Patterns of care and impact of prognostic factors in the outcome of NUT midline carcinoma: a systematic review and individual patient data analysis of 119 cases

NUT midline carcinoma is a rare tumour occurring in young adults which is frequently misdiagnosed as poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma or germ cell tumour. Though considered highly aggressive, there is limited information about the clinical behaviour of such patients. We intended to perform this review of published literature to assess the demographic profile, pattern of care and assess survival outcomes.

Two authors independently searched PubMed and Google search for eligible studies from 1950 till July 1 2017 published in English language using MESH terms NUT midline carcinoma; NUT midline carcinoma and radiotherapy and translocation 15:19 tumour.

Data of 119 patients were retrieved from 64 publications for statistical analysis. Median age of the entire cohort was 23 years (range 0–68 years). The analysis revealed equal incidence in males and females (60:58). The present analysis revealed that the most common location is the lung (n = 42) followed by head and neck (n = 40). Median OS for the entire cohort was only 5 months with 1 and 5 year OS for the entire cohort was 24.99 and 7.09% respectively. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy inclusion in primary treatment had a significant impact on overall survival on univariate analysis while surgery did not affect survival significantly. No impact on overall survival was found based on type of molecular translocation, i.e., NUT–BRD4, NUT–BRD3 or other variants. Inadequate data were available for identify impact of BET inhibitors and HiDAc on PFS and OS.

NUT midline carcinoma has dismal prognosis. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy improves survival, but do not provide long term control except in anecdotal cases. Further research is needed to improve outcomes in future.