Accelerated hypofractionated hemithoracic intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM): Results of a phase I/II study.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 7526-7526
Author(s):  
Marc de Perrot ◽  
Ronald Feld ◽  
Natasha B. Leighl ◽  
Isabelle Opitz ◽  
Masaki Anraku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy ◽  
Final Pathology ◽  
Concomitant Boost ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Disease Free

7526 Background: We developed a protocol with accelerated hypofractionated hemithoracic IMRT followed by EPP for MPM. Advantages include optimal delivery of radiation to the whole tumor bed in a short period limiting the risk of viable tumor cell spread during surgery. Methods: Patients with resectable clinical T1-3N0M0 histology proven MPM were eligible for the study. 25 Gy in 5 daily fractions over 1 week was delivered to the entire ipsilateral hemithorax by IMRT with concomitant boost of 5 Gy to volumes at high risk based on CT and PET scan findings. EPP was performed one week after the end of radiation. Adjuvant chemotherapy was offered to patients with ypN2 on final pathology. The primary end-point was treatment related mortality. Secondary endpoint included overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS). Initial sites of recurrence were also recorded. Results: Twenty five patients were accrued between 11/2008 and 10/2012. Patients had a median age of 64 years (range, 45-75), 76% were males, 64% had epithelioid histology. All patients completed IMRT and EPP. IMRT was well tolerated with no grade 3-5 toxicity. EPP was performed 6±2 days after completion of IMRT. Surgical complications occurred in 18 patients. One patient died from empyema at 88 days. All but one patient (stage IB) had stage III (n=11) or IV (n=13) disease on final pathology. Five out of 13 patients with ypN2 disease underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 19 months (range, 3-51), the estimated 3-year survival reached 62%. Survival was significantly better in epithelioid compared to biphasic pathologic subtypes (83% survival at 3 years vs 19%, respectively; p=0.004). 14 patients remain disease free after a median follow-up of 17 months (range, 3-37). 2-year DFS was 85% in stage III and 37% in stage IV disease (p=0.03). Recurrences occurred in the ipsilateral chest only (n=2), ipsilateral chest and distant sites (n=2), and distant sites only (n=6). Conclusions: Accelerated hypofractionated hemithoracic IMRT followed by EPP is feasible. This treatment could improve survival in selected patients with epithelial subtype. Clinical trial information: NCT00797719.

scholarly journals 300 Final analysis of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb trial of tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell vaccine in stage III/IV melanoma: 36-month analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A327-A327
Author(s):  
Lexy Adams ◽  
Robert Chick ◽  
Guy Clifton ◽  
Timothy Vreeland ◽  
Patrick McCarthy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Tumor Lysate ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Resected Stage ◽  
Disease Free ◽  
Stage Iv Melanoma

BackgroundThe tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine is created ex vivo by loading autologous dendritic cells (DC) with yeast cell wall particles (YCWP) containing autologous tumor lysate, thus delivering tumor antigens to the DC cytoplasm via phagocytosis. TLPLDC then activates a robust T cell response against the unique antigens for each patient. The primary analysis of the prospective, randomized, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb trial in patients with resected stage III/IV melanoma showed TLPLDC improved 24-month disease-free survival (DFS) in the per-treatment (PT) analysis (patients completing the 6-month primary vaccine series). Here, we examine the secondary endpoint of 36-month DFS and overall survival (OS).MethodsPatients with resected stage III/IV melanoma were randomized 2:1 to TLPLDC vaccine or placebo (autologous DC loaded with empty YCWP). Treatments were given at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12 and 18 months. The protocol was amended to include patients receiving concurrent checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) to follow changes in standard of care. The co-primary endpoints were 24-month DFS by intention-to-treat (IT) analysis and per-treatment (PT) analysis, with secondary endpoints including 36-month DFS and OS by ITT and PT analysis, pre-specified analysis by stage, and safety as measured by CTCAE v4.03.ResultsOverall, 103 patients received TLPLDC and 41 placebo. In PT analysis, 65 patients received TLPLDC and 32 placebo. Total adverse events (AEs), grade 3+ AEs, and serious AEs (SAEs) were similar in placebo vs TLPLDC groups, with one related SAE per treatment arm. By ITT analysis, 36-month OS was 76.2% for TLPLDC vs 70.3% for placebo (HR 0.72, p=0.437) and 36-month DFS was 35.6% vs 27.1% (HR 0.95, p=0.841). By PT analysis, 36-month DFS was improved with TLPLDC (57.5% vs 35.0%; HR 0.50, p=0.025, figure 1). This effect was even more dramatic in resected stage IV patients (36-month DFS: 60.9% vs 0%; HR 0.12, p=0.001, figure 2).ConclusionsThis phase IIb trial again demonstrates the safety of the TLPLDC vaccine, and an improved 36-month DFS in patients with resected stage III/IV melanoma who complete the primary vaccine series, particularly in the stage IV subgroup. Next, a phase III trial will evaluate the efficacy of TLPLDC vaccine as adjuvant treatment for resected stage IV melanoma, with patients randomized to receive standard of care PD-1 inhibitors + TLPLDC versus PD-1 inhibitors + placebo.Abstract 300 Figure 136-month disease free survival for patients receiving TLPLDC vs placebo by PT analysisAbstract 300 Figure 236-month disease free survival for subset of stage IV melanoma patients receiving TLPLDC vs placebo by PT analysisTrial RegistrationThis is a phase IIb clinical trial registered under NCT02301611Ethics ApprovalThis study was approved by Western IRB, protocol 20141932.

