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Maternal Health, Neonatology and... Mar 2023Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare mesenchymal malignancy of the lung and is the most common pulmonary malignancy in infants and children. Cystic PPB, the earliest...
BACKGROUND
Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare mesenchymal malignancy of the lung and is the most common pulmonary malignancy in infants and children. Cystic PPB, the earliest form of PPB occurring from birth to approximately two years of age, is often mistaken for a congenital pulmonary airway malformation, as the two entities can be difficult to distinguish on imaging and pathology. Diagnosis of PPB should prompt workup for DICER1 syndrome, an autosomal dominant tumor predisposition syndrome. We report a newborn with a congenital PPB presenting with tachypnea and hypoxia, who was found to have variant of uncertain clinical significance (VUS) in DICER1.
CASE PRESENTATION
A term female infant developed respiratory distress shortly after birth. Initial imaging was concerning for a congenital pulmonary airway malformation versus congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and she was transferred to a quaternary neonatal intensive care unit for management and workup. Chest CT angiography demonstrated a macrocytic multicystic lesion within the right lower lobe without systemic arterial supply. The pediatric surgery team was consulted, and the neonate underwent right lower lobectomy. Pathology revealed a type I PPB. Oncology and genetics consultants recommended observation without chemotherapy and single gene sequencing of DICER1, which identified a germline VUS in DICER1 predicted to alter splicing. RNA-sequencing from blood demonstrated that the variant resulted in an in-frame deletion of 29 amino acids in a majority of transcripts from the affected allele. Due to the patient's young age at presentation and high clinical suspicion for DICER1 syndrome, tumor surveillance was initiated. Renal and pelvic ultrasonography were unremarkable.
CONCLUSION
We present the case of a term neonate with respiratory distress and cystic lung mass, found to have a type I PPB with a germline VUS in DICER1 that likely increased her risk of DICER1-related tumors. Nearly 70% of patients with PPB demonstrate germline mutations in DICER1. Review of RNA sequencing data demonstrates the difficulty in classifying splice variants such as this. Penetrance is low, and many patients with pathogenic DICER1 variants do not develop a malignancy. Best practice surgical and oncologic recommendations include an individualized approach and tumor board discussion. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach and the utility of international registries for patients with rare diagnoses.
PubMed: 36922881
DOI: 10.1186/s40748-023-00148-2 -
Targeting mutant dicer tumorigenesis in pleuropulmonary blastoma via inhibition of RNA polymerase I.Translational Research : the Journal of... Aug 2023DICER1 mutations predispose to increased risk for various cancers, particularly pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), the commonest lung malignancy of childhood. There is a...
DICER1 mutations predispose to increased risk for various cancers, particularly pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), the commonest lung malignancy of childhood. There is a paucity of directly actionable molecular targets as these tumors are driven by loss-of-function mutations of DICER1. Therapeutic development for PPB is further limited by a lack of biologically and physiologically-representative disease models. Given recent evidence of Dicer's role as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor regulating RNA polymerase I (Pol I), Pol I inhibition could abrogate mutant Dicer-mediated accumulation of stalled polymerases to trigger apoptosis. Hence, we developed a novel subpleural orthotopic PPB patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model that retained both RNase IIIa and IIIb hotspot mutations and recapitulated the cardiorespiratory physiology of intra-thoracic disease, and with it evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of first-in-class Pol I inhibitor CX-5461. In PDX tumors, CX-5461 significantly reduced H3K9 di-methylation and increased nuclear p53 expression, within 24 hours' exposure. Following treatment at the maximum tolerated dosing regimen (12 doses, 30 mg/kg), tumors were smaller and less hemorrhagic than controls, with significantly decreased cellular proliferation, and increased apoptosis. As demonstrated in a novel intrathoracic tumor model of PPB, Pol I inhibition with CX-5461 could be a tolerable and clinically-feasible therapeutic strategy for mutant Dicer tumors, inducing antitumor effects by decreasing H3K9 methylation and enhancing p53-mediated apoptosis.
Topics: Humans; RNA Polymerase I; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Pulmonary Blastoma; Carcinogenesis; Ribonuclease III; DEAD-box RNA Helicases
PubMed: 36921796
DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2023.03.001 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Feb 2023Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a tumor occurring almost exclusively in infants and young children. This is the most common primary-lung malignancy in childhood. There... (Review)
Review
Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a tumor occurring almost exclusively in infants and young children. This is the most common primary-lung malignancy in childhood. There is age-associated progression through a distinctive sequence of pathologic changes, from a purely multicystic lesion type I to a high-grade sarcoma type II and III. While complete resection is the cornerstone treatment for type I PPB, aggressive chemotherapy with a less favorable prognosis is associated with type II and III. DICER1 germline mutation is positive in 70% of children with PPB. Diagnosis is challenging, as it resembles congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) in imaging. Although PPB is an extremely rare malignancy, over the past five years we have encountered several children diagnosed with PPB in our medical center. Herein, we present some of these children and discuss diagnostic, ethical, and therapeutic challenges.
