@article{AltieriLaSalviaModicaetal.2023, author = {Altieri, Barbara and La Salvia, Anna and Modica, Roberta and Marciello, Francesca and Mercier, Olaf and Filosso, Pier Luigi and de Latour, Bertrand Richard and Giuffrida, Dario and Campione, Severo and Guggino, Gianluca and Fadel, Elie and Papotti, Mauro and Colao, Annamaria and Scoazec, Jean-Yves and Baudin, Eric and Faggiano, Antongiulio}, title = {Recurrence-free survival in early and locally advanced large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung after complete tumor resection}, series = {Journal of Personalized Medicine}, volume = {13}, journal = {Journal of Personalized Medicine}, number = {2}, issn = {2075-4426}, doi = {10.3390/jpm13020330}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304000}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background: Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare subtype of lung cancer with poor clinical outcomes. Data on recurrence-free survival (RFS) in early and locally advanced pure LCNEC after complete resection (R0) are lacking. This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes in this subgroup of patients and to identify potential prognostic markers. Methods: Retrospective multicenter study including patients with pure LCNEC stage I-III and R0 resection. Clinicopathological characteristics, RFS, and disease-specific survival (DSS) were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: 39 patients (M:F = 26:13), with a median age of 64 years (44-83), were included. Lobectomy (69.2\%), bilobectomy (5.1\%), pneumonectomy (18\%), and wedge resection (7.7\%) were performed mostly associated with lymphadenectomy. Adjuvant therapy included platinum-based chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in 58.9\% of cases. After a median follow-up of 44 (4-169) months, the median RFS was 39 months with 1-, 2- and 5-year RFS rates of 60.0\%, 54.6\%, and 44.9\%, respectively. Median DSS was 72 months with a 1-, 2- and 5-year rate of 86.8, 75.9, and 57.4\%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, age (cut-off 65 years old) and pN status were independent prognostic factors for both RFS (HR = 4.19, 95\%CI = 1.46-12.07, p = 0.008 and HR = 13.56, 95\%CI 2.45-74.89, p = 0.003, respectively) and DSS (HR = 9.30, 95\%CI 2.23-38.83, p = 0.002 and HR = 11.88, 95\%CI 2.28-61.84, p = 0.003, respectively). Conclusion: After R0 resection of LCNEC, half of the patients recurred mostly within the first two years of follow-up. Age and lymph node metastasis could help to stratify patients for adjuvant therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{AssfalgSeligTolksdorfetal.2020, author = {Assfalg, Volker and Selig, Katharina and Tolksdorf, Johanna and van Meel, Marieke and de Vries, Erwin and Ramsoebhag, Anne-Marie and Rahmel, Axel and Renders, Lutz and Novotny, Alexander and Matevossian, Edouard and Schneeberger, Stefan and Rosenkranz, Alexander R. and Berlakovich, Gabriela and Ysebaert, Dirk and Knops, No{\"e}l and Kuypers, Dirk and Weekers, Laurent and Muehlfeld, Anja and Rump, Lars-Christian and Hauser, Ingeborg and Pisarski, Przemyslaw and Weimer, Rolf and Fornara, Paolo and Fischer, Lutz and Kliem, Volker and Sester, Urban and Stippel, Dirk and Arns, Wolfgang and Hau, Hans-Michael and Nitschke, Martin and Hoyer, Joachim and Thorban, Stefan and Weinmann-Menke, Julia and Heller, Katharina and Banas, Bernhard and Schwenger, Vedat and Nadalin, Silvio and Lopau, Kai and H{\"u}ser, Norbert and Heemann, Uwe}, title = {Repeated kidney re-transplantation—the Eurotransplant experience: a retrospective multicenter outcome analysis}, series = {Transplant International}, volume = {33}, journal = {Transplant International}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1111/tri.13569}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-214161}, pages = {617 -- 631}, year = {2020}, abstract = {In Eurotransplant kidney allocation system (ETKAS), candidates can be considered unlimitedly for repeated re-transplantation. Data on outcome and benefit are indeterminate. We performed a retrospective 15-year patient and graft outcome data analysis from 1464 recipients of a third or