Three Versus 6 Months of Oxaliplatin-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: Disease-Free Survival Results From a Randomized, Open-Label, International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant (IDEA) France, Phase III Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (15) ◽  
pp. 1469-1477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry André ◽  
Dewi Vernerey ◽  
Laurent Mineur ◽  
Jaafar Bennouna ◽  
Jérôme Desrame ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iii Colon Cancer ◽  
Disease Free

Purpose Reduction of adjuvant treatment duration may decrease toxicities without loss of efficacy in stage III colon cancer. This could offer clear advantages to patients and health care providers. Methods In International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy (IDEA) France, as part of the IDEA international collaboration, patient with colon cancer patients were randomly assigned to 3 and 6 months of modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6: infusional fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) by physician choice. The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS), and analyses were descriptive. Results A total of 2,010 eligible patients received either 3 or 6 months of chemotherapy (modified intention-to-treat population); 2,000 (99%) had stage III colon cancer (N1: 75%, N2: 25%); 1,809 (90%) received mFOLFOX6, and 201 (10%) received CAPOX. The median age was 64 years, and the median follow-up time was 4.3 years. Overall, 94% (3 months) and 78% (6 months) of patients completed treatment (fluoropyrimidines ± oxaliplatin). Maximal grade 2 and 3 neuropathy rates were 28% and 8% in the 3-month arm and 41% and 25% in the 6-month arm ( P < .001). Final rates of residual neuropathy greater than grade 1 were 3% in the 3-month arm and 7% in the 6-month arm ( P < .001). There were 578 DFS events: 314 and 264 in the 3- and 6-month arms, respectively. The 3-year DFS rates were 72% and 76% in the 3- and 6-month arms, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.46; P = .0112). In the 3 and 6-month arms, respectively, for patients who received mFOLFOX6, the 3-year DFS rates were 72% and 76% (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.51); for the T4 and/or N2 population, they were 58% and 66% (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.82); and for the T1-3N1 population, they were 81% and 83% (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.49). Conclusion IDEA France, in which 90% of patients received mFOLFOX6, shows superiority of 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy compared with 3 months, especially in the T4 and/or N2 subgroups. These results should be considered alongside the international IDEA collaboration data.

Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin as Adjuvant Treatment for Colon Cancer

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly McLeon
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Treatment ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Reference Standard ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iii Colon Cancer ◽  
Study Intervention ◽  
Disease Free

The landmark MOSAIC trial examined whether the addition of oxaliplatin to a postoperative adjuvant treatment regimen of fluorouracil and leucovorin affected disease-free survival from colon cancer. The MOSAIC trial established the efficacy of FOLFOX over 5-FU/LV as adjuvant treatment for stage III colon cancer and established FOLFOX4 as the reference standard for adjuvant treatment for stage III disease. This chapter describes the basics of the study, including funding, year study began, year study was published, study location, who was studied, who was excluded, how many patients, study design, study intervention, follow-up, endpoints, results, and criticism and limitations. The chapter briefly reviews other relevant studies and information, gives a summary and discusses implications, and concludes with a relevant clinical case.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremity.

