endometrial cancers in Atlantic Canada, highlights a potential pitfall of using two-stain IHC screening for Lynch syndrome, and supports emerging recommendations for universal Lynch syndrome screening in EC.

Undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma arising in the background of high-grade endometrial carcinoma - Expanding the definition of dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma.

Dedifferentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma (DEC) is defined by the coexistence of undifferentiated carcinoma with low-grade (FIGO grade 1 or 2) endometrioid carcinoma. Few cases of DEC arising in the background of high-grade carcinoma (DEC-HG) have been reported, however, this phenomenon is poorly characterized. In this study we describe the morphologic, immunohistochemical and clinico-pathologic characteristics of DEC-HG. 18 DECs were diagnosed at our institution between 2008-2019, and in 11 (61%), the undifferentiated component was associated with high-grade carcinoma (8 endometrioid FIGO grade 3, 2 with ambiguous features, 1 serous). The remaining 7 (39%) represented DEC-LG (3 FIGO grade 1 and 4 FIGO grade 2). 7/11 (64%) patients with DEC-HG presented with advanced stage (FIGO stage III/IV), whereas most with DEC-LG (6/7, 86%) were stage I. On follow up, 2 patients in the DEC-HG group died of disease and 2 had progressive disease within 2months of surgery. There was only one recurrence in the DEC-LG, 6months post-surgery. The DEC component in both groups showed similar morphology and immunophenotype, with predominantly focal or complete loss of expression of pan-keratin, EMA, E-cadherin, CK8/18, PAX8 and ER. The DEC component in the DEC-HG group had wild-type p53 expression in 8/11 (73%) cases, loss of MLH1 and PMS2 in 6/11 (55%) and loss of SMARCA4 in 3/9 (33%). Although numbers are small, we show that DEC-HG is a previously under-recognized phenomenon, with morphologic and immunophenotypic similarities to DEC-LG, which supports expanding the definition of DEC to include DEC-HG. DEC-HG may be more aggressive than DEC-LG.

Assessment of mismatch repair protein expression by immunohistochemistry in endometrial carcinomas with clinicopathological correlation: A study from Indian Tertiary Cancer Care Centre

Objectives: Endometrial carcinomas (EC) are known to be histologically and biologically heterogeneous, and their recent molecular characterization has highlighted their etiologic heterogeneity. The aim of the present study was to analyze mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in ECs by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and correlates the data with their pathological parameters. Material and Methods: The expression of MMR proteins was analyzed using IHC in VENTANA BENCHMARK XT system, on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. The study population included 102 newly diagnosed cases of ECs over a duration of 2 years. Results: On histopathologic subtyping, 85.1% of cases were of Type 1 EC, 9.8% were Type 2 EC, and 4.9% were malignant mixed Mullerian tumors. On IHC for MMR protein expression, 22 of 102 cases (21.6%) showed loss of one or more protein, and mean age of patients with deficient MMR (dMMR) was 59.6 years. All of these dMMR cases were of endometrioid subtype, forming 25.3% of EEC. The combined loss of MLH1 and PMS2 was the most common abnormality detected (50% of dMMR). On pathological correlation, 54.5% of dMMR cases were found to be of higher grade (grade 2/3; P = 0.002) and 68.2% were higher stage tumors (T1b and above; P < 0.0001). The lymph-vascular invasion was seen in 50% of dMMR cases (4 of 8 cases). Conclusion: Detecting MMR protein loss in ECs by IHC is an efficient, relatively simple, and economical method. It needs to be routinely performed in all cases of ECs. Studies are still underway to utilize it as a therapeutic modality using immunotherapy.

Comprehensive Immuno-Molecular Profiles for Liposarcoma: Roles of Programmed Death Ligand 1, Microsatellite Instability, and PIK3CA

Background: Developing personalized strategies for cancer has shown good efficacies. Methods: We assessed the molecular targets programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), microsatellite instability (MSI), and PIK3CA. Seventy-four patients with liposarcomas who underwent curative resection were assessed for PD-L1 expression in the tumor and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6) by immunohistochemistry, MSI using polymerase chain reaction, and PIK3CA mutation/amplification using pyrosequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results: Seventeen (23%) cases were TIL⁺ (≥1 + expression) and associated with longer 5-year overall survival than those with TIL^– tumors (84.4 vs. 60.8%, p = 0.007). Six (35.3%) PD-L1⁺ tumors were detected only in TIL⁺ cases, with none detected in tumor cells. Two well-differentiated liposarcomas showed MSI, one low and one high with concurrent loss of MLH1, MSH6, and PMS2. PIK3CA mutation was detected in 7 (9.5%) [exon 9 (n = 4) and exon 20 (n = 3)] and only 1 Q546K mutation was a PD-L1⁺ tumor. PIK3CA copy number gain was detected in 18 (24.4%) and was associated with TIL⁺ tumors (p = 0.045). Conclusions: Our comprehensive immuno-molecular panel suggests that liposarcoma should be categorized based on the molecular genomic subtype for precision medicine.

