The role of the adaptive immune response in controlling the growth and recurrence of human tumors has been controversial. We characterized the tumor-infiltrating immune cells in large cohorts of human colorectal cancers by gene expression profiling and in situ immunohistochemical staining. Collectively, the immunological data (the type, density, and location of immune cells within the tumor samples) were found to be a better predictor of patient survival than the histopathological methods currently used to stage colorectal cancer. The results were validated in two additional patient populations. These data support the hypothesis that the adaptive immune response influences the behavior of human tumors. In situ analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells may therefore be a valuable prognostic tool in the treatment of colorectal cancer and possibly other malignancies.

Summary We report a comprehensive molecular characterization of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PCC/PGLs), a rare tumor type. Multi-platform integration revealed that PCC/PGLs are driven by diverse alterations affecting multiple genes and pathways. Pathogenic germline mutations occurred in eight PCC/PGL susceptibility genes. We identified CSDE1 as a somatically-mutated driver gene, complementing four known drivers (HRAS, RET, EPAS1, NF1). We also discovered fusion genes in PCC/PGL, involving MAML3, BRAF, NGFR and NF1. Integrated analysis classified PCC/PGLs into four molecularly-defined groups: a kinase signaling subtype, a pseudohypoxia subtype, a Wnt-altered subtype, driven by MAML3 and CSDE1, and a cortical admixture subtype. Correlates of metastatic PCC/PGL included the MAML3 fusion gene. This integrated molecular characterization provides a comprehensive foundation for developing PCC/PGL precision medicine.

VEGF-A production in the tumor microenvironment enhances expression of PD-1 and other inhibitory checkpoints involved with CD8+ T cell exhaustion, which can be reversed with anti-VEGF/VEGFR treatment.

Purpose: To determine whether the tumor immune infiltrate, as recently evaluated with the Immunoscore methodology, could be a useful prognostic marker in patients with rectal cancers.Experimental design: The influence of the immune infiltrate on patient's outcome was investigated in patients with or without preoperative chemoradiation therapy (pCRT). The density of total (CD3 þ ) and cytotoxic (CD8 þ ) T lymphocytes was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantified by a dedicated image analysis software in surgical specimens of patients with rectal cancer (n ¼ 111) who did not receive pCRT and in tumor biopsies performed before pCRT from additional 55 patients. The results were correlated with tumor recurrence, patient's survival, and response to pCRT.Results: The densities of CD3 þ and CD8 þ lymphocytes and the associated Immunoscore (from I0 to I4)were significantly correlated with differences in disease-free and overall survival (HR, 1.81 and 1.72, respectively; all P < 0.005). Cox multivariate analysis supports the advantage of the Immunoscore compared with the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging in predicting recurrence and survival (all P < 0.001). Lymph node ratio added information in a prognostic model (all P < 0.05). In addition, high infiltration of CD3 þ and CD8 þ lymphocytes in tumor biopsies was associated with downstaging of the tumor after pCRT (CD3 þ cells; Fisher exact test P ¼ 0.01). Conclusions:The Immunoscore could be a useful prognostic marker in patients with rectal cancer treated by primary surgery. The determination of the immune infiltrate in biopsies before treatment could be a valuable information for the prediction of response to pCRT.

Pheochromocytoma or secreting paraganglioma may recur after initial surgery. Diagnostic methods have improved in recent decades. We determined whether features at presentation have changed over time and are associated with long-term outcome. In 192 patients with pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma seen between 1975 and 2003, we compared time from onset of hypertension to first operation, total metanephrine excretion, tumor size and site, the proportion of cases presenting as incidentalomas, and the probability of recurrence according to date of operation (divided into quartiles). The duration of hypertension and tumor size at first operation decreased significantly over time. Right-sided adrenal tumors were more frequent and larger, excreted greater amounts of metanephrines, and presented more frequently as incidentalomas than left-sided tumors. Age, familial disease, and tumor site and size were independent predictors of recurrence. The risk of recurrence was 3.4-fold higher in patients with familial disease than in those with sporadic tumors; it was, respectively, 3.1- and 11.2-fold higher in patients with right adrenal and extraadrenal tumors than in patients with left adrenal tumors. In conclusion, pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas can now be diagnosed earlier, with smaller tumors, and more frequently as incidentalomas. Familial, right adrenal, and extraadrenal tumors recur more frequently than left adrenal tumors.

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PCCs/PGLs) are neural crest-derived tumours with a very strong genetic component. Here we report the first integrated genomic examination of a large collection of PCC/PGL. SNP array analysis reveals distinct copy-number patterns associated with genetic background. Whole-exome sequencing shows a low mutation rate of 0.3 mutations per megabase, with few recurrent somatic mutations in genes not previously associated with PCC/PGL. DNA methylation arrays and miRNA sequencing identify DNA methylation changes and miRNA expression clusters strongly associated with messenger RNA expression profiling. Overexpression of the miRNA cluster 182/96/183 is specific in SDHB-mutated tumours and induces malignant traits, whereas silencing of the imprinted DLK1-MEG3 miRNA cluster appears as a potential driver in a subgroup of sporadic tumours. Altogether, the complete genomic landscape of PCC/PGL is mainly driven by distinct germline and/or somatic mutations in susceptibility genes and reveals different molecular entities, characterized by a set of unique genomic alterations.

The cumulative complication rate increased to 3-4 years, and then decreased with experience and technical improvement. Concerns of long-term follow-up should be migration and esophageal dilatation, which seem to be rare at 3 years.

Purpose: The target enzyme for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is thymidylate synthase (TS).The TYMS gene encoding this enzyme is polymorphic, having either double (2R) or tritandem (3R) repeats of a 28-bp sequence in the promoter region and a 6-bp variation in the 3-untranslated region (3-UTR). TS expression predicts response to 5-FU-based chemotherapy, and the expression seems to be determined by the TYMS gene promoter. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of determining these two TYMS gene polymorphisms to predict the toxicity and efficacy of 5-FU treatment in patients with colorectal cancer.Experimental Design: The determination of TYMS genotypes was performed in tumor and normal tissues by PCR amplification from 90 patients with colorectal cancer who were treated with adjuvant or palliative 5-FU-based chemotherapy. Associations between polymorphisms in the TYMS promoter and in the 3-UTR gene and clinical outcome of these 90 patients treated with 5-FU based chemotherapy were evaluated individually. The linkage between TYMS promoter and TYMS 3-UTR region polymorphisms was evaluated and a haplotype analysis was performed.Results: Individuals who were homozygous for the double repeat in the TYMS promoter region had more severe side effects to 5-FU. Patients with a 2R/2R, a 2R/3R, or a 3R/3R genotype had a grade 3 or 4 toxicity rate of 43, 18, and 3% respectively (P < 0.01). The TYMS promoter and TYMS 3-UTR polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium, and the haplotype 2R/ins 6-bp was significantly associated with a high risk of severe side effects to 5-FU. The TYMS promoter and TYMS 3-UTR polymorphisms were not associated with a response to 5-FU and survival of patients who received palliative 5-FU-based chemotherapy.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that TYMS genotyping could be of help in predicting toxicity to 5-FU-based chemotherapy. TYMS genotyping might make it possible to individualize treatment for patients with colorectal cancer.