L’hème oxygénase-1 (HO-1), enzyme antioxydante, est capable de prévenir l’initiation tumorale tandis qu’elle promeut la progression de certaines tumeurs et l’angiogenèse. Ce travail a recherché si HO-1 peut moduler les microARNs et régule le développmemnt du carcinome pulmonaire humain non à petites cellules (NSCLC). La surexpression stable de HO-1 dans les cellules du NSCLC NCI-H292 accroit la production globale des miARNs et diminue significativement l’expression des oncomirs et angiomirs, tandis qu’elle augmente les miARNs suppresseurs de tumeurs. Le plus amplement diminué est le miR-378. Dans les cellules surexprimant HO-1 la p53 est aussi augmentée, Ang-1 et MUC5AC diminuées, prolifération migration et potentiel angiogéniques réduits. Les effets de HO-1 sur la prolifération tumorale, la migration et et l’expression de miR-378 sont modulées par CO. Au contraire, la surexpression stable de miR-378 décroit celle de HO-1 et de p53 tandis qu’elle accroît celle de MUC5AC, VEGF, IL-8 et Ang-1 et en conséquence accroit la prolifération, migration la stimulation des cellules endothéliales. L’ajout de HO-1 à des cellules surexprimant miR-378 réverse l’effet de miR-378 sur la prolifération et la migration des cellules cancéreuses. In vivo, les tumeurs surexprimant HO-1 sont de taille réduite, moins vascularisées et oxygénées et moins métastatiques tandis que la surexpression de miR-378 produit les effets inverses. Conformément, chez les patients NSCLC, l’expression de HO-1est réduite dans les métastases lymphatiques par rapport à la tumeur primaire tandis que miR-378 n’est pas modifié de manière significative. En conclusion, les résultats in vitro et in vivo indiquent que l’action coordonnée entre HO-1 et miR-378 module de manière significative la progression et l’angiogenèse du carcinome humain pulmonaire non à petites cellules. / Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme can prevent tumor initiation while it has been demonstrated to promote various tumors progression and angiogenesis. Here it was investigated whether HO-1 can modulate microRNAs and regulate human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development. Stable HO-1 overexpression in NSCLC NCI-H292 cells enhanced global production of miRNAs and significantly diminished expression of oncomirs and angiomirs, whereas upregulated tumor suppressive miRNAs. The most potently downregulated was miR-378. HO-1 overexpressing cells displayed also upregulated p53, downregulated Ang-1 and MUC5AC, reduced proliferation, migration and diminished angiogenic potential. CO was a mediator of HO-1 effects on tumor cells proliferation, migration and miR-378 expression. In contrast, stable miR-378 overexpression decreased HO-1 and p53 while enhanced expression of MUC5AC, VEGF, IL-8 and Ang-1 and consequently increased proliferation, migration and stimulation of endothelial cells. Adenoviral delivery of HO-1 to miR-378 overexpressing cells reversed miR-378 effect on proliferation and migration of cancer cells. In vivo, HO-1 overexpressing tumors were smaller, less vascularized and oxygenated and less metastatic, whereas miR-378 overexpression exerted the opposite effects. Accordingly, in patients with NSCLC, HO-1 expression was lower in metastases to lymph nodes than in primary tumors while miR-378 did not differ significantly. To conclude, in vitro and in vivo data indicate that interplay between HO-1 and miR-378 significantly modulates NSCLC progression and angiogenesis.

