Purpose
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is genetically heterogeneous. We aimed to define a compartment-aware driver mutation landscape of DLBCL by integrating tumor tissue and circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing, and to assess its biological and prognostic relevance.
Materials and Methods
Somatic mutations were analyzed from targeted sequencing of tumor tissue or bone marrow and cfDNA from peripheral blood or cerebrospinal fluid, including paired tissue–liquid samples, together with whole-genome sequencing data from TCGA. Driver genes were identified using four complementary algorithms. Functional enrichment and protein–protein interaction analyses were performed. Prognostic relevance was evaluated using multigene expression–based modeling with Cox and LASSO regression in independent cohorts.
Results
Recurrent driver alterations converged on core pathogenic pathways, including B-cell receptor signaling, NF-κB activation, epigenetic regulation, and immune escape. Twenty-two high-confidence driver genes, including PIM1, KMT2D, CD79B, B2M, TP53, MYC, and EZH2, were consistently identified across clinical cohorts and supported by TCGA data. cfDNA profiling showed substantial concordance with tissue-derived drivers while revealing gene-specific differences in mutation burden and co-mutation patterns, indicating complementary capture of clinically relevant heterogeneity. Network analysis highlighted TP53, MYC, EP300, and CREBBP as central hubs. A four-gene expression–based model (MYC, PLCL1, IRF8, LNPEP) stratified patients by overall survival and modestly improved prognostic discrimination beyond the International Prognostic Index.
Conclusion
Integrated analysis of tumor tissue and cfDNA sequencing defines a clinically relevant driver framework for DLBCL. cfDNA preserves core oncogenic signals while complementing tissue profiling, supporting refined genomic risk stratification.
Purpose
Identifying nonresponders to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AB) remains challenging in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We aimed to develop and externally validate a simple risk scoring system using baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and extrahepatic spread (EHS) to predict treatment outcomes.
Materials and Methods
We included 304 patients with uHCC receiving first-line AB from multiple Korean centers (discovery, n = 220; validation, n = 84). Study outcomes included objective response rate (ORR) assessed by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariable analysis identified high NLR (>4.575) and EHS as independent predictors of nonresponse. The NLR-EHS score assigned 2 points for high NLR and 1 point for EHS (range, 0–3).
Results
In the discovery cohort, the score predicted nonresponse with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.749 (95% CI, 0.688–0.810); ORR fell across low- (0), moderate- (1–2), and high-risk (3) groups (67.3%, 47.7%, and 8.2%; p < 0.001). Validation confirmed comparable discrimination (AUC, 0.705; 95% CI, 0.603–0.806) and a consistent ORR gradient (77.8%, 54.2%, and 22.2%; p < 0.001). The score was prognostic for OS in discovery (HR, 1.28; p = 0.003) and validation cohorts (HR, 1.45; p = 0.007), remaining significant after adjustment (adjusted HR, 1.25 and 1.61, respectively). High-risk patients had inferior median OS (6.9 vs. 17.1 months in validation).
Conclusion
The NLR-EHS score is a practical tool for stratifying nonresponse risk and survival in uHCC patients receiving AB, facilitating early identification of high-risk patients who may benefit from alternative strategies.
Purpose This study aimed to investigate the prognostic heterogeneity among stage III nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients according to the 9th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) staging system to identify potential subgroups requiring tailored therapeutic strategies.
Materials and Methods We retrospectively included stage III patients (T1-3N3 or T4N0-3) who were diagnosed with NPC between January 2015 and December 2021 according to the 9th edition of the AJCC/UICC staging system. Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used for statistical analysis.
Results A total of 309 patients were included in this study. A total of 92/309 (29.8%) patients developed locoregional recurrence and/or distant metastasis with a median follow-up of 52.9 months. Those with T4N3 disease had significantly lower distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) but comparable locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS) to those with T1-3N3 and T4N0-2 disease. Those with T4N3 disease had comparable LRFS but significantly lower 5-year DMFS (78.7% vs. 44.7%, p < 0.001), PFS (65.7% vs. 27.6%, p < 0.001), and OS (77.1% vs. 45.9%, p < 0.001) compared to those with stage T4N0-2 and T1-3N3 diseases. Similar results were confirmed using the multivariate analysis.
Conclusion Our study demonstrates the prognostic heterogeneity of stage III disease within the 9th edition NPC staging system. T4N3 category should be considered separately and treated as a distinct entity regardless of the staging editions.
Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) on survival outcomes in breast cancer (BC) patients who have already undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery.
Materials and Methods
Data from a population-based cohort (2010-2020) were analyzed for BC patients treated with NAC and surgery. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression identified prognostic factors for overall survival (OS), and a nomogram was developed and validated. Personalized scores from the nomogram were used for risk stratification to assess the effect of postoperative AC.