PubMed: 36902703
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051918 -
Pediatric Pulmonology May 2023
Topics: Humans; Infant; Pulmonary Blastoma; Lung Neoplasms; Bronchiolitis
PubMed: 36799061
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26363 -
Acta Cytologica 2023Pulmonary spindle cell and mesenchymal lesions are paradox for pathologists due to their rarity, overlapping morphology, and differentials ranging from benign to...
INTRODUCTION
Pulmonary spindle cell and mesenchymal lesions are paradox for pathologists due to their rarity, overlapping morphology, and differentials ranging from benign to malignant lesions, and correct diagnosis is essential due to major treatment implications. This study highlights the role of fine-needle aspiration cytology, clot core biopsy, and immunohistochemistry in diagnosis of spindle cell lesions in lung, thus playing a key role in patient management.
METHODS
It is a retrospective study of lung FNA with predominantly spindle and mesenchymal cells from 2015-2020 which were classified cytomorphologically into spindle, epithelioid, small round cell, and biphasic, and IHC panels are applied accordingly. FNA from mediastinum and chest wall was excluded.
RESULTS
60 cases of lung FNA with spindle and mesenchymal cells were identified and included 6 benign and 54 malignancies which included 24 primary pulmonary malignancies and 30 metastases. Most common primary malignancy was sarcomatoid carcinoma, and most common metastasis was malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour. FNA was paucicellular in 7 cases and was reported as benign in 7 cases and malignant in 46 cases. There were two false-negative cases. One case of pulmonary blastoma was reported as inflammatory pseudotumour on cytology, and other case of chondrosarcoma was reported as chondroid tumour. Sensitivity and specificity of FNA in distinguishing benign lesions and malignancies were 93.8% and 100%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
FNA along with clot core biopsy/cell block and IHC plays a pivotal role in the subsequent pathway taken for diagnostic or therapeutic management of these patients without the need for second sampling or trucut biopsies in a low resource setting.
Topics: Humans; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Retrospective Studies; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; Carcinoma; Sensitivity and Specificity; Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue; Lung
PubMed: 36580900
DOI: 10.1159/000528843 -
Respiratory Medicine Case Reports 2023Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare primitive malignant lung cancer that occurs in pediatric age. Its main differential diagnosis is congenital cystic pulmonary...
Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare primitive malignant lung cancer that occurs in pediatric age. Its main differential diagnosis is congenital cystic pulmonary malformation (CPAM). A 30-day-old infant with respiratory failure obtained a chest x-ray and a computed tomography scan (CT) which revealed hypertensive pneumothorax with multifocal bilateral cysts. After thoracic drainage, the patient underwent multiple thoracoscopic pulmonary resections. The first histological diagnosis was of type 2 CPAM. During the radiological follow-up, an increase in the number and dimension of the lesions was detected. Thus, a histological revision was performed, leading to the diagnosis of type I PPB, at nine months. The patient subsequently underwent chemotherapy. At the five-year follow-up appointment, chest magnetic resonance (MR) and CT scans showed a dimensional increase in size of the lesions, with the risk of recurrent pneumothorax. An upper right lobectomy and wedge resection of the residual cysts were performed. Control MR scans showed normalization of the lung parenchyma and the patient showed substantial clinical improvement.
PubMed: 36579078
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2022.101793 -
Cytopathology : Official Journal of the... May 2023Pulmonary blastomas are exceptionally rare tumours. These tumours behave aggressively, with a propensity to metastasise to the brain and mediastinum. A definitive...
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary blastomas are exceptionally rare tumours. These tumours behave aggressively, with a propensity to metastasise to the brain and mediastinum. A definitive diagnosis of pulmonary blastoma is challenging to obtain on cytomorphology alone.
CASE REPORT
We herein describe a case of a 59-year-old female who presented with a scalp lesion. The patient was diagnosed to have pulmonary blastoma on histopathology of left lower lobectomy specimen. Fine needle aspiration cytology was done from this recently developed scalp swelling. Cytomorphology supplemented with immunocytochemistry on cell block confirmed the diagnosis of a metastatic pulmonary blastoma.
CONCLUSIONS
In a known case of primary pulmonary blastoma, any newly developing lesion at any anatomical site should be carefully evaluated for metastasis. If metastasis is needled and no previous histology is available, it carries a reasonable risk of erroneous interpretation. It is essential not to overlook often subtle biphasic malignant cells on the smears, which otherwise resemble other poorly differentiated tumours. Immunocytochemistry coupled with morphology is confirmatory.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Blastoma; Lung Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Scalp; Biopsy, Fine-Needle
PubMed: 36571204
DOI: 10.1111/cyt.13205 -
Cancer Feb 2023Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the most common lung cancer of infancy and early childhood. Type I PPB is a purely cystic lesion that has a microscopic population of...
