Hepatic arterial infusion pump chemotherapy combined with systemic chemotherapy for borderline resectable and unresectable colorectal liver metastases: phase II feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic arterial infusion pump chemotherapy combined with systemic chemotherapy (HAIP-SYS) for liver-only colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) has shown promising results but has not been adopted worldwide. This study evaluated the feasibility of HAIP-SYS in the Netherlands. METHODS: This was a single-arm phase II study of patients with CRLMs who received HAIP-SYS consisting of floxuridine with concomitant systemic FOLFOX or FOLFIRI. Main inclusion and exclusion criteria were borderline resectable or unresectable liver-only metastases, suitable arterial anatomy and no previous local treatment. Patients underwent laparotomy for pump implantation and primary tumour resection if in situ. Primary end point was feasibility, defined as ≥70% of patients completing two cycles of HAIP-SYS. Sample size calculations led to 31 patients. Secondary outcomes included safety and tumour response. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with median 13 CRLMs (i.q.r. 6-23) were included. Twenty-eight patients (90%) received two HAIP-SYS cycles. Three patients did not get two cycles due to extrahepatic disease at pump placement, definitive pathology of a recto-sigmoidal squamous cell carcinoma, and progressive disease. Five patients experienced grade 3 surgical or pump device-related complications (16%) and 11 patients experienced grade ≥3 chemotherapy toxicity (38%). At first radiological evaluation, disease control rate was 83% (24/29 patients) and hepatic disease control rate 93% (27/29 patients). At 6 months, 19 patients (66%) had experienced grade ≥3 chemotherapy toxicity and the disease control rate was 79%. CONCLUSION: HAIP-SYS for borderline resectable and unresectable CRLMs was feasible and safe in the Netherlands. This has led to a successive multicentre phase III randomized trial investigating oncological benefit (EUDRA-CT 2023-506194-35-00). Current trial registration number: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04552093).

Treatment of Colorectal Lung Metastases: Two Centers Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Clear guidelines for colorectal lung metastasis (LM) treatment are not available. This study aimed to provide insight into the treatment strategies and efficacy of local and systemic therapy in patients with LM eligible for (potentially) curative treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with ≤5 LM discussed in two tertiary referral centers. Patient and tumor characteristics were compared between treatment groups. Treatment strategies were compared between centers and survival data between treatment groups, local treatment modalities, and treating centers. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients (median 2 LMs) were included. Seventy-one (77%) patients underwent local treatment (17 surgery, 13 ablation, 38 radiotherapy, 3 combination of local treatments) and 21 (23%) with systemic therapy alone. The latter group more frequently had extrapulmonary metastases (81.0% vs. 26.8%, p < 0.001) and synchronous presentation of LM (23.8% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.045). Choice of local versus systemic therapy and time to start treatment after diagnosis (median 109 days, IQR 44-240 vs. 88 days, IQR 53-168) were comparable between centers. Three-year survival rates did not differ between treatment groups, local treatment modalities, or treating centers. CONCLUSION: Treatment strategies and oncological outcomes were rather similar between centers. Survival outcomes were not different between locally and systemically treated patients.

Impact of the new rectal cancer definition on multimodality treatment and interhospital variability: Results from a nationwide cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the consequences of the new definition of rectal cancer for decision-making in multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT). The new definition of rectal cancer, the lower border of the tumour is located below the sigmoid take-off (STO), was implemented in the Dutch guideline in 2019 after an international Delphi consensus meeting to reduce interhospital variations. METHOD: All patients with rectal cancer according to the local MDT, who underwent resection in 2016 in the Netherlands were eligible for this nationwide collaborative cross-sectional study. MRI-images were rereviewed, and the tumours were classified as above or on/below the STO. RESULTS: This study registered 3107 of the eligible 3178 patients (98%), of which 2784 patients had an evaluable MRI. In 314 patients, the tumour was located above the STO (11%), with interhospital variation between 0% and 36%. Based on TN-stage, 175 reclassified patients with colon cancer (6%) would have received different treatment (e.g., omitting neoadjuvant radiotherapy, candidate for adjuvant chemotherapy). Tumour location above the STO was independently associated with lower risk of 4-year locoregional recurrence (HR 0.529; p = 0.030) and higher 4-year overall survival (HR 0.732; p = 0.037) compared to location under the STO. CONCLUSION: By using the STO, 11% of the prior MDT-based diagnosis of rectal cancer were redefined as sigmoid cancer, with potential implications for multimodality treatment and prognostic value. Given the substantial interhospital variation in proportion of redefined cancers, the use of the STO will contribute to standardisation and comparability of outcomes in both daily practice and trial settings.

