Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors Research Articles

Head-to-head: Should Ki67 proliferation index be included in the formal classification of pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms?

The reporting of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) according to the 2021 World Health Organisation (WHO) is based on mitotic count per 2 mm2, necrosis assessment and a constellation of cytological and immunohistochemical details. Accordingly, typical carcinoid and atypical carcinoid are low- to intermediate-grade neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), while large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and small-cell lung carcinoma are high-grade NECs. In small-sized diagnostic material (cytology and biopsy), the noncommittal term of carcinoid tumour/NET not otherwise specified (NOS) and metastatic carcinoid NOS have been introduced with regard to primary and metastatic diagnostic settings, respectively. Ki-67 antigen, a well-known marker of cell proliferation, has been included in the WHO classification as a non-essential but desirable criterion, especially to distinguish NETs from high-grade NECs and to delineate the provisional category of carcinoid tumours/NETs with elevated mitotic counts (> 10 mitoses per mm2) and/or Ki-67 proliferation index (≥ 30%). However, a wider use of this marker in the spectrum of lung NENs continues to be highly reported and debated, thus witnessing a never-subsided attention. Therefore, the arguments for and against incorporating Ki-67 in the classification and clinical practice of these neoplasms are discussed herein in detail.

The impact of primary tumor site on clinical manifestation and prognosis of ectopic Cushing's syndrome (ECS). Do pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors stand out?

The impact of primary tumor site on clinical manifestation and prognosis of ectopic Cushing's syndrome (ECS). Do pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors stand out?

Multi-omic dataset of patient-derived tumor organoids of neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Organoids are 3-dimensional experimental models that summarize the anatomical and functional structure of an organ. Although a promising experimental model for precision medicine, patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs) have currently been developed only for a fraction of tumor types. We have generated the first multi-omic dataset (whole-genome sequencing [WGS] and RNA-sequencing [RNA-seq]) of PDTOs from the rare and understudied pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (n = 12; 6 grade 1, 6 grade 2) and provide data from other rare neuroendocrine neoplasms: small intestine (ileal) neuroendocrine tumors (n = 6; 2 grade 1 and 4 grade 2) and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 5; 1 pancreatic and 4 pulmonary). This dataset includes a matched sample from the parental sample (primary tumor or metastasis) for a majority of samples (21/23) and longitudinal sampling of the PDTOs (1 to 2 time points), for a total of n = 47 RNA-seq and n = 33 WGS. We here provide quality control for each technique and the raw and processed data as well as all scripts for genomic analyses to ensure an optimal reuse of the data. In addition, we report gene expression data and somatic small variant calls and describe how they were generated, in particular how we used WGS somatic calls to train a random forest classifier to detect variants in tumor-only RNA-seq. We also report all histopathological images used for medical diagnosis: hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, brightfield images, and immunohistochemistry images of protein markers of clinical relevance. This dataset will be critical to future studies relying on this PDTO biobank, such as drug screens for novel therapies and experiments investigating the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in these understudied diseases.

The dark side of T2: lesões do sistema nervoso central com baixo sinal em ponderações T2

Abstract The majority of central nervous system diseases show high signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Diseases of the central nervous system with low signal intensity are less common, which makes it a finding that helps narrow the differential diagnosis. This was a retrospective analysis of brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging examinations in which that finding was helpful in the diagnostic investigation. We selected the cases of patients examined between 2015 and 2022. All diagnoses were confirmed on the basis of the clinical-radiological correlation or the histopathological findings. We obtained images of 14 patients with the following central nervous system diseases: arteriovenous malformation; cavernous malformation; metastasis from lymphoma; medulloblastoma; embryonal tumor; metastasis from melanoma; Rathke’s cleft cyst; Erdheim-Chester disease; aspergillosis; paracoccidioidomycosis; tuberculosis; syphilis; immunoglobulin G4-related disease; and metastasis from a pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor. We described lesions of different etiologies in which the T2-weighted imaging profile helped narrow the differential diagnosis and facilitated the definitive diagnosis.