BACKGROUND
Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the most common lung cancer of infancy and early childhood. Type I PPB is a purely cystic lesion that has a microscopic population of primitive small cells with or without rhabdomyoblastic features and may progress to type II or III PPB, whereas type Ir lacks primitive small cells.
METHODS
Children with suspected PPB were enrolled in the International PPB/DICER1 Registry. Pathology was centrally reviewed, and follow-up was ascertained annually.
RESULTS
Between 2006 and 2022, 205 children had centrally reviewed type I or Ir PPB; 39% of children with type I and 5% of children with type Ir PPB received chemotherapy. Outcomes were favorable, although 11 children (nine with type I and two with type Ir PPB) experienced progression to type II/III (n = 8) or regrowth of type I PPB at the surgical site (n = 3), none of whom received chemotherapy before progression. Age and cyst size in combination were more suitable than either factor alone in predicting whether a particular lesion was type I or Ir PPB.
CONCLUSIONS
For young children with type I PPB, outcomes are favorable, but complete resection is indicated because of the risk for progression. Chemotherapy may be useful in a subset of children at increased risk for recurrence/progression. Efforts to risk stratify children with type I PPB to optimize outcomes while reducing treatment-related side effects are underway.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Pulmonary Blastoma; Lung Neoplasms; Registries; Ribonuclease III; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; DEAD-box RNA Helicases
PubMed: 36541021
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34593 -
Medicine Nov 2022Pulmonary blastoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive tumor. Only a few hundred cases of pulmonary blastoma have been reported. In other cases, a definitive...
RATIONALE
Pulmonary blastoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive tumor. Only a few hundred cases of pulmonary blastoma have been reported. In other cases, a definitive diagnosis is often made through surgical resection. The use of preoperative histopathological sampling in diagnosing was of limited value because of the variety of pulmonary blastoma histology. And there was no literature that the first biopsy was attempted with medical thoracoscopy for diagnosis.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 65-year-old man presented to our hospital with pleural effusion and lung mass.
DIAGNOSES
The patient was initially diagnosed with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma by medical thoracoscopic biopsy but the final diagnosis was pulmonary blastoma through bilobectomy.
INTERVENTIONS
Medical thoracoscopy, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (bilobectomy) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.
OUTCOMES
After surgical resection of the tumor, adjuvant chemotherapy has been performed 5 cycles at 3 weeks intervals, and there was no evidence of recurrence on follow-up computed tomography performed 4 months after surgery.
LESSONS
Medical thoracoscopy is useful for the diagnosis of indeterminate pleural effusion; however, caution is needed when confirming rare malignancies, such as pulmonary blastoma. Although surgical resection is the treatment of choice, appropriate adjuvant chemotherapy to improve the prognosis may be necessary if there is pleural metastasis.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Pulmonary Blastoma; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; Pleural Effusion; Lung Neoplasms; Chondrosarcoma
PubMed: 36451398
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000031377 -
Pediatric Blood & Cancer Apr 2023Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the most common lung cancer of infancy and early childhood and is associated with germline DICER1 variants. Type I and Ir PPB are...
PURPOSE
Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the most common lung cancer of infancy and early childhood and is associated with germline DICER1 variants. Type I and Ir PPB are cystic lesions treated surgically, with a subset of children with type I receiving chemotherapy. Type II and III are more aggressive lesions, treated with surgery, intensive chemotherapy and potentially radiation. We sought to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with PPB and known germline DICER1 variants.
METHODS
Children with a diagnosis of PPB or germline DICER1 pathogenic variant without history of PPB or other DICER1-related neoplasm (DICER1+ only) were enrolled in the International PPB/DICER1 Registry. Parent reports for participants aged 2-17 years for the PedsQL v.4 and PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale v.3 were collected. Fatigue, physical, and psychosocial function scores were compared.
RESULTS
Analysis included 84 participants (PPB type Ir = 20, type I = 15, type II/III = 27, DICER1+ only = 22). Total fatigue scores of participants with type I and II/III PPB were lower compared to DICER1+ only, with effect size larger in type II/III (-0.82 vs. -0.40). Total psychosocial and physical functioning scores were lower in participants with type I and type II/III PPB compared to DICER1+ only, with larger effects noted in type II/III. Female sex was suggestive of worse HRQoL for both type I/Ir and type II/III cohorts.
CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate the importance of regular HRQoL assessment in patients with a history of PPB as well as the importance and feasibility of studying HRQoL in children with rare tumors.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Female; Adolescent; Quality of Life; Pulmonary Blastoma; Lung Neoplasms; Ribonuclease III; Registries; DEAD-box RNA Helicases
PubMed: 36424733
DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30077