fourth or higher sequential deceased donor renal transplantation (DDRT) from 42 transplant centers. Repeated re-DDRT recipients were younger (mean 43.0 vs. 50.2 years) compared to first DDRT recipients. They received grafts with more favorable HLA matches (89.0\% vs. 84.5\%) but thereby no statistically significant improvement of patient and graft outcome was found as comparatively demonstrated in 1st DDRT. In the multivariate modeling accounting for confounding factors, mortality and graft loss after 3rd and ≥4th DDRT (P < 0.001 each) and death with functioning graft (DwFG) after 3rd DDRT (P = 0.001) were higher as compared to 1st DDRT. The incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF) was also significantly higher in re-DDRT (12.7\%) than in 1st DDRT (7.1\%; P < 0.001). Facing organ shortage, increasing waiting time, and considerable mortality on dialysis, we question the current policy of repeated re-DDRT. The data from this survey propose better HLA matching in first DDRT and second DDRT and careful selection of candidates, especially for ≥4th DDRT.}, language = {en} } @article{BehrPeitschHametneretal.2014, author = {Behr, Daniel S. and Peitsch, Wiebke K. and Hametner, Christian and Lasitschka, Felix and Houben, Roland and Sch{\"o}nhaar, Kathrin and Michel, Julia and Dollt, Claudia and Goebeler, Matthias and Marx, Alexander and Goerdt, Sergij and Schmieder, Astrid}, title = {Prognostic value of immune cell infiltration, tertiary lymphoid structures and PD-L1 expression in Merkel cell carcinomas}, series = {International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology}, volume = {7}, journal = {International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology}, number = {11}, issn = {1936-2625}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117720}, pages = {7610-7621}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive, virus-associated, neuroendocrine tumor of the skin mainly affecting immunocompromised patients. Higher intratumoral infiltration with CD3 and CD8 positive T-cells is associated with a better prognosis, highlighting the relevance of the immune system for MCC development and progression. In this study 21 primary MCCs were stained with immune cell markers including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD20, and S100. Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating neutrophils, tertiary lymphoid structures and PD-L1 expression were analyzed and correlated with overall and recurrence free survival. All MCCs were Merkel Cell Polyomavirus positive. Overall and recurrence-free survival did not correlate with intra-and peritumoral CD3 and CD8 T-cell infiltration. In addition, no significant association regarding prognosis was found for tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated macrophages or PD-L1 positivity in MCCs. Interestingly, the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in the tumor microenvironment significantly correlated with recurrence-free survival (P=0.025). In addition, TLS were significantly associated with a higher CD8/CD4 ratio in the tumor periphery (P=0.032), but not in the center of the tumor (P > 0.999). These results demonstrate for the first time that TLS, easily assessed in paraffin-embedded tissue in the tumor periphery of MCCs, may be a valuable prognostic factor indicating prolonged recurrence free survival.}, language = {en} } @article{BekesLoebHolzheuetal.2019, author = {Bekes, Inga and L{\"o}b, Sanja and Holzheu, Iris and Janni, Wolfgang and Baumann, Lisa and W{\"o}ckel, Achim and Wulff, Christine}, title = {Nectin-2 in ovarian cancer: how is it expressed and what might be its functional role?