Risk of Cancer in Family Members of Patients with Lynch-Like Syndrome.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is a common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). Some CRC patients develop mismatch repair deficiency without germline pathogenic mutation, known as Lynch-like syndrome (LLS). We compared the risk of CRC in first-degree relatives (FDRs) in LLS and LS patients. LLS was diagnosed when tumors showed immunohistochemical loss of MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2; or loss of MLH1 with BRAF wild type; and/or no MLH1 methylation and absence of pathogenic mutation in these genes. CRC and other LS-related neoplasms were followed in patients diagnosed with LS and LLS and among their FDRs. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for CRC and other neoplasms associated with LS among FDRs of LS and LLS patients. In total, 205 LS (1205 FDRs) and 131 LLS families (698 FDRs) had complete pedigrees. FDRs of patients with LLS had a high incidence of CRC (SIR, 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.56–2.71), which was significantly lower than that in FDRs of patients with LS (SIR, 4.25; 95% CI, 3.67–4.90; p < 0.001). The risk of developing other neoplasms associated with LS also increased among FDR of LLS patients (SIR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.44–2.80) but was lower than that among FDR of patients with LS (SIR, 5.01, 95% CI, 4.26–5.84; p < 0.001). FDRs with LLS have an increased risk of developing CRC as well as LS-related neoplasms, although this risk is lower than that of families with LS. Thus, their management should take into account this increased risk.

Next generation sequencing to decipher concurrent loss of PMS2 and MSH6 in colorectal cancer

BackgroundImmunohistochemistry (IHQ) is commonly used for the detection of mismatch repair proteins deficiency (MMRD). One very infrequent abnormal pattern of MMR protein expression is the loss of PMS2 and MSH6, with intact expression of MLH1 and MSH2.Case presentationWe review the frequency of this MMRD IHC pattern among 108 colorectal (CRCs) and 35 endometrial cancers in our files with loss of expression of at least one protein, and present two CRCs showing loss of PMS2 and MSH6 protein expression (1.9% of CRCs). NGS analysis of these tumours identified PMS2 mutations (R134* germline mutation in one tumour and M1R and c.1239delA somatic mutation in the other) as the primary event and somatic MSH6 mutation (c.3261dupC) as the secondary event in both tumours.ConclusionsThis study suggests that Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) tumour analysis should be considered in the algorithm of Lynch syndrome screening to detect MMR gen somatic mutation in inconclusive cases.

Clinicopathological features of 50 mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient endometrial carcinomas, tested by immunohistochemistry: A single institutional feasibility study, India

There are few comprehensive studies from Asia on clinicopathologic features of mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient endometrial carcinomas, including rarely from our country.One hundred and four cases of endometrial carcinomas were tested for four MMR proteins by immunohistochemistry.Among 50 MMR-deficient (MMRd) tumors(48%), age-range was 27–68 years(median = 53) and tumor size(n = 34) varied from 1.2–10 cm(average = 4.6). Lower uterine segment(LUS) was involved in 21/31 cases(67.7%). Histopathologically, all cases were endometrioid adenocarcinomas(EMACs), of FIGO grade 2(low-grade)(18 cases) and 3(high-grade)(32 cases), displaying de-differentiated, undifferentiated and lymphoepithelioma(LE)-like patterns, in 24 cases(48%). Tumor infiltration ≥ half of myometrium was seen in 30/44 cases (68.1%); lymphovascular emboli in 19/43 cases(44.1%); and lymph node metastasis in 7/22(31.8%) cases. Uncommonly, clear cell component(n = 2) and focal neuroendocrine differentiation (n = 2) were observed. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells showed paired loss of MLH1 and PMS2 in 33(66%) and MSH2 and MSH6 in 14(28%) cases, along with loss of MSH2 and PMS2, in two and a single case, respectively. Nine patients(18%) were treated for another cancer and 9/33(27.2%) disclosed familial history of cancer. MSH2 was the most frequently lost MMR protein in those cases. Additionally, tumor cells displayed ER positivity in 41/50 cases(82%), PR in 38/41cases(92.6%) and wild-type p53 staining in 24/28 cases(85.7%). Tumor with LE-pattern showed PDLI immunoexpression.Certain clinicopathologic features suggestive for MMRd associated ECs, such as relatively large-sized tumors, involving LUS; especially high-grade, infiltrative EMACs, with undifferentiated/de-differentiated, and LE-like patterns; showing deep muscle invasion, frequent PR immunoexpression and invariably, wild-type p53 immunostaining can be useful in screening cases of Lynch syndrome. This constitutes the first report on these tumors from our country.

