Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42488116›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in oncology2026

SMARCB1 (INI-1)-deficient carcinoma with eosinophilia and cervical lymph node metastasis of unknown primary: a case report and literature review.

Lei Zhang, Tian-Yu Wang, Xue-Song He, Quan Zhou, Hai-Juan Lv, Rui-Tao Lai, Zhe Jiang, Fen-Fen Jiang

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Lei Zhang *Department of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
Tian-Yu Wang *Department of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
Xue-Song HeDepartment of Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
Quan ZhouDepartment of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
Hai-Juan LvDepartment of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
Rui-Tao LaiDepartment of Ultrasonography, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
Zhe JiangDepartment of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
Fen-Fen JiangDepartment of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) represents a heterogeneous group of metastatic malignancies in which the primary site remains unidentified despite comprehensive clinical, laboratory, radiological, and pathological evaluation. CUP is generally characterized by aggressive biological behavior, poor prognosis, and the absence of standardized treatment strategies. Tumor-associated blood eosinophilia (TABE) is relatively uncommon and typically occurs after tumor dissemination, often indicating an unfavorable prognosis. SMARCB1 (INI-1) is a core subunit of the switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, and its functional loss can drive tumorigenesis through epigenetic dysregulation. However, cases of SMARCB1-deficient carcinoma presenting as CUP with marked TABE are exceedingly rare, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Case report: A 71-year-old man presented with a painless mass in the left side of the neck accompanied by generalized pruritus. Laboratory evaluation revealed persistent peripheral blood eosinophilia, and imaging studies demonstrated multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the left supraclavicular region and abdominal cavity. Histopathological examination of a lymph node biopsy showed poorly differentiated carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed loss of nuclear SMARCB1 expression. A final diagnosis of SMARCB1-deficient undifferentiated carcinoma was established, and comprehensive systemic evaluation failed to identify a primary tumor. The patient received paclitaxel combined with cisplatin and a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor. Immunotherapy was discontinued due to the development of immune-related cutaneous adverse events. Despite subsequent management, the disease progressed rapidly, with the development of brainstem metastasis, and the patient ultimately died. Conclusion: We report a case of SMARCB1-deficient undifferentiated carcinoma presenting as CUP, predominantly with cervical lymph node metastases, accompanied by marked TABE. The benefit of current empirical treatment strategies appears limited. Future prospective clinical studies targeting the epigenetic vulnerabilities of this entity are warranted to improve patient outcomes.

Indexed as

cancer of unknown primarySMARCB1switch/sucrose non-fermentable chromatin remodeling complexestumor-associated blood eosinophiliaundifferentiated carcinoma

Identifiers

PMID42488116
PMCPMC13388121

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.