Review
Oncology
Melanie Vogl, Anna Rosenmayr, Tomas Bohanes, Axel Scheed, Milos Brndiar, Elisabeth Stubenberger, Bahil Ghanim
Summary: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options and poor prognosis, with asbestos exposure and chronic inflammation as main risk factors. The suppression of the specific immune system and activation of the innate immune system are crucial drivers of MPM aggressiveness, leading to unfavorable patient outcomes. Identifying new biomarkers can help personalize patient therapy, avoid ineffective treatments, and ultimately improve outcomes in this rare disease.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Maxime Borgeaud, Floryane Kim, Alex Friedlaender, Filippo Lococo, Alfredo Addeo, Fabrizio Minervini
Summary: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer with a poor prognosis caused by asbestos exposure. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown superiority over standard chemotherapy in improving overall survival. However, not all patients benefit from ICIs, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies and predictive biomarkers. Combinations with chemo-immunotherapy or ICIs and anti-VEGF are being evaluated in clinical trials, while non-ICI immunotherapeutic approaches such as CAR-T cells and dendritic-cell vaccines are showing promising results in early trials.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Valeria Panzetta, Ida Musella, Sabato Fusco, Paolo A. Netti
Summary: Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare but devastating tumor that is difficult to diagnose and treat effectively. Effusion cytology, although used for diagnosis, is time-consuming and has limited sensitivity. Therefore, alternative research methods are needed to support early diagnosis. Mechanobiology offers new perspectives and diagnostic tools for the mechanical and biophysical characterization of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Antonia Marazioti, Anthi C. Krontira, Sabine J. Behrend, Georgia A. Giotopoulou, Giannoula Ntaliarda, Christophe Blanquart, Hasan Bayram, Marianthi Iliopoulou, Malamati Vreka, Lilith Trassl, Mario A. A. Pepe, Caroline M. Hackl, Laura Klotz, Stefanie A. Weiss, Ina Koch, Michael Lindner, Rudolph A. Hatz, Juergen Behr, Darcy E. Wagner, Helen Papadaki, Sophia G. Antimisiaris, Didier Jean, Sophie Deshayes, Marc Gregoire, Ozgecan Kayalar, Deniz Mortazavi, Sukru Dilege, Serhan Tanju, Suat Erus, Omer Yavuz, Pinar Bulutay, Pinar Firat, Ioannis Psallidas, Magda Spella, Ioanna Giopanou, Ioannis Lilis, Anne-Sophie Lamort, Georgios T. Stathopoulos
Summary: A portion of human MPM cases have mutations in KRAS, and mouse models suggest that KRAS mutations can lead to MPM, especially when combined with TP53 deletion. These findings indicate that KRAS alterations may play an important and underestimated role in certain MPM patients.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Beatrice Dozin, Grazia Carbotti, Silvio Roncella, Paola Ferro, Paolo Dessanti, Pier Aldo Canessa, Silvano Ferrini, Marina Fabbi
Summary: This study suggests that a high level of IFN-gamma in pleural effusion may be associated with better survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients and could potentially serve as a prognostic biomarker. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Emily S. Reardon, Vivek Shukla, Sichuan Xi, Sudheer K. Gara, Yi Liu, David Straughan, Mary Zhang, Julie A. Hong, Eden C. Payabyab, Anju Kumari, William G. Richards, Assunta De Rienzo, Raffit Hassan, Markku Miettinen, Liqiang Xi, Mark Raffeld, Lisa T. Uechi, Xinmin Li, Ruihong Wang, Haobin Chen, Chuong D. Hoang, Raphael Bueno, David S. Schrump
Summary: The study revealed the significant role of UHRF1 in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), with its overexpression affecting patient survival. Experiments such as RNA sequencing showed that inhibiting UHRF1 can reduce DNA hypomethylation, inhibit the growth and spread of MPM cells, and correspond with certain chemotherapeutic agents.