Clinical-Grade Detection of Microsatellite Instability in Colorectal Tumors by Deep Learning

Microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch-repair deficiency (dMMR) in colorectal tumors are used to select treatment for patients. Deep learning can detect MSI and dMMR in tumor samples on routine histology slides faster and less expensively than molecular assays. However, clinical application of this technology requires high performance and multisite validation, which have not yet been performed. We collected H&E-stained slides and findings from molecular analyses for MSI and dMMR from 8836 colorectal tumors (of all stages) included in the MSIDETECT consortium study, from Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Specimens with dMMR were identified by immunohistochemistry analyses of tissue microarrays for loss of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and/or PMS2. Specimens with MSI were identified by genetic analyses. We trained a deep-learning detector to identify samples with MSI from these slides; performance was assessed by cross-validation (N= 6406 specimens) and validated in an external cohort (n= 771 specimens). Prespecified endpoints were area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve and area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC). The deep-learning detector identified specimens with dMMR or MSI with a mean AUROC curve of 0.92 (lower bound, 0.91; upper bound, 0.93) and an AUPRC of 0.63 (range, 0.59-0.65), or 67% specificity and 95% sensitivity, in the cross-validation development cohort. In the validation cohort, the classifier identified samples with dMMR with an AUROC of 0.95 (range, 0.92-0.96) without image preprocessing and an AUROC of 0.96 (range, 0.93-0.98) after color normalization. We developed a deep-learning system that detects colorectal cancer specimens with dMMR or MSI using H&E-stained slides; it detected tissues with dMMR with an AUROC of 0.96 in a large, international validation cohort. This system might be used for high-throughput, low-cost evaluation of colorectal tissue specimens.

The Prognostic Value of Deficient Mismatch Repair in Stage II\u2013IVa Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the Era of IMRT

In the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), it is important to analyse the prognostic value of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, in pretreatment biopsies of 69 patients with stage II–IVa NPC, the expression levels of MMR proteins, including MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2, were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The median follow-up time was 37.5 months (3.1–87.4 months). 50.7% of cases (35/69) showed preserved expression of all 4 MMR proteins, which was interpreted as proficient mismatch repair (pMMR). Only 1.5% of cases (1/69) lost expression of all 4 MMR proteins, 26.1% of cases (18/69) have PMS2 loss alone and 21.7% of cases (15/69) lost expression of both PMS2 and MLH1. Thus, 49.3% of cases (34/69) lost expression of one or more MMR proteins, which was interpreted as dMMR. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in terms of sex, age, clinical stage, T category, N category or therapy regimens between the dMMR and pMMR groups. The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that dMMR was an independent significant prognostic factor for distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (dMMR vs pMMR: P = 0.01, HR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09~0.75). Therefore, NPC patients with dMMR had significantly superior DMFS compared with patients with pMMR. It can be expected that dMMR will become a new independent prognostic factor for NPC.

Mismatch Repair Proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) Immunohistochemical Expression and Microsatellite Instability in Endometrial Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common female cancer worldwide constituting 7% of cancer in women. It is a disease of older, postmenopausal women. The most of these patients have an identifiable source of excess estrogen, while in a small subset the pathogenesis is related to mismatch repair abnormality and lynch syndrome (LC). Mismatch repair behave as tumor suppressors and the most clinically relevant include MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2. mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) results in a strong mutator phenotype known as microsatellite instability, which is a hallmark of LC-associated cancers.&#x0D; AIM: The aim of the study was to study microsatellite instability in endometrial cancer using the immunohistochemical expression of mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2).&#x0D; MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty EC cases were studied using MLH-1, MSH-2, MSH-6, and PMS-2 immunohistochemistry and their expression was correlated with different clinicopathologic parameters.&#x0D; RESULTS: A statistically significant relationship exists between MMR immunohistochemistry (IHC) proteins and tumor grade. Intact MMR proteins profile was associated with the lower tumor grade (31.3% were Grade 1 and 46.9% were Grade 2). Combined loss of MLH1/PMS2, combined loss of MSH2/MSH6, and isolated loss of PMS2 were also associated with the lower tumor grade while isolated loss of MSH6 was associated with the high tumor grade. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between MMR IHC proteins expression and the age of patients; tumor histopathological types, or FIGO stage.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: A statistically significant correlation between the tumor grade of EC cases and the MMR IHC proteins was found. Further studies are recommended to assess correlation between MMR proteins defect and different clinicopathological parameters of endometrial carcinoma.