O colágeno V vem emergindo como um potente indutor de morte celular (apoptose) via caspase. Nosso objetivo, neste estudo, foi examinar a interface entre o colágeno dos tipos I, III e V, apoptose tumoral e endotelial, angiogênese e células imunes, assim como o impacto desses fatores no prognóstico de pacientes com carcinomas não de pequenas células (CNPC) de pulmão. As amostras foram obtidas de 65 pacientes com CNPC de pulmão cirurgicamente excisados. Foram utilizados imunofluorescência e histomorfometria para colágenos I, III e V; imunohistoquímica e histomorfometria para avaliar apoptose endotelial e epitelial pelas caspases 5, 6, 8, 9 e via TUNEL, antiapoptose pela expressão do Bcl-2 e Bcl-6, densidade microvascular utilizando CD34, atividade vascular através da endotelina, VCAM e CD54, além da laminina. As células imunes foram imunomarcadas pelo CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56 Cd1a, S100, CD68 e as seguintes citocinas foram quantificadas: IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 e TGF-. O modelo de sobrevida de Cox mostrou que, quando controlados pelo estadiamento patológico linfonodal N, somente o colágeno do tipo V e a apoptose endotelial via caspase-9 foram significativamente associados com a sobrevida. Uma medida de corte ao nível da mediana para o colágeno do tipo V e caspase-9 dividiu os pacientes em dois grupos distintos de prognóstico. Aqueles com colágeno V maior do que 9,40% e apoptose vascular maior que 1,09% apresentaram baixo risco de morte (0,27 e 0,41, respectivamente), comparados com aqueles com colágeno V inferior a 9,40% e apoptose vascular inferior a 1,09%. Foi observada também menor densidade de células imunes e citocinas no microambiente tumoral do que não tumoral. O modelo de sobrevida de Cox, associando todas as variáveis estudadas, mostrou que baixo risco de morte associou-se com tabagismo menor que 41 maços/ano, estadiamento linfonodal N0, tratamento cirúrgico, ao tipo histológico carcinoma de células escamosas, fração de linfócitos CD4 > 16,2%, macrófagos CD68 > 4,5%, citocina IL-4 > 0,8%, citocina IL-6 > 2,2%, células dendríticas Cd1a > 1,6% e colágeno V > 9,4%. Coletivamente, os dados indicaram que o CNPC de pulmão não desencadeou uma resposta imune efetiva no sítio tumoral. Além disso, baixa síntese no colágeno V e apoptose endotelial pela caspase-9 em CNPC de pulmão estão fortemente associadas à sobrevida, sugerindo que estratégias destinadas a prevenir a baixa síntese de colágeno V, baixos índices de apoptose e resposta imune inata e adaptativa têm impacto no prognóstico dos CNPC de pulmão e podem ser marcadores promissores em novas abordagens na imunoterapia, podendo, assim, ter grande impacto no tratamento do câncer de pulmão / Type V collagen emerging promise as inductor of death response (apoptosis) via caspase. Our aim was to verify the remodeling of the microenvironment by type V collagen, tumoral/vascular apoptosis, angiogenesis, immune response and their impact on prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Collagen, apoptosis, angiogenesis and immune cells were examined in tumor tissues from 65 patients with surgically excised NSCLC. We used immunofluoresce, immunohistochemistry, morphometry, 3D reconstruction and real-time PCR to evaluate the amount, structure and mRNA chains expression of type V collagen, endothelium and epithelial apoptosis caspases 5, 6, 8, 9 and via TUNEL; anti-apoptotic expression Bcl-2 and Bcl-6; immune cells CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56 Cd1a, S100 and CD68 and IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 e TGF- cytokines; microvessel density (CD34) and vascular activity by endotelin, V-CAM and Cd54. Impact of these markers was tested on follow-up until death from recurrent lung cancer. Decreased and abnormal synthesis of collagen V leads to increased angiogenesis by low endothelial death rate, and low immune response. Cox model analysis demonstrated that controlled for N stage, just two variables were significantly associated with survival time: collagen V and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 +. Once these two variables were accounted for, none of the others related to survival. A cutpoint at the median for collagen V and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 divided patients into two groups with distinctive prognosis. Those with collagen V > 9.40% and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 > 1.09% have low risk of death (0.27 and 0.41, respectively) than those with collagen V < 9.40% and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 + < 1.09%.In addition low levels of immune cells and cytokines in the tumour environment when compared with non-tumour environment. Cox model analysis with all variables showed low risk of