scholarly journals Evidence-based follow-up in colorectal cancer—quo vadis?

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Maglione ◽  
Alexander Perathoner

SummaryColorectal cancer is the third most common and the third most lethal cancer disease in the western world. As most patients undergo treatment with curative intent at initial diagnosis, postoperative surveillance protocols have been established with the primary aim to detect possible disease recurrence in an early resectable stage. Various international guidelines recommend an intensive surveillance protocol over a 5-year time period. These guidelines are based on the reported significant benefit regarding overall patient survival, and on the observation that 90% of recurrences occur within the first 5 years following resection. Surveillance protocols include regular clinical examinations, measurement of the carcinoembryonic antigen, computed tomography scans and regular endoscopies. While there is plenty of evidence regarding the scheduling of endoscopies, the frequency of carcinoembryonic antigen measurements and computed tomography scans has been ever since under debate. The benefit of intensive compared to low frequency surveillance protocols regarding disease-specific survival has never been shown. Moreover, recent meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials challenge current guidelines. Intensive carcinoembryonic antigen assessment and computed tomography scan follow-up protocols seem to fail in generating better overall and disease-specific survival in colorectal cancer patients compared to less intensive surveillance strategies. This change over the last few decades parallels the treatment evolution of colorectal cancer from a primarily surgical to a multidisciplinary task. Instead of advocating a reduction of the follow-up intensity, these findings should stimulate the colorectal oncology field to move from a one-fits-all to a patient-centered surveillance.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham Kalantari ◽  
Roya Ghods ◽  
Leili Saeednejad Zanjani ◽  
Mandana Rahimi ◽  
Leila Eini ◽  
...  

Abstract Isoform-specific function of doublecortin-like kinase 1(DCLK1) has highlighted key role of the DCLK1-S (short isoform) in maintenance, progression, and invasion of tumor. Therefore, this study was designed to produce an anti-DCLK1-S polyclonal antibody in order to specifically evaluate expression pattern and clinical significance of DCLK1-S in a well-defined tissue microarray (TMA) series of colorectal tissues including 348 colorectal cancer (CRC) and 51 adjacent normal tissues during a follow-up period of 108 months. Expression of DCLK1-S was significantly higher in CRC samples compared to adjacent normal samples (P < 0.001). Cytoplasmic expression of DCLK1-S was significantly higher in the tumors at advanced stage of the cancer and with poorer differentiation (P<0.001, P= 0.02). The patients with CRC whose tumors showed higher cytoplasmic expression of DCLK1-S had worse disease-specific survival (DSS) (log-rank test, P = 0.03) and 5-year DSS rates (P= 0.01). Additionally, an improved prognostic value was observed in the patients with CRC with high DCLK1-S expression vs. its moderate expression (HR: 2.70, 95% CI: 0.98-7.38; p =0.04) by multivariate analysis. Our findings strongly supported that high cytoplasmic expression of DCLK1-S compared to its moderate expression could be considered as an independent prognostic factor influencing DSS. Taken together, DCLK1-S can be a promising prognostic candidate and targeted-therapeutic indicator for effective treatment of CRC.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Elham Kalantari ◽  
Roya Ghods ◽  
Leili Saeednejad Zanjani ◽  
Mandana Rahimi ◽  
Leila Eini ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Isoform-specific function of doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) has highlighted the key role of the DCLK1-S (short isoform) in the maintenance, progression, and invasion of the tumor. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to produce an anti-DCLK1-S polyclonal antibody to evaluate DCLK1-S in human colorectal cancer (CRC) specifically. METHODS: The expression pattern and clinical significance of DCLK1-S were assessed in a well-defined tissue microarray (TMA) series of 348 CRC and 51 adjacent normal tissues during a follow-up period of 108 months. RESULTS: Expression of DCLK1-S was significantly higher in CRC samples compared to adjacent normal samples (P< 0.001). Cytoplasmic expression of DCLK1-S was significantly higher in the tumors at the advanced stage of cancer and with poorer differentiation (P< 0.001, P= 0.02). The patients with CRC whose tumors showed higher cytoplasmic expression of DCLK1-S had worse disease-specific survival (DSS) (log-rank test, P= 0.03) and 5-year DSS rates (P= 0.01). Additionally, an improved prognostic value was observed in the patients with CRC with high DCLK1-S expression vs. its moderate expression (HR: 2.70, 95% CI: 0.98–7.38; p= 0.04) by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings strongly supported that high cytoplasmic expression of DCLK1-S compared to its moderate expression could be considered an independent prognostic factor influencing DSS.


