Cellular Senescence in Germ Cell Neoplasia In Situ (GCNIS) and Other Histological Types of Testicular Cancer

TL;DR

This study investigates the presence of senescent cells in different types of testicular cancer and premalignant lesions.

Contribution

The study is the first to document cellular senescence in germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS).

Findings

Senescent cells were detected in 43.3% of seminoma cases with an average of 20.81% GCNIS senescence.

Cellular senescence was more prevalent in premalignant lesions compared to malignant tumors.

GL13+ senescent cells were found in various testicular tumor types including chondrosarcoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumors.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The presence and contribution of senescent cells in premalignant lesions is well documented, but not in germ cell neoplasia in situ. The purpose of this study is to identify the presence of senescent cells in pre-malignant testicular conditions and in different histological types of testicular cancer. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients who underwent orchiectomy due to testicular tumors were included. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) testicular tissue for each patient was available. Sections from these specimens were examined by immunohistochemical analysis with the following markers: GL13 for cellular senescence, p21WAF1/Cip1 for cell cycle arrest, and Ki67 for cell proliferation. Results: Thirteen (43.3%) suffered from seminoma with a mean total proportion of GCNIS senescence of 20.81 ± 6.81%. In the group of embryonal testicular tumors, nine (30%) patients were included, with an average rate of 6.64 ± 5.42% of senescent cells in GCNIS. One (3.3%) patient suffered from chondrosarcoma in which 7.9% of GL13+ cells were detected in GCNIS. Four (13.4%) patients suffered from teratoma and three (10%) from yolk sac tumors, while GCNIS senescence was detected in a range of 4.43 ± 1.78% and 3.76 ± 1.37%, respectively. Conclusions: Cellular senescence was detected in both germ cell neoplasia in situ and testicular cancer, but was more prevalent within the premalignant lesions.

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