Extrahepatic perfusion and incomplete hepatic perfusion after hepatic arterial infusion pump implantation: incidence and clinical implications.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigates the incidence of extrahepatic perfusion and incomplete hepatic perfusion at intraoperative methylene blue testing and on postoperative nuclear imaging in patients undergoing hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy. METHODS: The first 150 consecutive patients who underwent pump implantation in the Netherlands were included. All patients underwent surgical pump implantation with the catheter in the gastroduodenal artery. All patients underwent intraoperative methylene blue testing and postoperative nuclear imaging (99mTc-Macroaggregated albumin SPECT/CT) to determine perfusion via the pump. RESULTS: Patients were included between January-2018 and December-2021 across eight centers. During methylene blue testing, 29.3% had extrahepatic perfusion, all successfully managed intraoperatively. On nuclear imaging, no clinically relevant extrahepatic perfusion was detected (0%, 95%CI: 0.0-2.5%). During methylene blue testing, 2.0% had unresolved incomplete hepatic perfusion. On postoperative nuclear imaging, 8.1% had incomplete hepatic perfusion, leading to embolization in only 1.3%. CONCLUSION: Methylene blue testing during pump placement for intra-arterial chemotherapy identified extrahepatic perfusion in 29.3% of patients, but could be resolved intraoperatively in all patients. Postoperative nuclear imaging found no clinically relevant extrahepatic perfusion and led to embolization in only 1.3% of patients. The role of routine nuclear imaging after HAIP implantation should be studied in a larger cohort.

Delphi Initiative for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer (DIRECt) International Management Guidelines.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (eoCRC) are managed according to guidelines that are not age-specific. A multidisciplinary international group (DIRECt), composed of 69 experts, was convened to develop the first evidence-based consensus recommendations for eoCRC. METHODS: After reviewing the published literature, a Delphi methodology was used to draft and respond to clinically relevant questions. Each statement underwent 3 rounds of voting and reached a consensus level of agreement of ≥80%. RESULTS: The DIRECt group produced 31 statements in 7 areas of interest: diagnosis, risk factors, genetics, pathology-oncology, endoscopy, therapy, and supportive care. There was strong consensus that all individuals younger than 50 should undergo CRC risk stratification and prompt symptom assessment. All newly diagnosed eoCRC patients should receive germline genetic testing, ideally before surgery. On the basis of current evidence, endoscopic, surgical, and oncologic treatment of eoCRC should not differ from later-onset CRC, except for individuals with pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants. The evidence on chemotherapy is not sufficient to recommend changes to established therapeutic protocols. Fertility preservation and sexual health are important to address in eoCRC survivors. The DIRECt group highlighted areas with knowledge gaps that should be prioritized in future research efforts, including age at first screening for the general population, use of fecal immunochemical tests, chemotherapy, endoscopic therapy, and post-treatment surveillance for eoCRC patients. CONCLUSIONS: The DIRECt group produced the first consensus recommendations on eoCRC. All statements should be considered together with the accompanying comments and literature reviews. We highlighted areas where research should be prioritized. These guidelines represent a useful tool for clinicians caring for patients with eoCRC.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Systemic Therapy With or Without Maximal Tumor Debulking.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining a sufficient health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important in the palliative treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The ORCHESTRA trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01792934) is designed to prospectively evaluate overall survival benefit and impact on HRQoL of tumor debulking when added to first-line palliative systemic therapy in patients with multiorgan mCRC. In the present study, we report the HRQoL associated with this combination treatment compared with standard systemic therapy. METHODS: Patients included in the ORCHESTRA trial with clinical benefit after 3 or 4 cycles of first-line palliative systemic therapy with fluoropyrimidines and oxaliplatin with or without bevacizumab were randomly assigned to maximal tumor debulking followed by systemic therapy versus systemic therapy alone. Patients completed the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory questionnaire at prespecified time points during treatment. Between-group differences in HRQoL over time were evaluated with linear mixed model analyses. A pattern mixture approach was applied to correct for missing questionnaires due to progressive disease. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients were randomized to the intervention arm (n=148) or the standard arm (n=152). No statistically significant or clinically relevant differences in HRQoL and fatigue were observed when tumor debulking was added to systemic therapy. In patients of both study arms, HRQoL after 1 year of treatment was not significantly different from HRQoL at the time of randomization. Patients in the intervention arm experienced serious adverse events (SAEs) twice as often as patients in the standard arm (P≤.001). CONCLUSIONS: Maximal tumor debulking in combination with palliative systemic therapy in patients with multiorgan mCRC was significantly associated with more SAEs resulting from local therapy but no difference in HRQoL compared with palliative systemic therapy alone. There is a remarkable lack of association between the occurrence of SAEs and impact on HRQoL.

