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D. Nonaka



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    MO10 - Molecular Pathology II (ID 127)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Pathology
    • Presentations: 1
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      MO10.07 - ALK immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in-situ hybridization in Lung adenocarcinomas from the ETOP Lungscape tumour cohort (ID 2267)

      16:15 - 17:45  |  Author(s): D. Nonaka

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      The European Thoracic Oncology Platform LungScape database contains 2614 cases of primary resected lung carcinoma from 16 centres with patient demographics, pathological tumour data and detailed clinical follow-up. A total of 1281 cases of adenocarcinoma with >2 years clinical follow-up were selected for analysis of ALK status by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Test positive cases were matched, in order of importance at ratio 1:2, by stage, gender, smoking status, study centre, year of surgery and age with test negative cases -both for IHC and for FISH testing.

      Methods
      Testing was performed in all centres using the same protocol (IHC: Novocastra 5A4 clone antibody at 1:10 dilution, Novolink detection system. FISH: Abbott Vysis ALK break-apart probe). Each centre passed an external QA test using unknown cases in a tissue microarray before conducting the LungScape tumour testing. IHC was scored according to three intensity scores (1+, 2+, 3+) using ‘objective’ methodology previously described [1]. Maximum staining intensity was recorded. Any IHC staining was defined as IHC positive result. FISH preparations were assessed according to the Vysis protocol on all 82 IHCpositive cases plus their 164 IHCnegative matches.

      Results

      IHC cases, n=1281 FISH positive(264 tested)
      IHC negative 1199 (93.6%) 0 (0.0% of 164 controls) FISH specificity: 100%
      IHC 1+ 43 (3.35%) 2 (4.6% of IHC 1+)
      IHC 2+ 16 (1.25%) 6 (37.5% of IHC 2+)
      IHC 3+ 23 (1.8%) 20 (87% of IHC 3+)
      IHC any positive 82 (6.4%) 28 (34.1% of IHC+) FISH sensitivity: 34.1%
      FISH sensitivity was 87% for IHC 3+. IHCpositive/FISHnegative cases (n=54) were mostly IHC 1+ (75.9%), sometimes IHC 2+ (18.5%) and rarely IHC 3+ (5.5%). The frequency of never smokers was higher in the ALK IHCpositive group (29.3%) versus IHCnegative group (18.3%) {p=0.011}. Age, gender and tumour stage did not differ between IHC groups. The hazard of an event for IHCpositive cases decreases by 32% in relapse-free survival {RFS; p=0.03} and by 38% in either time-to-relapse {TTR; p=0.02} or overall survival {OS; p=0.016}. Multivariate models -adjusted for patient and tumour characteristics- indicated that IHC-ALK was a significant predictor for all three time-to-event outcomes (RFS, TTR, OS). In stratified Cox analysis, significantly higher OS was retained in the IHCpositive (HR=0.59, p=0.04) and FISHpositive (HR=0.34, p=0.03) cases in the matched cohorts, while conditional logistic regression yielded non-significant associations with 3-year survival status.

      Conclusion
      In this large cohort of surgically resected primary lung adenocarcinoma: ALK IHC positivity was 6.4%. IHC 3+ staining (prevalence 1.8%) showed 87% probability of ALK FISH positivity ALK IHC positivity was higher in never smokers and related to better clinical outcome ALK testing can be reliably implemented across multiple laboratories {1} Ruschoff et al. Virchows Arch. 2010;457(299-307).

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    P1.06 - Poster Session 1 - Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers (ID 161)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Biology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P1.06-055 - The RON (MST1R)/MSP pathway is a potential therapeutic target in malignant plural mesothelioma (ID 3250)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): D. Nonaka

      • Abstract

      Background
      Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive inflammatory cancer. Treatment options are limited and drug resistance is common. Thus, there is a need to identify novel therapeutic targets in this disease in order to improve treatment options and survival times. Macrophage stimulating protein (MSP) is the only ligand recognised to bind to the RON receptor (MST1R). RON is a member of the MET proto-oncogene family. The MSP-RON signalling pathway has been implicated in a variety of cellular functions such as macrophage morphogenesis and phagocytosis. De-regulation of this pathway has been linked to tumour progression and metastasis in a number of cancers. We have previously identified RON as frequently activated in MPM and high positivity for RON by IHC was an independent predictor of favourable prognosis.

