Kim G, et al. J Gynecol Oncol. 2021 Dec;33(2):e15. https://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2022.33.e15

CT83, a cancer-testis antigen, has emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in various cancers. This study explores its expression and role in cervical adenocarcinoma progression and prognosis. CT83 expression was analyzed in cervical cancer cell lines using quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Functional assays demonstrated that CT83 overexpression (OE) promotes proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cervical cancer cells while also upregulating PD-L1 expression. Conversely, CT83 knockdown reduced these malignant phenotypes. The immunohistochemical analysis of 60 patient samples revealed CT83 expression in 84.9% of cases, with significant correlations to larger tumor size, elevated squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) levels, and advanced FIGO stages (II–IV). Furthermore, intermediate-to-high CT83 expression (H-score ≥100) was associated with more aggressive disease features. These findings suggest that CT83 contributes to tumor progression and immune evasion, likely through PD-L1 modulation. As a highly expressed antigen in cervical adenocarcinoma, CT83 offers promise as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for improving patient outcomes.

Tissue factor (TF), also known as CD142, is a 47 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the class II cytokine receptors superfamily. High expression of TF has been reported to be correlated with poor prognosis in various cancers. In this study, we aimed to clarify the cytotoxicity of bi-specific T-cell engagers (BiTE) targeting TF on cervical cancer cell lines. We designed and characterized the novel humanized BiTE targeting TF using an anti-human CD3 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) linked to human TF scFv. TF-Bite replication and potency were assessed in cervical cancer cell lines. The expression of the TF-BiTE and the activation and proliferation of T cells induced along with the T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity were evaluated by flow cytometry in vitro. TF expression was confirmed in SiHa, ME-180, and HeLa cell lines. The TF-BiTE showed potent TF-specific cytotoxicity and induced T-cell activation, proliferation, degranulation, and cytokine release. These effects were not observed in TF-negative control cells. Our findings support TF-BiTE as a promising therapeutic candidate for cervical cancer immunotherapy.

Epithelioid hemangioma is a rare benign vascular neoplasm. Recently, the term “multiple eruptive epithelioid hemangioma” has been proposed for epithelioid hemangioma with distinct features. It is different from usual epithelioid hemangioma because of the multifocal distributions in various body regions with an eruptive onset. In addition, the histopathology of multiple eruptive epithelioid hemangioma shows increased cellular proliferation, mitosis, and nuclear pleomorphism and positive findings for FOS-B compared to classic epithelioid hemangioma. Herein, we report the case of a 59-year-old man with unusual manifestations suitable for multiple eruptive epithelioid hemangioma. He had multiple erythematous to purple-red dome-shaped nodules on the right hand, arm, and shoulder. The initial lesion was a solitary erythematous nodule on the right hand that abruptly extended to the right arm and shoulder. Microscopically, the tumor was a well-demarcated dermal nodule and showed capillary sized vascular structures. Vascular structures had epithelioid endothelial cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei. The tumor cells showed mild nuclear pleomorphism and a few mitosis and feature of resembling cobble stone was observed. In immunohistochemistry, CD31 and CD34 were positive in the endothelial cells. The endothelial cells showed nuclear positivity in FOS-B. Based on the clinical and histopathological findings, the final diagnosis was multiple eruptive epithelioid hemangiomas. This is the first report of multiple eruptive epithelioid hemangiomas in an Asian man after the term had been introduced.