[68Ga] DOTA-TATE (NETSpot) PET/CT Imaging of Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors

[68Ga] DOTA-TATE (NETSpot) PET/CT Imaging of Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors

NEN in a dish: A patient-derived organoid biobank illuminates potential novel therapeutic opportunities for neuroendocrine neoplasms

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are rare cancers with limited treatment options and preclinical models. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Dayton etal. establish a patient-derived tumor organoid biobank encompassing pulmonary low-grade neuroendocrine tumors (LNETs) and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), identifying novel biomarker-dependent therapeutic vulnerabilities using niche perturbation and drug response assays.

EP13.01-10 Mitotic Counts and Phospho-Histone H3 Index in Grading Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors: Assessment of Interobserver Variability and Utility

EP13.01-10 Mitotic Counts and Phospho-Histone H3 Index in Grading Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors: Assessment of Interobserver Variability and Utility

EP13.05-02 Temozolomide-associated Hypermutation and Response to Immunotherapy in Advanced Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors

EP13.05-02 Temozolomide-associated Hypermutation and Response to Immunotherapy in Advanced Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors

Alteration of the immunophenotype and cytokine profiles in patients affected by neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are tumors that arise from cells of the endocrine system and are most common in the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas, and the lungs. Their incidence is rapidly increasing and the therapeutic options available are limited. Since the immune system can interfere with tumor growth and response to therapy, using flow cytometry we investigated the immunophenotype in samples of peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with pancreatic (Pan-NENs) and pulmonary NENs (Lung-NENs). Moreover, we performed a multiplex analysis of 13 key cytokines and growth factors essential for the immune response in the plasma of NEN patients and controls. Patients presented with a higher percentage of granulocytes, a lower percentage of lymphocytes, and an increase in the granulocytes to lymphocytes ratio compared to healthy donors. These alterations were more marked in patients with metastasis. Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) restored the immunophenotype of patients to that seen in healthy donors. Finally, Pan-NEN patients showed a higher plasma concentration of IP-10, MCP-1, and IL-8 compared to healthy donors, suggesting a potential role for these cytokines as diagnostic biomarkers. This study highlighted differences in the immunophenotype of patients with Pan- and Lung-NENs compared to healthy individuals; these alterations were partially restored by therapy.

THU012 Incidental Pituitary Adenoma In A Patient With Ectopic ACTH Secreting Cushing Syndrome - A Diagnostic Conundrum

Abstract Disclosure: M.S. Nali: None. R.R. Yatavelli: None. Background: Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a rare condition with an estimated incidence of 2-3 cases/million. Endogenous CS can be divided into ACTH -dependent (80%) and ACTH Independent (20%) with Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome (ECS) accounting for 10-20% of all cases of ACTH-dependent CS. Herein we present a case with indolent onset ACTH-dependent CS who on initial work-up showed a pituitary microadenoma raising the suspicion for Cushing disease, but the source of excess ACTH was found to be from a pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor. Clinical Case: A 44-yr-old female with history of type 1 DM, Obesity, BMI 43.60, Sleep apnea was evaluated elsewhere for suspected Cushing’s due to increased insulin requirements and progressive weight gain. Outside labs showed cortisol of 4.5 ug/dl on 1 mg DST & 8 mg DST cortisol was 3 ug/dl. MRI of the pituitary showed a 3.5x 2.8x 1.8 mm microadenoma & she was initially presumed to have Cushing’s disease secondary to pituitary microadenoma. The patient was seen by neurosurgery who referred to endocrine for localization of cortisol excess by IPSS. Clinically she had moon facies, hirsutism, dorsocervical fat pad, violaceous striae on abdomen. On further laboratory evaluation her ACTH: 88 (0-46) and random cortisol 14 ug/dl with normal rest of pituitary hormones. Her 24-hour urine free Cortisol was 45ug/d (3.5 - 45) and late-night salivary cortisol: 74 &<50 (Ref. range <100 ng/dl) on couple of nights, respectively. Due to non-suppressed cortisol on high dose DST, a CT chest was obtained which showed a 2cms non calcified nodule in the left lower lobe of lung. Transbronchial biopsy was performed, cytopathology showed well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, likely carcinoid and stained strongly positive for ACTH confirming ectopic ACTH producing tumor. Gallium-68 Dotatate Scan showed abnormal increased uptake in the known left lung nodule. The patient was recommended for surgical removal of neuroendocrine tumor, but she could not tolerate anesthesia and had to undergo stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the lung lesion. Repeat ACTH levels 2 months post SBRT showed the ACTH levels were elevated and lesion was still persistent on imaging, however on discussion with rad oncology, the neuroendocrine tumors tend to take longer to show response on imaging and plan is to repeat imaging and biochemical work up in couple of months. Conclusion: The diagnosis of CS and recognizing the source of hormonal excess poses significant challenges Pituitary adenomas are incidentally discovered in up to 10% of the normal population & IPSS is advised for patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome and an adenoma smaller than 6 mm, however in patients with equivocal findings, it is important to look for other sources of ACTH prior to any invasive procedure. The source of ectopic ACTH secretion should be established after diagnosis because the excision of an ACTH-producing tumor can be curative. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