1988 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 1491-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
A E Chang ◽  
T Kinsella ◽  
E Glatstein ◽  
A R Baker ◽  
W F Sindelar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Dose Regimen ◽  
Soft Tissue Sarcomas ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
High Dose Regimen ◽  
Disease Free

We have previously reported the results of a randomized trial that demonstrated the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with high-grade extremity sarcomas compared with no chemotherapy. This regimen included doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate. This report updates and extends our experience. The median follow-up of this trial is now 7.1 years and reveals a 5-year disease-free survival of 75% and 54% for chemotherapy and no chemotherapy groups, respectively (two-sided P [P2] = .037). The 5-year overall survival for patients in this trial was 83% and 60% for the chemotherapy and no chemotherapy groups, respectively, with a trend towards improved survival in the chemotherapy arm (P2 = .124). Because of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy we performed a subsequent randomized trial comparing this high-dose regimen to reduced cumulative doses of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide without methotrexate. Eighty-eight patients were entered into this trial which has a median follow-up of 4.4 years. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival for patients treated with the reduced doses of chemotherapy was 72% and 75%, respectively, and was not significantly different from the high-dose regimen. No patients developed congestive heart failure on this study. We conclude that adjuvant chemotherapy improves disease-free survival in patients with extremity soft-tissue sarcomas. The overall survival advantage in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy in our initial randomized high-dose chemotherapy trial has diminished though it continues to favor the chemotherapy group. A reduced-dose chemotherapy regimen was found to be comparable to the high-dose regimen.

5-Year Results of Dose-Intensive Sequential Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Women With High-Risk Node-Positive Breast Cancer: A Phase II Study

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1118-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hudis ◽  
M. Fornier ◽  
L. Riccio ◽  
D. Lebwohl ◽  
J. Crown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Dose Dense ◽  
Disease Free

PURPOSE: We conducted a phase II pilot study of dose-intensive adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin followed sequentially by high-dose cyclophosphamide to determine the safety and feasibility of this dose-dense treatment and to estimate the disease-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients with four or more involved axillary lymph nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients received adjuvant treatment with four cycles of doxorubicin 75 mg/m2 as an intravenous bolus every 21 days, followed by three cycles of cyclophosphamide 3,000 mg/m2 every 14 days with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were assessable, and all but two completed all planned chemotherapy. There was no treatment-related mortality. The most common toxicity was neutropenic fever, which occurred in 39% of patients. Median disease-free survival is 66 months (95% confidence interval, 34 to 98 months), and median overall survival has not yet been reached. At 5 years of follow-up, the disease-free survival is 51.7%, and overall survival is 60.0%. There is no long-term treatment-related toxicity, and no cases of acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome have been observed. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study of doxorubicin followed by cyclophosphamide demonstrates the safety and feasibility of the sequential dose-dense plan. Long-term follow-up, although noncomparative, is promising. However, this regimen is associated with a higher incidence of toxicity (and also higher costs) than the standard dose and schedule of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, and therefore it should not be used as conventional therapy in the absence of demonstrated improvement of outcome. Randomized trials testing the dose-dense approach have been completed but not yet reported. Because the sequential plan can decrease overlapping toxicities, it is an appropriate platform for the addition of newer active agents, such as taxanes or monoclonal antibodies.

Randomized Clinical Trial of Adjuvant Mitomycin Plus Tegafur in Patients With Resected Stage III Gastric Cancer

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 3810-3815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lluís Cirera ◽  
Anna Balil ◽  
Eduard Batiste-Alentorn ◽  
Ignasi Tusquets ◽  
Teresa Cardona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Resected Stage ◽  
Disease Free