JOURNAL OF THORACIC ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Sam M. Janes, Doraid Alrifai, Dean A. Fennell
Summary: Mesothelioma, mostly caused by asbestos exposure, has a decreasing incidence but high mortality due to late diagnosis and treatment resistance. Pemetrexed-cisplatin and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown modest survival extension.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Velizar Shivarov, Georgi Blazhev, Angel Yordanov
Summary: This study developed a two-gene prognostic score for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) using publicly available gene expression datasets. The score, including GOLT1B and MAD2L1 genes, showed good predictive value for overall survival and was validated using independent datasets.
Article
Oncology
Iris Chiara Salaroglio, Dimas Carolina Belisario, Paolo Bironzo, Preeta Ananthanarayanan, Luisa Ricci, Sabrina Digiovanni, Simona Fontana, Francesca Napoli, Alberto Sandri, Chiara Facolmata, Roberta Libener, Valentina Comunanza, Federica Grosso, Elena Gazzano, Francesco Leo, Riccardo Taulli, Federico Bussolino, Luisella Righi, Mauro Giulio Papotti, Silvia Novello, Giorgio Vittorio Scagliotti, Chiara Riganti, Joanna Kopecka
Summary: The neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 and cisplatin combination has anti-tumor effects in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) by blocking the SCF complex activity and triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD). SKP2 is identified as a new stratification marker for sensitivity to cisplatin and drugs interfering with ubiquitination/proteasome systems in MPM.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Rita Terenziani, Silvia Zoppi, Claudia Fumarola, Roberta Alfieri, Mara Bonelli
Summary: ICIs have emerged as a promising therapeutic option for difficult-to-treat cancers, especially showing superior efficacy in first-line treatment. Immunotherapeutic approaches for malignant pleural mesothelioma have also shown encouraging results. These novel treatments are crucial for the management of this disease.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
DeVon Hunter-Schlichting, Karl T. Kelsey, Ryan Demmer, Manish Patel, Raphael Bueno, Brock Christensen, Naomi Fujioka, Deepa Kolarseri, Heather H. Nelson
Summary: A study found that nearly half of malignant pleural mesothelioma patients have high level current HCMV infection, with a higher detection rate of HCMV DNA in tumor tissue compared to normal pleural tissue, suggesting the pleura may serve as a reservoir for latent HCMV infection.
Review
Oncology
Dean A. Fennell, Sean Dulloo, James Harber
Summary: ICIs have greatly improved the treatment of mesothelioma, but the predictive biological features of response to ICIs are still poorly understood. Rational combinations involving ICIs are being studied and there is emerging evidence of synergistic antitumour activity. Non-ICI-based immunotherapies also show promising efficacy. Results from trials of dendritic cell vaccines and viral cytokine delivery, among others, are eagerly awaited.
NATURE REVIEWS CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Sharyn I. Katz, Christopher M. Straus, Leonid Roshkovan, Kevin G. Blyth, Thomas Frauenfelder, Ritu R. Gill, Ferry Lalezari, Jeremy Erasmus, Anna K. Nowak, Victor H. Gerbaudo, Roslyn J. Francis, Samuel G. Armato III
Summary: This article summarizes the challenges in radiologic assessment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and provides technical requirements and future directions for multimodal imaging.