Feasibility of whole-genome sequencing-based tumor diagnostics in routine pathology practice.

The current increase in number and diversity of targeted anticancer agents poses challenges to the logistics and timeliness of molecular diagnostics (MolDx), resulting in underdiagnosis and treatment. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) may provide a sustainable solution for addressing current as well as future diagnostic challenges. The present study therefore aimed to prospectively assess feasibility, validity, and value of WGS in routine clinical practice. WGS was conducted independently of, and in parallel with, standard of care (SOC) diagnostics on routinely obtained tumor samples from 1,200 consecutive patients with metastatic cancer. Results from both tests were compared and discussed in a dedicated tumor board. From 1,200 patients, 1,302 samples were obtained, of which 1,216 contained tumor cells. WGS was successful in 70% (854/1,216) of samples with a median turnaround time of 11 days. Low tumor purity (<20%) was the main reason for not completing WGS. WGS identified 99.2% and SOC MolDx 99.7% of the total of 896 biomarkers found in genomic regions covered by both tests. Actionable biomarkers were found in 603/848 patients (71%). Of the 936 associated therapy options identified by WGS, 343 were identified with SOC MolDx (36.6%). Biomarker-based therapy was started in 147 patients. WGS revealed 49 not previously identified pathogenic germline variants. Fresh-frozen, instead of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, sample logistics were easily adopted as experienced by the professionals involved. WGS for patients with metastatic cancer is well feasible in routine clinical practice, successfully yielding comprehensive genomic profiling for the vast majority of patients. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Time dependent effect of cold ischemia on the phosphoproteome and protein kinase activity in fresh-frozen colorectal cancer tissue obtained from patients.

BACKGROUND: Based on their potential to analyze aberrant cellular signaling in relation to biological function, kinase activity profiling in tumor biopsies by peptide microarrays and mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics may guide selection of protein kinase inhibitors in patients with cancer. Variable tissue handling procedures in clinical practice may influence protein phosphorylation status and kinase activity and therewith may hamper biomarker discovery. Here, the effect of cold ischemia time (CIT) on the stability of kinase activity and protein phosphorylation status in fresh-frozen clinical tissue samples was studied using peptide microarrays and mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics. METHODS: Biopsies of colorectal cancer resection specimens from five patients were collected and snap frozen immediately after surgery and at 6 additional time points between 0 and 180 min of CIT. Kinase activity profiling was performed for all samples using a peptide microarray. MS-based global phosphoproteomics was performed in tumors from 3 patients at 4 time points. Statistical and cluster analyses were performed to analyze changes in kinase activity and phosphoproteome resulting from CIT. RESULTS: Unsupervised cluster analysis of kinase activity and phosphoproteome data revealed that samples from the same patients cluster together. Continuous ANOVA analysis of all 7 time points for 5 patient samples resulted in 4 peptides out of 210 (2%) with significantly (p < 0.01 and fold change > 2) altered signal intensity in time. In 4 out of 5 patients tumor kinase activity was stable with CIT. MS-based phosphoproteomics resulted in the detection of 10,488 different phosphopeptides with on average 6044 phosphopeptides per tumor sample. 2715 phosphopeptides were detected in all samples at time point 0, of which 90 (3.3%) phosphopeptides showed significant changes in intensity with CIT (p < 0.01). Only two phosphopeptides were significantly changed in all time points, including one peptide (PKP3) with a fold change > 2. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of the phosphoproteome as well as the activity of protein kinases in colorectal cancer resection tissue is stable up to 180 min of CIT and reflects tumor characteristics. However, specific changes in kinase activity with increasing CIT were observed. Therefore, stringent tissue collection procedures are advised to minimize changes in kinase activity during CIT.

