Switch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) Complex—Partial Loss in Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A High-Grade Morphology Impact and Progression

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This study on SWI/SNF complex-partial loss in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma offers insights into its impact on tumor morphology and progression. However, certain areas require improvement.
However, certain areas require improvement.

1. In Fig S1, the magnification and contrast of the images are inconsistent, and the annotations use inconsistent uppercase formatting.
2. In Fig 4, the figure legend is incorrect and needs to be revised.
3. A table presenting the Cox analysis is missing and should be included for completeness.

Author Response

Thank you for your observations. We have addressed the following points:
1. Regarding Figure S1: We have changed the photomicrographs to enhance contrast while maintaining the same magnification, making them much easier to understand. We also modified the figure's description to appropriately use the indicators. You can see this in line 169.2. Concerning Figure 4: We have corrected the figure legend and included the indicators for each graph to ensure proper interpretation. You will find this in line 309.3. A table has been created and presented to complement the Cox analysis for accurate interpretation. You can view this in line 304.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

the paper is very interesting, focusing on the evaluation of the the status of the SWI/SNF 33 complex in sinonasal carcinomas, which are rare and aggressive neoplasms.

Moreover, correlation with morphology and patients survival are also studied.

This paper would add to the literature important information on this complex, how it is express in different types of sinonasal carcinomas and also the specific pattern of expression , which is an original result.

The high number of patients enrolled fot the study is significant, as sinonasal carcinoma in exceeding rare.

The methodology used is appropriate and clear, conclusions are consistent with the evidence and argument presented.

Results are widely and fully explained

Tables and figures are sufficient and clear.

References are sufficient, coherent and appropriate with the topic presented

I have some suggestions

• authors used a TMA method in order to have a high number of patient in one single slides; how many cores are taken per patient? Do the authors take cores of both the centre of the tumour and tumour margins? Do the have a positive control for the immunohistochemistry inside the TMA and what kind of tissue is the control?

Author Response

Thank you for your suggestions. Indeed, we used two tissue cores from each tumor; however, the criterion for tissue selection was based not on topography, but rather on the part of the tumor with 'high-grade characteristics,' since the objective of our work was to evaluate the status of SMARCA4 and SMARCB1 in areas of greater cellular dedifferentiation.

The external control used for the immunohistochemical reaction of SMARCB1 was brain tissue, with both endothelial cells used as an external and internal control. For SMARCA4, the external control was a germ cell tumor, while endothelial cells were used as the internal control.

You can see this suggestion reflected in line 133 of the manuscript, and regarding the control tissues, they are already described in lines 150 to 153."