}, series = {Cancer Science}, volume = {110}, journal = {Cancer Science}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1111/cas.13992}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202748}, pages = {1872- 1882}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Nectin-2 is an adhesion molecule that has been reported to play a role in tumor growth, metastasis and tumor angiogenesis. Herein, we investigated Nectin-2 in ovarian cancer patients and in cell culture. Tumor as well as peritoneal biopsies of 60 ovarian cancer patients and 22 controls were dual stained for Nectin-2 and CD31 using immunohistochemistry. Gene expression of Nectin-2 was quantified by real-time PCR and differences analyzed in relation to various tumor characteristics. In the serum of patients, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was quantified by ELISA. Effect of VEGF on Nectin-2 expression as well as permeability was investigated in HUVEC. In tumor biopsies, Nectin-2 protein was mainly localized in tumor cells, whereas in peritoneal biopsies, clear colocalization was found in the vasculature. T3 patients had a significantly higher percentage of positive lymph nodes and this correlated with survival. Nectin-2 was significantly upregulated in tumor biopsies in patients with lymph node metastasis and with residual tumor >1 cm after surgery. Nectin-2 expression was significantly suppressed in the peritoneal endothelium of patients associated with significantly increased VEGF serum levels. In cell culture, VEGF stimulation led to a significant downregulation of Nectin-2 which was reversed by VEGF-inhibition. In addition, Nectin-2 knockdown in endothelial cells was associated with significantly increased endothelial permeability. Nectin-2 expression in ovarian cancer may support tumor cell adhesion, leading to growth and lymph node metastasis. In addition, VEGF-induced Nectin-2 suppression in peritoneal endothelium may support an increase in vascular permeability leading to ascites production.}, language = {en} } @article{BlancoKuchenbaeckerCuadrasetal.2015, author = {Blanco, Ignacio and Kuchenbaecker, Karoline and Cuadras, Daniel and Wang, Xianshu and Barrowdale, Daniel and Ruiz de Garibay, Gorka and Librado, Pablo and Sanchez-Gracia, Alejandro and Rozas, Julio and Bonifaci, N{\´u}ria and McGuffog, Lesley and Pankratz, Vernon S. and Islam, Abul and Mateo, Francesca and Berenguer, Antoni and Petit, Anna and Catal{\`a}, Isabel and Brunet, Joan and Feliubadal{\´o}, Lidia and Tornero, Eva and Ben{\´i}tez, Javier and Osorio, Ana and Ram{\´o}n y Cajal, Teresa and Nevanlinna, Heli and Aittom{\"a}ki, Kristina and Arun, Banu K. and Toland, Amanda E. and Karlan, Beth Y. and Walsh, Christine and Lester, Jenny and Greene, Mark H. and Mai, Phuong L. and Nussbaum, Robert L. and Andrulis, Irene L. and Domchek, Susan M. and Nathanson, Katherine L. and Rebbeck, Timothy R. and Barkardottir, Rosa B. and Jakubowska, Anna and Lubinski, Jan and Durda, Katarzyna and Jaworska-Bieniek, Katarzyna and Claes, Kathleen and Van Maerken, Tom and D{\´i}ez, Orland and Hansen, Thomas V. and J{\o}nson, Lars and Gerdes, Anne-Marie and Ejlertsen, Bent and De la Hoya, Miguel and Cald{\´e}s, Trinidad and Dunning, Alison M. and Oliver, Clare and Fineberg, Elena and Cook, Margaret and Peock, Susan and McCann, Emma and Murray, Alex and Jacobs, Chris and Pichert, Gabriella and Lalloo, Fiona and Chu, Carol and Dorkins, Huw and Paterson, Joan and Ong, Kai-Ren and Teixeira, Manuel R. and Hogervorst, Frans B. L. and Van der Hout, Annemarie H. and Seynaeve, Caroline and Van der Luijt, Rob B. and Ligtenberg, Marjolijn J. L. and Devilee, Peter and Wijnen, Juul T. and Rookus, Matti A. and Meijers-Heijboer, Hanne E. J. and Blok, Marinus J. and Van den Ouweland, Ans M. W. and Aalfs, Cora M. and Rodriguez, Gustavo C. and Phillips, Kelly-Anne A. and Piedmonte, Marion and Nerenstone, Stacy R. and Bae-Jump, Victoria L. and O'Malley, David M. and Schmutzler, Rita K. and Wappenschmidt, Barbara and Rhiem, Kerstin and Engel, Christoph and Meindl, Alfons and Ditsch, Nina and Arnold, Norbert and Plendl, Hansjoerg J. and Niederacher, Dieter and Sutter, Christian and Wang-Gohrke, Shan and Steinemann, Doris and Preisler-Adams, Sabine and Kast, Karin and Varon-Mateeva, Raymonda and Gehrig, Andrea and Bojesen, Anders and Pedersen, Inge Sokilde and Sunde, Lone and Birk Jensen, Uffe and Thomassen, Mads and Kruse, Torben A. and Foretova, Lenka and Peterlongo, Paolo and Bernard, Loris and Peissel, Bernard and Scuvera, Giulietta and Manoukian, Siranoush and Radice, Paolo and Ottini, Laura and Montagna, Marco and Agata, Simona and Maugard, Christine and Simard, Jacques and Soucy, Penny and