Safety and Feasibility of Additional Tumor Debulking to First-Line Palliative Combination Chemotherapy for Patients with Multiorgan Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Local treatment of metastases is frequently performed in patients with multiorgan metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) analogous to selected patients with oligometastatic disease for whom this is standard of care. The ORCHESTRA trial (NCT01792934) was designed to prospectively evaluate overall survival benefit from tumor debulking in addition to chemotherapy in patients with multiorgan mCRC. Here, we report the preplanned safety and feasibility evaluation after inclusion of the first 100 patients. METHODS: Patients were eligible if at least 80% tumor debulking was deemed feasible by resection, radiotherapy and/or thermal ablative therapy. In case of clinical benefit after three or four cycles of respectively 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin or capecitabine and oxaliplatin ± bevacizumab patients were randomized to tumor debulking followed by chemotherapy in the intervention arm, or standard treatment with chemotherapy. RESULTS: Twelve patients dropped out prior to randomization for various reasons. Eighty-eight patients were randomized to the standard (n = 43) or intervention arm (n = 45). No patients withdrew after randomization. Debulking was performed in 82% (n = 37). Two patients had no lesions left to treat, five had progressive disease, and one patient died prior to local treatment. In 15 patients (40%) 21 serious adverse events related to debulking were reported. Postoperative mortality was 2.7% (n = 1). After debulking chemotherapy was resumed in 89% of patients. CONCLUSION: Tumor debulking is feasible and does not prohibit administration of palliative chemotherapy in the majority of patients with multiorgan mCRC, despite the occurrence of serious adverse events related to local treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This first prospective randomized trial on tumor debulking in addition to chemotherapy shows that local treatment of metastases is feasible in patients with multiorgan metastatic colorectal cancer and does not prohibit administration of palliative systemic therapy, despite the occurrence of serious adverse events related to local treatment. The trial continues accrual, and overall survival (OS) data and quality of life assessment are collected to determine whether the primary aim of >6 months OS benefit with preserved quality of life will be met. This will support evidence-based decision making in multidisciplinary colorectal cancer care and can be readily implemented in daily practice.

ShrinkBayes: a versatile R-package for analysis of count-based sequencing data in complex study designs.

BACKGROUND: Complex designs are common in (observational) clinical studies. Sequencing data for such studies are produced more and more often, implying challenges for the analysis, such as excess of zeros, presence of random effects and multi-parameter inference. Moreover, when sample sizes are small, inference is likely to be too liberal when, in a Bayesian setting, applying a non-appropriate prior or to lack power when not carefully borrowing information across features. RESULTS: We show on microRNA sequencing data from a clinical cancer study how our software ShrinkBayes tackles the aforementioned challenges. In addition, we illustrate its comparatively good performance on multi-parameter inference for groups using a data-based simulation. Finally, in the small sample size setting, we demonstrate its high power and improved FDR estimation by use of Gaussian mixture priors that include a point mass. CONCLUSION: ShrinkBayes is a versatile software package for the analysis of count-based sequencing data, which is particularly useful for studies with small sample sizes or complex designs.

Challenging case of deficient mismatch repair right-sided locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon with duodenal involvement: A case report including step-by-step video of operation.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Irresectable colon cancer presents a complex clinical challenge. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy has shown potential in improving resectability. Additionally, advancements in surgical techniques, including complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL), have contributed to better outcomes for right-sided colon cancer. This case report aims to demonstrate the successful laparoscopic resection of initial appearing irresectable colon cancer with suspected duodenal involvement. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old female presented with an irresectable mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon with suspected duodenal ingrowth. Neoadjuvant treatment with pembrolizumab and ataluren resulted in a significant response, allowing for surgical resection. A laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with CME, including CVL, intracorporeal anastomosis and extraction through a Pfannenstiel incision, was performed. Additionally, the serosal layer of the duodenum was shaved after observing the absence of intraluminal invasion. Postoperatively, transient gastroparesis occurred, but overall outcomes were favourable. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This case emphasizes the potential of immunotherapy in improving resectability for irresectable dMMR colon cancer with suspected involvement of surrounding organs. The combination of neoadjuvant therapy and advanced surgical techniques, such as CME with CVL, shows promise in achieving favourable clinical outcomes. However, further studies are needed to validate the effectiveness and safety of this combined approach in a larger cohort of patients. CONCLUSION: The successful laparoscopic resection of initially irresectable dMMR colon cancer with duodenal involvement, following neoadjuvant immunotherapy, demonstrated promising outcomes. This case advocates for further exploration of neoadjuvant treatments' efficacy, coupled with advanced surgical techniques, in managing locally advanced right-sided colon cancer.