death for tabagism < 41 packs/year, N0 stage, SCC, CD4+ > 16.81%,macrophages/monocytes > 4.5%cytokine IL-4 > 0,8%, cytokines IL-6 > 2,2%, dendritic cells Cd1a > 1,6% and collagen V > 9,4%. Collectively, the data indicated that NSCLC did not trigger a substantive immune cell infiltrate at tumour sites. More over Collagen V and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 + in resected NSCLC are strongly related to prognosis, suggesting that strategies aimed at preventing the low collagen V synthesis, or local responses to low endothelium apoptosis and immune cell infiltration has impact on NSCLC prognosis and may be a promising marker for new immunotherapeutic approaches and may have a greater impact in lung cancer

INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma de pulmão de pequenas células (CPPC) e o carcinoma neuroendócrino (CNE) extra-pulmonar apresentam características histopatológicas e tratamentos similares, porém os desfechos encontrados nos dois grupos podem ser diferentes. Avaliamos a expressão de alguns biomarcadores e a associação destes com taxa de resposta (TR) à quimioterapia baseada em platina e sobrevida global (SG) nos dois grupos. METODOS: Realizamos estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com CPPC e CNE extra-pulmonares tratados com quimioterapia baseada em platina. Todas as amostras tumorais foram revisadas pelo mesmo patologista (R.S.S.M.) e analisadas quanto a expressão imunoistoquímica de Ki-67, ERCC1, Bcl-2 e Lin28a, a qual foi determinada através do H-escore (calculado multiplicando o produto da intensidade da coloração - 0 a 3 - com a porcentagem de células positivas - 0 a 100 -, podendo variar de 0 a 300 - positivo quando >= 200). Os biomarcadores foram analisados tanto como variáveis contínuas quanto categóricas e a TR foi determinada por RECIST 1.1. A associação entre a expressão de cada biomarcador e a TR foi avaliada através do teste de qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher para variáveis categóricas e regressão logística simples para variáveis contínuas. Sobrevida global foi estimada por Kaplan-Meier e as curvas foram comparadas por log-rank. O modelo de regressão de cox foi utilizado para avaliar associação entre SG e a expressão de biomarcadores como variável contínua. RESULTADOS: Entre Julho de 2006 e Julho de 2014, 142 pacientes foram identificados: N=82 (57,7%) com CPPC e N=60 (42,3%) com CNE extra-pulmonar. As características clínicas eram semelhantes em ambos os grupos. Mediana de ki67 foi de 60% (7-100) no CPPC e de 50% (20-95%) no segundo grupo (p=0,858). Com uma mediana de 5 ciclos por paciente (N=123 elegíveis para análise de TR), a TR foi de 86,8% no CPPC, enquanto nos com CNE extra-pulmonar, foi de 44,6% (p < 0.001). A mediana de SG (N=132 elegíveis para análise da SG) foi similar entre os grupos (10,3 meses em CPPC e 11,1 meses em CNE extra-pulmonar; p=0,069). Não houve diferença no padrão de expressão do ERCC1 (p=0,277) e do Lin28a (p=0,051) entre os grupos. Bcl2 foi expresso em 38 pacientes (46,3%) com CPPC e em 17 pacientes (28,3%) com CNE extra-pulmonar (p=0,030). Apenas no grupo com CNE extra-pulmonar, a alta expressão do Bcl2 foi associada com pior prognóstico (8,0 meses vs 14,7 meses; p=0,025). A expressão dos demais marcadores em CNE extra-pulmonar e dos quatro em CPPC não apresentou influência sobre a SG, não havendo também associação entre estes e a taxa de resposta à quimioterapia. Dentre os pacientes com CNE extra-pulmonar, não houve diferença na SG ou na TR entre os pacientes com carcinoma bem diferenciado (N=13;) e com carcinoma pouco diferenciado (N=47). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do CPPC e do CNE extra-pulmonar serem tratados de forma semelhante, nesta coorte a taxa de resposta entre os grupos foi significativamente diferente. Quando comparado com CPPC, os pacientes com CNE extra-pulmonar apresentam uma menor responsividade à quimioterapia baseada em platina, mas com tendência a maior SG. Dentre os CNE extra-pulmonares, a alta expressão de Bcl-2 foi associada a pior prognóstico. Os demais biomarcadores não apresentaram papel preditor de resposta ou prognóstico / INTRODUCTION: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and high-grade extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (EPNEC) share similar histopathological features and treatment, but outcomes may differ. We evaluated the expression of biomarkers and their association with response rate (RR) to platin-based chemotherapy and overall survival (OS) in these entities. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with advanced EPNEC and SCLC treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. A single pathologist (R.S.S.M.) revised all samples. Paraffin-embedded tumor samples were tested for Ki-67, ERCC1, Bcl-2 and Lin28a expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Final IHC score (H-score) was calculated multiplying the intensity of staining by grading (0-300, with >= 200 considered positive). Biomarkers were analyzed as both categorical and continuous variables. RR was determined by RECIST 1.1. Associations between each biomarkers expression and RR were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher\'s exact test for categorical variables and univariate logistic regression for continuous variables. OS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and curves were compared by log-rank. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate any association between biomarkers expression (continuous variables) and OS. RESULTS: From July 2006 to July 2014, 142 patients were identified: N=82 (57,7%) with SCLC and N=60 (42,3%) with EPNEC. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar. Median Ki67 was 60% (7-100) among SCLC patients and 50% (20-95%) in EPNEC (p=0,858). With a median of 5 cycles per patient in both groups (N=123 evaluable patients), the RR was significantly higher in the SCLC group (86,8% vs 44.6%; p < 0.001). Median OS (N=132 evaluable patients) was similar between the groups (10.3 months in SCLC and 11.1 months in EPNEC; p=0,069). In the EPNEC group, there wasn\'t any difference in OS or RR between the patients with welldifferentiated (N=13) and poorly differentiated carcinoma (N=47). ERCC1 (p=0.277) and Lin28a (p=0.051) were similarly expressed between the groups. Bcl2 was expressed in 38 SCLC patients (46.3%) and in 17 EPNEC patients (28.3%; p=0.030). Only in the EPNEC group, Bcl2 high expression was associated with worse survival (8.0 months vs 14.7 months; p = 0.025). RR to chemotherapy was not influenced by the expression of the ERCC1, Lin28a, Bcl-2, Ki-67 in either EPNEC or SCLC groups. CONCLUSION: Even though SCLC and EPNEC are treated similarly, in this cohort, the rate response differed significantly. When compared with SCLC, patients with EPNEC apparently had tumors less responsive to platin-based chemotherapy, but tended to live longer. In EPNEC treated with platin, high expression of Bcl2 was associated with poor prognosis. We could not identify additional predictive or prognostic biomarkers

Les phénomènes cicatriciels et de carcinogenèse partagent des points communs et peuvent être définis comme des processus complexes et adaptatif régulés par les interactions entre l'hôte et le microenvironnement tissulaire. Après la chirurgie, la radiothérapie est la seconde modalité la plus efficace dans le traitement du cancer et une approche thérapeutique multimodale impliquant chirurgie, radiothérapie et chimiothérapie est aujourd’hui classiquement utilisée. Des résultats récents suggèrent que, en plus des effets létaux sur les cellules tumorales, la radiothérapie modifie le microenvironnement tissulaire. Ces modifications affectent le phénotype cellulaire, le métabolisme des tissus, et les événements de signalisation entre les cellules.Les interactions complexes entre les cellules stromales et les cellules cancéreuses suscitent beaucoup d’intérêt et dans la première partie de ma thèse, j’ai exploré les interactions entre stroma et cellules de carcinome en réponse à la radiothérapie par modulation génétique du stroma après irradiation. J’ai constaté que les fibroblastes, indépendamment de leur statut RhoB, ne modulaient pas la radiosensibilité intrinsèque des TC- 1, mais produisaient des facteurs diffusibles capables de modifier le devenir des cellules tumorales. Ensuite, j’ai constaté que fibroblastes sauvages et RhoB déficients stimulaient la migration des TC-1 par des mécanismes distincts, impliquant respectivement TGF- β1 et MMP. J’ai également constaté que la co-irradiation, des fibroblastes et des TC- 1, abrogait le phénotype pro-migratoire des TC-1 par répression de la sécrétion du TGF- β et des MMP. Alors que le protocole de co-irradiation utilisé mime la situation clinique, mes résultats sont en désaccord avec les publications récentes et suggèrent que le stroma irradié ne renforce pas la migration des cellules tumorales mais au contraire pourrait être manipulé pour promouvoir une réponse immunitaire anti-tumorale.Deuxièmement, mes expériences in vivo, semblent confirmer les données obtenues in vitro et montrent que l’irradiation préalable du lit tumoral ne stimule ni croissance de la tumeur et ni sa dissemination. Nos résultats semblent montrer que l’irradiation du stroma ne favorise pas la migration des cellules de carcinome et ceci indépendamment de leur génotype. La Troisième Partie De Mon Projet, a été consacrée à l’étude des cellules tumorale circulantes (CTC) après la radiothérapie. En accord avec les résultats rapportés après la chirurgie, le nombre de CTC