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Query: "author" (Luka Brčić) .

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1.
Prognostic impact of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma : an international multicenter study
Luka Brčić, Thomas Klikovits, Zsolt Megyesfalvi, Berta Mosleh, Katharina Sinn, Richard Hritcu, Viktoria Laszlo, Tanja Čufer, Aleš Rozman, Izidor Kern, Katja Mohorčič, 2021, original scientific article

Abstract: Background: Programmed cell death 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune-checkpoint blockade is a promising new therapeutic strategy in cancer. However, expression patterns and prognostic significance of PD-L1 and PD-1 are still controversial in human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples from 203 MPM patients receiving standard treatment without immunotherapy were collected from 5 European centers. PD-L1 and PD-1 expression of tumor cells (TCs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were measured by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinical parameters and long-term outcome. Results: High (>10%) PD-L1 TC and PD-1 TILs expressions were found in 18 (8%) and 39 (24%) patients, respectively. PD-L1 was rarely expressed by TILs [>/=1%, n=13 (8%); >10%, n=1]. No significant associations were found between the PD-L1 or PD-1 expression of TCs or TILs and clinicopathological parameters such as stage or histological subtype. Notably, patients with high (>10%) TC-specific PD-L1 expression exhibited significantly worse median overall survival (OS) (6.3 vs. 15.1 months of those with low TC PD-L1 expression; HR: 2.51, P<0.001). In multivariate cox regression analysis adjusted for clinical parameters, high TC PD-L1 expression (>10%) proved to be an independent negative prognostic factor for OS (HR: 2.486, P=0.005). There was no significant correlation between PD-L1 or PD-1 expression of TILs and OS. Conclusions: In this multicenter cohort study, we demonstrate that high (>10%) PD-L1 expression of TCs independently predicts worse OS in MPM. Further studies are warranted to investigate the value of PD-L1/PD-1 expression as a marker for treatment response in MPM patients receiving immunotherapy.
Keywords: mesothelioma - anatomy and histology - analysis, 1malignant pleural mesothelioma, programmed death-ligand 1, programmed cell death 1, PD-L1
Published in DiRROS: 31.03.2021; Views: 1214; Downloads: 518
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2.
Reproducibility of malignant pleural mesothelioma histopathologic subtyping
Luka Brčić, Gregor Vlačić, Franz Quehenberger, Izidor Kern, 2018, original scientific article

Abstract: Context. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare tumor with poor prognosis. Several studies have analyzed potential prognostic markers, but histologic type remains the single most important prognostic factor. Histologic subtypes of epithelioid MPM seem to have prognostic and therapeutic implications. Interobserver agreement in histologic pattern classification should be high. Objective. To assess interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility in histologic differentiation between the main types of MPMs, and in further subtyping of epithelioid-type mesothelioma. Design. One representative hematoxylin-eosin-stained slide was selected from the archive for each of 200 patients with MPM. They were reviewed independently by 3 pathologists and classified according to the current World Health Organization classification of pleural tumors. After the first round of evaluations, a consensus meeting was organized where problems were addressed and representative images for each histologic category were selected. Two months later, cases were reevaluated by all 3 pathologists. Results. After the first round, overall interobserver agreement for histologic subtyping of mesothelioma was fair (k, 0.36). The agreement was increased to substantial (k, 0.63) in the second round. Improvement was found in interobserver agreement for all types of MPM, and for most epithelioid subtypes. Conclusions. Moderate to substantial agreement in histologic typing and subtyping of MPM can be achieved. However, training with additional clarification of diagnostic criteria, their strict application, and help from consensus-based illustrative images is needed.
Keywords: connective and soft tissue neoplasms -- pathology, malignant pleural mesothelioma, histopathology
Published in DiRROS: 30.11.2020; Views: 5873; Downloads: 428
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3.
NSCLC molecular testing in Central and Eastern European countries
Ales Ryška, Peter Berzinec, Luka Brčić, Tanja Čufer, Rafal Dziadziuszko, Maya Gottfried, Ilona Kovalszky, Włodzimierz Olszewski, Buge Oz, Lukas Plank, József Tímár, 2018, original scientific article