Frequent CTNNB1 or PIK3CA Mutations Occurred in Endometrial Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma With High Levels of Microsatellite Instability and Loss of MSH2/MSH6 Expression.

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins form 2 heterodimers-MutSα formed by MSH2 and MSH6, and MutLα by MLH1 and PMS2. In endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas, cases with MMR protein defect also usually harbor other recurrent genetic mutations of the neoplasm. However, it remains unknown whether defects of the 2 functionally different heterodimers are linked to mutations in different genes. We aimed to study the MMR protein expression, microsatellite instability (MSI), and other common genetic mutations of endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma. We investigated the MSI status of 107 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients. MMR protein expression, and mutation of KRAS, CTNNB1, and PIK3CA were also evaluated by immunohistochemistry and sequencing. An overall 34.6% (37/107) of endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas were MSI-H. All MSI-H tumors exhibited loss of MMR protein expression (loss of MLH1, PMS2, MSH6, and MSH2 was noted in 22, 25, 12, and 7 cases, respectively). CTNNB1, PIK3CA, and KRAS mutation were present in 9, 7, and 7 MSI-H tumors. Compared with patients with loss of PMS2 and/or MLH1 expression, patients with loss of MSH6 and/or MSH2 expression were associated with higher frequencies of CTNNB1 mutation (P=0.036) and PIK3CA mutation (P=0.025). In MSI-H endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas, different types of MMR protein deficiency indicate different molecular genetic alterations.

Corded and Hyalinized Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma (CHEC) of the Uterine Corpus are Characterized by CTNNB1 Mutations and Can Show Adverse Clinical Outcomes

Corded and hyalinized endometrioid adenocarcinoma (CHEC) is a morphologic variant of endometrioid adenocarcinoma that is typically low-grade [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade 1-2]. CHEC exhibits a biphasic appearance with gland forming adenocarcinoma merging with a diffuse component with corded growth often in a hyalinized matrix; squamous differentiation is frequent and osteoid production can be seen. This morphologic appearance can invoke a large differential diagnosis including carcinosarcoma. CHEC is thought to be associated with good clinical outcome although the available data is sparse. We performed detailed clinical, morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses on a cohort of 7 CHEC. Six cases exhibited features of classic low-grade CHEC while one case showed greater cytologic atypia (high-grade CHEC). Patient age ranged from 19 to 69 yr. Four patients presented at stage I, 2 at stage II, and 1 at stage III. All tumors demonstrated nuclear staining for beta-catenin and loss of E-cadherin in the corded and hyalinized component. There was relative loss of epithelial markers. Loss of PTEN and ARID1A was seen in 4 and 3 tumors, respectively, and 1 tumor displayed loss of MLH1 and PMS2. Next-generation sequencing revealed CTNNB1 and PI3K pathway mutations in all 7 cases with TP53 and RB1 alterations in the high-grade CHEC. Clinical follow-up was available for 6 patients; 2 died of disease (48 and 50 mo), 2 are alive with disease (both recurred at 13 mo), and 2 have no evidence of disease (13 and 77 mo). Our study shows that CHEC universally harbors CTNNB1 mutations with nuclear staining for beta-catenin, can rarely show high-grade cytology, and can be associated with adverse clinical outcomes.