Author(s):  
Matthew W. Weber ◽  
Jeffrey Z. Nie ◽  
Victoria L. Watson ◽  
Nathan J. Nordmann ◽  
Joseph Bernard ◽  
...  

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Salman M. Toor ◽  
Varun Sasidharan Nair ◽  
Reem Saleh ◽  
Rowaida Z. Taha ◽  
Khaled Murshed ◽  
...  

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is influenced by infiltration of immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment. While elevated levels of cytotoxic T cells are associated with improved prognosis, limited studies have reported associations between CD4+ T cells and disease outcomes. We recently performed transcriptomic profiling and comparative analyses of sorted CD4+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from bulk tumors of CRC patients with varying disease stages. In this study, we compared the transcriptomes of CD4+ with CD8+ TILs. Functional annotation pathway analyses revealed the downregulation of inflammatory response-related genes, while T cell activation and angiogenesis-related genes were upregulated in CD4+ TILs. The top 200 deregulated genes in CD4+ TILs were aligned with the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) CRC dataset to identify a unique gene signature associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, 69 upregulated and 20 downregulated genes showed similar trends of up/downregulation in the TCGA dataset and were used to calculate “poor prognosis score” (ppScore), which was significantly associated with disease-specific survival. High ppScore patients showed lower expression of Treg-, Th1-, and Th17-related genes, and higher expression of Th2-related genes. Our data highlight the significance of T cells within the TME and identify a unique candidate prognostic gene signature for CD4+ TILs in CRC patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-275
Author(s):  
Felice Giuliante ◽  
Elena Panettieri ◽  
Francesco Ardito ◽  
Agostino De Rose ◽  
Krizia Pocino ◽  
...  

Background: Several prognostic factors were proposed to improve early detection of recurrence after liver resection of metastases of colorectal cancer. Circulating tumor cell-related transcripts were evaluated in colorectal cancer patients with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate usefulness of carcinoembryonic antigen CAM5, epidermal growth factor receptor, and ERCC1 transcripts in the bloodstream as predictive factors of recurrence in patients who underwent liver resection for metastases of colorectal cancer. Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from 29 patients at the time of the colorectal cancer liver metastasis resection, and from 25 normal controls. Follow-up draws (FUDs) were also performed at 30 days, and 3 and 12 months since surgery. On each sample, carcinoembryonic antigen CAM5, ERCC1, and GAPDH mRNAs were examined by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT). Results: Carcinoembryonic antigen transcript levels were linearly correlated to the number of spiked cells (qRT analytical limit = five cells). Among 29 patients (20 M/9 F; mean age 63 years (range 32–79), highly significant levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, if compared to the baseline, were detected in those relapsing after surgery ( P <0.05). The main differences were between the 1st- and 12th-month FUDs. Significantly higher levels of carcinoembryonic antigen were also detected in patients who died from disease progression during the follow-up (as evaluated at 30 days and 90 days FUDs). Conclusions: Blood carcinoembryonic antigen-mRNA absolute copy number overtime variation can represent a valid early predictor of relapse after liver resection in colorectal liver metastases patients. Prospective studies, in the context of large clinical trials, will provide further data to also qualify ERCC1 as a predictive biomarker for decisions on therapeutic strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11546-11546
Author(s):  
Mark Archer Eckardt ◽  
Danielle S. Graham ◽  
Brian E. Kadera ◽  
Kyle D. Klingbeil ◽  
Scott D. Nelson ◽  
...  

11546 Background: Surveillance imaging of patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RP-LPS) following surgical resection is based on a projected risk of locoregional and distant recurrence. The duration of surveillance is not well defined as the long-term natural history of RP-LPS after treatment is poorly understood. We evaluate a cohort of RP-LPS patients—without evidence of disease 10 years following initial resection—to assess the long-term risk of recurrence and disease-specific survival (DSS). Methods: The prospectively maintained UCLA Sarcoma Database was used to identify RP-LPS patients who demonstrated 10-year progression-free survival (10yr-PFS) after initial diagnosis and treatment. Patients in the 10yr-PFS cohort were subsequently evaluated for recurrence and DSS. Time intervals start at date of initial surgical resection. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine factors associated with recurrence and DSS. Results: From 1972-2010, 76 patients with RP-LPS had at least 10 years of follow-up. Of these, 37 (49%) demonstrated 10yr-PFS. Median follow-up was 15 years (range 10-35 years). Among the 10yr-PFS patients, 43% (16/37) developed a recurrence >10 years after the initial surgery, and 19% (7/37) died of disease. Neither long-term recurrence nor DSS were significantly associated with age, sex, tumor size, LPS subtype, surgical margin, or peri-operative treatment with radiation or chemotherapy (Table). Conclusions: Patients with primary RP-LPS treated with surgical resection +/- multimodality therapy have a long-term risk of recurrence and disease-specific death that is unacknowledged by current surveillance imaging guidelines. Among the patients with a 10yr-PFS, 43% developed a recurrence and 19% died of disease. These findings suggest a need for lifelong surveillance imaging in patients with RP-LPS.[Table: see text]