augmente dans la circulation sanguine après radiothérapie probablement à cause des lésions vasculaires radio-induites ou/et par induction d’EMT dans les cellules tumorales. Néanmoins ces CTC semblent être piégées dans la cavité cardiaque. La signification de la présence de ces CTC pour le développement métastatique n’est pas élucidée mais on peut suspecter un effet promoteur de métastase. Ainsi le microenvironnement pourrait avoir des effets antagonistes promoteurs ou inhibiteurs de malignité. / Wound healing and carcinogenesis are defined as complex, adaptive processes which are controlled by intricate communications between the host and the tissue microenvironment. A number of phenotypic similarities are shared by wounds and cancers in cellular signaling and gene expression. Radiotherapy is the second most effective modality of cancer treatment after surgery and can be used, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Recent findings suggest that radiotherapy apart from tumor cell death also rapidly and persistently modifies the tissue microenvironment. These modifications affect cell phenotype, tissue metabolism, bidirectional exchanges and signaling events between cells. The complex interactions between stromal cells and cancer cells are of immense interest and in The First Part of My Thesis, I tried to explore the crosstalk between stromal and carcinoma cells in response to radiotherapy by genetic modulation of the stroma and irradiation. We found that fibroblasts, irrespective of their RhoB status, do not modulate intrinsic radiosensitivity of TC-1 but produce diffusible factors able to modify tumor cell fate. Then we found that Wt and RhoB deficient fibroblasts stimulated TC-1 migration through distinct mechanisms respectively, TGF-β1 and MMP-mediated. We also found that co-irradiation of fibroblasts and TC-1 abrogated the pro-migratory phenotype by repression of TGF-β and MMP secretion. This result is highly relevant to the clinical situation and suggests that conversely to, the current view; irradiated stroma would not enhance carcinoma migration and could be manipulated to promote anti-tumor immune response. Secondly, our in vivo experiments, tends to confirm the in vitro data showing that irradiated tumor bed does not stimulate tumor growth and escape. Our results also challenges the view that irradiated stroma would promote migration of carcinoma cells as we show that independently from their genotype co-irradiation of fibroblasts and carcinoma cells repressed carcinoma cell migration and confirmations studies are currently performed in vivo. The Third Part of My Project, was dedicated to investigate the effect on CTC release after radiotherapy. Consistently with the results reported after surgery , the number of CTC increases in the blood stream after radiotherapy probably due to radiation-induced vascular injury induced or/and by EMT induction in tumor cells but these cells seemed to be entrapped into the cardiac cavity. The significance of these CTC to metastatic development is still under investigation but there is evidence for a metastasis-promoting effect of RT from animal studies.Thus the microenvironment can exert antagonist stimulatory or inhibitory effects on malignant cells.

O colágeno V vem emergindo como um potente indutor de morte celular (apoptose) via caspase. Nosso objetivo, neste estudo, foi examinar a interface entre o colágeno dos tipos I, III e V, apoptose tumoral e endotelial, angiogênese e células imunes, assim como o impacto desses fatores no prognóstico de pacientes com carcinomas não de pequenas células (CNPC) de pulmão. As amostras foram obtidas de 65 pacientes com CNPC de pulmão cirurgicamente excisados. Foram utilizados imunofluorescência e histomorfometria para colágenos I, III e V; imunohistoquímica e histomorfometria para avaliar apoptose endotelial e epitelial pelas caspases 5, 6, 8, 9 e via TUNEL, antiapoptose pela expressão do Bcl-2 e Bcl-6, densidade microvascular utilizando CD34, atividade vascular através da endotelina, VCAM e CD54, além da laminina. As células imunes foram imunomarcadas pelo CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56 Cd1a, S100, CD68 e as seguintes citocinas foram quantificadas: IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 e TGF-. O modelo de sobrevida de Cox mostrou que, quando controlados pelo estadiamento patológico linfonodal N, somente o colágeno do tipo V e a apoptose endotelial via caspase-9 foram significativamente associados com a sobrevida. Uma medida de corte ao nível da mediana para o colágeno do tipo V e caspase-9 dividiu os pacientes em dois grupos distintos de prognóstico. Aqueles com colágeno V maior do que 9,40% e apoptose vascular maior que 1,09% apresentaram baixo risco de morte (0,27 e 0,41, respectivamente), comparados