
Background: Non-ampullary duodenal carcinoma (NADC) is extremely rare, and little is known about its clinicopathological features and molecular events. The aims of this study were to clarify (1) the clinicopathological features of and (2) molecular events occurring in NADC carcinogenesis.
Methods: Microsatellite instability (MSI), CpG island methylation in 7 tumor-associated genes, the phenotype (CIMP), KRAS/BRAF/GNAS mutations, and immunostain of PD-L1 in 32 NADC patients, comprising stage 0-II in 19 and stage III-IV in 13, were analyzed. Mucin phenotype was also analyzed and divided into 2 categories: the gastric-mixed phenotype (G-type) and the intestinal phenotype (I-type). Promoter methylation was assessed using methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting analysis.
Results: 1) Incidences of MSI, CIMP, and KRAS/BRAF/GNAS mutations were 61.3%, 28.1%, and 34.4%/3.1%/6.5%, respectively. However, 2) no significant associations between clinicopathological features and MSI, CIMP, or KRAS/BRAF/GNAS mutations were found. 3) NADCs located in the 1st portion of the duodenum were more frequently in the advanced stages (stages III-IV) compared with those in the 2nd and 3rd portion (p=0.0003). 4) G-type NADC tended to be observed in the 1st portion and were in the advanced stages (p=0.09 for each). 5) A significantly higher proportion of histologically moderate to poorly differentiated NADCs were of the advanced stage (p=0.003). 6) There was no significant association between MSI and PD-L1 expression. 7) Positive PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with histologically moderately to poorly differentiated NADCs (p=0.0006), I-type (p=0.04), and advanced stage (p=0.01).
Conclusions: NADCs in the 1st portion of the duodenum, of the G-type, and histologically moderately to poorly differentiated were frequently in the advanced stages. PD-L1 expression was associated with the histology, mucin phenotype, and tumor stage, but was not associated with molecular alterations.