Recurrent Colorectal Liver Metastases: Upfront Local Treatment versus Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy Followed by Local Treatment (COLLISION RELAPSE): Study Protocol of a Phase III Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The objective of the COLLISION RELAPSE trial is to prove or disprove superiority of neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by repeat local treatment (either thermal ablation and/or surgical resection), compared to repeat local treatment alone, in patients with at least one recurrent locally treatable CRLM within one year and no extrahepatic disease. METHODS: A total of 360 patients will be included in this phase III, multicentre randomized controlled trial. The primary endpoint is overall survival. Secondary endpoints are distant progression-free survival, local tumour progression-free survival analysed per patient and per tumour, systemic therapy-related toxicity, procedural morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay, pain assessment and quality of life, cost-effectiveness ratio and quality-adjusted life years. DISCUSSION: If the addition of neoadjuvant systemic therapy to repeat local treatment of CRLM proves to be superior compared to repeat local treatment alone, this may lead to a prolonged life expectancy and increased disease-free survival at the cost of possible systemic therapy-related side effects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1, phase III randomized controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05861505. May 17, 2023.

Local Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastases in the Presence of Extrahepatic Disease: Survival Outcomes from the Amsterdam Colorectal Liver Met Registry (AmCORE).

BACKGROUND: The simultaneous presence of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) and extrahepatic metastases in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) can be considered a relative contraindication for local treatment with curative intent. This study aims to assess the survival outcomes of patients with CRLMs and extrahepatic metastases after comprehensive local treatment of all metastatic sites. METHODS: Patients with CRLMs who received local treatment of all metastatic sites were extracted from the prospective AmCORE registry database and subdivided into two groups: CRLM only vs. CRLM and extrahepatic metastasis. To address potential confounders, multivariate analysis was performed. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In total, 881 patients with CRLM only and 60 with CRLM and extrahepatic disease were included, and the median OS was 55.7 months vs. 42.7 months, respectively. Though OS was significantly lower in patients with concomitant extrahepatic metastases (HR 1.477; 95% CI 1.029-2.121; p = 0.033), the survival curve plateaued after 6.2 years. Extrahepatic manifestations were pulmonary (43.3%), peritoneal (16.7%) and non-regional lymph node metastases (10.0%). In patients with pulmonary and non-regional lymph node metastases, OS did not significantly differ from patients with CRLM-only disease; concomitant peritoneal metastases showed an inferior OS (HR 1.976; 95% CI 1.017-3.841, p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: In this comparative series, OS was inferior for patients with multi-organ metastatic CRC versus patients with CRLMs alone. Nonetheless, the long-term survival curve plateau seemed to justify local treatment in a subset of patients with multi-organ metastatic CRC, especially for patients with CRLMs and pulmonary or lymph node metastases.

Improving sustainability of a patient decision aid for systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: A qualitative study.

Objective: To improve sustainability of a patient decision aid for systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, we evaluated real-world experiences and identified ways to optimize decision aid content and future implementation. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with patients and medical oncologists addressed two main subjects: user experience and decision aid content. Content analysis was applied. Fifteen experts discussed the results and devised improvements based on experience and literature review. Results: Thirteen users were interviewed. They confirmed the relevance of the decision aid for shared decision making. Areas for improvement of content concerned; 1) outdated and missing information, 2) an imbalance in presentation of treatment benefits and harms, and 3) medical oncologists' expressed preference for a more center-specific or patient individualized decision aid, presenting a selection of the guideline recommended treatment options. Key points for improvement of implementation were better alignment within the care pathway, and clear instruction to users. Conclusion: We identified relevant opportunities for improvement of an existing decision aid and developed an updated version and accompanying implementation strategy accordingly. Innovation: This paper outlines an approach for continued decision aid and implementation strategy development which will add to sustainability. Implementation success of the improved decision aid is currently being studied in a multi-center mixed-methods implementation study.