PURPOSE: The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer is controversial. We conducted a phase III, randomized, multicentric clinical trial with the goal of assessing the efficacy of the combination of mitomycin plus tegafur in prolonging the disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with resected stage III gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with resected stage III gastric adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned, using sealed envelopes, to receive either chemotherapy or no further treatment. Chemotherapy was started within 28 days after surgery according to the following schedule: mitomycin 20 mg/m2 intravenously (bolus) at day 1 of chemotherapy; 30 days later, oral tegafur at 400 mg bid daily for 3 months. Disease-free survival and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Between January 1988 and September 1994, 148 patients from 10 hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, were included in the study. The median follow-up period was 37 months. The tolerability of the treatment was excellent. The overall survival and disease-free survival were higher in the group of patients treated with chemotherapy (P = .04 for survival and P = .01 for disease-free survival in the log-rank test). The overall 5-year survival rate and the 5-year disease-free survival rate were, respectively, 56% and 51% in the treatment group and 36% and 31% in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our positive results are consistent with the results of recent studies; which conclude that there is a potential benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in resected gastric cancer.

Biologic behavior for patterns of recurrence and survival in ovarian versus uterine papillary serous carcinoma

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 15056-15056
Author(s):  
B. de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Serous Carcinoma ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Histological Features ◽  
Papillary Serous Carcinoma ◽  
Disease Free ◽  
Patterns Of Recurrence

15056 Background: Papillary serous carcinoma of the ovary (OPSC) and uterus (UPSC) are relatively uncommon malignancies with similar histological features. Information for their comparative behavior is lacking, hence a review was done to compare patterns of recurrence, disease-free and overall survival between the 2 groups. Methods: A retrospective review of 352 consecutive patients (pts) at a single institution with ovarian and uterine malignancies from 1991 through 2004 was done. Of these, 48 patients were identified with OPSC (n = 32) and UPSC (n = 16). To control surgeon as a prognostic factor, only pts undergoing surgery by a single surgeon were included. Stages at diagnosis, patterns of recurrence and survival for FIGO stages I-III with a minimum follow-up of 8 months were obtained from tumor registry, hospital and office records. The median follow-up for UPSC was 25 months and for OPSC was 46 months. Stage IV pts were excluded. Results: The mean age for OPSC and UPSC was 64 and 63 years respectively. Of the 32 OPSC pts, 94% had optimal debulking. In the UPSC group 88% had proper staging with lymph node dissection. The pts with OPSC had a mean overall survival of 60 months and a mean disease-free survival of 38 months for all stages combined. The pts with UPSC had a mean overall survival of 51 months and a mean disease-free survival of 40 months for all stages combined. Ten (31%) pts with OPSC had no recurrence. The remaining 22 (69%) pts had a total of 36 recurrences, the most common (17%) being pelvic masses (mean interval of 24 months). In the UPSC group, 9 (56%) had no recurrences. The remaining 7 (44%) had a total of 10 recurrences, the most common (30%) being peritoneal implants (mean interval of 17 months). Conclusions: UPSC is detected at an earlier stage twice as often as OPSC and yet it has lower overall survival. The disease-free interval is comparable, which shows that even after recurrence, the survival for OPSC is longer. Although OPSC and UPSC share similar histological features UPSC behaves more aggressively. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Clinical characteristics of clear cell ovarian cancer: A retrospective multicenter experience of 308 patients in South Korea.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17062-e17062
Author(s):  
Hee Yeon Lee ◽  
Ji Hyung Hong ◽  
Jae Ho Byun ◽  
Hee Jun Kim ◽  
Sun Kyung Baek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Clear Cell ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Stage Ia ◽  
Optimal Debulking ◽  
Disease Free