Berger, Andreas and Fink-Retter, Anneliese and Singer, Christian F. and Rappaport, Christine and Geschwantler-Kaulich, Daphne and Tea, Muy-Kheng and Pfeiler, Georg and John, Esther M. and Miron, Alex and Neuhausen, Susan L. and Terry, Mary Beth and Chung, Wendy K. and Daly, Mary B. and Goldgar, David E. and Janavicius, Ramunas and Dorfling, Cecilia M. and Van Rensburg, Elisabeth J. and Fostira, Florentia and Konstantopoulou, Irene and Garber, Judy and Godwin, Andrew K. and Olah, Edith and Narod, Steven A. and Rennert, Gad and Paluch, Shani Shimon and Laitman, Yael and Friedman, Eitan and Liljegren, Annelie and Rantala, Johanna and Stenmark-Askmalm, Marie and Loman, Niklas and Imyanitov, Evgeny N. and Hamann, Ute and Spurdle, Amanda B. and Healey, Sue and Weitzel, Jeffrey N. and Herzog, Josef and Margileth, David and Gorrini, Chiara and Esteller, Manel and G{\´o}mez, Antonio and Sayols, Sergi and Vidal, Enrique and Heyn, Holger and Stoppa-Lyonnet, Dominique and L{\´e}on{\´e}, Melanie and Barjhoux, Laure and Fassy-Colcombet, Marion and Pauw, Antoine de and Lasset, Christine and Fert Ferrer, Sandra and Castera, Laurent and Berthet, Pascaline and Cornelis, Fran{\c{c}}ois and Bignon, Yves-Jean and Damiola, Francesca and Mazoyer, Sylvie and Sinilnikova, Olga M. and Maxwell, Christopher A. and Vijai, Joseph and Robson, Mark and Kauff, Noah and Corines, Marina J. and Villano, Danylko and Cunningham, Julie and Lee, Adam and Lindor, Noralane and L{\´a}zaro, Conxi and Easton, Douglas F. and Offit, Kenneth and Chenevix-Trench, Georgia and Couch, Fergus J. and Antoniou, Antonis C. and Pujana, Miguel Angel}, title = {Assessing associations between the AURKA-HMMR-TPX2-TUBG1 functional module and breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0120020}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143469}, pages = {e0120020}, year = {2015}, abstract = {While interplay between BRCA1 and AURKA-RHAMM-TPX2-TUBG1 regulates mammary epithelial polarization, common genetic variation in HMMR (gene product RHAMM) may be associated with risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers. Following on these observations, we further assessed the link between the AURKA-HMMR-TPX2-TUBG1 functional module and risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers. Forty-one single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 15,252 BRCA1 and 8,211 BRCA2 mutation carriers and subsequently analyzed using a retrospective likelihood approach. The association of HMMR rs299290 with breast cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers was confirmed: per-allele hazard ratio (HR) = 1.10, 95\% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 - 1.15, p = 1.9 x 10\(^{-4}\) (false discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted p = 0.043). Variation in CSTF1, located next to AURKA, was also found to be associated with breast cancer risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers: rs2426618 per-allele HR = 1.10, 95\% CI 1.03 - 1.16, p = 0.005 (FDR-adjusted p = 0.045). Assessment of pairwise interactions provided suggestions (FDR-adjusted p\(_{interaction}\) values > 0.05) for deviations from the multiplicative model for rs299290 and CSTF1 rs6064391, and rs299290 and TUBG1 rs11649877 in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Following these suggestions, the expression of HMMR and AURKA or TUBG1 in sporadic breast tumors was found to potentially interact, influencing patients' survival. Together, the results of this study support the hypothesis of a causative link between altered function of AURKA-HMMR-TPX2-TUBG1 and breast carcinogenesis in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.}, language = {en} } @article{EbnerWoeckelSchwentneretal.2019, author = {Ebner, Florian and W{\"o}ckel, Achim and Schwentner, Lukas and Blettner, Maria and Janni, Wolfgang and Kreienberg, Rolf and Wischnewsky, Manfred}, title = {Does the number of removed axillary lymphnodes in high risk breast cancer patients influence the survival?