Review
Oncology
Vanessa Nicoli, Fabio Coppede
Summary: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) arise from the epithelial cells of the thymus and account for 1% of all adult malignancies, despite being the most common lesions of the anterior mediastinum. TETs can be classified into different subtypes, including thymomas, thymic carcinomas, and neuroendocrine forms. The challenge lies in the diagnosis and characterization of TETs due to the lack of symptoms and the presence of paraneoplastic disorders. Epigenetic profiling has been explored as a potential tool for tumor characterization and clinical outcomes prediction.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhongwei Xin, Mingjie Lin, Zhixing Hao, Di Chen, Yongyuan Chen, Xiaoke Chen, Xia Xu, Jinfan Li, Dang Wu, Ying Chai, Pin Wu
Summary: In this study, the developmental pattern of intra-tumoral T-cells in human thymic epithelial tumors (TET) was analyzed by single cell analysis. Three types of TETs were identified based on the characteristics of tumor cells and their effects on T-cell development. The molecular subtypes of TETs were found to determine their tumor immune microenvironment, and GNB3 and CHI3L1 might serve as predictors for the immunological behavior and prognosis of these tumors.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Biology
Alfredo Tartarone, Rosa Lerose, Alessandro Rocco Lettini, Marina Tartarone
Summary: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are unusual tumors deriving from the epithelial cells of the thymus and are the most common tumor type in the anterior mediastinum. Treatment options may vary based on staging and histology, including surgery with or without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic TETs, although new drugs and combinations are currently being evaluated. The proper management of TET patients requires a multidisciplinary team approach to personalize care for each patient.
Review
Biology
Elisabetta Kuhn, Carlo Pescia, Paolo Mendogni, Mario Nosotti, Stefano Ferrero
Summary: Despite their rarity, thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) have received substantial attention, leading to numerous histological and staging classifications. TETs are currently categorized into four main subtypes, each representing different aggressiveness. TNM and Masaoka-Koga staging systems are widely used for TETs. Additionally, molecular subgrouping has further enhanced the understanding of TETs and paved the way for targeted therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors.
Review
Oncology
Apostolos C. C. Agrafiotis, Vasiliki Siozopoulou, Jeroen M. H. Hendriks, Patrick Pauwels, Senada Koljenovic, Paul E. E. Van Schil
Summary: The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of various cells, including cancer cells that can modify the environment through secretion of molecules, impacting tumor development and progression. Studying the characteristics of TME helps in the development of new cancer therapies.
Review
Oncology
Rohan Maniar, Patrick J. Loehrer
Summary: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignancies originating from the thymus. Surgery is the primary treatment for early-stage TETs, while limited options with modest efficacy exist for unresectable, metastatic, or recurrent TETs. The emergence of immunotherapies in solid tumor treatment has sparked interest in their role in TET treatment. However, the occurrence of comorbid paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders, particularly in thymoma, has tempered expectations for immune-based therapies. Clinical studies of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in thymoma and thymic carcinoma have shown higher rates of immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) and limited efficacy. Despite setbacks, the understanding of the thymic tumor microenvironment and systemic immune system has advanced, leading to opportunities for novel immunotherapy approaches. Ongoing studies are evaluating various immune-based treatments in TETs to improve clinical efficacy and mitigate IRAE risk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guozhu Hou, Yuanyuan Jiang, Fang Li, Wuying Cheng
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of FDG PET/CT in patients with suspected recurrent TETs. The results showed that FDG PET/CT had high sensitivity and good specificity in detecting recurrence, and it had important prognostic value in assessing the risk of disease progression.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Till Markowiak, Mohammed Khalid Afeen Ansari, Reiner Neu, Berthold Schalke, Alexander Marx, Hans-Stefan Hofmann, Michael Ried
Summary: A complete resection of thymic tumors is crucial for the promising survival rates in advanced stages, with 61.3% of patients achieving a 5-year survival rate. Surgical revision was required in 17.8% of patients, and in-hospital mortality was 2.7%.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kostas Palamaris, Georgia Levidou, Katerina Kordali, Christos Masaoutis, Dimitra Rontogianni, Stamatios Theocharis
Summary: Immunohistochemical analysis of Hippo cascade components (YAP, TAZ, TEAD4 and LATS1) in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) revealed associations between TAZ and TEAD4 with aggressive tumors and advanced stages, while YAP showed associations with indolent and earlier stage tumors. However, none of these components were significantly correlated with patient overall or disease-free survival.