      Methods
      A panel of mesothelioma cell lines were screened for the expression of MSP and RON at the mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (Western blot) level. The effect of MSP, IMC-RON8 (a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody), LCRF004 (a small molecule inhibitor) and NRWHE (a small peptide) was examined in the H226 cell line using proliferation (BrdU ELISA), apoptosis (Multi-parameter apoptosis assay) and migration assays (xCELLigence). A phospho-kinase proteome profiler array was utilised to detect the downstream signalling pathways activated upon MSP stimulation. The expression of MSP and the macrophage marker, CD-68, was examined by IHC using MPM TMAs. Studies are ongoing to determine the effect of the LCRF004 compound in vivo using a xenograft murine model with the H226 cells.

      Results
      The mRNA and protein levels of RON and MSP were differentially expressed in a panel of MPM cell lines. Treatment with LCRF004 resulted in significantly decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis in the H226 cells. MSP was unable to rescue the cells from the effects of LCRF004. NRWHE and RON8 had little effect on either proliferation or apoptosis. All of the compounds examined inhibited the migration capacity of the H226 cells. The combination of LCRF004 and MSP produced a synergistic effect, showing greater inhibition of migration than either compound alone. However, MSP treatment resulted in the up-regulation of a number of phosphor-kinases including Akt, ERK and the Src family. Currently, a number of proteins identified in the array studies are undergoing validation. Results of an in vivo H226 murine model using the LCRF004 compound will be presented at the meeting.

      Conclusion
      From previous work performed in this laboratory, we have determined that high expression of RON in MPM is an independent predictor of favourable prognosis. IHC was performed on a TMA of MPM patient samples and high expression levels of MSP correlated with better survival. There was no association between CD68 staining and MSP, nor correlation of CD68 expression with survival. Targeting the RTK domain of the RON receptor with a small molecule inhibitor is an effective interventional strategy in MPM. The seemingly counter intuitive results obtained from the MPM TMA studies and the in vitro experimental data, may be RON isoform dependant. Additional studies are ongoing to further delineate the RON-MSP axis in MPM.

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    P1.18 - Poster Session 1 - Pathology (ID 175)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Pathology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P1.18-015 - Screening for ALK-rearranged NSCLC in selected cases using immunohistochemistry followed by FISH and RT-PCR testing of tumours with increased ALK protein expression in a routine clinical diagnostic setting (ID 2838)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): D. Nonaka

      • Abstract

      Background
      The diagnosis of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has acquired therapeutic significance, subsequent to the established response of ALK-rearranged tumours to crizotinib therapy. General recommendations on NSCLC ALK testing will be published later this year by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. In advance of this, patients were prospectively screened for ALK-rearranged NSCLC at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, U.K. from May 2012 to May 2013.

      Methods
      Pulmonary adenocarcinomas were selected for testing by ALK immunohistochemistry (IHC) based the presence of any of the following clinicopathologic features associated with ALK rearrangement; never smoker, light ex-smoker, age less than 50 years, signet ring/goblet cell morphology. IHC was performed with the 5A4 clone (Novocastra) according to the European Thoracic Oncology Platform protocol. All IHC-positive cases (intensity score 1+, 2+ or 3+) were tested for ALK rearrangement by both fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). FISH analysis using the Abbott Molecular LSI ALK Dual Colour Break Apart Probe required a minimum of 15% of (at least 100) tumour cells with gene rearrangement for a positive diagnosis. RT-PCR testing was employed to detect EML4-ALK fusion transcripts using a series of primers located in EML4 exons 1 to 22, a reverse primer located in ALK exon 20 (Sanders et al., 2011;204:45-52) and sample RNA extracted from a single 40 µM section. Amplified products were Sanger sequenced to establish the fusion variant present.