Author(s):  
Laurent Dercle ◽  
Binsheng Zhao ◽  
Mithat Gönen ◽  
Chaya S. Moskowitz ◽  
Dana E. Connors ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasquale Piombino ◽  
Giorgio Iaconetta ◽  
Roberto Ciccarelli ◽  
Antonio Romeo ◽  
Alessia Spinzia ◽  
...  

We report our experience with the repair of the orbital floor fractures and present new technical findings. We evaluated 30 subjects with pure blowout fractures treated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the Federico II University of Naples, Italy, between 2005 and 2007. A preoperative examination by computed tomography scans provided classification of the orbital floor fractures into small and large fractures by measurement of the bone defect to choose the appropriate reconstructive implant materials, resorbable or nonresorbable. The clinical follow-up has been performed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. We observed a resolution of preoperative symptoms. The scar was not evident, and there was an absence of postoperative complications. We concluded that the use of resorbable materials for small orbital floor fractures and nonresorbable materials for large orbital floor fractures offers satisfactory results in both functional and aesthetic considerations. Furthermore, the new technical findings allow standardization of the surgical technique to be more accurate, also reducing the economic costs.


2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 1100-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Holt ◽  
Rebecca A. Nelson ◽  
Lily Lai

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, elevated in a subgroup of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) at presentation, are serially followed as part of recommended surveillance after initial resection. The value of following serial CEA levels in patients who initially present with less than or normal levels of CEA (nonsecretors) is controversial. This study sought to determine the use of follow-up CEA levels in nonsecretors. A retrospective review was performed of patients with resected Stage I, II, and III CRC. We excluded patients who did not have a pretreatment CEA level, at least two follow-up CEA levels, or in whom CEA levels did not normalize after resection. The patients were grouped by initial CEA values: CEA 5 ng/mL or less (nonsecretors) and CEA 5 + ng/mL: (secretors). We identified 186 patients with CRC; 146 were initial nonsecretors. We identified 22 patients with recurrent colorectal cancer; 6 were secretors and 16 patients were nonsecretors. In the secretors group, CEA was elevated with recurrence in four (66%) of the patients. In the nonsecretors, CEA was elevated with recurrence in eight (50%) of the patients. In summary, many recurrences of CRC are marked by an elevation of CEA regardless of whether the patients initially presented as secretors or nonsecretors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Purun Lei ◽  
Ying Ruan ◽  
Jianpei Liu ◽  
Qixian Zhang ◽  
Xiao Tang ◽  
...  

Background. Evaluation of lymph node status is critical in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) treatment. However, as patients with node involvement may be incorrectly classified into earlier stages if the examined lymph node (ELN) number is too small and escape adjuvant therapy, especially for stage II CRC. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of the ELN on the survival of patients with stage II colorectal cancer and to determine the optimal number. Methods. Data from the US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database on stage II resected CRC (1988-2013) were extracted for mathematical modeling as ELN was available since 1988. Relationship between ELN count and stage migration and disease-specific survival was analyzed by using multivariable models. The series of the mean positive LNs, odds ratios (ORs), and hazard ratios (HRs) were fitted with a LOWESS (Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing) smoother, and the structural break points were determined by the Chow test. An independent cohort of cases from 2014 was retrieved for validation in 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS). Results. An increased ELN count was associated with a higher possibility of metastasis LN detection (OR 1.010, CI 1.009-1.011, p<0.001) and better DSS in LN negative patients (OR 0.976, CI 0.975-0.977, p<0.001). The cut-off point analysis showed a threshold ELN count of 21 nodes (HR 0.692, CI 0.667-0.719, p<0.001) and was validated with significantly better DSS in the SEER 2009 cohort CRC (OR 0.657, CI 0.522-0.827, p<0.001). The cut-off value of the ELN count in site-specific surgeries was analyzed as 20 nodes in the right hemicolectomy (HR 0.674, CI 0.638-0.713, p<0.001), 19 nodes in left hemicolectomy (HR 0.691, CI 0.639-0.749, p<0.001), and 20 nodes in rectal resection patients (HR 0.671, CI 0.604-0.746, p<0.001), respectively. Conclusions. A higher number of ELNs are associated with more-accurate node staging and better prognosis in stage II CRCs. We recommend that at least 21 lymph nodes be examined for accurate diagnosis of stage II colorectal cancer.


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