POLE-mutated clear cell cervical cancer associated with in-utero diethylstilbestrol exposure

Gynecologic Oncology Reports, Volume 28, Pages 15-17, May 2019

2019 Study Highlights

  • We report a POLE-mutated clear cell cervical cancer associated with in-utero DES.
  • Tumor exhibited increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression.
  • Patient remains in remission for ≥4 years after standard therapy.
  • POLE mutation confers a phenotype of higher immunogenicity and improved outcome.

Abstract

We report an extraordinary case of a woman, exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero, who developed clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix with a concurrent polymerase-Ɛ (POLE) somatic mutation. The tumor exhibited the classic phenotypic characteristics of POLE-mutated tumors originating from other organs (e.g. the uterus or the colon) including increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and high PD-L1 expression and has remained in remission since completion of primary therapy for >4 years. This case highlights the importance of next generation sequencing in unraveling the biology of rare tumors and supports that the presence of a POLE mutation and the associated ultramutated state confers a unique phenotype of higher immunogenicity and possibly improved prognosis in a tissue-agnostic manner, i.e. regardless of the type of cancer where the POLE mutation is present. Image credit bioinfo.

DES DiEthylStilbestrol Resources

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