Exploring immune status in peripheral blood and tumor tissue in association with survival in patients with multi-organ metastatic colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) raises considerable clinical challenges, including a high mortality rate once the tumor spreads to distant sites. At this advanced stage, more accurate prediction of prognosis and treatment outcome is urgently needed. The role of cancer immunity in metastatic CRC (mCRC) is poorly understood. Here, we explore cellular immune cell status in patients with multi-organ mCRC. We analyzed T cell infiltration in primary tumor sections, surveyed the lymphocytic landscape of liver metastases, and assessed circulating mononuclear immune cells. Besides asking whether immune cells are associated with survival at this stage of the disease, we investigated correlations between the different tissue types; as this could indicate a dominant immune phenotype. Taken together, our analyses corroborate previous observations that higher levels of CD8+ T lymphocytes link to better survival outcomes. Our findings therefore extend evidence from earlier stages of CRC to indicate an important role for cancer immunity in disease control even after metastatic spreading to multiple organs. This finding may help to improve predicting outcome of patients with mCRC and suggests a future role for immunotherapeutic strategies.

Optimized whole-genome sequencing workflow for tumor diagnostics in routine pathology practice.

Two decades after the genomics revolution, oncology is rapidly transforming into a genome-driven discipline, yet routine cancer diagnostics is still mainly microscopy based, except for tumor type-specific predictive molecular tests. Pathology laboratories struggle to quickly validate and adopt biomarkers identified by genomics studies of new targeted therapies. Consequently, clinical implementation of newly approved biomarkers suffers substantial delays, leading to unequal patient access to these therapies. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) can successfully address these challenges by providing a stable molecular diagnostic platform that allows detection of a multitude of genomic alterations in a single cost-efficient assay and facilitating rapid implementation, as well as by the development of new genomic biomarkers. Recently, the Whole-genome sequencing Implementation in standard Diagnostics for Every cancer patient (WIDE) study demonstrated that WGS is a feasible and clinically valid technique in routine clinical practice with a turnaround time of 11 workdays. As a result, WGS was successfully implemented at the Netherlands Cancer Institute as part of routine diagnostics in January 2021. The success of implementing WGS has relied on adhering to a comprehensive protocol including recording patient information, sample collection, shipment and storage logistics, sequencing data interpretation and reporting, integration into clinical decision-making and data usage. This protocol describes the use of fresh-frozen samples that are necessary for WGS but can be challenging to implement in pathology laboratories accustomed to using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. In addition, the protocol outlines key considerations to guide uptake of WGS in routine clinical care in hospitals worldwide.

Abandonment of Routine Radiotherapy for Nonlocally Advanced Rectal Cancer and Oncological Outcomes.

Importance: Neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy was routinely applied for nonlocally advanced rectal cancer (cT1-3N0-1M0 with >1 mm distance to the mesorectal fascia) in the Netherlands following the Dutch total mesorectal excision trial. This policy has shifted toward selective application after guideline revision in 2014. Objective: To determine the association of decreased use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy with cancer-related outcomes and overall survival at a national level. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, population-based, nationwide cross-sectional cohort study analyzed Dutch patients with rectal cancer who were treated in 2011 with a 4-year follow-up. A similar study was performed in 2021, analyzing all patients that were surgically treated in 2016. From these cohorts, all patients with cT1-3N0-1M0 rectal cancer and radiologically unthreatened mesorectal fascia were included in the current study. The data of the 2011 cohort were collected between May and October 2015, and the data of the 2016 cohort were collected between October 2020 and November 2021. The data were analyzed between May and October 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were 4-year local recurrence and overall survival rates. Results: Among the 2011 and 2016 cohorts, 1199 (mean [SD] age, 68 [11] years; 430 women [36%]) of 2095 patients (57.2%) and 1576 (mean [SD] age, 68 [10] years; 547 women [35%]) of 3057 patients (51.6%) had cT1-3N0-1M0 rectal cancer and were included, with proportions of neoadjuvant radiotherapy of 87% (2011) and 37% (2016). Four-year local recurrence rates were 5.8% and 5.5%, respectively (P = .99). Compared with the 2011 cohort, 4-year overall survival was significantly higher in the 2016 cohort (79.6% vs 86.4%; P < .001), with lower non-cancer-related mortality (13.8% vs 6.3%; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this cross-sectional study suggest that an absolute 50% reduction in radiotherapy use for nonlocally advanced rectal cancer did not compromise cancer-related outcomes at a national level. Optimizing clinical staging and surgery following the Dutch total mesorectal excision trial has potentially enabled safe deintensification of treatment.

Lack of microRNA-101 causes E-cadherin functional deregulation through EZH2 up-regulation in intestinal gastric cancer.