JOURNAL OF THORACIC ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yuan Zhang, Ran Li, Yumei Gu, Yuerong LiZhu, Xiaofang Liu, Shu Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the histological, radiological, and metabolic features of MPM patients, as well as the laboratory risk factors affecting their prognosis.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Alex Dipper, Nick Maskell, Anna Bibby
Summary: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) presents diagnostic challenges, with ancillary diagnostic tests such as immunocytochemical markers, molecular techniques, diagnostic biomarkers, and imaging discussed in cases where histological samples are unavailable or inconclusive. While no single adjunctive test has the sensitivity and specificity to diagnose MPM in isolation, correlation of pleural fluid cytology with radiology and biomarkers can help make an MDT-consensus diagnosis when invasive tests are not feasible.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fabio Cofano, Nicola Marengo, Federico Pecoraro, Federica Penner, Luca Bertero, Francesco Zenga
Summary: This article presents a rare case of dorsal extradural spinal capillary hemangioma, which was completely removed through spinal angiography and embolization followed by surgical excision. The embolization did not demonstrate a reduction in bleeding during the surgical procedure.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Leonardo Micheletti, Fulvio Borella, Mario Preti, Valentina Frau, Stefano Cosma, Sebastiana Privitera, Luca Bertero, Chiara Benedetto
Summary: Perineural invasion is common in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and is associated with aggressive biological features and lower cancer-specific survival rates. Studies suggest that perineural invasion is an independent prognostic factor for CSS but not related to LRR.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Fulvio Borella, Mario Preti, Pedro Vieira-Baptista, Faustino R. Perez-Lopez, Luca Bertero, Niccolo Gallio, Leonardo Micheletti, Chiara Benedetto
Summary: This study analyzed the effectiveness and safety of topical imiquimod in a large cohort of patients with Vulvar Paget's disease. The results showed that treatment with imiquimod is safe and effective in reducing the recurrence rate of VPD.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandro Gambella, Luca Bertero, Milena Rondon-Lagos, Ludovica Verdun Di Cantogno, Nelson Rangel, Chiara Pitino, Alessia Andrea Ricci, Luca Mangherini, Isabella Castellano, Paola Cassoni
Summary: MDM2 amplification is a leading oncogenic pathway and diagnostic hallmark of liposarcoma, but there is a lack of established criteria for interpreting Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis results. This study retrospectively analyzed liposarcoma samples and proposes criteria for MDM2 amplification analysis. These guidelines aim to improve the diagnostic accuracy and management of liposarcoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alessandro Maria Berton, Nunzia Prencipe, Luca Bertero, Marco Baldi, Chiara Bima, Marina Corsico, Antonio Bianchi, Giovanna Mantovani, Francesco Ferrau, Paola Sartorato, Irene Gagliardi, Ezio Ghigo, Silvia Grottoli
Summary: This multicenter retrospective study aimed to identify the most relevant biomarkers specific for the Italian acromegaly population. The results showed that a low-grade SSTR2 expression was the most relevant predictor of resistance to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands, followed by a SG/intermediate cytokeratin pattern and a T2-iso/hyperintense MRI signal.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Stefano Gabriele Vallero, Luca Bertero, Giovanni Morana, Paola Sciortino, Daniele Bertin, Anna Mussano, Federica Silvia Ricci, Paola Peretta, Franca Fagioli
Summary: The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System highlights the importance of considering both histologic features and molecular alterations in determining tumor grade. However, the complexity of diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) in pediatric patients goes beyond H3K27 alterations, and factors such as tumor location and additional molecular alterations also play a role in prognosis and treatment decisions.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Giovanna Mastromarino, Sara Parini, Danila Azzolina, Sara Habib, Marzia Luigia De Marni, Chiara Luise, Silvia Restelli, Guido Baietto, Elena Trisolini, Fabio Massera, Esther Papalia, Giulia Bora, Roberta Carbone, Caterina Casadio, Renzo Boldorini, Ottavio Rena
Summary: This pilot study aimed to detect epithelial circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. All patients were positive for CTCs, and one patient was found to have a BRAF V600E mutation through next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of CTCs. CTC count did not affect overall survival or progression-free survival.
Article
Cell Biology
Giulia Vocino Trucco, Giacomo Maria Benazzo, Alessia Andrea Ricci, Luca Mangherini, Enrico Falco, Alessandro Gambella, Luca Bertero, Paola Cassoni
Summary: This study found a correlation between PD-L1 expression and nodal metastasis in pT1 CRCs, indicating its potential use for individualized surgical treatment after endoscopic removal. By evaluating PD-L1 expression through immunohistochemistry and determining the optimal cut-off values, unnecessary surgeries can be reduced.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fulvio Borella, Luca Marozio, Gianluca Bertschy, Giovanni Botta, Luca Bertero, Paola Cassoni, Aldo Maina, Stefano Cosma, Chiara Benedetto
Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of recurrence of severe placenta-mediated pregnancy complications and compare the efficacy of two different anti-thrombotic regimens. The results showed that combination therapy with ASA plus LMWH reduced the risk of delivery <34 weeks, but had no significant effect on composite outcomes.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Felix Sahm, Sebastian Brandner, Luca Bertero, David Capper, Pim J. French, Dominique Figarella-Branger, Felice Giangaspero, Christine Haberler, Monika E. Hegi, Bjarne W. Kristensen, Kathreena M. Kurian, Matthias Preusser, Bastiaan B. J. Tops, Martin van den Bent, Wolfgang Wick, Guido Reifenberger, Pieter Wesseling
Summary: In the 5th edition of the WHO CNS tumor classification, molecular characteristics have become important diagnostic criteria for many CNS tumor types. This guideline focuses on the methods used for diagnosing gliomas, glioneuronal, and neuronal tumors using informative molecular markers. Various molecular methods are discussed, including next-generation sequencing, methylation profiling, and immunohistochemistry. The guideline also covers the analysis of MGMT promoter methylation status, and provides an overview of the advantages, limitations, and requirements of different assays. The importance of molecular diagnostic testing in neuro-oncology is emphasized, along with discussions on clinical relevance, accessibility, cost, and ethical aspects.
