BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is one of the most lethal endocrine malignancies and there is a lack of clinically useful markers for prognosis and patient stratification. Therefore our aim was to identify clinical and genetic markers that predict outcome in patients with ACC.
METHODS: Clinical and genetic data from a total of 162 patients with ACC were analyzed by combining an independent cohort consisting of tumors from Yale School of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and Düsseldorf University (YKD) with two public databases [The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)]. We used a novel bioinformatical pipeline combining differential expression and messenger RNA (mRNA)- and DNA-dependent survival. Data included reanalysis of previously conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) for the YKD cohort, WES and RNA data for the TCGA cohort, and RNA data for the GEO cohort.
RESULTS: We identified 3903 significant differentially expressed genes when comparing ACC and adrenocortical adenoma, and the mRNA expression levels of 461/3903 genes significantly impacted survival. Subsequent analysis revealed 45 of these genes to be mutated in patients with significantly worse survival. The relationship was significant even after adjusting for stage and age. Protein-protein interaction showed previously unexplored interactions among many of the 45 proteins, including the cancer-related proteins DNA polymerase delta 1 (POLD1), aurora kinase A (AURKA), and kinesin family member 23 (KIF23). Furthermore 14 of the proteins had significant interactions with TP53 which is the most frequently mutated gene in the germline of patients with ACC.
CONCLUSIONS: Using a multiparameter approach, we identified 45 genes that significantly influenced survival. Notably, many of these genes have protein interactions not previously implicated in ACC. These findings may lay the foundation for improved prognostication and future targeted therapies.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but aggressive pediatric endocrine tumor. However, there is no recent US national report on the management or outcomes of pediatric ACC. We aimed to examine the clinical characteristics, current management strategies, and outcomes of pediatric ACC.
In this retrospective National Cancer Database study between 2004 and 2019, children (<18 y) with ACC were included. Overall survival was examined by means of Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank tests, and Cox regression modeling.
Seventy-eight children with ACC were included. The median age was 10 y, the median tumor size was 10.2 cm, and 35.9% had metastasis at diagnosis. Most patients underwent surgical treatment (84.6%), 56.4% received chemotherapy, and 7.7% received radiation. The 1-, 3-, and 5-y overall survival rates were 87.0%, 62.0%, and 60.1%, respectively. In unadjusted analysis, surgical treatment was associated with improved overall survival (log-rank test, P < 0.001). In multivariable Cox regression, metastasis at diagnosis was associated with inferior overall survival (hazard ratio: 2.72, 95% confidence interval: 1.15-6.40, P = 0.02), when adjusting for age, tumor size, receipt of surgical treatment, and chemotherapy. In patients with nonmetastatic ACC, increasing age was associated with inferior overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.24, P = 0.04), when adjusting for tumor size, receipt of surgical treatment, and chemotherapy.
Most children with ACC in the USA undergo surgical treatment with about half of these also receiving chemotherapy. Metastasis at diagnosis was independently associated with inferior overall survival; in patients with nonmetastatic ACC, increasing age was independently associated with inferior overall survival.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma (pACC) is rare, and prognostic stratification remains challenging. We aimed to confirm the prognostic value of the previously published pediatric scoring system (pS-GRAS) in an international multicenter cohort.
METHODS: Analysis of pS-GRAS items of pACC from 6 countries in collaboration of ENSAT-PACT, GPOH-MET, and IC-PACT.
METHODS: We received patient data of the pS-GRAS items including survival information from 9 centers. PS-GRAS score was calculated as a sum of tumor stage (1 = 0; 2-3 = 1; 4 = 2 points), grade (Ki67 index: 0%-9% = 0; 10%-19% = 1; ≥20% = 2 points), resection status (R0 = 0; RX/R1/R2 = 1 point), age (<4 years = 0; ≥4 years = 1 point), and hormone production (androgen production = 0; glucocorticoid-/mixed-/no-hormone production = 1 point) generating 8 scores and 4 groups (1: 0-2, 2: 3-4, 3: 5, 4: 6-7). Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).
