Progress in defining genomic fitness landscapes in cancer, especially those defined by copy number alterations (CNA), has been impeded by lack of time series single cell sampling of polyclonal populations and temporal statistical models [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] . Here, we generated 42,000 genomes from multi-year time series single cell whole genome sequencing (scWGS) of breast epithelium †

CX-5461 is a G-quadruplex stabilizer that exhibits synthetic lethality in homologous recombination-deficient models. In this multicentre phase I trial in patients with solid tumors, 40 patients are treated across 10 dose levels (50–650 mg/m2) to determine the recommended phase II dose (primary outcome), and evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (secondary outcomes). Defective homologous recombination is explored as a predictive biomarker of response. CX-5461 is generally well tolerated, with a recommended phase II dose of 475 mg/m2 days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks, and dose limiting phototoxicity. Responses are observed in 14% of patients, primarily in patients with defective homologous recombination. Reversion mutations in PALB2 and BRCA2 are detected on progression following initial response in germline carriers, confirming the underlying synthetic lethal mechanism. In vitro characterization of UV sensitization shows this toxicity is related to the CX-5461 chemotype, independent of G-quadruplex synthetic lethality. These results establish clinical proof-of-concept for this G-quadruplex stabilizer. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02719977.

Reported herein is an extremely rare case of primary pulmonary myxoid sarcoma (PPMS). A 31-year-old man presented with a 2.7 cm-sized pulmonary tumor surrounded by capsule-like fibrosis. The patient has been free of disease for 5.8 years after surgery. This tumor focally showed endobronchial features, and consisted of reticular cords of oval, short spindle, or polygonal cells with swollen vesicular nuclei accompanied by an abundant myxoid stroma, closely resembling extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. Tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin and focally positive for epithelial membrane antigen, but were negative for cytokeratin, TTF-1, Napsin A, S-100 protein, CD34, desmin, smooth-muscle actin, CD10, p63, calponin, h-caldesmon, c-kit, HMB-45, synaptophysin, or glial fibrillary acid protein. Our reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues detected EWSR1-CREB1 fusion transcript, but could not demonstrate EWSR1-ATF1 fusion or EWSR1/TAF15/TFG-NR4A3 fusion. These findings indicate that the current tumor is an additional case of PPMS with EESR1-CREB1 fusion, recently reported by Thway et al. Some cases of PPMS can behave in an indolent manner.

CK7 + CHs occur relatively frequently in non-neoplastic liver disease, associated with centrilobular scarring and the presence of CK7-positive periportal hepatocytes, and appear to be a non-specific phenomenon with respect aetiology of underlying disease. CK7 + CHs may represent age-dependent activation of hepatic progenitor cells or a regenerative phenomenon of hepatocytes themselves, both of which might contribute to liver regeneration.

Ectopic hamartomatous thymoma (EHT) is a rare benign neoplasm of the lower neck suggesting branchial origin. Despite use of the term thymoma in the nomenclature, there is no evidence of thymic origin or differentiation. It affects middle-aged adults with a remarkable male predominance. To date less than 80 cases have been reported in the English literature. We present here two additional cases of EHT. The first is a benign case in a 31-year-old man, showing typical histological features. The second is a malignant case in a 70-year-old woman, showing intraductal carcinoma arising in intimate association with an EHT. These cases are presented in the context of a review of cases reported in the English literature. The exact origin has not been identified, but is considered to be of branchial apparatus, creating a quandary about the best terminology. Recently, the designation "branchial anlage mixed tumor" or "thymic anlage tumor" were proposed, but do not quite reflect the true nature of the neoplasm. To avoid taxonomic confusion, international consensus on terminology is desired. As this entity is a neoplasm that shows dual mesoderm and endoderm derivation/differentiation, we propose a new name "biphenotypic branchioma."