Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma with ALK Rearrangement: Frequency,Clinical-Pathologic Characteristics,and Response to ALK Inhibitor

PURPOSE: The incidence of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is controversial. In this study, we aimed to reveal the reliable frequency and the clinical-pathologic characteristics of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) with ALK rearrangement in Chinese population, and to provide insight into the translatability of anti-ALK treatment in this treatment-refractory disease. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using a Ventana anti-ALK (D5F3) rabbit monoclonal antibody was performed in 141 PSC specimens collected from multiple medical centers. IHC-positive cases were then confirmed using ALK fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The incidence rates and clinical-pathologic characteristics of ALK-rearranged PSC were then analyzed. Response to ALK inhibitor crizotinib in a patient with ALK-rearranged PSC was evaluated according to the response evaluation criteria for solid tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. RESULTS: Five of 141 (3.5%) of PSCs showed ALK rearrangement-positive by IHC and then were confirmed by FISH. Two were carcinosarcomas and the other three were pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC). Strong positive ALK rearrangement was observed in both the epithelioid and sarcomatoid components. The median age of ALK-positive patients was younger than that of ALK-negative patients. PSCs in never-smokers were more likely to harbor ALK rearrangement than those in former or current smokers (P < .05). A 40-year-old woman diagnosed with ALK-rearranged PPC experienced a partial response (?32%) to the ALK inhibitor crizotinib. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rates of ALK rearrangement in PSC in the Chinese population are similar to those of other subtypes of NSCLC. PSCs in younger never-smokers are more often to harbor ALK rearrangement. ALK inhibitors may serve as an effective treatment for ALK-rearranged PSC.     

Eighteen novel microsatellite markers for the greater long-tailed hamster (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tscherskia triton</Emphasis>)

Eighteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the greater long-tailed hamster (Tscherskia triton), a species of interest across northern China. The expected heterozygosity at these loci ranges from 0.6444 to 0.9196, with the observed allele numbers varying from 6 to 23. All loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and no pair displayed linkage disequilibrium after a Bonferroni correction. These markers should prove useful for studies of population structure, kinship, social structure and other interesting issues of this important species.     

Emerging Landscape of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Detection Technologies

Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy - In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified that has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Like all RNA viruses, severe acute respiratory...     

一些硬蜱的抗热性及其与表皮脂类关系

姜在阶(1973)曾对一些硬蜱在不同发育时期和不同生理状态下的抗热性特点及不同种类间的抗热性差异作过研究,提出可用硬蜱的抗热性作为鉴别物种的指标。一般认为,硬蜱的抗热性与保持水分平衡的表皮脂类密切相关。但是,关于蜱类表皮化学的研究,国内尚未见到报道。     

基于16S rDNA测序及培养基法探究虹鳟鱼贮藏优势腐败菌

为探究虹鳟鱼腐败机制,选取新鲜虹鳟鱼鱼片在0℃条件下进行贮藏.根据鱼肉样品的菌落总数和挥发性盐基氮(TVB-N)含量,确定虹鳟鱼鱼片的贮藏终点.利用传统培养基分离手段及16S rDNA高通量测序技术相结合的方法鉴定贮藏过程中的优势腐败菌.采用16S rDNA测序技术,对虹鳟鱼贮藏初期、中期及末期的腐败菌组成进行鉴定.1...