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DNA Methylation Profiling Enables Accurate Classification of Nonductal Primary Pancreatic Neoplasms.Clinical Gastroenterology and... Jun 2024Cytologic and histopathologic diagnosis of non-ductal pancreatic neoplasms can be challenging in daily clinical practice, whereas it is crucial for therapy and...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Cytologic and histopathologic diagnosis of non-ductal pancreatic neoplasms can be challenging in daily clinical practice, whereas it is crucial for therapy and prognosis. The cancer methylome is successfully used as a diagnostic tool in other cancer entities. Here, we investigate if methylation profiling can improve the diagnostic work-up of pancreatic neoplasms.
METHODS
DNA methylation data were obtained for 301 primary tumors spanning 6 primary pancreatic neoplasms and 20 normal pancreas controls. Neural Network, Random Forest, and extreme gradient boosting machine learning models were trained to distinguish between tumor types. Methylation data of 29 nonpancreatic neoplasms (n = 3708) were used to develop an algorithm capable of detecting neoplasms of non-pancreatic origin.
RESULTS
After benchmarking 3 state-of-the-art machine learning models, the random forest model emerged as the best classifier with 96.9% accuracy. All classifications received a probability score reflecting the confidence of the prediction. Increasing the score threshold improved the random forest classifier performance up to 100% with 87% of samples with scores surpassing the cutoff. Using a logistic regression model, detection of nonpancreatic neoplasms achieved an area under the curve of >0.99. Analysis of biopsy specimens showed concordant classification with their paired resection sample.
CONCLUSIONS
Pancreatic neoplasms can be classified with high accuracy based on DNA methylation signatures. Additionally, non-pancreatic neoplasms are identified with near perfect precision. In summary, methylation profiling can serve as a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasms with minimal risk for misdiagnosis, even in the pre-operative setting.
Topics: Humans; DNA Methylation; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Male; Female; Aged; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38382726
DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2024.02.007 -
Genes Dec 2023Adult pancreatoblastoma (PBL) is a rare pancreatic malignancy, with recent evidence suggesting a possible link to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This study aims... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Adult pancreatoblastoma (PBL) is a rare pancreatic malignancy, with recent evidence suggesting a possible link to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This study aims to review the latest evidence and explore a possible association between adult PBL and FAP.
METHODS
Two independent literature reviews were conducted: (1) on PBL and FAP, and (2) on PBL in the adult population not diagnosed with FAP.
RESULTS
Out of 26 articles on PBL and FAP screened, 5 were selected for systematic review, including 1 additional case. We identified eight FAP-related PBL cases, with a median age of 40 (IQR: 34-50). Of these, seven (87%) occurred in adults. We found 65 cases of adult PBL not FAP-related; thus, 7 out of 65 cases (10.7%) of adult PBL reported in the literature are associated with a clinical diagnosis of FAP or were carriers of germline pathogenic variants (GPVs).
CONCLUSION
Data suggest a non-random association between adult PBL and FAP. Further research is essential to optimise surveillance protocols and develop more effective treatment strategies.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adenomatous Polyposis Coli; Germ-Line Mutation; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 38254934
DOI: 10.3390/genes15010044 -
Cureus Oct 2023In this report we present a rare case of pancreatoblastoma in an adult patient. Whilst they are amongst the most common malignant pancreatic tumours in children,...
In this report we present a rare case of pancreatoblastoma in an adult patient. Whilst they are amongst the most common malignant pancreatic tumours in children, presentations in adults are exceedingly rare, with a small number of reported cases. Its presentation is often non-specific in terms of clinical examination, and subsequent imaging can show similar findings to those seen in benign neoplasms. This report highlights the difficulty of achieving a diagnosis and subsequent treatment of such an uncommon disease. Biopsy and resultant histology are essential in diagnosis and surgical resection remains the preferred modality of treatment. However, the use of chemotherapy and its efficacy in adults remains unclear, and the prognosis documented in existing literature for adults is worse when compared to paediatric presentations. This case emphasises the need to consider pancreatoblastoma as a differential diagnosis when suspecting pancreatic or abdominal malignancies to achieve early detection and diagnosis, in order to provide optimal treatment and improve patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38046486
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48063 -
EJC Paediatric Oncology Dec 2023While all childhood cancers are rare, tumors that are particularly infrequent or underrepresented within pediatrics are studied under the umbrella of the Children's...