E-cadherin expression disruption is commonly observed in metastatic epithelial cancers and is a crucial step in gastric cancer (GC) initiation and progression. As aberrant expression of microRNAs often perturb the normal expression/function of pivotal cancer-related genes, we characterized and dissected a pathway that causes E-cadherin dysfunction via loss of microRNA-101 and up-regulation of EZH2 expression in GC. MicroRNA microarray expression profiling and array-CGH were used to reinforce miR-101 involvement in GC. By using quantitative real-time PCR and quantitative SNaPshot genomic PCR, we confirmed that miR-101 was significantly down-regulated in GC (p < 0.0089) in comparison with normal gastric mucosas and, at least in 65% of the GC cases analysed, this down-regulation was caused by deletions and/or microdeletions at miR-101 genomic loci. Moreover, around 40% of cases showing miR-101 down-regulation displayed concomitant EZH2 over-expression (at the RNA and protein levels), which, in turn, was associated with loss/aberrant expression of E-cadherin. Interestingly, this occurred preferentially in intestinal-type GCs, retaining allele(s) untargeted by classical CDH1-inactivating mechanisms. We also demonstrated that miR-101 gain of function or direct inhibition of EZH2 in Kato III GC cells led to a strong depletion of endogenous EZH2 and consequent rescue of E-cadherin membranous localization, mimicking results obtained in clinical GC samples. In conclusion, we show that deletions and/or microdeletions at both miR-101 genomic loci cause mature miR-101 down-regulation, subsequent EZH2 over-expression and E-cadherin dysfunction, specifically in intestinal-type GC.

Quality of life of patients with rare cancer: a comparison with patients with colorectal cancer and the association with disease trajectory-related factors.

PURPOSE: Differences in quality of life (QoL) between patients with rare and common cancer might be explained by the specific challenges patients with rare cancer face during their disease trajectory, but research is scarce. This study aimed to (1) assess the difference in QoL between patients with rare and common cancer (i.e. colorectal cancer (CRC)) and (2) examine the association between disease trajectory-related factors and QoL in patients with rare cancer. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected among adults with rare cancer by a nationwide online survey in the Netherlands. For comparison with patients with CRC, data from the Prospective Dutch Colorectal Cancer (PLCRC) cohort were used. Associations were assessed by linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Data from 1525 patients with rare cancer and 1047 patients with CRC were analysed. Having a rare cancer was significantly associated with a lower QoL compared to having CRC (p < 0.001). Disease trajectory-related factors significantly associated with QoL in patients with rare cancer were time until diagnosis, misdiagnoses, information on best treatment options, information on late and/or long-term effects, and both satisfaction with physician and specialized nurse care (all: p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with rare cancers have a lower self-reported QoL than patients with CRC, and several disease trajectory-related factors are associated with QoL in patients with rare cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: To improve QoL of patients with rare cancer, appropriate guidance and support by healthcare professionals throughout the disease trajectory are needed, as well as early diagnosis and proper referral to centres of expertise.

Efficacy of Thermal Ablation for Small-Size (0-3 cm) versus Intermediate-Size (3-5 cm) Colorectal Liver Metastases: Results from the Amsterdam Colorectal Liver Met Registry (AmCORE).

PURPOSE: Thermal ablation is widely recognized as the standard of care for small-size unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). For larger CRLM safety, local control and overall efficacy are not well established and insufficiently validated. The purpose of this comparative series was to analyze outcomes for intermediate-size versus small-size CRLM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients treated with thermal ablation between December 2000 and November 2021 for small-size and intermediate-size CRLM were included. The primary endpoints were complication rate and local control (LC). Secondary endpoints included local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In total, 59 patients were included in the intermediate-size (3-5 cm) group and 221 in the small-size (0-3 cm) group. Complications were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.546). No significant difference between the groups was found in an overall comparison of OS (HR 1.339; 95% CI 0.824-2.176; p = 0.239). LTPFS (HR 3.388; p < 0.001) and LC (HR 3.744; p = 0.004) were superior in the small-size group. Nevertheless, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year LC for intermediate-size CRLM was still 93.9%, 85.4%, and 81.5%, and technical efficacy improved over time. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal ablation for intermediate-size unresectable CRLM is safe and induces long-term LC in the vast majority. The results of the COLLISION-XL trial (unresectable colorectal liver metastases: stereotactic body radiotherapy versus microwave ablation-a phase II randomized controlled trial for CRLM 3-5 cm) are required to provide further clarification of the role of local ablative methods for intermediate-size unresectable CRLM.