e17062 Background: Clear cell ovarian cancer is rare, accounts for about 3-10% of epithelial ovarian carcinoma, and is known to be associated with endometriosis. This tumor type has poor prognosis due to inherent chemoresistance. We investigated clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of clear cell ovarian cancer in South Korea. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 308 patients with clear cell histology ovarian cancer who underwent debulking surgery from 21 institutions in South Korea between 1995 and 2015. Results: Mean age was 51 years (range, 25-81) and 194 patients (63.7%) had stage I disease, 34 (11.1%) had stage II, 66 (21.6%) had stage III, and 11 (3.6%) had stage IV. 107 patients (34.9%) had endometriosis. 9 patients (2.9%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 248 (80.5%) received postoperative chemotherapy, and among them, 238 (96%) received taxane-platinum chemotherapy. 275 patients (89.3%) achieved optimal debulking. 112 patients (37%) had recurrence, 182 (59.1%) was disease-free, and 12 (3.9%) lost follow up. Median value of CA-125 was 72.34 U/ml (range, 1.9-8930), 45.7 in stage I, 98.9 in stage II, 192.1 in stage III, and 634.8 in stage IV. 1-year, and 3-year rate of disease-free survival (DFS) was 70%, and 63%, respectively. 1-yr DFS rate was 90% in stage Ia and Ib, 88% in stage Ic and II, and 60% in stage III and IV. According to the same stage grouping, 3-year DFS rate was 82%, 70%, and 40%, respectively. Overall survival (OS) rate at 1 year was 97%, 99%, and 90%, and 97%, 96%, and 88% at 3 year. Multivariate analysis revealed optimal debulking (HR 6.62, p < 0.001) as a significant prognostic factor for DFS. Among the 94 patients with early stage (Ia and Ib), 17 patients (18.1%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, and there was no significant difference in DFS according to adjuvant chemotherapy (log rank p = 0.57). Conclusions: In patients with clear cell ovarian cancer, optimal debulking surgery was associated with improved DFS. And the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in early stage clear cell ovarian cancer is elusive and needs further study.

scholarly journals Systematic Review: Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer with respect to Stage of Disease

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Shahab Hajibandeh ◽  
Shahin Hajibandeh
Keyword(s):  
Rectal Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Advanced Rectal Cancer ◽  
Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer ◽  
Stage Ii ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Disease Free

Background. Recent meta-analysis of 21 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) supports the use of adjuvant chemotherapy for nonmetastatic rectal carcinoma. In order to define a subgroup of patients who can potentially benefit from postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, this study aims to review trials investigating adjuvant chemotherapy with respect to stage of disease in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who had undergone surgery for cure (stage II and stage III). Methods. We searched electronic information sources to identify randomised trials evaluating adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stages II and III rectal cancer with overall survival or disease-free survival as outcomes. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network notes on methodology were used to assess the methodological quality of the selected studies. Random-effects models were applied to calculate pooled outcome data. Results. Eight studies reporting total of 5527 patients were selected for analysis. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival and overall survival compared to surgery alone in both stage II and stage III cancer. Conclusions. This study indicates that both stage II and stage III rectal cancer patients may benefit from postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients who already had neoadjuvant chemoradiation still remain unknown.

scholarly journals Folate pathway genes linked to mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration are associated with outcome of patients with stage III colorectal cancer

Tumor Biology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 101042831984623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Odin ◽  
Arvid Sondén ◽  
Göran Carlsson ◽  
Bengt Gustavsson ◽  
Yvonne Wettergren
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mitochondrial Biogenesis ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Folate Pathway ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patients ◽  
Disease Free

5-fluorouracil in combination with the folate leucovorin is the cornerstone in treatment of colorectal cancer. Transport of leucovorin into cells, and subsequent metabolic action, require expression of several genes. The aim was to analyze if tumoral expression of genes putatively involved in leucovorin transport, polyglutamation, or metabolism was associated with outcome of patients with stage III colorectal cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. A total of 363 stage III colorectal cancer patients who received adjuvant bolus 5-fluorouracil + leucovorin alone, or in combination with oxaliplatin according to Nordic bolus regimes were included. Expression of 11 folate pathway genes was determined in tumors using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and related to disease-free survival. The median follow-up time was 5 years. During follow-up, 114 (31%) patients suffered from recurrent disease. A high tumoral expression of the genes SLC46A1/PCFT, SLC19A1/RFC-1, ABCC3/MRP3, GGH, and MTHFD1L, which are involved in folate transport, polyglutamation, or metabolism, was associated with longer disease-free survival of the patients. Each of these genes either encodes mitochondrial enzymes or is being regulated by mitochondrial transcription factors. Expression of the SLC46A1/PCFT gene was most strongly associated with disease-free survival, regardless of treatment regimen. In conclusion, the results show that expression of folate pathway genes are associated with outcome of colorectal cancer patients treated with adjuvant 5-fluorouracil in combination with leucovorin. A prospective study needs to be conducted to determine if expression of these genes can be used to predict response to leucovorin and other folates that are now being tested in clinical studies. Moreover, there seems to be a link between folate metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration that deserves further exploration.

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