Proximal tumor location and microsatellite instability are associated with a higher number of lymph nodes harvested, pointing to possible underlying genetic and immunologic mechanisms. The LNR is an independent prognostic variable for colon cancer.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Different subgroups can be recognized on the basis of the steroid receptors, HER-2, cytokeratin expression and proliferation patterns. As a result of mRNA-profiling studies, five major groups can be recognized, of which the triple-negative and basal-like tumors have the worst prognosis. Many of these tumors have a high proliferation that has the strongest prognostic value in node negative breast cancer. In the current study we analyzed the microRNA pattern in 103 lymph node negative breast cancers and compared these profiles with different biological characteristics and clinicopathological features. Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis divides the patients into four main groups, of which the basal-like/triple-negative group is the most prominent (11% of all cases), the luminal A cancers containing the Her2 negative and estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor-positive tumors is the largest group (57%), and the group of luminal B (32%) is more heterogeneous and contains the Her2 positive/estrogen receptor-negative patients as well. The highest overall classification values by analysis of variance followed by cross validation (leave one sample out and reselect genes) were found for cytokeratin 5 and 6, triple-negative and estrogen receptor, with 97, 90 and 90% accuracy, respectively. MiR-106b gene is prominent in all of these signatures and correlates strongest with high proliferation. Other interesting observations are the presence of several microRNAs (miR532-5p, miR-500, miR362-5p, and miR502-3p) located at Xp11.23 in cancers with a triple-negative signature, and the upregulation of several miR-17 cluster members in estrogen receptor-negative tumors. The current study shows that estrogen receptor negativity and cytokeratin 5 and 6 expression are important, and specific biological processes in lymph node negative breast cancer, as microRNA signatures are strongest in these subgroups. Modern Pathology (2010Pathology ( ) 23, 1567Pathology ( -1576 doi:10.1038/modpathol.2010 published online 3 September 2010 Keywords: breast; cancer; microRNA; profiling Since the publication of the human genome and the development of high-throughput array-based gene expression profiling platforms, knowledge about breast cancer and its genetic background has increased enormously. On the basis of the gene expression, invasive breast cancers can be classified into three major subtypes: luminal, basal-like and Her2/neu-overexpressing.1 Many investigators have used surrogate immunohistochemical markers to classify these tumors: estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 negative breast cancers ( ¼ triple-negative breast cancer profile) are classified as normal breast-like if basal cytokeratins and epidermal growth factor receptor are lacking, and basal-cell-like cancers when basal cytokeratins (cytokeratin 5 and 6 and/or cytokeratin 14) are expressed.2 Most breast cancer series contain 8-15% triple-negative tumors and 10-15% basal-like tumors. Triple-negative and basal-like breast...

BACKGROUND:Appropriate stratification tools for targeted surveillance after resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) are lacking. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of microsatellite instability (MSI) and DNA ploidy on surveillance after surgery.METHODS:The authors evaluated 186 consecutive, population‐based patients with stage I through III CRC who underwent surgery with curative intent and who entered a systematic surveillance program. MSI was analyzed with polymerase chain reaction for 5 known quasimonomorphic markers (BAT‐26, BAT‐25, NR‐21, NR‐24, and NR‐27), and DNA ploidy was analyzed with automated cytometry. Recurrence, recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were evaluated by univariate and multivariate statistical tests.RESULTS:Patients with MSI (20%) were significantly younger than patients without MSI (median age, 61 years vs 67 years; P = .016). Proximal location (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.1‐14.1 [P = .001]), large tumor size (≥5 cm: AOR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.3–9.6 [P = .015]), and poor tumor differentiation (AOR, 6.6; 95% CI, 2–21.8 [P = .002]) were associated with MSI. MSI conveyed an increased risk for locoregional recurrence (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2–7 [P = .016]), with a trend toward a shorter time to recurrence (P = .060). Neither MSI status nor DNA ploidy predicted distant metastasis, RFS, or DSS. Lymph node status was the best predictor of distant spread (AOR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2–7.9 [P < .001]) and DSS (hazard ratio, 4.9; 95% CI, 2.6–9 [P < .001]).CONCLUSIONS:Patients who had microsatellite instable tumors were at increased risk for locoregional recurrence, whereas lymph node status was the best predictor of distant metastasis. Clinical surveillance and choice of modality (ie, endoscopy vs radiologic imaging) may be improved when patients are stratified according to these cancer features. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.