While all childhood cancers are rare, tumors that are particularly infrequent or underrepresented within pediatrics are studied under the umbrella of the Children's Oncology Group Rare Tumor committee, divided into the Retinoblastoma and Infrequent Tumor subcommittees. The Infrequent Tumor subcommittee has traditionally included an emphasis on globally rare tumors such as adrenocortical carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, or those tumors that are rare in young children, despite being common in adolescents and young adults, such as colorectal carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, and melanoma. Pleuropulmonary blastoma, gonadal stromal tumors, pancreatic tumors including pancreatoblastoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, nonmelanoma skin cancers, neuroendocrine tumors, and desmoplastic small round cell tumors, as well as other carcinomas are also included under the heading of the Children's Oncology Group Rare Tumor committee. While substantial challenges exist in rare cancers, inclusion and global collaboration remain key priorities to ensure high quality research to advance care.
PubMed: 37829670
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcped.2023.100024 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery :... Dec 2023
Topics: Adult; Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 37620658
DOI: 10.1007/s11605-023-05816-4 -
Asian Journal of Surgery Nov 2023
Topics: Humans; Child; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 37290981
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.05.104 -
International Journal of Surgical... Aug 2023We report the histopathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and molecular findings in 3 patients with adult pancreatoblastoma, including 2 with autopsy features. The...
We report the histopathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and molecular findings in 3 patients with adult pancreatoblastoma, including 2 with autopsy features. The tumors were located in the tail and body of the pancreas, and the 2 autopsy examinations revealed liver and lung metastases. Histopathologically the neoplasms were composed of solid epithelial elements with nested or trabecular growth patterns, fibrous stroma, and squamoid clusters. Keratin 19 was positive mainly in squamoid corpuscles, and trypsin or chymotrypsin was positive in the acinar component. Neuroendocrine differentiation was observed in all tumors, and nuclear β-catenin expression in 2 tumors. Despite nuclear β-catenin expression, mutation was found only in tumor 2. mutation was detected in tumor 1, and as well as mutations in tumor 3. This last tumor also revealed chromosomal instability with many chromosomal losses and gains. The follow-up showed regional or distant metastases in all patients. Two patients died of disease after 3 and 26 months of follow-up and 1 patient is alive with no evidence of disease 6 years and 2 months after surgery. Adult pancreatoblastoma can display genetic heterogeneity, diverse histological appearance, and overlapping IHC findings. As a result, the differential diagnosis with other adult pancreatic tumors, such as acinar cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine neoplasm, solid pseudopapillary neoplasm, and mixed tumors may be challenging, especially when dealing with limited tumor tissue. The identification of squamoid corpuscles is essential for diagnosis. Although molecular findings might provide useful information, the integration of clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings is essential in pancreatoblastoma diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Adult; beta Catenin; Autopsy; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 36573045
DOI: 10.1177/10668969221133351 -
International Journal of Surgical... Aug 2023. Pancreatoblastoma is a rare malignant epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas, which often shows multiple lines of differentiation, but is defined by neoplastic cells with...
. Pancreatoblastoma is a rare malignant epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas, which often shows multiple lines of differentiation, but is defined by neoplastic cells with acinar differentiation and characteristic squamoid nests. Pediatric patients are most commonly affected, and although a subset is known to occur in adults, the diagnosis is rarely considered in elderly adults. The clinicopathologic features of two cases of pancreatoblastoma in elderly patients were examined. Two patients (age 80 and 81 years) presented with pancreatoblastoma, including one with early-stage pancreatic disease and one with liver metastasis. Biopsies and one pancreatic resection specimen showed characteristic histomorphologic features, including prominent acinar differentiation and abundant squamoid nests. Both cases had complete loss of SMAD4 (DPC4) immunolabeling. Next generation sequencing was performed on one case and revealed copy number loss of chromosome 11p and 9p21 () and pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in , , and . The and variants occurred at allele frequencies suggestive of germline mutations, raising the possibility that this patient may have an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome. We present two cases which extend the upper age limit for reported pancreatoblastoma, including one with genetic findings suggestive of an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Child; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreas; Pancreatectomy; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 36314453
DOI: 10.1177/10668969221133347