RESULTS: We included 268 patients with median age of 4 years. The analysis of the pS-GRAS score showed a significantly favorable prognosis in patients with a lower scoring compared to higher scoring groups (5-year OS: Group 1 98%; group 2 87% [hazard ratio {HR} of death 3.6, 95% CI of HR 1.6-8.2]; group 3 43% [HR of death 2.8, 95% CI 1.9-4.4]; group 4: OS 18% [HR of death 2.1, 95% CI 1.7-2.7]). In the multivariable analysis, age (HR of death 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-7.0), resection status (HR of death 5.5, 95% CI 2.7-11.1), tumor stage (HR of death 1.9, 95% CI of HR 1.2-3.0), and Ki67 index (HR of death 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4) remained strong independent outcome predictors. Especially infants < 4 years showed more often low-risk constellations with a better OS for all tumor stages.
CONCLUSIONS: In an international multicenter study, we confirmed that the pS-GRAS score is strongly associated with overall survival among patients with pACC. Age, resection status, stage, and Ki67 index are important parameters for risk stratification.

OBJECTIVE: Adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a generally poor but heterogeneous prognosis, especially depending on the tumour stage at diagnosis. Identification of somatic gene alterations combined with clinical/histopathological evaluation of the tumour can help improve prognostication. We applied a simplified targeted-Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel to characterise the mutational profiles of ACCs, providing potentially relevant information for better patient management.
METHODS: Thirty frozen tumour specimens from a local ACC series were retrospectively analysed by a custom-NGS panel (CDKN2A, CTNNB1, DAXX, MED12, NF1, PRKAR1A, RB1, TERT, TP53, ZNRF3) to detect somatic prioritised single-nucleotide variants. This cohort was integrated with 86 patients from the ACC-TCGA series bearing point-mutations in the same genes and their combinations identified by our panel. Primary endpoints of the analysis on the total cohort (113 patients) were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and hazard ratio (HR) for the different alterations grouped by the signalling pathways/combinations affected.
RESULTS: Different PFS, OS, and HR were associated to the different pathways/combinations, being NF1 + TP53 and Wnt/β-catenin + Rb/p53 combined mutations the most deleterious, with a statistical significance for progression HR which is retained only in low-(I/II) stages-NF1 + TP53 combination: HR = 2.96[1.01-8.69] and HR = 13.23[3.15-55.61], all and low stages, respectively; Wnt/β-catenin + Rb/p53 combined pathways: HR = 6.47[2.54-16.49] and HR = 16.24[3.87-68.00], all and low-stages, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: A simplified targeted-NGS approach seems the best routinely applicable first step towards somatic genetic characterisation of ACC for prognostic assessment. This approach proved to be particularly promising in low-stage cases, suggesting the need for more stringent surveillance and personalised treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To develop the mathematical model with high sensitivity and specificity to assess the malignant potential of adrenal cortical tumors, which can be used to diagnose adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in adults.
METHODS: Pathomorphological examination of surgical and consultative material of adrenocortical neoplasms was carried out. All cases were verified according to the WHO Classification of adrenal gland tumors (5th ed., 2022), the tumor\'s histogenesis was confirmed by immunohistochemical examination. Statistical analysis of the histological and immunohistochemical factors in terms of their value in relation to the diagnosis of ACC was carried out on Python 3.1 in the Google Colab environment. ROC analysis was used to identify critical values of predictors. The cut-off point was selected according to the Youden`s index. Logistic regression analysis using l1-regularisation was performed. To validate the model, the initial sample was divided into training and test groups in the ratio of 9:1, respectively.
RESULTS: The study included 143 patients divided into training (128 patients) and test (15 patients) samples. A prognostic algorithm was developed, which represent a diagnostically significant set of indicators of the currently used Weiss scale. The diagnosis is carried out in 3 stages. This mathematical model showed 100% accuracy (95% CI: 96-100%) on the training and test samples.
