Trop2-expression in primary vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Cancer Biomarkers
• Translational Research

Background:

• Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) incidence is rising, with limited therapeutic options beyond surgery and radio(chemo)therapy.
• Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) is an emerging therapeutic target in various cancers.
• Novel treatment strategies for VSCC are urgently needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the expression of Trop2 in VSCC.
• To investigate the correlation between Trop2 expression and clinicopathologic features in VSCC.
• To evaluate Trop2 as a potential therapeutic target in VSCC.

Main Methods:

• A next-generation tissue microarray (ngTMA) was constructed from 217 VSCC patient samples treated between 2000 and 2021.
• Trop2 expression was analyzed, alongside clinicopathologic characteristics including tumor stage, lymph node status, invasion patterns, grading, and p16/p53 subtypes.
• Patients were stratified into "low" and "high" Trop2 expression groups based on the median H-score.

Main Results:

• Trop2 expression was ubiquitous, detected in 100% of VSCC cases.
• High Trop2 expression was associated with the p16+/p53- subtype.
• Trop2 expression indicated a better prognosis in VSCC, though its impact varied by p16/p53 subtype.

Conclusions:

• The universal expression of Trop2 in VSCC positions it as a promising target for Trop2-directed antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) like sacituzumab govitecan (SG).
• Clinical trials are warranted to determine the safety and efficacy of sacituzumab govitecan for treating VSCC.