      Results
      Ninety-one specimens were screened by ALK IHC and of these, 13 demonstrated positive staining. FISH and RT-PCR results were concordant (with the exception of one RT-PCR negative case which failed FISH testing) and 9 cases were diagnosed with ALK-rearrangement (9.9%). The majority of the EML4-ALK fusion transcripts were of variant 1 type (77.8%), with just two subtypes diagnosed as variant 3 (22.2%). The median time from referral for FISH/RT-PCR to the issue of reports was 5 working days.

      Table 1. Summary of clinicopathological features, IHC, FISH and RT-PCR results of cases positive for ALK protein staining on IHC. (ACA =adenocarcinoma)
      Case Age Sex Sample type Histology IHC H-score FISH % + RT-PCR Final ALK diagnosis EGFR mutation
      1 84 F Node excision ACA, signet ring cells 170 55 E13;A20 variant 1 + -
      2 59 M Lung resection ACA, solid with hepatoid cells 190 77 E13;A20 variant 1 + -
      3 56 M Pleural effusion ACA, hepatoid cells 240 64 E13;A20 variant 1 + -
      4 46 M Node biopsy Adenosquamous 300 64 E6;A20 variant 3 + -
      5 64 M Pleural biopsy ACA, solid with hepatoid cells 300 48 E13;A20 variant 1 + -
      6 60 F Node aspirate ACA, signet ring and hepatoid cells 300 66 E13;A20 variant 1 + -
      7 41 F Node biopsy ACA, hepatoid cells 300 71 E13;A20 variant 1 + -
      8 40 M Pleural biopsy ACA, solid with hepatoid cells 300 58 E6;A20 variant 3 + -
      9 65 F Node aspirate ACA, signet ring and hepatoid cells 300 45 E13;A20 variant 1 + -
      10 54 M Pleural effusion ACA 20 5 Negative - -
      11 52 F Pericardial effusion ACA 10 Failed Negative - -
      12 49 F Pleural fluid ACA 35 0 Negative - +
      13 70 F Lung resection ACA, solid with hepatoid cells 54 9 Negative - Unknown

      Conclusion
      In keeping with reported findings ALK-rearranged NSCLC was found in 9.9% of selected adenocarcinomas. Although FISH/RT-PCR was not carried out on IHC-negative cases in this group, the application of IHC as a screening method appears to be a cost-effective means of highlighting ALK-rearranged tumours. RT-PCR testing of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue is feasible in the clinical diagnostic setting, and may have an important role in the determination of specific variants detected by IHC.

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    P2.06 - Poster Session 2 - Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers (ID 165)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Biology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P2.06-016 - Expression and clinical significance of the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 as a novel therapeutic target in Small-Cell-Lung-Cancer (SCLC) (ID 1473)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): D. Nonaka

      • Abstract

      Background
      Small cell lung is a rapidly proliferating disease. Because of its high proliferation index, cancer cells rely on glycolysis, rather than oxidative phosphorylation, for ATP generation. Furthermore SCLC tumours often contain regions of hypoxia which switches tumour cells to a glycolytic phenotype. Increased glycolysis leads to increased lactate production which is effluxed from the cell in order to prevent reduced intracellular pH or inhibition of metabolic pathways via the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) proteins MCT1 and MCT4. Inhibition of these transporters has been proposed as a method of selectively targeting highly glycolytic cancer cells. AZD3965 is an orally bioavailable MCT1 specific inhibitor currently under evaluation in phase I clinical trials. In an in vitro model of SCLC we have recently shown that in hypoxic conditions resistance to AZD3965 is associated with increased MCT4 levels (Polanski et al. submitted). Aim: To examined the expression and clinical significance of MCT1 and MCT4 in SCLC.

      Methods
      Archival SCLC biopsy specimens and clinical data from 78 patients presenting to the University Hospital of South Manchester and the Christie Hospital between 1994 and 2005 were analyzed. Nine representative cores from the tumour specimens were used to generate three TMAs. Sections were then stained for the markers MCT1, MCT4 and for the hypoxic marker CAIX. Staining was evaluated by two independent scorers and extent and intensity of the staining were estimated. A combined score for each case was calculated as the mean product of extent and intensity for all the cores in a case. The association between MCT1, MCT4 or CAIX and known prognostic factors was evaluated by Fisher’s exact test. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess overall survival rates and Log Rank test was used for the comparison of the survival distributions.

      Results
      The proportion of tumours with any expression of MCT1, MCT4 or CAIX was 99%, 99%, 90% respectively. Higher levels of expression (intensity x extent) were observed for MCT1 (median=8.17) compared to MCT4 (median=2.21; p<0.001). A positive correlation was observed for CAIX expression and MCT4 expression. Tumours with CAIX expression, high MCT1 expression (>median) and low MCT4 expression ( 10 x 109/L, platelets < 150 x 109/L, Na < 135 mmol/L; LDH > 550 IU/L). However, high MCT1 expression score was associated with worse survival (14 vs. 32 months; p=0.019). Neither MCT4 nor CAIX expression was prognostic. Of the known prognostic factors assessed, extensive stage was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (6 vs. 27 months; p<0.001).

      Conclusion
      MCT1 and MCT4 are often expressed in SCLC and 21% cases in this series express a pattern associated with potential sensitivity to MCT1 inhibition. Higher expression of MCT1 is an adverse prognostic factor in univariate analysis reinforcing further evaluation of MCT1 inhibition in this disease.

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    P2.15 - Poster Session 2 - Thymoma (ID 191)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Thymoma & Other Thoracic Malignancies
    • Presentations: 1
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      P2.15-007 - Digital Microscopy Reproducibility Study of Thymic Epithelial Neoplasms (ID 2883)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): D. Nonaka

      • Abstract

      Background
      Thymic epithelial tumors are rare and morphologically heterogeneous which constitutes interpretive challenges to practicing pathologists. Advances in digital imaging provide an opportunity to disseminate knowledge of these rare tumors, and can be potentially useful as diagnostic and educational tools. However the diagnostic reproducibility utilizing digital slide imaging needs to be validated.

      Methods
      Twenty cases of thymomas or thymic carcinomas with characteristic morphologic features were scanned into the APERIO system. The images were sent to pathologists with expertise in thoracic pathology in 6 different centers. The pathologists were asked to classify the tumors according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2004 classification and to evaluate invasion on the scanned material. In addition, they were asked to indicate their confidence in the diagnosis using the imaging system. Interobserver agreement was evaluated. After discussions of the first 20 cases, a second round representing 10 cases were evaluated by digital images by the participating pathologists.

      Results
      In the initial phase, there was agreement among pathologists for the diagnosis of thymoma and thymic carcinoma in 75 % of cases (n= 14), in the remaining 6 cases, the disagreement was between cases of B3 thymoma and thymic carcinoma in five and between Type A thymoma and thymic carcinoma in one (kappa=0.43, moderate agreement). Perfect agreement was seen in 4 thymoma cases, where all pathologists diagnosed the same WHO type. These were classical cases with pushing borders and large fibrous bands. In other cases there were disagreements among the classification of the tumor as B2, B3, and AB. The cases with most disagreement were histologically heterogeneous with combined patterns. When invasion was evaluated, the overall k coefficient is 0.49 for the presence of invasion. In the second round of cases, we observed an improvement in interobserver agreement for diagnosis thymoma vs thymic carcinoma (kappa = 0.63) and for determination of invasion (present versus absent) (k=0.57). Most pathologists found that the digital images were comparable with glass slides and the overall confidence in the diagnosis was good.