MMR deficiency in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder presents with temporal and spatial homogeneity throughout the tumor mass

BackgroundMicrosatellite instability (MSI), a hypermutator phenotype described in many cancers, has emerged as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Cancer heterogeneity represents a potential obstacle for the analysis of predicitive biomarkers. MSI has been reported in bladder cancer, but data on the possible extent of intratumoral heterogeneity are lacking. MethodsTo study MSI heterogeneity in bladder cancer, a tissue microarray (TMA) comprising 598 muscle-invasive urothelial carcinomas of the bladder was utilized to screen for MSI by immunhistochemistry with antibodies for MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6. ResultsIn 9 cases suspicious for MSI, MMR status was further evaluated by large section examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analysis of microsatellites (“Bethesda panel”) resulting in the identification of 5 validated MSI cases from 448 interpretable cancers (prevalence 1.1%). MMR deficiency always involved PMS2 loss, in 3 cases with additional loss or reduction of MLH1 expression. Four cancers were MSI-high and 1 was MSI-low in the PCR analysis. Parallel sequencing revealed an inactivating MLH1 mutation in 1 tumor but no further known pathogenic MMR gene mutations were found. Immunostaining of all available 72 cancer-containing tissue blocks of the 5 confirmed bladder cancer with MSI including prior and subsequent biopsies showed complete homogeneity of the MMR protein defects and the status of the 4 MMR proteins did not markedly change in sequential resections. In all 4 cases with noninvasive precursor lesions, MSI was also detectable. ConclusionThese data suggest that MSI occurs early in invasive bladder cancer and immunohistochemical MMR analysis on limited biopsy material is sufficient to estimate MMR status of the entire cancer mass.

An audit of 10 years’ experience of MMR immunohistochemistry

Aim: Canterbury Health Laboratories provides mismatch repair (MMR) immunohistochemical testing nationally for patients investigated by the New Zealand Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Service for suspected Lynch Syndrome. We will review the rates and types of MMR deficiency in this cohort. Where available we will compare our results to those of the referring laboratory. Methods: Information was obtained from clinical databases and the NZ Cancer Register. Results: 534 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases were tested for MMR IHC. 49% were MMR IHC deficient. After excluding those with a BRAF mutation/positive MLH1 promoter hypermethylation status, the total number of dMMR was 67 (13%). Of these, 75% had MLH1/PMS2 loss, 10% had isolated PMS2 loss, and 7% had MSH2/MSH6 loss. 308 separate cases underwent BRAF mutation and/or MLHI promoter hypermethylation testing only. There was a high degree of discordance (28/96) in MMR interpretation between our laboratory and referring laboratories if testing had been performed previously. In the majority we interpreted the IHC as combined MLH1/PMS2 loss, while the referring laboratory interpreted their IHC as isolated PMS2 loss. This may be due to misinterpretation of punctate MLH1 staining as retained positivity. Discussion: In this cohort there was a much higher proportion of MLH1/PMS2 deficient tumours than has been reported elsewhere.1 Reference1.Moreira L, Balaguer F, Lindor N, et al. Identification of Lynch Syndrome among patients with colorectal cancer. JAMA 2012; 308: 1555–65.

Utility of the immunohistochemical analysis of DNA mismatch-repair proteins in endometrial hyperplasia

The utility of the expression lack of DNA mismatch-repair (MMR) proteins in the detection of Lynch syndrome in endometrial hyperplasia as precursor lesion of endometrial carcinoma has not been well-established. The study investigated the immunoexpression pattern of MMR proteins in endometrial hyperplasia from Tunisian patients. We carried out a retrospective study of 60 endometrial hyperplasias diagnosed among Tunisian patients. Expression of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 proteins was performed by immunohistochemistry on whole-slide sections of archival tissues. Analysis of MLH1 promoter methylation and microsatellite alterations was conducted in appropriate cases. Microsatellite instability screening was assessed using the Bethesda panel, including BAT25, BAT26, D17S250, D2S123, and D5S346 markers. Expression of MMR proteins was observed in all hyperplasias without atypia as well as in 27 out of 29 atypical hyperplasias. Only two atypical hyperplasias exhibited expression loss of MMR proteins. A single case revealed MSH6 expression lack. Expression loss of MLH1 and PMS2 was identified in another atypical hyperplasia and was associated with hypermethylation of MLH1 promoter. This patient had no familial history of endometrial cancer at the diagnostic time. The two deficient MMR cases showed microsatellite stable pattern. In conclusion, only two endometrial hyperplasias displayed an altered pattern of MMR expression. Our results suggest the limited utility of the immunohistochemical analysis of MMR protein in the early detection of Lynch syndrome in Tunisian patients diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasias. Multicenter studies with larger sample size are needed to more explore these findings.