}, series = {BMC Cancer}, volume = {19}, journal = {BMC Cancer}, doi = {10.1186/s12885-019-5292-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-226445}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background The decision making process for axillary dissection has changed in recent years for patients with early breast cancer and positive sentinel lymph nodes (LN). The question now arises, what is the optimal surgical treatment for patients with positive axillary LN (pN+). This article tries to answer the following questions: (1) Is there a survival benefit for breast cancer patients with 3 or more positive LN (pN3+) and with more than 10 removed LN? (2) Is there a survival benefit for high risk breast cancer patients (triple negative or Her2 + breast cancer) and with 3 or more positive LN (pN3+) with more than 10 removed LN? (3) In pN + patients is the prognostic value of the lymph node ratio (LNR) of pN+/pN removed impaired if 10 or less LN are removed? Methods A retrospective database analysis of the multi center cohort database BRENDA (breast cancer under evidence based guidelines) with data from 9625 patients from 17 breast centers was carried out. Guideline adherence was defined by the 2008 German National consensus guidelines. Results 2992 out of 9625 patients had histological confirmed positive lymph nodes. The most important factors for survival were intrinsic sub types, tumor size and guideline adherent chemo- and hormonal treatment (and age at diagnosis for overall survival (OAS)). Uni-and multivariable analyses for recurrence free survival (RFS) and OAS showed no significant survival benefit when removing more than 10 lymph nodes even for high-risk patients. The mean and median of LNR were significantly higher in the pN+ patients with ≤10 excised LN compared to patients with > 10 excised LN. LNR was in both, uni-and multivariable, analysis a highly significant prognostic factor for RFS and OAS in both subgroups of pN + patients with less respective more than 10 excised LN. Multivariable COX regression analysis was adjusted by age, tumor size, intrinsic sub types and guideline adherent adjuvant systemic therapy. Conclusion The removal of more than 10 LN did not result in a significant survival benefit even in high risk pN + breast cancer patients.}, language = {en} } @article{EckardtStasikKrameretal.2021, author = {Eckardt, Jan-Niklas and Stasik, Sebastian and Kramer, Michael and R{\"o}llig, Christoph and Kr{\"a}mer, Alwin and Scholl, Sebastian and Hochhaus, Andreas and Crysandt, Martina and Br{\"u}mmendorf, Tim H. and Naumann, Ralph and Steffen, Bj{\"o}rn and Kunzmann, Volker and Einsele, Hermann and Schaich, Markus and Burchert, Andreas and Neubauer, Andreas and Sch{\"a}fer-Eckart, Kerstin and Schliemann, Christoph and Krause, Stefan W. and Herbst, Regina and H{\"a}nel, Mathias and Frickhofen, Norbert and Noppeney, Richard and Kaiser, Ulrich and Baldus, Claudia D. and Kaufmann, Martin and R{\´a}cil, Zdenek and Platzbecker, Uwe and Berdel, Wolfgang E. and Mayer, Jiř{\´i} and Serve, Hubert and M{\"u}ller-Tidow, Carsten and Ehninger, Gerhard and St{\"o}lzel, Friedrich and Kroschinsky, Frank and Schetelig, Johannes and Bornh{\"a}user, Martin and Thiede, Christian and Middeke, Jan Moritz}, title = {Loss-of-function mutations of BCOR are an independent marker of adverse outcomes in intensively treated patients with acute myeloid leukemia}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {13}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {9}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers13092095}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236735}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by recurrent genetic events. The BCL6 corepressor (BCOR) and its homolog, the BCL6 corepressor-like 1 (BCORL1), have been reported to be rare but recurrent mutations in AML. Previously, smaller studies have reported conflicting results regarding impacts on outcomes. Here, we retrospectively analyzed a large cohort of 1529 patients with newly diagnosed and intensively treated AML. BCOR and BCORL1 mutations were found in 71 (4.6\%) and 53 patients (3.5\%), respectively. Frequently co-mutated genes were DNTM3A, TET2 and RUNX1. Mutated BCORL1 and loss-of-function mutations of BCOR were significantly more common in the ELN2017 intermediate-risk group. Patients harboring loss-of-function mutations of BCOR had a significantly reduced median event-free survival (HR = 1.464 (95\%-Confidence Interval (CI): 1.005-2.134), p = 0.047), relapse-free survival (HR = 1.904 (95\%-CI: 1.163-3.117), p = 0.01), and trend for reduced overall survival (HR = 1.495 (95\%-CI: 0.990-2.258), p = 0.056) in multivariable analysis. Our study establishes a novel role for loss-of-function mutations of BCOR regarding risk stratification in AML, which may influence treatment allocation.