CONCLUSIONS: The developed algorithm could solve the problem of subjectivity and complexity in the interpretation of some of the criteria of current diagnostic algorithms. The new model is unique in that, unlike others, it allows verification of all morphological variants of ACC.
UNASSIGNED: Разработать математическую модель с высокой чувствительностью и специфичностью для определения злокачественного потенциала опухолей коры надпочечника, которая может быть использована для диагностики адренокортикального рака (АКР) у взрослых.
UNASSIGNED: Проведено патоморфологическое исследование операционного и консультативного материала новообразований коры надпочечника. Все случаи верифицировали в соответствии с Классификацией опухолей надпочечника Всемирной организации здравоохранения (5-е изд., 2022), гистогенез новообразования подтверждался с помощью иммуногистохимического исследования. Выполнен статистический анализ гистологических и иммуногистохимических признаков с точки зрения их информативности в отношении диагностики АКР. Статистический анализ проведен на языке программирования Python 3.1 в среде Google Colab. Для выявления критических значений предикторов использовали ROC-анализ. Отрезная точка выбиралась согласно критерию Юдена. Выполнен логистический регрессионный анализ с использованием l1-регуляризации. Для валидации модели использовали разделение исходной выборки на обучающую и тестовую в соотношении 9:1 соответственно.
UNASSIGNED: В исследование включено 143 пациента, которые были разделены на обучающую (n=128) и тестовую (n=15) выборки. Разработан прогностический алгоритм, представляющий диагностически значимый комплекс показателей используемой в настоящее время шкалы Weiss, с помощью которого диагностика осуществляется в 3 этапа. Данная математическая модель показала 100% точность (95% ДИ: 96%—100%) на обучающей и тестовой выборке.
UNASSIGNED: Разработанный алгоритм позволит решить проблему субъективности и сложности в интерпретации некоторых из критериев существующих алгоритмов диагностики. Новая модель уникальна тем, что в отличие от других позволяет верифицировать все морфологические варианты АКР.

BACKGROUND: Image-guided therapies (IGTs) are commonly used in oncology, but their role in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is not well defined.
METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with ACC treated with IGTs. We assessed response to therapy using RECIST v1.1, time to next line of systemic therapy, disease control rate (DCR), local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS), and complications of IGTs (based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] version 5.0).
RESULTS: Our cohort included 26 patients (median age 56 years [range 38-76]; n = 18 female) who had 51 IGT sessions to treat 86 lesions. IGTs modalities included cryoablation (n = 49), microwave ablation (n = 21), combined microwave and bland trans-arterial embolization (n = 8), bland trans-arterial embolization alone (n = 3), radio-embolization (n = 3), and radiofrequency ablation (n = 2). DCR was 81.4% (70 out of 86), of which 66.3% of tumors showed complete response, 18.6% showed progressive disease, 8.1% showed partial response, and 7.0% showed stable disease. LTPFS rates were 73% and 63% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Fourteen lesions underwent re-ablation for incomplete response on initial treatment. Sixteen patients (61.5%) received new systemic therapy following IGTs, with a median time to systemic therapy of 12.5 months (95% CI: 8.6 months upper limit not reached). There was 1 reported CTCAE grade 3 adverse event (biloma) following IGT.
CONCLUSIONS: IGT use in properly selected patients with ACC is safe and associated with prolonged disease control and delay in the need for systemic therapy.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but aggressive malignancy. Recent studies have discovered a pivotal role of the intratumoral microbiota in various cancers, yet it remains elusive in ACC. Here, we explored the intratumoral microbiome data derived from in silico identification, further validated in an in-house cohort by bacterial 16S rRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and lipopolysaccharide staining. Unsupervised clustering determined two naturally distinct clusters of the intratumoral microbiome in ACC, which was associated with overall survival. The incorporation of microbial signatures enhanced the prognostic performance of the clinical stage in an immunity-dependent manner. Genetic and transcriptomic association analyses identified significant upregulation of the cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways associated with microbial signatures for worsened prognosis. Our study not only supports the presence of intratumoral bacteria but also implies a prognostic and biological role of intratumoral microbiota in ACC, which can advance a better understanding of the biology of ACC.