THU538 Use Of Multiple Functional And Structural Imaging Modalities Improves Detection Of Ectopic ACTH Tumors

Abstract Disclosure: H. Elenius: None. R. McGlotten: None. A.M. Gharib: None. L.K. Nieman: None. Introduction: In Ectopic ACTH Syndrome (EAS), Cushing's syndrome (CS) is caused by ACTH secretion from a non-pituitary tumor. Tumor resection reduces CS morbidity and mortality, but up to 38% of tumors remain occult despite repeated structural imaging. We prospectively studied whether functional PET imaging with somatostatin receptor ( 111In-pentetreotide Octreoscan [OCT], vs 68Ga DOTA0-Tyr3 octreotate DOTATATE [DOTA]) or amine precursor (18F-DOPA [F-D]) ligands would improve tumor detection. Methods: From 2014-2022, 22 EAS patients underwent imaging with F-D and DOTA PET/CT and/or MRI (1.5 and/or 3 Tesla, T) of chest/abdomen/pelvis (C/A/P), gated cardiac CT (GC-CT) and/or MRI (GC-MRI), and/or OCT before tumor resection. Pre-surgical imaging results were confirmed by pathology or biochemical cure. Results: Tumors included 16 pulmonary (pulm) neuroendocrine tumors (NET), one thymic NET, one appendiceal NET, one pheochromocytoma and one metastatic NET in mediastinal lymph nodes; two patients had tumorlets. Surgery was done if at least CT or MRI was positive; some lesions were seen only after concurrent PET scan review. Shown in decreasing order, the modalities performed as follows (number of patients = N): Sensitivity (S): CT C/A/P 100%, N 22 ; FDG-PET 100%, N 2 ; 3T MRI C/A/P 93%, N 14 ; F-D 91%, N 22 ; DOTA 86%, N 22 ; 1.5T MRI C/A/P 71%, N 21 ; GC-CT 67%, N 6 ; GC-MRI 50%, N 8 ; OCT 31%, N 13. 95% Confidence intervals (CI) overlapped for all except OCT. Positive predictive value (PPV): GC-MRI 100% ; 3T MRI C/A/P 88% ; 1.5T MRI C/A/P 84% ; DOTA 83% ; CT C/A/P 81% ; GC-CT 80% ; F-D 75% ; OCT 67% ; FDG-PET 67%. All CIs overlapped.1.5T MRI, F-D and DOTA missed a 12 mm pulm NET (false negative, FN) only seen on CT. 1.5T MRI missed three other pulm NET (6, 8 and 10 mm) seen on 3T MRI. 1.5T and 3T MRI missed a 13 mm pulm NET that abutted the heart and was seen on both gated studies - this was the only FN lesion in the 3T MRI cohort. F-D missed the 12 mm pulm NET seen on CT and the retrocardiac NET, which was DOTA +. DOTA missed three other pulm NET (6, 8 and 10 mm); all were positive on F-D. OCT detected 4/10 pulm NET, 6-25 mm, all positive on F-D and DOTA, and missed 9 tumors seen on F-D (N=8) or DOPA (N=8). F-D detected false positive (FP) lesions in seven patients while DOTA detected FP lesions in three, mostly infections or thyroid nodules. All but one patient were localized by DOTA (N=19) and/or F-D (N=20). Conclusions: As reported previously, most EAS tumors were intrathoracic. Among structural modalities, CT was the most sensitive (100%) while cardiac MRI and 3T MRI gave the highest PPV (100% and 88%). Dedicated cardiac imaging found pericardiac lesions missed on routine modalities due to motion artefacts. F-D and DOTA were significantly more sensitive (91% and 86%) than OCT (31%). DOTA detected fewer FP lesions, providing a higher PPV (83%) than F-D (75%), but with lower sensitivity. Use of multiple functional and structural scans improved tumor detection. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

