METHODS:: A literature search was done for articles published between 2002 and 2017 on Medline electronic databases. Of 249 titles identified, 38 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with 14 articles related to quantifiable imaging parameters (heterogeneity, vascularity, diffusion, cell density, infiltrations, perfusion, and metabolite changes) and 24 articles relevant to molecular biomarkers linked to imaging.

RESULTS:: Genes found to correlate with various imaging phenotypes were EGFR, MGMT, IDH1, VEGF, PDGF, TP53, and Ki-67. EGFR is the most studied gene related to imaging characteristics in the studies reviewed (41.7%), followed by MGMT (20.8%) and IDH1 (16.7%). A summary of the relationship amongst glioma morphology, gene expressions, imaging characteristics, prognosis and therapeutic response are presented.

CONCLUSION:: The use of radiogenomics can provide insights to understanding tumour biology and the underlying molecular pathways. Certain MRI characteristics that show strong correlations with EGFR, MGMT and IDH1 could be used as imaging biomarkers. Knowing the pathways involved in tumour progression and their associated imaging patterns may assist in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment management, while facilitating personalised medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, online searches of multiple databases were performed to retrieve articles from their inception until December 2017. Inclusion criteria included all English-based original articles of immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies investigating CAIX expression in human RCC tissue. Four articles were finally selected for meta-analysis with a total of 1964 patients. Standard meta-analysis methods were applied to evaluate the role of CAIX in RCC prognosis. The relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were recorded for the association between biomarker and prognosis, and data were analysed using MedCalc statistical software.

RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that high CAIX expression was associated with low tumour stage (RR 0.90%, 95% CI 0.849-0.969, p= 0.004), low tumour grade (RR 0.835%, 95% CI 0.732-0.983, p= 0.028), absence of nodal involvement (RR 0.814%, 95% CI 0.712-0.931, p= 0.003) and better ECOS-PS index (RR 0.888%, 95% CI 0.818-0.969, p= 0.007). The high tissue CAIX expression in RCC is hence an indication of an early malignancy with a potential to predict favourable disease progression and outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis of 60 thyroidectomy specimens (10 hyperplastic nodules, 14 follicular adenomas and 36 malignant thyroid neoplasms) was carried out. The extent and intensity of HBME-1, CK19, and S100 immunoreactivity was assessed in each case.

RESULTS: HBME-1 positivity was noted in 86.1% of malignant cases while the majority of the benign lesions were negative. Diffuse strong CK19 positivity was documented in 27/31 papillary carcinoma whereas all cases of follicular carcinoma and medullary carcinoma were negative. Most of the hyperplastic nodules and follicular adenomas were also CK19 negative, although focal weak staining was noted in a few cases. S100 was positive only in medullary carcinoma. HBME-1 was most sensitive (86.1%) and specific (87.5%) in distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid lesions. The diagnostic accuracy was further increased when HBME-1 was used simultaneously with CK19/S100/CK19+S100. The sequential use of HBME-1 and CK19 also proved beneficial in discriminating between the various follicular-patterned thyroid lesions.

CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old Japanese man presented with lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a prostatic mass; furthermore, prostate core needle biopsy revealed proliferating bland spindle cells, without necrosis or prominent mitoses. Tumour cells were positive for CD34 and progesterone receptor on immunohistochemical analysis; thus, a prostatic stromal tumour of uncertain malignant potential was initially suspected. However, as the tumour cells showed positive immunoreactivity for STAT6, the final diagnosis was an SFT of the prostate. The patient underwent tumour resection, and at the 6-month postoperative follow-up, neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis occurred.