Adrenal tumors are among the most common tumors in humans. They are most frequently discovered incidentally during abdominal imaging for other reasons or due to clinical symptoms (e.g. Conn\'s or Cushing\'s syndrome, pheochromocytoma or androgen excess). Although over 80% of adrenal tumors are benign, in cases of hormone excess, they are associated with significantly increased morbidity. In highly malignant adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), early diagnosis is of particular prognostic relevance. Therefore, this review presents the diagnostic procedure for what are referred to as adrenal incidentalomas and provide recommendations for the management of ACC and pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGL). In primary diagnosis, sufficient hormone diagnostics is required for all adrenal tumors, as this is the only way to identify all patients with relevant hormone excess. Imaging has increasingly improved in recent years and allows a reliable assessment of the tumor\'s malignancy in most cases. Imaging of first choice is unenhanced computed tomography (CT), while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorodeoxyglucose-18 positron emission tomography (FDG-PET/CT) are reserved for special situations, as published evidence on these procedures is more limited. The treatment of ACC and PPGL is complex and is carried out on an interdisciplinary basis at specialized centers. In the case of localized disease, surgery is the only curative treatment option. There are now clear recommendations for individualized adjuvant therapy for ACC. In metastatic disease, mitotane with or without platinum-containing chemotherapy is the standard. Other lines of therapy should be discussed with a reference center. Over 35% of PPGL have a germline mutation; therefore, genetic testing should be offered. In metastatic PPGL, an individual decision is required between active surveillance, radionuclide therapy, sunitinib or chemotherapy.
UNASSIGNED: Nebennierentumoren gehören zu den häufigsten Tumoren beim Menschen. Am häufigsten fallen sie zufällig im Rahmen einer abdominellen Bildgebung aus anderen Gründen oder durch klinische Symptome auf (beispielsweise Conn- oder Cushing-Syndrom, Phäochromozytom oder Androgenexzess). Zwar sind über 80 % der Nebennierentumoren gutartig, diese gehen aber bei Hormonexzess mit einer deutlich erhöhten Morbidität einher. Beim hochmalignen Nebennierenkarzinom ist eine frühzeitige Diagnose prognostisch besonders relevant. In der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit stellen wir deshalb das diagnostische Vorgehen bei den sogenannten Nebenniereninzidentalomen vor und geben Empfehlungen zum Management von Nebennierenkarzinomen und Phäochromozytomen/Paragangliomen (PPGL). In der Primärdiagnostik ist bei allen Nebennierentumoren eine suffiziente Hormondiagnostik erforderlich, da nur so alle PatientInnen mit relevantem Hormonexzess identifiziert werden. Die Bildgebung hat sich in den letzten Jahren zunehmend verbessert und lässt in den meisten Fällen eine sichere Beurteilung der Dignität des Tumors zu. Bildgebung der ersten Wahl ist die native Computertomographie (CT), während Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) und Fluordesoxyglukose-Positronenemissionstomographie/Computertomographie (FDG-PET/CT) Spezialsituationen vorbehalten sind, da die Datenlage zu diesen Verfahren limitierter ist. Die Therapie des Nebennierenkarzinoms und der PPGL ist komplex und erfolgt interdisziplinär an hierfür spezialisierten Zentren. Bei lokalisierten Erkrankungen ist die Operation die einzige Möglichkeit der Heilung. Beim Nebennierenkarzinom gibt es inzwischen klare Empfehlungen zu einer individualisierten adjuvanten Therapie. Bei metastasierter Erkrankung ist Mitotan mit oder ohne platinhaltige Chemotherapie der Standard. Weitere Therapielinien sind mit einem Referenzzentrum abzusprechen. Über 35 % der PPGL weisen eine Keimbahnmutation auf, sodass eine humangenetische Diagnostik angeboten werden soll. Bei metastasierten PPGL wird individuell zwischen „active surveillance“, Radionuklidtherapie, Behandlung mit Sunitinib oder Chemotherapie entschieden.