IntroductionThe overall survival rate is good for lymph-node-negative breast cancer patients, but they still suffer from serious over- and some undertreatments. Prognostic and predictive gene signatures for node-negative breast cancer have a high number of genes related to proliferation. The prognostic value of gene sets from commercial gene-expression assays were compared with proliferation markers.MethodsIllumina WG6 mRNA microarray analysis was used to examine 94 fresh-frozen tumour samples from node-negative breast cancer patients. The patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups for distant metastasis based on the MammaPrint-related genes, and into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups based on the recurrence score algorithm with genes included in Oncotype DX. These data were then compared to proliferation status, as measured by the mitotic activity index, the expressions of phosphohistone H3 (PPH3), and Ki67.ResultsKaplan-Meier survival analysis for distant-metastasis-free survival revealed that patients with weak and strong PPH3 expressions had 14-year survival rates of 87% (n = 45), and 65% (n = 49, p = 0.014), respectively. Analysis of the MammaPrint classification resulted in 14-year survival rates of 80% (n = 45) and 71% (n = 49, p = 0.287) for patients with low and high risks of recurrence, respectively. The Oncotype DX categorization yielded 14-year survival rates of 83% (n = 18), 79% (n = 42) and 68% (n = 34) for those in the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, respectively (p = 0.52). Supervised hierarchical cluster analysis for distant-metastasis-free survival in the subgroup of patients with strong PPH3 expression revealed that the genes involved in Notch signalling and cell adhesion were expressed at higher levels in those patients with distant metastasis.ConclusionThis pilot study indicates that proliferation has greater prognostic value than the expressions of either MammaPrint- or Oncotype-DX-related genes. Furthermore, in the subgroup of patients with high proliferation, Notch signalling pathway genes appear to be expressed at higher levels in patients who develop distant metastasis.

There is a need for new biomarkers to more correctly identify node-negative breast cancer patients with a good or bad prognosis. Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate like-1 (MARCKSL1) is a membrane-bound protein that is associated with cell spreading, integrin activation and exocytosis. Three hundred and five operable T(1,2)N(0)M(0) lymph node-negative breast cancer patients (median follow-up time 121 months, range 10-178 months) were evaluated for MARCKSL1 expression by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR. The results were compared with classical prognosticators (age, tumor diameter, grade, estrogen receptor, and proliferation), using single (Kaplan-Meier) and multivariate survival analysis (Cox model). Forty-seven patients (15 %) developed distant metastases. With single and multivariate analysis of all features, MARCKSL1 protein expression was the strongest prognosticator (P < 0.001, HR = 5.1, 95 % CI = 2.7-9.8). Patients with high MARCKSL1 expression (n = 23) showed a 44 % survival versus 88 % in patients with low expression at 15-year follow-up. mRNA expression of MARCKSL1 in formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissue was also prognostic (P = 0.002, HR = 3.6, 95 % CI = 1.5-8.3). However, the prognostic effect of high and low was opposite from the protein expression, i.e., low expression (relative expression ≤ 0.0264, n = 76) showed a 79 % survival versus 92 % in those with high expression of MARCKSL1 mRNA. Multivariate analysis of all features with distant metastases free survival as the end-point showed that the combination of MARCKSL1 protein and phosphohistone H3 (PPH3) has the strongest independent prognostic value. Patients with high expression (≥13) of PPH3 and high MARCKSL1 protein had 45 % survival versus 78 % survival for patients with low MARCKSL1 protein expression and high expression (≥13) of PPH3. In conclusion, MARCKSL1 has strong prognostic value in lymph node-negative breast cancer patients, especially in those with high proliferation.