}, language = {en} } @article{GresleAlexandrouWuetal.2012, author = {Gresle, Melissa M. and Alexandrou, Estella and Wu, Qizhu and Egan, Gary and Jokubaitis, Vilija and Ayers, Margaret and Jonas, Anna and Doherty, William and Friedhuber, Anna and Shaw, Gerry and Sendtner, Michael and Emery, Ben and Kilpatrick, Trevor and Butzkueven, Helmut}, title = {Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Protects Axons in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis via an Oligodendrocyte-Independent Mechanism}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0047379}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134617}, pages = {e47379}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and Ciliary Neurotrophic factor (CNTF) are members of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines, defined by use of the gp130 molecule as an obligate receptor. In the murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, antagonism of LIF and genetic deletion of CNTF worsen disease. The potential mechanism of action of these cytokines in EAE is complex, as gp130 is expressed by all neural cells, and could involve immuno-modulation, reduction of oligodendrocyte injury, neuronal protection, or a combination of these actions. In this study we aim to investigate whether the beneficial effects of CNTF/LIF signalling in EAE are associated with axonal protection; and whether this requires signalling through oligodendrocytes. We induced MOG\(_{35-55}\) EAE in CNTF, LIF and double knockout mice. On a CNTF null background, LIF knockout was associated with increased EAE severity (EAE grade 2.1\(\pm\)0.14 vs 2.6\(\pm\)0.19; P<0.05). These mice also showed increased axonal damage relative to LIF heterozygous mice, as indicated by decreased optic nerve parallel diffusivity on MRI (1540\(\pm\)207 \(\mu\)m\(^2\)-/s vs 1310\(\pm\)175 \(\mu\)m\(^2\)-/s; P<0.05), and optic nerve (-12.5\%) and spinal cord (-16\%) axon densities; and increased serum neurofilament-H levels (2.5 fold increase). No differences in inflammatory cell numbers or peripheral auto-immune T-cell priming were evident. Oligodendrocyte-targeted gp130 knockout mice showed that disruption of CNTF/LIF signalling in these cells has no effect on acute EAE severity. These studies demonstrate that endogenous CNTF and LIF act centrally to protect axons from acute inflammatory destruction via an oligodendrocyte-independent mechanism.}, language = {en} } @article{HanfsteinLausekerHehlmannetal.2014, author = {Hanfstein, Benjamin and Lauseker, Michael and Hehlmann, R{\"u}diger and Saussele, Susanne and Erben, Philipp and Dietz, Christian and Fabarius, Alice and Proetel, Ulrike and Schnittger, Susanne and Haferlach, Claudia and Krause, Stefan W. and Schubert, J{\"o}rg and Einsele, Hermann and H{\"a}nel, Mathias and Dengler, Jolanta and Falge, Christiane and Kanz, Lothar and Neubauer, Andreas and Kneba, Michael and Stengelmann, Frank and Pfreundschuh, Michael and Waller, Cornelius F. and Spiekerman, Karsten and Baerlocher, Gabriela M. and Pfirrmann, Markus and Hasford, Joerg and Hofmann, Wolf-Karsten and Hochhaus, Andreas and M{\"u}ller, Martin C.}, title = {Distinct characteristics of e13a2 versus e14a2 BCR-ABL1 driven chronic myeloid leukemia under first-line therapy with imatinib}, series = {Haematologica}, volume = {99}, journal = {Haematologica}, number = {9}, issn = {1592-8721}, doi = {10.3324/haematol.2013.096537}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-115476}, pages = {1441-1447}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The vast majority of chronic myeloid leukemia patients express a BCR-ABL1 fusion gene mRNA encoding a 210 kDa tyrosine kinase which promotes leukemic transformation. A possible differential impact of the corresponding BCR-ABL1 transcript variants e13a2 ("b2a2") and e14a2 ("b3a2") on disease phenotype and outcome is still a subject of debate. A total of 1105 newly diagnosed imatinib-treated patients were analyzed according to transcript type at diagnosis (e13a2, n=451; e14a2, n=496; e13a2+e14a2, n=158). No differences regarding age, sex, or Euro risk score were observed. A significant difference was found between e13a2 and e14a2 when comparing white blood cells (88 vs. 65 x 10(9)/L, respectively; P<0.001) and platelets (296 vs. 430 x 109/L, respectively; P<0.001) at diagnosis, indicating a distinct disease phenotype. No significant difference was observed regarding other hematologic features, including spleen size and hematologic adverse events, during imatinib-based therapies. Cumulative molecular response was inferior in e13a2 patients (P=0.002 for major molecular response; P<0.001 for MR4). No difference was observed with regard to cytogenetic response and overall survival. In conclusion, e13a2 and e14a2 chronic myeloid leukemia seem to represent distinct biological entities. However, clinical outcome under imatinib treatment was comparable and no risk prediction can be made according to e13a2 versus e14a2 BCR-ABL1 transcript type at diagnosis. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 00055874)}, language = {en} } @article{HarterBernatzScholzetal.2015, author = {Harter, Patrick N. and Bernatz, Simon and Scholz, Alexander and Zeiner, Pia S. and Zinke, Jenny and Kiyose, Makoto and Blasel, Stella and Beschorner, Rudi and Senft, Christian and Bender, Benjamin and Ronellenfitsch, Michael W. and Wikman, Harriet and Glatzel, Markus and Meinhardt, Matthias and Juratli, Tareq A. and Steinbach, Joachim P. and Plate, Karl H. and Wischhusen, J{\"o}rg and Weide, Benjamin and Mittelbronn, Michel}, title = {Distribution and prognostic relevance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoints in human brain metastases}, series = {Oncotarget}, volume = {6}, journal = {Oncotarget}, number = {38}, doi = {10.18632/oncotarget.5696}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-137107}, pages = {40836 -- 40849}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The activation of immune cells by targeting checkpoint inhibitors showed promising results with increased patient survival in distinct primary cancers. Since only limited data exist for human brain metastases, we aimed at characterizing tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and expression of immune checkpoints in the respective tumors. Two brain metastases cohorts, a mixed entity cohort (n = 252) and a breast carcinoma validation cohort (n = 96) were analyzed for CD3+, CD8+, FOXP3+, PD-1+ lymphocytes and PD-L1+ tumor cells by immunohistochemistry. Analyses for association with clinico-epidemiological and neuroradiological parameters such as patient survival or tumor size were performed. TILs infiltrated brain metastases in three different patterns (stromal, peritumoral, diffuse). While carcinomas often show a strong stromal infiltration, TILs in melanomas often diffusely infiltrate the tumors. Highest levels of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were seen in renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and strongest PD-1 levels on RCCs and melanomas. High amounts of TILs, high ratios of PD-1+/CD8+ cells and high levels of PD-L1 were negatively correlated with brain metastases size, indicating that in smaller brain metastases CD8+ immune response might get blocked. PD-L1 expression strongly correlated with TILs and FOXP3 expression. No significant association of patient survival with TILs was observed, while high levels of PD-L1 showed a strong trend towards better survival in melanoma brain metastases (Log-Rank p = 0.0537). In summary, melanomas and RCCs seem to be the most immunogenic entities. Differences in immunotherapeutic response between tumor entities regarding brain metastases might be attributable to this finding and need further investigation in larger patient cohorts.}, language = {en} }