THU525 Atypical Presentation Of Parathyroid Carcinoma In The Lungs

Abstract Disclosure: J.N. Jacinto: None. O. Reyes: None. M. Cating-Cabral: None. R. Santiago: None. J. Andal: None. A 66-year-old female with a history of parathyroid adenoma underwent partial parathyroidectomy and thyroidectomy of the right lobe in 2006. She has the following comorbidities: pre-diabetes, hypertension, multiple liver cysts, medullary nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis, ureterolithiasis and uterine intramural myoma. She also has a strong familial disposition of endocrine tumors. During the last quarter of 2018, parathyroid hormone and calcium levels were elevated and parathyroid imaging revealed an adenoma on the posteromedial aspect of the left thyroid lobe. Removal of the adenoma was offered but insisted on medical treatment. In 2022, she was admitted for subarachnoid hemorrhage due to fall. There was an incidental finding of a lung mass with minimal pleural effusion on the right lung lobe. PET-scan revealed five FDG-avid nodules (SUV up to 9.6) with the largest in the right middle lobe measuring 2 x 2 x 2 cm. Percutaneous needle biopsy was performed which showed a tumor with fairly uniform cells in organoid nests and solid clusters. By immunohistochemistry (IHC), the tumor cells were diffusely and strongly positive for CK and GATA-3; focally positive for chromogranin and synaptophysin; and negative for TTF-1, Pax-8, and S100. This was signed out as an epithelial tumor with neuroendocrine features; the differential diagnosis includes pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor versus metastasis from the prior parathyroid lesion. She subsequently underwent completion thyroidectomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The lung wedge resections both showed tumors with similar morphology and IHC staining pattern as the biopsy. Additional stains were also performed to rule out other entities, which were all negative (CK7, CK20, CD56, mammaglobin, GCDFP-15, TTF-1, S100, ER, Pax-8, HSA, and SALL-4). The Ki-67 proliferation index was 17.26%. Because the overall findings were not definitive, comprehensive genomic profiling by next generation sequencing (NGS) was recommended and subsequently performed. NGS showed gene alteration in CDC73, with a variant allele frequency of 50%; this finding has been documented in parathyroid carcinoma. Pre-operative parathyroid hormone levels remained unchanged (408 to 397 pg/ml) despite surgery. Currently, there is no available targeted therapy to address her genomic alteration. Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome was entertained. The multidisciplinary team advised en-bloc resection of the lung tumor and additional gene testing for family members. She opted for palliative care and is on cinacalcet for her hyperparathyroidism. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

THU014 Post-surgical Remission After Resection Of Solitary Mediastinal Lymph Node In A Metastatic Occult Ectopic ACTH Syndrome Patient

Abstract Disclosure: I.P. de Magalhães: None. C.P. Oliveira: None. L.P. Lins: None. N.X. Andrade: None. M.S. Lima: None. S.A. Siqueira: None. J.S. Fonini: None. E.C. Assis Filho: None. A.W. Mariani: None. M.C. Machado: None. BACKGROUND: The prevalence of occult cases has been increasing in the most recent series of Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) maybe due to the small size of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. We present an atypical and very rare case of EAS with initial presentation of a single metastatic mediastinal lymph node that evolved with remission after your resection with no defined primary tumor. CASE REPORT: A 15-year-old female patient presented a clinical feature of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) with a 1-year evolution. Hormonal evaluation confirmed ACTH-dependent CS: urinary free cortisol of 819 µg/24h (3-43), late night salivary cortisol of 409 ng/dL (<274) and ACTH of 105 pg/mL (<63.3). Noninvasive methods for differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent CS did not clarify the etiology (conflicting results): pituitary MRI negative, suppression of 59.6% of cortisol after high dose dexamethasone suppression test, positive response of ACTH and cortisol at desmopressin test, suppression of 81% of ACTH at acute octreotide SC test, negative serum tumor markers (gastrin, calcitonin, CEA, CA125, alpha-fetoprotein, CA19.9 and bhCG), negative cervical and pelvic ultrasound, negative computed tomography of thorax and negative abdominal MRI. Bilateral and simultaneous petrosal inferior sinus sampling with desmopressin confirmed EAS due to negative central to peripheral ACTH gradient, even after normalized PRL/ACTH gradients. Finally, PET/CT with Ga68-DOTATATE revealed a single infracarinal nodule of 1.5x0.6 cm with high capture of radioligand, SUVmax of 23.2, suggestive of affected mediastinal lymph node. The patient was submitted to thoracic surgery and the infracarinal lymph node was dissected and removed. Anatomopathological and immunohistochemical analyses disclosed a lymph node metastatic of a well-differentiated grade neuroendocrine tumor ACTH positive, Ki-67 2%. After surgery, the patient exhibited CS improvement and impressive drop of hormones at 5th postsurgical day (serum cortisol <1.0 µg/dL and ACTH of 2.2 pg/mL) confirming remission of CS. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, approximately 36 cases of EAS due to neuroendocrine tumor of unknown primary origin were reported. However, previous cases commonly exhibited no remission after only removal of metastasis. Our case presented initial remission even with no primary tumor identified (occult primary tumor non-functioning?). Follow up with clinical, hormonal and imaging methods are necessary due to recurrence risk. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

