Choi JH, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2014 Mar;29(3):334-337. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2014.29.3.334

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare soft tissue tumor, commonly arising in para-articular areas of extremities, but can also present in the head and neck area. However, primary SS of the thyroid gland is an extremely rare tumor which has been reported only five times in previous English literatures. This report presents fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of primary monophasic SS of the thyroid gland. A 47-year- old woman incidentally detected thyroid nodule in the isthmus of right thyroid gland on an ultrasonography by regular health check-up. Because the possibility of malignancy could not be ruled out, FNA and surgical resection were performed. The cytological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic study of SYT-SSX transcript were discussed. For the past 3 years of follow-up after surgery, no recurrence or metastasis has been identified.

Previously we revealed an upregulated expression of B7-H3 and B7-H4 mRNA and protein in breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, little is known regarding the clinical impact and value of B7-H3 and B7-H4 in TNBC subtypes. Thus, this study evaluated the clinicopathologic effects of B7-H3 and B7-H4 mRNA and protein expression according to the TNBC subtypes. RNAscope in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry of B7-H3 and B7-H4 was done for 186 TNBC samples using tissue microarray. Immunohistochemistry was also performed for TNBC molecular subtype-surrogate markers, CD3, and CD8. TNBCs were classified into basal-like (BL) (64.5%), luminal androgen receptor (10.8%), and unclassifiable (24.7%) subtypes. Tumor B7-H4 mRNA expression was associated with younger age at the initial diagnosis and with molecular TNBC subtypes. Expression of B7-H3 mRNA and protein in the tumor cells was negatively correlated with CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration density in the tumor and/or stromal region of TNBCs and their subtypes. High stromal B7-H3 mRNA expression was associated with poor disease-free and overall survival in the TNBCs and with overall survival in the unclassifiable subtype. Stromal B7-H3 mRNA expression was independently associated with overall survival and disease-free survival in the TNBCs and BL subtype, respectively. Our results indicate the importance of the stromal expression of B7-H3 mRNA as a prognostic factor in the TNBCs and BL subtype. The inverse relationship between B7-H3 expression and CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte infiltration represents a promising target for immunotherapy for the TNBCs, especially the BL subtype.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents one of the most aggressive and lethal primary brain malignancies, characterized by rapid proliferation, extensive invasiveness, and a dismal prognosis. Emerging evidence implicates nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2), an intracellular pattern recognition receptor, as a potential driver of GBM progression. This study investigates NOD2’s role in promoting glioblastoma through its effects on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. Methods: NOD2 expression levels and survival outcomes were assessed using TCGA data from GBM tumor samples (n = 153) and normal brain tissues (n = 5). NOD2 protein expression was validated in glioma cell lines using Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. Functional studies employed siRNA-mediated NOD2 knockdown to evaluate effects on cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation, while correlations between NOD2 and EMT/CSC markers were assessed. Results: The analysis of TCGA data revealed a significantly elevated NOD2 expression in GBM tumors compared to normal brain tissue, with a high NOD2 expression correlating with a reduced disease-free survival in GBM patients. All tested glioma cell lines demonstrated robust NOD2 expression. Functional analyses demonstrated that NOD2 depletion substantially impaired cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and the colony-forming capacity. Mechanistically, siRNA-mediated NOD2 knockdown significantly decreased the expression of EMT (Snail, SLUG, Vimentin) and CSC markers (CD44, CD133) at both protein and mRNA levels. Conclusions: Our results indicate that NOD2 contributes to GBM progression by influencing EMT and CSC pathways. These findings suggest NOD2’s potential as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma, highlighting the need for further mechanistic studies and therapeutic exploration.

Percutaneous ethanol injection for hepatocellular carcinoma and biopsy for pathological examination of lesions in the liver are widely performed using a fine needle under ultrasonography guidance. However, it is often difficult to distinguish a malignant tumor from a parenchyma via ultrasonography. This study proposes a method for identifying a malignant tumor in the liver using coplanar bipolar electrodes fabricated on a fine needle, called electrochemical impedance spectroscopy on a needle (EoN). The electrical impedances of the malignant tumor and parenchyma were measured in two pathological statuses, more specifically in human ex-vivo normal liver and in human ex-vivo cirrhotic liver. Statistically significant differences in the electrical impedance between the malignant tumor and parenchyma in each pathological status were observed in a frequency range of 0.46 MHz to 1 MHz (p < 0.05). Given a real-time measurement in clinical trials, the optimal frequency suggested was indicated by the largest value in the discrimination index between the malignant tumor and the parenchyma. The electrical properties (conductivity and permittivity) of the tissues were estimated to generalize the sensor output without regard to the dimension and shape of the electrodes. The values of the electrical properties of cancer in the cirrhotic liver and normal liver were significantly higher than those of each parenchyma. These experimental results imply that EoN can be used as a potential tool for identification of malignant tumors in the liver during percutaneous ethanol injection and fine needle aspiration procedures.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of uterine cervix is a rare malignancy with aggressive behavior and poor clinical outcome even in its early stage. Few cytopathologic features of cervical LCNEC have been reported previously. A 57-year-old postmenopausal African American female, presented to the local health department with a chief complaint of heavy vaginal bleeding. A 45-year-old female presented with 20 months of vaginal pruritus and foul odor. Cervical malignancy was suspected by pelvis magnetic resonance imaging. Thinprep cytology test demonstrated ball-like tumor cell clusters in a necrotic background. Cytologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was rendered. However, the histologic and immunohistochemical examination of cervical biopsy revealed the LCNEC of the uterine cervix. Due to its rarity, LCNEC may pose a diagnostic challenge in cervical cytology. Cytopathologists should pay attention to the cytological features of cervical LCNEC, such as rosettoid pattern, nuclear molding, and thin nuclear membrane for differentiation from other mimics.