Abstract: Background: The introduction of targeted treatments for subsets of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has highlighted the importance of accurate molecular diagnosis to determine if an actionable genetic alteration is present. Few data are available for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) on mutation rates, testing rates, and compliance with testing guidelines. Methods: A questionnaire about molecular testing and NSCLC management was distributed to relevant specialists in nine CEE countries, and pathologists were asked to provide the results of EGFR and ALK testing over a 1-year period. Results: A very high proportion of lung cancer cases are confirmed histologically/cytologically (75-100%), and molecular testing of NSCLC samples has been established in all evaluated CEE countries in 2014. Most countries follow national or international guidelines on which patients to test for EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangements. In most centers at that time, testing was undertaken on request of the clinician rather than on the preferred reflex basis. Immunohistochemistry, followed by fluorescent in situ hybridization confirmation of positive cases, has been widely adopted for ALK testing in the region. Limited reimbursement is a significant barrier to molecular testing in the region and a disincentive to reflex testing. Multidisciplinary tumor boards are established in most of the countries and centers, with 75-100% of cases being discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board at specialized centers. Conclusions: Molecular testing is established throughout the CEE region, but improved and unbiased reimbursement remains a major challenge for the future. Increasing the number of patients reviewed by multidisciplinary boards outside of major centers and access to targeted therapy based on the result of molecular testing are other major challenges.
Keywords: non-small-cell lung carcinoma, molecular diagnostic techniques, EGFR mutations, ALK rearrangements, Central Europe, Eastern Europe
Published in DiRROS: 30.11.2020; Views: 1540; Downloads: 888
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4.
Non-small cell lung cancer in countries of Central and Southeastern Europe : diagnostic procedures and treatment reimbursement surveyed by the Central European Cooperative Oncology Group
Ales Ryška, Rares Buiga, Albena Fakirova, Izidor Kern, Włodzimierz Olszewski, Lukas Plank, Sven Seiwerth, Erika Toth, Eri Zivka, Christiane Thallinger, Christoph Zielinski, Luka Brčić, 2018, original scientific article

Abstract: This article analyzes the availability of different diagnostic procedures of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the reimbursement landscape of drugs for NSCLC in countries of central and southeastern Europe (CEE). A survey was conducted by the Central European Cooperative Oncology Group. Results of the survey show that both availability and reimbursement of diagnoses of molecular alterations in NSCLC, the detection of which is essential for therapeutic decisions, varies widely between countries of CEE. Not only is "reflex" testing often substituted by analyses performed only "on demand," but reimbursement of such assessments varies widely between unavailability and payments by the health care system or even pharmaceutical companies. It was concluded that a structured access to testing and reimbursement should be the aim in order to provide patients with appropriate therapeutic options. Implications for Practice. This article provides an overview of the limitations in lung cancer treatment in countries of central and southeastern Europe, as well as the reimbursement status of various lung cancer treatment regimens in these countries, which directly impacts treatment options.
Keywords: Non-small cell lung carcinoma -- diagnosis -- economics -- Europe, molecular diagnostic techniques, precision medicine, Central Europe, Southeastern Europe, reimbursement
Published in DiRROS: 09.11.2020; Views: 1427; Downloads: 333
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5.
Lung cancer biomarker testing : perspective from Europe
Erik Thunnissen, Birgit Weynand, Dalma Udovicic-Gagula, Luka Brčić, Malgorzata Szolkowska, Paul Hofman, Silvana Smojver-Ježek, Sisko Anttila, Fiorella Calabrese, Izidor Kern, 2020, review article

Abstract: A questionnaire on biomarker testing previously used in central European countries was extended and distributed in Western and Central European countries to the pathologists participating at the Pulmonary Pathology Society meeting 26-28 June 2019 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Each country was represented by one responder. For recent biomarkers the availability and reimbursement of diagnoses of molecular alterations in non-small cell lung carcinoma varies widely between different, also western European, countries. Reimbursement of such assessments varies widely between unavailability and payments by the health care system or even pharmaceutical companies. The support for testing from alternative sources, such as the pharmaceutical industry, is no doubt partly compensating for the lack of public health system support, but it is not a viable or long-term solution. Ideally, a structured access to testing and reimbursement should be the aim in order to provide patients with appropriate therapeutic options. As biomarker enabled therapies deliver a 50% better probability of outcome success, improved and unbiased reimbursement remains a major challenge for the future.
Keywords: lung neoplasms -- diagnosis -- therapy -- Europe, lung cancer, predictive testing
Published in DiRROS: 21.09.2020; Views: 1571; Downloads: 1031
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6.
Outsourcing predictive biomarker testing in non-small cell carcinoma : a personal view of pathologists
Luka Brčić, Izidor Kern, 2020, short scientific article

Keywords: non-small cell lung carcinoma, diagnostic pathology, predictive biomarkers
Published in DiRROS: 27.07.2020; Views: 2053; Downloads: 1060
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7.
Clinical significance of histologic subtyping of malignant pleural mesothelioma
Luka Brčić, Izidor Kern, 2020, review article

Abstract: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is uncommon, but very aggressive tumor arising from the mesothelial cells of pleura, pericardium, peritoneum, and tunica vaginalis. Despite multimodality treatments 5-year survival is only 5% after the diagnosis. Histology and TNM staging system are still the best prognostic factors. Furthermore, histologic subtype of MM determines the clinical management of the patients. According to the 2015 WHO classification, MM is divided into diffuse, localized and well differentiated papillary mesothelioma. Major histologic subtypes of diffuse MM, namely epithelioid, biphasic and sarcomatoid, have different prognosis. However, in the last decade it has become evident that more detailed subclassification and histologic/cytological characterization of MM have prognostic and perhaps predictive implications. In this review, major histologic subtypes and cytological features of MM are presented and their relation with prognosis and predictive biomarkers is discussed.
Keywords: malignant mesothelioma, epithelioid malignant mesothelioma, biphasic malignant mesothelioma, sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma
Published in DiRROS: 22.06.2020; Views: 2168; Downloads: 1166
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