FRI187 Increased Prolactin Secretion In Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling Following Desmopressin Administration In Patients With ACTH-Dependent Cushing’s Syndrome

Abstract Disclosure: M. Guay-Gagnon: None. N. Younes: None. A. La Fontaine: None. S. Larose: None. É. Thérasse: None. A. Lacroix: None. Background: Previous studies have described an increase in central prolactin (PRL) secretion in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) during inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) in a proportion of patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). Desmopressin is used during IPSS instead of CRH because of its wider availability, lower cost, and similar accuracy. It is unknown whether central PRL secretion can also increase after desmopressin as it does after CRH. Objective: Evaluate the central PRL response to desmopressin administration in patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (CS) undergoing IPSS. Method: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent IPSS in our center between January 2015 and May 2022. IPSSs using desmopressin were collected, as well as those using either CRH (1 mcg/kg IV bolus) or CRH + desmopressin for comparison. ACTH and PRL were measured in bilateral petrosal sinuses at −5, 0, and 3, 5, 10 minutes after a 10 mcg IV desmopressin bolus; simultaneous peripheral ACTH, PRL and cortisol were measured at -5, 0, 3, 5, 10, 30, 45 and 60 minutes. A >50% central PRL increase from the average of −5 and 0 minutes values to peak value was considered a positive response. Results: 30 IPSSs performed with desmopressin were included: 24 patients with CD and 6 patients with ectopic ACTH secretion (EAS). 73.3% were women and mean age was 48.2 ± 14.8 y.o. 12 patients with CD (50%) had a >50% PRL increase on at least one side. The peak PRL value and highest central/peripheral (C/P) ACTH ratio after desmopressin were ipsilateral in 10 out of 12 patients (83%). Among the 9 patients whose pathology was available, only one showed co-expression of ACTH and PRL on immunohistochemistry (IHC), along with GH. In contrast, among the 12 patients with no PRL response, 2 had ACTH and PRL co-expression, and 1 had PRL expression only. No somatic genetic USP8 analyses were performed. Among the 6 patients with EAS, none had a central or peripheral PRL response after desmopressin. 21 IPSSs with either CRH or CRH + desmopressin were collected. 14 out of 18 patients (77.8%) with CD had a >50% PRL increase after stimulation. For 10 out of these 14 patients (71.4%), peak PRL value and C/P ACTH ratio were ipsilateral. 2 out of 3 IPSSs with CRH or CRH + desmopressin in patients with EAS (one resected pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor and one occult EAS) had a >50% PRL increase after stimulation. Conclusion: In our study, 50% of IPSSs showed a significant central PRL increase after desmopressin in patients with CD, but none in patients with EAS. In IPSSs with CRH or CRH + desmopressin, a significant PRL increase was observed in 77.8% of patients with CD, and 2 out of 3 patients with EAS. On pathology, there was no correlation with PRL expression on IHC. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms for prolactin secretion following ACTH secretagogue administration and its potential clinical implications. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Que faut-il connaître de la classification anatomopathologique des cancers pulmonaires ?: What do we need to know about the new histomolecular classification of lung cancers?

The latest WHO classification of thoracic tumors published in 2021 has integrated morphology, immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques, with greater emphasis on genetic testing than the 2015 WHO classification. Its major features include a section devoted entirely to the classification of small samples, their management and the immunohistochemical and molecular analyses to be performed. It provides guidelines concerning the histological subtyping of invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinomas and their grading, as well as their staging according to the new 8th edition pTNM classification, recognises the Spread Through Air Spaces (or STAS) as a poor prognostic factor. This new classification proposes a new terminology for pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms more in line with that of extrathoracic neuroendocrine tumors, and describes new entities such as bronchiolar adenoma, papillary muconodular ciliated tumor and SMARCA4-deficient tumors. Lastly for each tumor at the end of each chapter, essential and desirable criteria for its diagnosis are provided, as well as access to demonstrative virtual slides.1877-1203/© 2023 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

PAX1 expression in thymic epithelial neoplasms and morphologic mimics

Thymic epithelial neoplasms are morphologically diverse and can pose a diagnostic challenge that is complicated by a lack of immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers that are entirely sensitive and specific for thymic epithelium. Polyclonal PAX8 is often used in this context, but it is not a specific marker. The PAX1 transcription factor shares significant homology with PAX8 and plays an integral role in thymic development in humans and murine models. This study evaluated the role of PAX1 IHC in differentiating thymic epithelial neoplasms from morphologic mimics on whole slide tissue sections. The PAX1 antibody stained all 74 thymoma cases; however, there was wide variability in staining intensity within each subtype. The antibody was less sensitive in thymic carcinomas and thymic neuroendocrine tumors compared to thymomas and demonstrated weak staining in a subset of morphologic mimics (21 squamous cell carcinomas, 6 pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, 1 mesothelioma, 1 lymphoblastic lymphoma, and 1 granulosa cell tumor). With a H-score positive threshold of 75, the antibody had 100% specificity, and sensitivities of 92%, 56%, and 47% in thymomas, thymic neuroendocrine tumors, and thymic carcinomas respectively. The PAX1 antibody showed frequent geographic reduction in staining consistent with compromised antigenicity from variable formalin fixation. PAX1 IHC has a moderate-to-high sensitivity for thymic epithelial neoplasms; however, the wide staining variability and fixation effects may lead to difficulty with consistent interpretation. This marker is unlikely to supplant the role of PAX8 in diagnostic practice, but it may be a useful addition to immunohistochemistry panels when evaluating for thymic primary tumors.

Visual analysis of lung neuroendocrine tumors based on CiteSpace knowledge graph.

The relevant literatures in the field of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor were analyzed to understand the lineage, hot spots and development trends of research in this tumor. The Web of Science core collection was searched for English-language literature about neuroendocrine tumors of the lung published between 2000 and 2022. CiteSpace software was imported for visualization analysis of countries, institutions, co-cited authors and co-cited journals and sorting of high-frequency keywords, as well as co-cited references and keyword co-occurrence, clustering and bursting display. A total of 594 publications on neuroendocrine tumours of the lung were available, from 2000 to 2022, with an overall upward trend of annual publications in the literature. Authors or institutions from the United States, Italy, Japan and China were more active in this field, but there was little cooperation among the major countries. Co-cited references and keyword co-occurrence and cluster analysis showed that research on diagnostic instruments, pathogenesis, ectopic ACTH signs, staging and prognosis and treatment was a current research hotspot. The keyword bursts suggested that therapeutic approaches might be a key focus of future research into the field for pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. Over these 20 years, research related to neuroendocrine tumors of the lung has increased in fervour, with research on diagnostic instruments, pathogenesis, ectopic ACTH signs, staging and prognosis, and treatment being the main focus of research. Therapeutic treatments may be the future research trend in this field.

Pneumopathie infectieuse favorisée par un syndrome de Cushing paranéoplasique d’une tumeur carcinoïde pulmonaire

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a rare condition nevertheless well-known to endocrinologists. The pneumologist may be called upon to treat CS not only because bronchial carcinoid tumors are the most frequent source of ectopic ACTH secretion, but also due to the fact that the immunosuppression induced by hypercorticism favors lower respiratory tract infections. We report the case of a female patient presenting with acute respiratory failure secondary to Enterobacter cloacae pneumonia exacerbated by SC. Further investigations confirmed ectopic ACTH secretion and revealed a right upper lobe pulmonary nodule. After appropriate antibiotic therapy, the patient received preoperative adrenolytic treatment. Management by right upper lobectomy resulted in the extraction of a 12mm tumor. Pathological analysis was consistent with the diagnosis of a typical carcinoid tumor. Immunohistochemistry confirmed ACTH secretion by the tumor. Even though the postoperative course showed CS regression, the patient developed adrenal insufficiency. Ectopic CS induces immunosuppression, which aggravates lower respiratory tract infections. Search for a pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor should be systematic. Following control of the secretory syndrome by adrenolytic treatment, and if the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor is confirmed, surgical treatment is the preferred option.

