Loss of KCNQ1 expression in stage II and stage III colon cancer is a strong prognostic factor for disease recurrence

4004 Background: Despite recent advances in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, tailoring adjuvant treatment of stage II and III colon cancer patients remains controversial. Identifying a reliable panel of prognostic and predictive markers for tumor recurrence is critical in selecting an individualized and tailored chemotherapy. Tumor angiogenesis plays an important role in tumor development, progression and metastasis. In this retrospective study, we tested whether a specific pattern of 40 functionally significant polymorphisms in 37 genes involved in angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment will predict the risk of tumor recurrence in stage II and III colon cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: Between 1999 and 2006 blood specimens from 140 patients (69 females and 71 males with a median age of 59 years; range=28–86) were obtained at the University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (USC/NCCC). Sixty-three patients had stage II and 77 had stage III colon cancer. The median follow-up was 5.4 years (range=2.0–16.8). 51 of 140 patients (36.4%) developed tumor recurrence with a 5-year probability of 0.28 ± 0.06 for stage II and 0.40 ± 0.06 for stage III colon cancer patients. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and genotypes were determined using PCR based RFLP. Results: Polymorphisms in VEGF (C936T; p=0.009, log-rank) and VEGFR2 (+4422 AC- repeat; p=0.04, log-rank and +1416 T/A; p=0.0009, log-rank) were associated with risk of tumor recurrence in stage III colon cancer patients (n=77). VEGFR2 AC-repeat polymorphisms were additionally associated with risk of recurrence in Stage II colon cancer patients (n=63, p=0.02, log-rank). Conclusion: VEGF C936T and VEGFR2 (+4422 AC-repeat and +1416 T/A) polymorphisms may help to identify Stage II and III colon cancer patients who are at increased risk for developing tumor recurrence. Angiogenesis seems to play a crucial role in tumor recurrence, thus targeting VEGF and VEGFR2 may be of clinical benefit for stage II and stage III colon cancer patients. Large prospective trials are needed to validate these preliminary data. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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The effect of gaps in chemotherapy on survival in patients with high-risk stage II and stage III colon cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.34_suppl.180 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽

pp. 180-180

Author(s):

Yvonne Sada ◽

Zhigang Duan ◽

Hashem El-Serag ◽

Jessica Davila

Keyword(s):

Colon Cancer ◽

High Risk ◽

Stage Ii ◽

Stage Iii ◽

Clinical Factors ◽

Stage Iii Colon Cancer ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Multivariable Regression ◽

The Impact

180 Background: Current guidelines recommend six months of chemotherapy (CT) for stage III colon cancer and consideration for high-risk stage II colon cancer. No previous studies have examined the impact of CT gaps on survival. This retrospective study examines determinants of CT gaps and the effect of gaps on survival. Methods: Using national Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry-Medicare linked data, high-risk stage II and stage III colon cancer patients diagnosed between 2000-2007 who received surgery and CT were identified. CT duration and gaps were calculated. CT gap was defined as 30 to 90 days between two CT claims. Data on demographics, clinical factors (comorbidity, tumor grade), and treatment factors (time to CT initiation, toxicity, hospitalization) were collected. Multivariable regression was used to examine factors associated with gaps. Cox proportional hazards analysis examined the effect of gaps on risk of mortality. Results: 7,371 patients were identified. Median age was 75 (IQR: 71-79); 47% were male. Among all patients, 1,803 (24%) had a gap. 2,674 patients (36%) received 5 to 7 months of CT, of which 469 (18%) had a gap. Multivariable regression analysis showed that patients who were black (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.7), stage III (1.2, 1.0-1.3), had toxicity (1.3, 1.1-1.4), or had 3 to 4 months of CT (vs. 5-7 months, 2.6, 2.3-3.0) were more likely to have a gap, while patients with a more recent diagnosis in 2007(vs. 2000, 0.6, 0.5-0.8) were less likely to have a gap. 3-year cancer-specific survival was the same in all patients with CT gaps compared with no gaps (80%, 95% CI: 78%-82% vs. 81%, 95% CI: 80%-82%). Cox proportional hazard models showed that patients with gaps did not have increased risk of mortality (HR 0.99, 0.89-1.1) adjusting for patient and clinical factors. Among those who received 5 to 7 months of CT, 3-year survival was 8% lower in patients with gaps compared to those with no gaps (80%, 95% CI: 75%-83% vs. 88%, 95% CI: 87%-90%). Conclusions: Nearly 25% of high-risk stage II and III patients who received CT had a gap. CT gaps were associated with worse survival in patients who received 5 to 7 months of CT. Interventions to improve CT toxicity management and reduce gaps are needed to maximize the benefit of CT.

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