com aqueles com colágeno V inferior a 9,40% e apoptose vascular inferior a 1,09%. Foi observada também menor densidade de células imunes e citocinas no microambiente tumoral do que não tumoral. O modelo de sobrevida de Cox, associando todas as variáveis estudadas, mostrou que baixo risco de morte associou-se com tabagismo menor que 41 maços/ano, estadiamento linfonodal N0, tratamento cirúrgico, ao tipo histológico carcinoma de células escamosas, fração de linfócitos CD4 > 16,2%, macrófagos CD68 > 4,5%, citocina IL-4 > 0,8%, citocina IL-6 > 2,2%, células dendríticas Cd1a > 1,6% e colágeno V > 9,4%. Coletivamente, os dados indicaram que o CNPC de pulmão não desencadeou uma resposta imune efetiva no sítio tumoral. Além disso, baixa síntese no colágeno V e apoptose endotelial pela caspase-9 em CNPC de pulmão estão fortemente associadas à sobrevida, sugerindo que estratégias destinadas a prevenir a baixa síntese de colágeno V, baixos índices de apoptose e resposta imune inata e adaptativa têm impacto no prognóstico dos CNPC de pulmão e podem ser marcadores promissores em novas abordagens na imunoterapia, podendo, assim, ter grande impacto no tratamento do câncer de pulmão / Type V collagen emerging promise as inductor of death response (apoptosis) via caspase. Our aim was to verify the remodeling of the microenvironment by type V collagen, tumoral/vascular apoptosis, angiogenesis, immune response and their impact on prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Collagen, apoptosis, angiogenesis and immune cells were examined in tumor tissues from 65 patients with surgically excised NSCLC. We used immunofluoresce, immunohistochemistry, morphometry, 3D reconstruction and real-time PCR to evaluate the amount, structure and mRNA chains expression of type V collagen, endothelium and epithelial apoptosis caspases 5, 6, 8, 9 and via TUNEL; anti-apoptotic expression Bcl-2 and Bcl-6; immune cells CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56 Cd1a, S100 and CD68 and IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 e TGF- cytokines; microvessel density (CD34) and vascular activity by endotelin, V-CAM and Cd54. Impact of these markers was tested on follow-up until death from recurrent lung cancer. Decreased and abnormal synthesis of collagen V leads to increased angiogenesis by low endothelial death rate, and low immune response. Cox model analysis demonstrated that controlled for N stage, just two variables were significantly associated with survival time: collagen V and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 +. Once these two variables were accounted for, none of the others related to survival. A cutpoint at the median for collagen V and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 divided patients into two groups with distinctive prognosis. Those with collagen V > 9.40% and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 > 1.09% have low risk of death (0.27 and 0.41, respectively) than those with collagen V < 9.40% and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 + < 1.09%.In addition low levels of immune cells and cytokines in the tumour environment when compared with non-tumour environment. Cox model analysis with all variables showed low risk of death for tabagism < 41 packs/year, N0 stage, SCC, CD4+ > 16.81%,macrophages/monocytes > 4.5%cytokine IL-4 > 0,8%, cytokines IL-6 > 2,2%, dendritic cells Cd1a > 1,6% and collagen V > 9,4%. Collectively, the data indicated that NSCLC did not trigger a substantive immune cell infiltrate at tumour sites. More over Collagen V and endothelium apoptosis caspase 9 + in resected NSCLC are strongly related to prognosis, suggesting that strategies aimed at preventing the low collagen V synthesis, or local responses to low endothelium apoptosis and immune cell infiltration has impact on NSCLC prognosis and may be a promising marker for new immunotherapeutic approaches and may have a greater impact in lung cancer

INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma de pulmão de pequenas células (CPPC) e o carcinoma neuroendócrino (CNE) extra-pulmonar apresentam características histopatológicas e tratamentos similares, porém os desfechos encontrados nos dois grupos podem ser diferentes. Avaliamos a expressão de alguns biomarcadores e a associação destes com taxa de resposta (TR) à quimioterapia baseada em platina e sobrevida global (SG) nos dois grupos. METODOS: Realizamos estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com CPPC e CNE extra-pulmonares tratados com quimioterapia baseada em platina. Todas as amostras tumorais foram revisadas pelo mesmo patologista (R.S.S.M.) e analisadas quanto a expressão imunoistoquímica de Ki-67, ERCC1, Bcl-2 e Lin28a, a qual foi determinada através do H-escore (calculado multiplicando o produto