Clinicopathological and molecular features of sporadic colorectal cancers with DNA mismatch repair deficiency: A single center experience

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins may play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. In our study, the clinicopathological features of defective MMR in sporadic colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRCs) cases were examined. This is a retrospective study, 457 consecutive cases of colorectal carcinoma with immunohistochemical (IHC) studies for DNA MMR were included.The immunohistochemically (IHC) MMR results of 457 cases were; nuclear expression was intact (proficient, pMMR) in 401 (87.7%) cases and loss of nuclear expression (deficient, dMMR) was found in 56 cases (12.3%). High probability of Lynch syndrome ratio was 2.4% (11/457) in all cases. The loss of PMS2 was predominantly detected in dMMRcases (78.6%). Seventy eight percent of dMMR tumors were located in the proximal colon. In dMMR tumors, prominent peritumoral lymphoid aggregates (LAs) (85.7%) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (78.6%) were observed. Among 56 colorectal cancers, we observed expanding /pushing growth pattern in 41 tumors (73.2%), and infiltrative growth pattern in 15 cancers (16.8%). Medullary, mucinous and signet ring cell carcinomas were observed in approximately half of the cases, but there was no statistically significant relationship. Eighty nine percent of dMMR cases had advanced pathologic tumor stage (pT3 or pT4), and this rate was 82.5% in pMMR cases. The average number of positive lymph nodes in cases with dMMR was higher than in pMMR. KRAS mutations were detected in 7.2% (4/13) patients and 14.3% (8/13) patients with MLH1 promoter methylation was observed. Seventy percent of patients with dMMR were alive (n=44) and the mean age of the patients who died was higher. A statistically significant relationship was found between the patients who died and the mean age of surviving patients (p = 0.036). We conclude that the dMMR patients constitutes have a number of distinctive clinicopathological features subtype of sporadic CRC. The overall frequency of defective MMR in colorectal carcinoma cases was found to be Turkish population similar to western studies. dMMR in CRCs were more likely to be of advanced pathologic tumor stage to have a mucinous tumor component and positive LN to show PMS2 loss and to harbour higher numbers of both peritumoral LAs and TILs. They were also more likely to be proximal colon and to occur in male.

A study on the frequency and clinicopathological correlates of mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer

Microsatellite instability is an important pathway of tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer, and there is a need to understand its genetic and phenotypic profile. This study aimed to study the occurrence of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) in an Indian cohort of patients and document the corresponding clinicopathological correlates. This is a retrospective study of patients admitted between January 2016 and December 2017. dMMR data from immunohistochemistry reports were correlated with histopathological data and demographic details. The data were then analyzed in terms of means and percentages. About 29% of cases were found to be dMMR and 66.7% of dMMR tumors occurred in males. About 44.4% of dMMR tumors occurred in the ascending colon. MSH2 loss was seen in 44.4% of cases while MLH1 loss was seen in 33.3%, and there were two cases with loss of PMS1. dMMR tumors in our study were more common in males, presented earlier, were bulky, were less likely to show lymphovascular or perineural invasion, had lower preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and yielded high number of lymph nodes. Expected differences in age, stage, and grade were not observed. Compared to other studies, a higher proportion of cases in our study had MSH2 and PMS2 loss.

High homogeneity of mismatch repair deficiency in advanced prostate cancer.

Recent reports have described favorable response rates for immune checkpoint inhibitors in prostate cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI). However, it is unclear whether MSI affects the entire tumor mass or is distributed heterogeneously, the latter potentially impairing treatment efficiency. To identify prostate cancers with MSI, 316 advanced prostate cancers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the mismatch repair (MMR) proteins MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6 on a TMA format. Out of 200 interpretable cancers, IHC findings were consistent with MSI in 10 tumors. In 9 of these 10 cancers, tissue blocks were available for subsequent large section IHC, confirming MSI in 6 cases, each with combined protein loss of MSH2 and MSH6. One additional tumor with unequivocal loss of MLH1 and PMS2 on the TMA, for which further analyses could not be carried out due to lack of tissue, was also considered to exhibit MSI. In total, 7 of 200 interpretable advanced prostate cancers were found to exhibit MMR deficiency/MSI (3.5%). Subsequent analysis of all available cancer-containing archived tissue blocks (n=114) revealed consistent and homogeneous MMR protein loss in each case. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analysis using the "Bethesda panel" could be executed in 6 MMR deficient tumors of which 4 were MSI-high and 2 were MSI-low. The absence of intratumoral heterogeneity for the MMR status suggests that MSI occurs early in prostate cancer. It is concluded that MMR analysis on limited biopsy material by IHC is sufficient to estimate the MMR status of the entire cancer mass.