As prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, finding novel markers for prognosis is crucial. BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP-1), a nuclear-localized deubiquitinating enzyme, has been reported in several human cancers. However, its prognostic role in PCa remains unknown. Herein, we assessed the prognostic and clinicopathologic significance of BAP-1 in PCa. Seventy surgical specimens from radical prostatectomy cases were examined. Two cores per case were selected for construction of tissue microarrays (TMAs). After the exclusion of two cases because of tissue sparsity, BAP-1 immunohistochemical expression was evaluated in 68 cases of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded TMA tissue blocks. The immunohistochemical stain was scored according to proportion of nuclear staining: negative (<10% of tumor cells) or positive (≥10% of tumor cells). BAP-1 expression was negative in 30 cases (44.1%) and positive in 38 cases (55.9%). Positive BAP-1 expression was more common in pT3b disease than in pT2 (p=0.038). A high preoperative prostate-specific antigen level was correlated with BAP-1 expression (p=0.014). Age, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and grade group were not significantly correlated with BAP-1 expression. Patients with positive BAP-1 expression showed significantly shorter disease-free survival (p=0.013). Additionally, BAP-1 was an independent prognostic factor of PCa (p=0.035; hazard ratio, 9.277; 95% confidence interval, 1.165-73.892). Our study findings showed an association of BAP-1 expression with poor PCa prognosis and suggest a potential role for BAP-1 as a prognostic biomarker for PCa.

Background/Objectives: Mutations in RAS/RAF are common in colorectal cancer (CRC) and play a pivotal role in guiding treatment selection. With the recent advent of immunotherapy, microsatellite (MSI) status, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and POLE mutations, particularly those leading to high TMB, have gained importance in CRC. This study aimed to examine the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with CRC with POLE mutations. Methods: We identified POLE mutations in patients with colorectal cancer who had available next-generation sequencing (NGS) results from a single institute in Korea. RAS/RAF status, MSI status, and TMB were evaluated, and based on the TMB results, patients with POLE mutations were classified as having either pathogenic or non-pathogenic mutations. After excluding non-Korean patients, we compared the groups based on the presence of pathogenic POLE mutations. Results: Five POLE mutations (A456P, P286R, R1111W, R609W, and V922I) were identified. Only A456P and P286R were associated with an exceptionally high TMB, resulting in two patients (1.1%) being categorized as having pathogenic POLE. The POLE-mutant group showed an extremely high TMB and tended to include younger patients. Among the two pathogenic cases, one showed poor histological differentiation, and the tumors were split between the right and left colons (one in each). Conclusions: CRC with POLE mutations tend to exhibit TMB-high, occur in younger patients, localize to the right colon, and display poor histological differentiation. Given that POLE mutations can serve as indicators for immunotherapy, recognizing these mutations is of clinical importance.

Phyllodes tumors are rare biphasic fibroepithelial breast neoplasms classified as benign, borderline, or malignant. Despite their rarity, malignant variants carry higher risks of recurrence and metastasis. This review synthesizes current evidence on their clinical, histopathological, and molecular characteristics, including treatment strategies and prognostic factors, emphasizing tailored management. We performed a comprehensive literature review to summarize knowledge on clinical presentation, imaging, histopathological features, surgical treatment, adjuvant therapy, and outcomes. Recent genomic and molecular research was also evaluated to identify future directions. Persistent challenges include a lack of consensus on optimal surgical margins, adjuvant radiotherapy, and follow-up protocols, highlighting the need for larger, high-quality studies. Advances in molecular profiling suggest potential for targeted therapies, especially in aggressive or metastatic cases. Due to clinical heterogeneity and the limited accuracy of core biopsies, definitive grading based on surgical histopathology remains essential for treatment planning. This review offers an updated perspective on phyllodes tumor management, identifies critical gaps, and suggests priorities for future research.