da intensidade da coloração - 0 a 3 - com a porcentagem de células positivas - 0 a 100 -, podendo variar de 0 a 300 - positivo quando >= 200). Os biomarcadores foram analisados tanto como variáveis contínuas quanto categóricas e a TR foi determinada por RECIST 1.1. A associação entre a expressão de cada biomarcador e a TR foi avaliada através do teste de qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher para variáveis categóricas e regressão logística simples para variáveis contínuas. Sobrevida global foi estimada por Kaplan-Meier e as curvas foram comparadas por log-rank. O modelo de regressão de cox foi utilizado para avaliar associação entre SG e a expressão de biomarcadores como variável contínua. RESULTADOS: Entre Julho de 2006 e Julho de 2014, 142 pacientes foram identificados: N=82 (57,7%) com CPPC e N=60 (42,3%) com CNE extra-pulmonar. As características clínicas eram semelhantes em ambos os grupos. Mediana de ki67 foi de 60% (7-100) no CPPC e de 50% (20-95%) no segundo grupo (p=0,858). Com uma mediana de 5 ciclos por paciente (N=123 elegíveis para análise de TR), a TR foi de 86,8% no CPPC, enquanto nos com CNE extra-pulmonar, foi de 44,6% (p < 0.001). A mediana de SG (N=132 elegíveis para análise da SG) foi similar entre os grupos (10,3 meses em CPPC e 11,1 meses em CNE extra-pulmonar; p=0,069). Não houve diferença no padrão de expressão do ERCC1 (p=0,277) e do Lin28a (p=0,051) entre os grupos. Bcl2 foi expresso em 38 pacientes (46,3%) com CPPC e em 17 pacientes (28,3%) com CNE extra-pulmonar (p=0,030). Apenas no grupo com CNE extra-pulmonar, a alta expressão do Bcl2 foi associada com pior prognóstico (8,0 meses vs 14,7 meses; p=0,025). A expressão dos demais marcadores em CNE extra-pulmonar e dos quatro em CPPC não apresentou influência sobre a SG, não havendo também associação entre estes e a taxa de resposta à quimioterapia. Dentre os pacientes com CNE extra-pulmonar, não houve diferença na SG ou na TR entre os pacientes com carcinoma bem diferenciado (N=13;) e com carcinoma pouco diferenciado (N=47). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do CPPC e do CNE extra-pulmonar serem tratados de forma semelhante, nesta coorte a taxa de resposta entre os grupos foi significativamente diferente. Quando comparado com CPPC, os pacientes com CNE extra-pulmonar apresentam uma menor responsividade à quimioterapia baseada em platina, mas com tendência a maior SG. Dentre os CNE extra-pulmonares, a alta expressão de Bcl-2 foi associada a pior prognóstico. Os demais biomarcadores não apresentaram papel preditor de resposta ou prognóstico / INTRODUCTION: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and high-grade extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (EPNEC) share similar histopathological features and treatment, but outcomes may differ. We evaluated the expression of biomarkers and their association with response rate (RR) to platin-based chemotherapy and overall survival (OS) in these entities. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with advanced EPNEC and SCLC treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. A single pathologist (R.S.S.M.) revised all samples. Paraffin-embedded tumor samples were tested for Ki-67, ERCC1, Bcl-2 and Lin28a expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Final IHC score (H-score) was calculated multiplying the intensity of staining by grading (0-300, with >= 200 considered positive). Biomarkers were analyzed as both categorical and continuous variables. RR was determined by RECIST 1.1. Associations between each biomarkers expression and RR were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher\'s exact test for categorical variables and univariate logistic regression for continuous variables. OS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and curves were compared by log-rank. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate any association between biomarkers expression (continuous variables) and OS. RESULTS: From July 2006 to July 2014, 142 patients were identified: N=82 (57,7%) with SCLC and N=60 (42,3%) with EPNEC. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar. Median Ki67 was 60% (7-100) among SCLC patients and 50% (20-95%) in EPNEC (p=0,858). With a median of 5 cycles per patient in both groups (N=123 evaluable patients), the RR was significantly higher in the SCLC group (86,8% vs 44.6%; p < 0.001). Median OS (N=132 evaluable patients) was similar between the groups (10.3 months in SCLC and 11.1 months in EPNEC; p=0,069). In the EPNEC group, there wasn\'t any difference in OS or RR between the patients with welldifferentiated (N=13) and poorly differentiated carcinoma (N=47). ERCC1 (p=0.277) and Lin28a (p=0.051) were similarly expressed between the groups. Bcl2 was expressed in 38 SCLC patients (46.3%) and in 17 EPNEC patients (28.3%; p=0.030). Only in the EPNEC group, Bcl2 high expression was associated with worse survival (8.0 months vs 14.7 months; p = 0.025). RR to chemotherapy was not influenced by the expression of the ERCC1, Lin28a, Bcl-2, Ki-67 in either EPNEC or SCLC groups. CONCLUSION: Even though SCLC and EPNEC are treated similarly, in this cohort, the rate response differed significantly. When compared with SCLC, patients with EPNEC apparently had tumors less responsive to platin-based chemotherapy, but tended to live longer. In EPNEC treated with platin, high expression of Bcl2 was associated with poor prognosis. We could not identify additional predictive or prognostic biomarkers