The prognostic value of molecular biomarkers, microsatellite instability, DNA ploidy and morphometric mean shortest nuclear axis in endometrial cancer is conflicting, possibly due to the fact that different studies have used mixtures of histotypes, FIGO stages and different non-standardized non-automated methods. We have evaluated the prognostic value of classical prognostic factors, molecular biomarkers, microsatellite instability, DNA ploidy and morphometric mean shortest nuclear axis in a population-based cohort of FIGO stage I endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas. Curettings of 224 FIGO stage I endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients were reviewed. Clinical information, including follow-up, was obtained from the patients' charts. Microsatellite instability and morphometric mean shortest nuclear axis were obtained in whole tissue sections and molecular biomarkers using tissue microarrays. DNA ploidy was analyzed by image cytometry. Univariate (Kaplan-Meier method) and multivariate (Cox model) survival analysis was performed. With median follow-up of 66 months (1-209), 14 (6%) patients developed metastases. Age, microsatellite instability, molecular biomarkers (p16, p21, p27, p53 and survivin) and morphometric mean shortest nuclear axis had prognostic value. With multivariate analysis, combined survivin, p21 and microsatellite instability overshadowed all other variables. Patients in which any of these features had favorable values had an excellent prognosis, in contrast to those with either high survivin or low p21 (97 vs 78% survival, Po0.0001, hazard ratio ¼ 7.8). Combined high survivin and low p21 values and microsatellite instability high identified a small subgroup with an especially poor prognosis (survival rate 57%, P ¼ 0.01, hazard ratio ¼ 5.6). We conclude that low p21 and high survivin expression are poor prognosis indicators in FIGO stage I endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma, especially when high microsatellite instability occurs. Modern Pathology (2011Pathology ( ) 24, 1262Pathology ( -1271 doi:10.1038/modpathol.2011 published online 6 May 2011 Keywords: endometrial cancer; FIGO I; microsatellite instability; prognostic; p21; survivin Endometrial carcinoma is the most frequent gynecological cancer. The disease-related death rate in FIGO stage II-IV is high (20-80% and higher), while in the 'favorable' early stage FIGO I, the death rate ranges from 5 to 15%, 1,2 which has been stable for decades.3 This prompts the search of other prognostic indicators to enable a more accurate triaging

Abstract. Objectives:To analyze the prognostic value of microsatellite instability (MSI) in a population-based study of FIGO stage 1-4 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas.Study design: Survival analysis in 273 patients of MSI status and clinico-pathologic features. Using a highly sensitive pentaplex polymerase chain reaction to establish MSI status, cases were divided into microsatellite stable (MSS), MSI-low (MSI-L, 1 marker positive) and MSI-high (MSI-H, 2-5 markers positive).Results: After 61 months median follow-up (1-209), 34 (12.5%) of the patients developed metastases but only 6.4% of the FIGO 1. MSI (especially as MSI-H vs. MSS/MSI-Lcombined) was prognostic in FIGO 1 but not in FIGO 2-4. The 5 and 10 year recurrence-free survival rates were 98% and 95% in the MSS/MSI-L vs. 85% and 73% in the MSI-H patients (p = 0.005).Conclusions: MSI-H status assessed by pentaplex polymerase chain reaction is an indicator of poor prognosis in FIGO 1, but not in FIGO 2-4 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas.

Objectives: To analyze the prognostic value of microsatellite instability (MSI) in a population-based study of FIGO stage 1–4 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas.Study Design: Survival analysis in 273 patients of MSI status and clinico-pathologic features. Using a highly sensitive pentaplex polymerase chain reaction to establish MSI status, cases were divided into microsatellite stable (MSS), MSI-low (MSI-L, 1 marker positive) and MSI-high (MSI-H, 2–5 markers positive).Results: After 61 months median follow-up (1-209), 34 (12.5%) of the patients developed metastases but only 6.4% of the FIGO 1. MSI (especially as MSI-H vs. MSS/MSI-Lcombined) was prognostic in FIGO 1 but not in FIGO 2–4. The 5 and 10 year recurrence-free survival rates were 98% and 95% in the MSS/MSI-L vs. 85% and 73% in the MSI-H patients (p=0.005).Conclusions: MSI-H status assessed by pentaplex polymerase chain reaction is an indicator of poor prognosis in FIGO 1, but not in FIGO 2–4 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas.