Biomedical subjects

Claudio Luchini

Publications and source records attributed to Claudio Luchini.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

AISP position statement: Standardising biological sample collection and handling for advanced diagnostics and multi-omic analyses in pancreatic cancer.

The quality of biological samples is a major determinant of analytical reliability and translational relevance in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, variability in specimen procurement, handling, transport, processing, and storage can substantially affect tissue integrity and the robustness of downstream analyses. This paper, promoted by the Pathology and Basic Science Task Force of the Italian Association for the Study of the Pancreas (AISP), brings together experts in pathology, molecular biology, translational research, medical oncology, and gastroenterology to provide practical recommendations for the collection, handling, and pre-analytical management of biological samples. Draft recommendations were discussed during dedicated working group meetings and approved by consensus among all authors, supported by key literature. The document identifies the biological specimen as the critical link between patient care, pathology, and research, and provides guidance for clinicians and professionals involved in sample procurement and processing. By addressing the requirements of different analytical platforms, including genomics, organoid generation, immunophenotyping, pharmacogenomics, and multiplex/spatial analyses, this paper aims to reduce pre-analytical variability, improve diagnostic accuracy, and enhance the clinical and translational value of molecular investigations in pancreatic cancer. Standardised procedures across centres may facilitate comparable data collection, support multicentre studies, and strengthen collaboration between clinicians, pathologists, and research laboratories.

Biobanking↗

PubMed2026

Intraductal Papillary Squamous Neoplasm (IPSN) of the Pancreas: Histological and Molecular Characterization of a Novel and Distinct Intraductal Cancer Precursor.

We report 6 intraductal papillary squamous neoplasms (IPSNs) of the pancreas, a rare but distinctive tumor whose biological features remain largely unknown. Five cases were investigated using an integrated approach combining histomorphological evaluation, immunohistochemistry, and multiregional molecular profiling through whole-exome DNA sequencing and whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing. Only targeted DNA sequencing was available on a sixth recently diagnosed case. Histologically, the intraductal lesions were characterized by large, confluent papillae with fibrovascular cores lined by multilayered epithelial cells with diffuse squamous differentiation. All cases harbored a concomitant invasive carcinoma. The associated invasive carcinomas consistently included a pancreatic tubular/ductal adenocarcinoma; in 5 cases, a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was also present, the proportion/features of which met the diagnostic criteria of adenosquamous carcinoma in 2 of them. Genomic analyses revealed that IPSNs and their matched invasive carcinomas shared the majority of somatic alterations, supporting a shared clonal origin for the 2 components. Activating KRAS mutations and biallelic inactivation of CDKN2A were detected in all cases. Recurrent mutations involved members of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex and KMT2D. Additionally, FGFR1 and MYC amplifications were identified in 2 distinct cases (1 case each). Molecular alterations restricted to the invasive component involved mediators of the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway. Transcriptomic profiling demonstrated a basal-like expression pattern in all IPSNs and squamous cell carcinomas, although in 2 cases, the matched pancreatic tubular/ductal adenocarcinoma shifted toward a classical transcriptomic subtype. In conclusion, through integrated histological assessment and multiregional molecular sequencing, we demonstrate that IPSN represents a bona fide precursor of invasive pancreatic cancer, a new addition to the intraductal neoplasms category. This study challenges the current paradigm that pancreatic squamous epithelium plays no role in the initiation of pancreatic carcinogenesis, providing the first evidence of its involvement in early tumorigenic processes and yielding immediate implications for pancreatic tumor classification and biological understanding.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Gastric Cancer: A Histopathologic Study With Comprehensive Molecular Profiling.

A subset of gastric cancers (GCs) is linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This study aims to characterize the histopathological and molecular features of EBV-associated GCs (EBVaGCs), focusing on predictive biomarkers and genomic and transcriptomic analysis. A total of 35 primary EBVaGCs were considered. The presence of EBV was confirmed with in situ hybridization. Immunohistochemical analyses for HER2, PD-L1, claudin 18.2, and mismatch repair proteins were performed. Genomic and transcriptomic profiles were assessed using AmoyDx Master Panel, which can identify single-nucleotide variants, InDels, and copy number variations on 571 hot genes, as well as microsatellite status, tumor molecular burden, and homologous recombination deficiency at the DNA level; however, at the RNA level, it identifies rearrangements/fusions in 45 genes and also quantifies the expression of 2396 cancer-related transcripts. The following histotypes were identified: carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (CLS; 69%), tubular (20%), and mixed (11%). Most cases were associated with atrophic gastritis (71%), and only 11% with dysplasia. The vast majority (94%) of EBVaGCs expressed EBV-encoded RNA in all tumor cells. Mismatch repair deficiency and HER2 overexpression were each observed in 6% of cases, whereas all tumors had a PD-L1-combined positive score ≥10. Sixty-six percent of cases showed moderate/strong claudin 18.2 expression in ≥75% of cancer cells. The most frequently altered genes were PIK3CA (41%) and ARID1A (17%). Transcriptomic analysis revealed substantial differential gene expression between EBVaGCs and EBV-negative controls, with upregulation of genes involved in antigen presentation, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction in EBVaGCs. Within EBVaGC, CLS showed higher expression of immune-related transcripts and higher PD-L1 expression than other histotypes. This study establishes EBVaGC as a distinct molecular class, with a distinctive profile of genomic alterations and expression of predictive biomarkers, and also with a unique immune microenvironment with enhanced cytotoxic activity. The findings highlight EBV's role in early tumor development and EBVaG-CLS as a distinct subgroup within EBVaGC, characterized by unique morphologic features and a pronounced immune activation profile.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Multi-omic profiling of intraductal papillary neoplasms of the pancreas reveals distinct patterns and potential markers of progression.

To enable early detection of pancreatic cancer from precancerous lesions, we analyze proteins and glycoproteins from 64 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), 55 cyst fluid samples, 104 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs), and various types of normal samples using mass spectrometry. High-grade IPMNs show enrichment of glycosylation level and tumor progression pathways compared to low-grade lesions. High-grade IPMN associated proteins, such as PLOD3, IRS2, LGALS9, and Trop-2, are identified and validated using immunolabeling and laser microdissection. Some high-grade associated proteins are also detected in pancreatic cyst fluids, which allows us to link proteins and glycoproteins expressed in neoplastic cells to clinically accessible biospecimens. Altered glycosylation level of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is observed in IPMNs compared to normal ducts. Additionally, we identify a subset of IPMNs with PDAC-like features, including elevated expression of ECM proteins. These findings offer insight into progression-associated proteins and emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of these proteins in pancreatic tumors.

Humans↗