Il est maintenant bien établi que le système immunitaire joue un rôle majeur dans le contrôle des tumeurs, y compris dans les carcinomes pulmonaires. Cependant, les interactions entre les cellules tumorales et les cellules immunitaires du microenvironnement tumoral sont mal connues. Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié les caractéristiques morphologiques et moléculaires des cellules tumorales provenant d’adénocarcinomes pulmonaires et leur association avec la composition du microenvironnement immunitaire. Nous avons rapporté la valeur pronostique des paramètres morphologiques de ces tumeurs, comme le grade histologique des adénocarcinomes, et leur association avec le statut moléculaire EGFR et KRAS. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse que la diversité morphologique et moléculaire de ces tumeurs pouvait être associée à une signature immunitaire intra-tumorale spécifique et que cela pourrait avoir un impact pronostique. Nous avons mis en évidence que la densité des cellules dendritiques matures, situées au sein de structures lymphoïdes tertiaires, variait en fonction du statut moléculaire EGFR et KRAS des tumeurs. De même, l’impact pronostique des cellules dendritiques matures et des lymphocytes CD8+ variait en fonction du statut moléculaire des tumeurs. Nous avons également retrouvé la valeur pronostique de l’environnement immunitaire, représenté par la densité en cellules dendritiques matures et en lymphocytes CD8+, sur la survie à long terme des carcinomes pulmonaires de stade III-N2 opérés après chimiothérapie néoadjuvante. Enfin, nous avons démontré que la chimiothérapie n'est pas associée à de profondes modifications de l’infiltrat immunitaire, alors qu’elle entraîne des modifications des cellules tumorales. L’ensemble de ces résultats suggère que l’infiltrat immunitaire est intimement lié à la cellule tumorale et que la composition du microenvironnement immunitaire varie avec les caractéristiques de la tumeur. Cette interaction entre les cellules tumorales et les cellules immunitaires contribue au pronostic de ces tumeurs. Ces données démontrent l’intérêt d’utiliser des traitements combinant des drogues cytotoxiques, telle la chimiothérapie conventionnelle, à des traitements immunomodulateurs permettant de favoriser une réponse immunitaire anti-tumorale efficace. / The major role of the immune system against tumor development is now clearly established, including lung carcinoma. Nevertheless, interaction between tumoral cells and immune environment is less well-defined. In that study, we have studied morphological and molecular tumoral cells characteristics from lung adenocarcinoma and their role in the composition of immune environment. We reported the prognostic value of morphological parameters, as histological grade of adenocarcinoma, and their association with molecular EGFR and KRAS status. We hypothesized that morphological and molecular diversity of these tumors could be associated with a specific intratumoral immune signature, and could have an impact in prognosis. We showed that mature dendritic cells density, located in tertiary lymphoid structures, differed according to EGFR and KRAS status. Morever, molecular status of tumors modified the pronostic value of mature dendritics cells and CD8+ T cells. We found a prognostic value of immune environment, represented by dendritic cells and T CD8+ cells, in operated stage III-N2 lung carcinomas treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. At last, we demonstrated that chemotherapy is not associated with wide modifications in immune infiltrate, whereas it induced modifications in tumoral cells. All together, these data strongly argue for a close link between tumoral cells and immune environment, which seems to depend on tumoral cell characteristics. This interaction between tumoral cells and immune cells contribute to the prognosis of these tumors. These results show the evidence that combine cytotoxic treatment, like conventional chemotherapy, with immunomodulators, favour a protective anti-tumor immune response.