      Conclusion
      The diagnostic accuracy of thymic epithelial tumors by digital images is equivalent to that reported in prior studies using glass slides. Digital imaging is a good tool for remote consultation and educational purposes. In the majority of specimens, pathologists are able to make the correct diagnosis. Major challenges include distinguishing B3 tumors and carcinomas and tumors with morphologic heterogeneity. The overall agreement can be improved after training. This technology could be used to establish a digital slide bank which could provide a method for training pathologists with less experience in the pathology of thymic epithelial tumors, to foster collaborative work in the field, and diagnostic consultation.

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    P2.18 - Poster Session 2 - Pathology (ID 176)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Pathology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P2.18-017 - Multiplexed-based mutation profiling of non small cell lung cancer small biopsy samples using the Sequenom LungCarta™ Panel and MassARRAY® System (ID 2856)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): D. Nonaka

      • Abstract

      Background
      The advent of specific therapies for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on individual tumour genotype has impacted the development of high throughput genomic profiling strategies. A single platform designed for the synchronous screening of multiple mutations across different genes can potentially enable molecular profiling in samples of limited tumour tissue such as small biopsy samples.

      Methods
      Haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and accompanying reports were reviewed from patients diagnosed with NSCLC (2008 to 2012) in Greater Manchester, U.K. Samples with less than 20% tumour cell content (TCC) were macrodissected to increase the final TCC. In each case DNA was extracted manually from 1 5µM curl/section using the cobas® DNA Sample Preparation Kit. Mutation analysis was performed with the Sequenom LungCarta™ Panel which enables screening of 214 mutations in 26 genes, and utilises multiplexed polymerase chain reactions, single base extension reactions and mass spectrometry (Sequenom MassARRAY® platform).

      Results
      Results Sixty cases comprising 47 lung biopsies, 1 wedge resection, 6 lymph node biopsies, 4 pleural biopsies, 1 brain biopsy and 1 pericardial effusion were classified as 21 adenocarcinomas (ACA), 17 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 8 NSCLC favour ACA, 10 NSCLC favour SCC, 1 adenosquamous carcinoma and 3 NSCLC not otherwise specified (NOS). Mutations were successfully detected at a mutant allele frequency of 10% and definite mutations were reported in 28 cases (47%). Possible mutations of low allele frequency or uncertain significance were detected in an additional 15 cases (25%) and also in 10 cases with a definite mutation. In total 32 definite and 39 equivocal mutations have been detected and are currently being validated by a combination of pyrosequencing, next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

      Table 1. Unequivocal mutations detected according to histological subtype. ([a]Includes double mutant; TP53 and MAP2K1, [b]includes triple mutant; 2 TP53 and 1 KRAS, [c]includes double mutant; KRAS and MET)
      No. of definite mutations detected No. of mutated samples ACA NSCLC favour ACA SCC NSCLC favour SCC NSCLC NOS % of mutations detected in all ACA or SCC Comment
      13 TP53 12 3[a] 2[b] 5 1 1 17 % ACA 22% SCC 1 confirmed by next generation sequencing. 7 of 8 tested cases were strongly positive for P53 IHC
      12 KRAS 12 8[c] 1[b] 3 31% ACA 11% SCC 7 confirmed by pyrosequencing
      3 MET 3 2[c] 1 10% ACA 0% SCC 1 confirmed by next generation sequencing
      2 EGFR 2 2 7% ACA 0% SCC 2 previously detected by Sanger sequencing
      1 EPHA5 1 1 0% ACA 4% SCC Moderately differentiated SCC
      1 MAP2K1 1 1 3% ACA 0% SCC Poorly differentiated ACA TTF1+

      Conclusion
      The MassARRAY® system of testing for multiple mutations is a sensitive method that facilitates the optimal use of tumour DNA present in small specimens, and can detect concurrent mutations with the potential to influence responses to targeted therapies. Unequivocal mutations were reported in 59% and 37% of cases diagnosed/favoured as ACA and SCC respectively. This may reflect the LungCarta™ panel design, which was based on mutations detected in ACA.