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of children with metachronous or synchronous primary tumors and to identify related genetic tumor syndromes. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 4 children with multiple primary tumors diagnosed in the Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China from 2011 to 2023 were collected. The histological, immunophenotypic and molecular characteristics were examined using H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining, PCR, Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The patients were followed up. Results: Case 1 was an 8-year-old boy with the adrenal cortical carcinoma, and 5 years later a poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma was detected. Case 2 was a 2-year-old boy, presented with a left ventricular choroid plexus carcinoma, and a hepatoblastoma was detected 8 months later. Case 3 was a 9-month-old girl, diagnosed with renal rhabdoid tumor first and intracranial atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) 3 months later. Case 4 was a 7-year-old boy and had a sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma 3 years after the diagnosis of a glioblastoma. The morphology and immunohistochemical features of the metachronous or synchronous primary tumors in the 4 cases were similar to the corresponding symptom-presenting/first-diagnosed tumors. No characteristic germ line mutations were detected in cases 1 and 2 by relevant molecular detection, and the rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome was confirmed in case 3 using NGS. Case 4 was clearly related to constitutional mismatch repair deficiency as shown by the molecular testing and clinical features. Conclusions: Childhood multiple primary tumors are a rare disease with histological morphology and immunophenotype similar to the symptom-presenting tumors. They are either sporadic or associated with a genetic (tumor) syndrome. The development of both tumors can occur simultaneously (synchronously) or at different times (metachronously). Early identification of the children associated with genetic tumor syndromes can facilitate routine tumor screening and early treatment.
目的： 探讨儿童多原发肿瘤的临床病理学特征及识别相关遗传肿瘤综合征。 方法： 收集上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院病理科2011—2023年诊断的4例儿童多原发肿瘤患者的临床病理资料，采用HE染色、免疫组织化学染色、PCR、Sanger测序及二代测序等方法观察组织学、免疫表型以及分子特征，并随访患者。 结果： 例1男，8岁，首发肾上腺皮质癌，5年后检出胃低分化腺癌；例2男，2岁，首发左侧侧脑室脉络丛癌，8个月后检出肝母细胞瘤；例3女，9个月，首发肾脏横纹肌样瘤，3个月后发现颅内非典型畸胎样/横纹肌样瘤；例4男，7岁，首发胶质母细胞瘤，3年后检出乙状结肠腺癌。4例患儿多原发肿瘤形态学及免疫组织化学均与相应的单发肿瘤相似，例1和例2经相关分子检测未检出特征性种系突变，例3经二代测序检测证实为横纹肌样瘤易感综合征，例4结合分子检测及临床特征明确与体质错配修复缺陷相关。 结论： 儿童多原发肿瘤是一类罕见的疾病，组织学形态和免疫表型与散发肿瘤相似，或散发，或与遗传肿瘤综合征相关。两种肿瘤可同时或异时发生，及早识别与遗传肿瘤综合征有关的患儿有助于实施定期肿瘤筛查并得到及时治疗。.

Determination of body composition (the relative distribution of fat, muscle, and bone) has been used effectively to assess the risk of progression and overall clinical outcomes in different malignancies. Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) is especially associated with poor clinical outcomes in cancer. However, estimation of muscle mass through CT scan has been a cumbersome, manually intensive process requiring accurate contouring through dedicated personnel hours. Recently, fully automated technologies that can determine body composition in minutes have been developed and shown to be highly accurate in determining muscle, bone, and fat mass. We employed a fully automated technology, and analyzed images from a publicly available cancer imaging archive dataset (TCIA) and a tertiary academic center. The results show that adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) have relatively sarcopenia compared to benign adrenal lesions. In addition, functional ACCs have accelerated sarcopenia compared to non-functional ACCs. Further longitudinal research might shed further light on the relationship between body component distribution and ACC prognosis, which will help us incorporate more nutritional strategies in cancer therapy.