Metastatic Seminoma Biomarkers: An Immunohistochemical Analysis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Metastatic Seminoma Biomarkers: An Immunohistochemical Analysis of 50 Cases (SEMIB)
IRAS ID
304822
Contact name
David Nicol
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Clinical stage I seminoma (CSI seminoma) is the most common clinical scenario in testicular cancer. Whilst orchidectomy may be curative in most cases, approximately 20% of CSI seminoma patients relapses, with the subsequent need for additional treatment (i.e. chemotherapy, radiotherapy or major surgery) determining clinical-significant side effects.
The risk factors currently associated with relapse probability comprise primary tumour size >4cm and histological evidence of hilar rete testis invasion (RTI).
There is, however, a clear need for more precise histological parameters to guide the need for adjuvant treatment and intensity of follow up. Current histological evaluation of primary germ cell testicular tumours utilises a limited number of immunohistochemical markers and FISH analysis. Whilst routine microscopic examination provides a definitive diagnosis in the majority of germ cell tumours, a subset of tumours have unusual morphological features requiring more complex immunohistochemical staining for classification. As a result, there has been a recent increased interest in immunohistochemical applications of transcription factors in diagnostic pathology of germ cell tumours.
The current research project will focus on the immunohistochemical analysis of various biomarkers (i.e. SOX2, SOX17, ALDH1A1, CXCL12, Galectin-3, CXCR4, Beta-catenin) expression in the nodal recurrence and in the primary site of disease for recurrent CSI seminomas at diagnosis with the aim:
1 - To explore the expression of immunohistochemical markers in lymphnodes obtained during RPLND for metastatic seminoma.REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0479
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion