PAX3/7 fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma (FN-RMS) is a childhood mesodermal lineage malignancy with a poor prognosis for metastatic or relapsed cases. Limited understanding of advanced FN-RMS is partially attributed to the absence of sequential invasion and dissemination events and the challenge in studying cell behavior, using, for example, non-invasive intravital microscopy (IVM), in currently used xenograft models. Here, we developed an orthotopic tongue xenograft model of FN-RMS to study cell behavior and the molecular basis of invasion and metastasis using IVM. FN-RMS cells are retained in the tongue and invade locally into muscle mysial spaces and vascular lumen, with evidence of hematogenous dissemination to the lungs and lymphatic dissemination to lymph nodes. Using IVM of tongue xenografts reveals shifts in cellular phenotype, migration to blood and lymphatic vessels, and lymphatic intravasation. Insight from this model into tumor invasion and metastasis at the tissue, cellular, and subcellular level can guide new therapeutic avenues for advanced FN-RMS.

A giant basal cell carcinoma (GBCC) is a rare variant of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that is larger (>5 cm) and more aggressive. While BCC is usually surgically excised as a small, local tumor, cases of GBCC represent a considerable portion of BCC malignancies and mortality. The growth of GBCC is hypothesized to be multifactorial, and due to the successful treatment of BCC, available data is limited. We present a case of GBCC found during routine post-mortem dissection in a 92-year-old male cadaver. The neoplasm showed predilection to periauricular soft tissue invasion, despite demonstrating high-risk characteristics for metastasis. Microscopic analysis demonstrated an infiltrative growth pattern and neurotropism. Perineural spread could be observed on gross dissection, indicating a worse prognosis, but there was no evidence of lymphatic or hematogenous spread. This is most likely due to the stromal dependence of BCC. Local invasion of the primary tumor likely compromised head and neck function, but there was no secondary tumor evidence. There were no histopathological findings that indicate an aggressive growth or metastatic transformation of the tumor. Therefore, while a conclusion about duration cannot be made due to the anonymity of the cadaver, duration of growth likely was a significant factor in mortality.

Biochemical recurrences after radical prostatectomy (RP) can be managed with curative purpose through salvage radiation therapy (SRT). RT dose escalation, such as stereotactic RT (SSRT), may improve relapse-free survival in this setting. STARR trial (NCT05455736) is a prospective multicenter study including patients affected by macroscopic recurrence within the prostate bed after RP treated with SSRT. Recurrence was detected with a Choline or PSMA CT-PET. In the current analysis, the early biochemical response (BR) rate and toxicity profile after three months of follow-up were assessed. Twenty-five patients were enrolled, and data about BR and toxicity at three months after treatment were available for 19 cases. Overall, BR was detected after three months in 58% of cases. Four G1-G2 adverse events were recorded; no G ≥ 3 adverse events were detected. SSRT appears feasible and safe, with more than half of patients experiencing BR and an encouraging toxicity profile. The STARR trial is one of the few prospective studies aimed at implementing this promising treatment strategy in this scenario.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the major cause of cancer mortality, despite development of therapeutic strategies. The novel marker tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is a mitochondrial heat shock protein that has been related to drug resistance and protection from apoptosis in colorectal cancer. This study aims to delineate the clinicopathologic significance of TRAP1 expression in colorectal cancer.
METHODS: Seven-hundred and fourteen FFPE tissues were collected from colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgery from February 2002 to July 2011 at Dong-A University Medical Center, Busan, South Korea. We performed TRAP1 immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray, and divided into two groups, TRAP1 high expression group and low expression group. Statistical analysis was utilized to evaluate the association of TRAP1 with clinicopathologic characteristics and disease-specific survival of patients.
RESULTS: High TRAP1 expression was observed in 564 cases (79%) and low expression was 150 cases (21%). TRAP1 expression was significantly increased in colorectal cancer with advanced pathologic T-stage compared with that in early T-stage (p = 0.008). By univariate survival analysis, high TRAP1 expression was significantly associated with worse disease-specific survival (p = 0.01). But, TRAP1 expression was marginally associated with lymph node involvement and tumor differentiation (p = 0.085, p = 0.082, respectively). Multivariate analysis indicated that TRAP1 expression (hazard ratio, 1.947; 95% CI, 1.270 to 2.984; p = 0.002), and pathologic T stage (hazard ratio, 3.190; 95% CI, 1.275 to 7.983; p = 0.013) were independent prognostic factors for colorectal adenocarcinomas.
CONCLUSIONS: Here, we found that overexpression of TRAP1 might contribute to tumor cell local invasion of colorectal cancer. The association between TRAP1 overexpression and worse disease-specific survival also suggested that TRAP1 protein expression might have oncogenic role. Consequently, our data demonstrated that TRAP1 expression was a good prognostic biomarker for depth of invasion and disease-specific survival in colorectal cancer.