Percutaneous computed tomography-guided core needle biopsy can be used to histologically confirm the clinical features and long-term prognosis of pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms.

We investigated the clinical features and prognosis outcomes of pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) which were histologically confirmed after percutaneous computed tomography-guided core needle biopsy (PCT-CNB). We retrospectively investigated 173 patients who had PNENs which were histologically confirmed after PCT-CNB; patients were split into low and intermediate-grade neuroendocrine tumor (LIGNET) (typical carcinoid (TC) and atypical carcinoid (AC)) and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma-tumor (HGNEC) groups. In this latter group, patients were further subdivided into large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma-not otherwise specified (HGNEC-NOS) groups. Complications after biopsy were recorded. We also assessed overall survival (OS) rates using Kaplan-Meier curves, with prognostic factors determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Complications were mainly pneumothorax (22.5; 39/173 patients), chest tube placement (4.0; 7/173 patients), and pulmonary bleeding (33.5%; 58/173 procedures)-no patient mortality was recorded. Definitive diagnoses were ascribed to 102 SCLC, 10 LCNEC, 43 HGNEC-NOS, 7 TC, and 11 AC patients. The 1- and 3-year OS rates in the LIGNET group were 87.5% and 68.1%, respectively, and 59.2 and 20.9% in the HGNEC group, respectively these data were statistically significant (P = 0.010). For SCLC, 1- and 3-year OS rates were 63.3 and 22.3%, 30.0 and 10.0% for LCNEC, and 53.3% and 20.1% for HGNEC-NOS, respectively (P = 0.031). Independent prognostic factors for OS included disease type and distant metastasis. PNENs may be pathologically diagnosed using PCT-CNB. While differential diagnoses between LCNEC and SCLC are problematic in some patients, a HGNEC-NOS diagnosis was ascribed and PCT-CNB samples were shown to predict NEN OS rates.

Site-specific performance of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in detecting tumors with ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.

The aim of this study was to assess the detection ability of 68Ga-DOTATATE in pulmonary versus extrapulmonary tumors with ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion (EAS). Images of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT from 74 patients with suspected EAS were retrospectively reviewed. EAS tumors were confirmed in 39 patients through surgical resection or biopsy. Image findings were compared with the histopathological results. EAS tumors were pathologically confirmed via surgery or biopsy in 39 patients. Among those 39 patients, 25 were with pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and the remaining 14 were with extrapulmonary NETs. 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT correctly identified the tumor in 26 patients, rendering an overall detection rate of 66.7%. On a site-based analysis, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT correctly identified the EAS tumor in 13 of 25 patients with pulmonary NETs, yielding a detection rate of 52%; for the 14 patients with extrapulmonary NETs, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT correctly identified the EAS tumor in 13, yielding a detection rate of 92.9%. The detection rate of 68Ga-DOTATATE was significantly higher in extrapulmonary NETs than in pulmonary NETs (92.9%% vs. 52%, P = 0.013). For the 13 patients with positive pulmonary NETs, the tumor SUVmax ranged from 1.1 to 7.4 with an average SUVmax of 3.1 ± 2.1. For the 13 patients with positive extrapulmonary NETs, the tumor SUVmax ranged from 2.7 to 21.8 with an average SUVmax of 9.9 ± 6.3. The tumor SUVmax was significantly higher in extrapulmonary tumors than pulmonary tumors (P = 0.015). The tumor size was smaller in pulmonary tumors than in extrapulmonary tumors, while the difference was not significant (P = 0.516). 68Ga-DOTATATE showed site-specific difference in detecting tumors with EAS secretion. Specifically, 68Ga-DOTATATE performed better in the extrapulmonary EAS tumors than in pulmonary ones with both higher detection rate and uptake. Combination of anatomic imaging techniques are necessary for the correct diagnosis of pulmonary EAS tumors.