Review
Oncology
Fulvio Borella, Marco Mitidieri, Stefano Cosma, Chiara Benedetto, Luca Bertero, Stefano Fucina, Isabelle Ray-Coquard, Annalisa Carapezzi, Domenico Ferraioli
Summary: Mucinous ovarian cancer (MOC), a rare tumor, can be classified into early MOC and advanced MOC. Early MOC has a good prognosis and surgical treatment is the mainstay. However, some early-stage MOCs can relapse and exhibit aggressive behavior. Advanced MOC has a poor prognosis and radical surgery is recommended, although these tumors are chemo-resistant. Targeted therapies for MOC are currently under study but have not been approved yet.
Review
Pathology
Luca Bertero, Luca Mangherini, Alessia Andrea Ricci, Paola Cassoni, Felix Sahm
Summary: Molecular profiling has greatly impacted the diagnostic workflow of CNS tumors, integrating histopathological features with molecular hallmarks for reproducible and clinically relevant diagnoses. DNA methylation profiling is a critical tool for assessing complex cases, evaluating novel tumor types, and subgrouping tumors in heterogeneous entities like medulloblastoma or ependymoma. DNA/RNA NGS allows for the detection of multiple molecular alterations and can provide key insights for diagnosis and treatment, especially with the increasing use of targeted therapies in clinical practice. This review provides a comprehensive overview of these molecular tools, discussing their technical specifications, diagnostic value, and potential limitations, and highlights the importance of molecular profiling in CNS neoplasms.
Review
Oncology
Mario Levis, Alessio Gastino, Greta De Giorgi, Cristina Mantovani, Paolo Bironzo, Luca Mangherini, Alessia Andrea Ricci, Umberto Ricardi, Paola Cassoni, Luca Bertero
Summary: In the era of precision medicine, the management of brain metastases (BMs) in lung cancer patients is rapidly evolving. Advances in radiotherapy techniques, along with new systemic target therapies, are changing the therapeutic landscape in this clinical setting. The role of the tumor microenvironment in influencing treatment response is also being recognized, leading to the identification of potential prognostic and predictive biomarkers. This review provides an overview of current trends in BM treatment and discusses future perspectives based on integrated translational approaches.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fulvio Borella, Stefano Fucina, Luca Mangherini, Stefano Cosma, Andrea Roberto Carosso, Jessica Cusato, Paola Cassoni, Luca Bertero, Dionyssios Katsaros, Chiara Benedetto
Summary: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women, and its treatment remains challenging with poor survival rates. While the role of hormone receptors (HRs) in EOC has been actively explored, the use of hormone therapy (HT) in treating these tumors is still not well-established. Available data mostly come from retrospective series and small early clinical trials, suggesting that HT may be beneficial in adjuvant therapy, maintenance therapy, or in cases of recurrent disease, particularly for certain subtypes of EOC.
Article
Oncology
Fulvio Borella, Luca Bertero, Fabrizia Di Giovanni, Gianluca Witel, Giulia Orlando, Alessia Andrea Ricci, Alessandra Pittaro, Isabella Castellano, Paola Cassoni
Summary: This study analyzed the global impact of COVID-19 on surgical management of breast cancer from 2018 to 2021. Results showed a limited reduction in surgical activity during the pandemic period, indicating a prompt resumption of surgical activity similar to the pre-pandemic period.