Review
Oncology
Pierre Loap, Viviana Vitolo, Amelia Barcellini, Ludovic De Marzi, Alfredo Mirandola, Maria Rosaria Fiore, Barbara Vischioni, Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa, Nicolas Girard, Youlia Kirova, Ester Orlandi
Summary: Radiation therapy plays a crucial role in advanced thymic epithelial tumors, but first-generation techniques have drawbacks while modern techniques can protect surrounding tissues effectively. Hadrontherapy, particularly proton therapy and carbon ion therapy, shows potential advantages for TET irradiation, but limited clinical experience exists.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Yue Zhang, Dong Lin, Beatrice Aramini, Fu Yang, Xi Chen, Xing Wang, Liang Wu, Wei Huang, Jiang Fan
Summary: Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are the most common tumors in the anterior mediastinum and a relatively rare type of thoracic cancer. Surgical resection is the best treatment strategy, with various modalities available. The selection of the appropriate procedure should be based on patient characteristics. Evaluation of resectability and careful decision-making are crucial, and reevaluation during subsequent therapy is essential. Several contentious issues remain in the surgical treatment of thymic tumors, requiring the surgeon's judgment, experience, and skills.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rumi Higuchi, Taichiro Goto, Yosuke Hirotsu, Sotaro Otake, Toshio Oyama, Kenji Amemiya, Hiroshi Ohyama, Hitoshi Mochizuki, Masao Omata
Summary: This study evaluated the microbiota in resected thymoma samples and identified Sphingomonas and Phenylobacterium as dominant genera in thymomas. The research suggests a potential approach for preventing thymoma development as a new precision medicine. The study also revealed differences in bacterial diversity between type A and type B thymomas.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Francesco Gentili, Ilaria Monteleone, Francesco Giuseppe Mazzei, Luca Luzzi, Davide Del Roscio, Susanna Guerrini, Luca Volterrani, Maria Antonietta Mazzei
Summary: Thymic tumors are rare neoplasms, however they are the most common primary neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum. Advanced imaging modalities, such as functional MRI and dual-energy CT, can greatly improve characterization of thymic epithelial tumors and other mediastinal tumors, as well as assessment of tumor invasion and detection of metastases. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of diagnostic imaging of thymic lesions, focusing on imaging findings of thymoma and differential diagnosis.
Article
Oncology
Eleonora Pardini, Federico Cucchiara, Sara Palumbo, Giulia Tarrini, Alessia Di Vita, Fabio Coppede, Vanessa Nicoli, Melania Guida, Michelangelo Maestri, Roberta Ricciardi, Vittorio Aprile, Marcello C. Ambrogi, Serena Barachini, Marco Lucchi, Iacopo Petrini
Summary: This study provides insights into the mutational landscape of thymic epithelial tumors, identifying recurrent mutations in the GTF2I gene and predicted inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of thymic epithelial tumors and may have implications for future research and treatment strategies.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Xiao Zhang, Pengpeng Zhang, Ansheng Cong, Yanlong Feng, Hao Chi, Zhijia Xia, Hailin Tang
Summary: This review explores the complex molecular networks of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), focusing on key aspects such as chromosomal abnormalities, gene mutations and expressions, gene rearrangements, and epigenetic changes. It also examines the influence of the tumor microenvironment on TET behavior and therapeutic responses. A thorough understanding of these features can enhance diagnostic accuracy, refine prognostic assessments, and tailor targeted therapeutic strategies for TETs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