Results
A total of 15,921 BC patients were analyzed, with 11,144 in the training cohort and 4,777 in the validation cohort. The key prognostic indicators for OS included age, race, marital status, histological grade, BC subtype, T category, N category, type of surgery, and response to NAC (all p < 0.05). The nomogram effectively predicted individualized OS rates and stratified patients into various risk categories. Postoperative AC was found to significantly enhance OS in the high-risk subgroup (p=0.011 in the training cohort, p=0.012 in the overall population). However, for the low-risk subgroup, there was no significant survival benefit from postoperative AC (p=0.130 for the training cohort, p=0.588 for the overall population), suggesting that some patients might safely forgo unnecessary postoperative AC.
Conclusion
This study efficiently differentiates between varying levels of risk, enabling clinicians to identify patients unlikely to benefit from postoperative AC and thus reduce the likelihood of overtreatment.
Citations
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Purpose We assessed human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype-based risk stratification and the efficacy of cytology testing for cervical cancer screening in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL).
Materials and Methods Between 2010 and 2021, we monitored 1,273 HPV-positive women with ASCUS/LSIL every 6 months for up to 60 months. HPV infections were categorized as persistent (HPV positivity consistently observed post-enrollment), negative (HPV negativity consistently observed post-enrollment), or non-persistent (neither consistently positive nor negative). HPV genotypes were grouped into high-risk (Hr) groups 1 (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) and 2 (types 35, 39, 51, 56, 59, 66, and 68) and a low-risk group. Hr1 was subdivided into types (a) 16 and 18; (b) 31, 33, and 45; and (c) 52 and 58. Cox regression and machine learning (ML) algorithms were used to analyze progression rates.
Results Among 1,273 participants, 17.6% with persistent HPV infections experienced disease progression versus no progression in the HPV-negative group (p < 0.001). Cox analysis revealed the highest hazard ratios (HRs) for Hr1-a (11.6, p < 0.001), followed by Hr1-b (9.26, p < 0.001) and Hr1-c (7.21, p < 0.001). HRs peaked at 12-24 months, with Hr1-a maintaining significance at 24-36 months (10.7, p=0.034). ML analysis identified the final cytology change pattern as the most significant factor, with 14-15 months the optimal time for detecting progression from the first examination.
Conclusion In ASCUS/LSIL cases, follow-up strategies should be based on HPV risk types. Annual follow-up was the most effective monitoring for detecting progression/regression.
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Purpose
Identifying pretreatment interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) is important because of their predictive value for complications after lung cancer treatment. This study aimed to assess the predictive value of ILAs for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients undergoing curative resection for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Materials and Methods
Elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) who underwent curative resection for pathologic stage I or II NSCLC with normal preoperative spirometry results (pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity [FVC] ratio > 0.70 and FVC ≥ 80% of the predicted value) between January 2012 and December 2019 were retrospectively identified. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors for PPCs. The Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test were used to analyze the relationship between ILAs and postoperative mortality. One-way analysis of variance was performed to assess the correlation between ILAs and hospital stay duration.
Results
A total of 262 patients (median age, 73 [interquartile range, 71–76] years; 132 male) were evaluated. A multivariable logistic regression model revealed that, among several relevant risk factors, fibrotic ILAs independently predicted both overall PPCs (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35–17.38; p=0.016) and major PPCs (adjusted OR, 8.72; 95% CI, 1.71–44.38; p=0.009). Fibrotic ILAs were significantly associated with higher postoperative mortality and longer hospital stay (F=5.21, p=0.006).
Conclusion
Pretreatment fibrotic ILAs are associated with PPCs, higher postoperative mortality, and longer hospital stay.
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Cancer Res Treat. 2021;53(3):847-856. Published online December 17, 2020
Purpose We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of serum β2-microglobulin for patients with Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and to propose a risk-stratifying classification system.
Materials and Methods A prospective registry-based cohort study of BL patients treated with dose-intensive or effective dose-adjusted chemotherapies (n=81) was conducted. Survival outcomes were compared based on previously reported risk groups and/or serum β2-microglobulin levels. A risk-stratifying classification system incorporating serum β2-microglobulin levels was proposed and validated in an independent validation cohort (n=60).
Results The median age was 47 years, and 57 patients (70.4%) were male. Patients with high serum β2-microglobulin levels (> 2 mg/L) had significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.01 for both). Serum β2-microglobulin levels further stratified patients in the low-risk and high-risk groups in terms of PFS (p=0.010 and p=0.044, respectively) and OS (p=0.014 and p=0.026, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that a high serum β2-microglobulin level (> 2 mg/L) was independently associated with a shorter PFS (hazards ratio [HR], 3.56; p=0.047) and OS (HR, 4.66; p=0.043). The new classification system incorporating the serum β2-microglobulin level allowed the stratification of patients into three distinct risk subgroups with 5-year OS rates of 100%, 89.5%, and 62.5%. In an independent cohort of BL, the system was validated by stratifying patients with different survival outcomes.
Conclusion Serum β2-microglobulin level is an independent prognostic factor for BL patients. The proposed β2-microglobulin–based classification system could stratify patients with distinct survival outcomes, which may help define appropriate treatment approaches for individual patients.
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