Telogator: a method for reporting chromosome-specific telomere lengths from long reads.

MOTIVATION: Telomeres are the repetitive sequences found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and are often thought of as a 'biological clock,' with their average length shortening during division in most cells. In addition to their association with senescence, abnormal telomere lengths are well known to be associated with multiple cancers, short telomere syndromes and as risk factors for a broad range of diseases. While a majority of methods for measuring telomere length will report average lengths across all chromosomes, it is known that aberrations in specific chromosome arms are biomarkers for certain diseases. Due to their repetitive nature, characterizing telomeres at this resolution is prohibitive for short read sequencing approaches, and is challenging still even with longer reads. RESULTS: We present Telogator: a method for reporting chromosome-specific telomere length from long read sequencing data. We demonstrate Telogator's sensitivity in detecting chromosome-specific telomere length in simulated data across a range of read lengths and error rates. Telogator is then applied to 10 germline samples, yielding a high correlation with short read methods in reporting average telomere length. In addition, we investigate common subtelomere rearrangements and identify the minimum read length required to anchor telomere/subtelomere boundaries in samples with these haplotypes. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Telogator is written in Python3 and is available at github.com/zstephens/telogator. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Germline Cancer Susceptibility Gene Testing in Unselected Patients With Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hereditary factors play a role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Identification of germline predisposition can have implications on treatment and cancer prevention. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in CRC patients using a universal testing approach, association with clinical outcomes, and the uptake of family variant testing. METHODS: We performed a prospective multisite study of germline sequencing using a more than 80-gene next-generation sequencing platform among CRC patients (not selected for age or family history) receiving care at Mayo Clinic Cancer Centers between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020. RESULTS: Of 361 patients, the median age was 57 years (SD, 12.4 y), 43.5% were female, 82% were white, and 38.2% had stage IV disease. PGVs were found in 15.5% (n = 56) of patients, including 44 in moderate- and high-penetrance cancer susceptibility genes. Thirty-four (9.4%) patients had incremental clinically actionable findings that would not have been detected by practice guideline criteria or a CRC-specific gene panel. Only younger age at diagnosis was associated with the presence of PGVs (odds ratio, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12-3.56). After a median follow-up period of 20.7 months, no differences in overall survival were seen between those with or without a PGV (P = .2). Eleven percent of patients had modifications in their treatment based on genetic findings. Family cascade testing was low (16%). CONCLUSIONS: Universal multigene panel testing in CRC was associated with a modest, but significant, detection of heritable mutations over guideline-based testing. One in 10 patients had changes in their management based on test results. Uptake of cascade family testing was low, which is a concerning observation that warrants further study.

Usefulness of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic predictor after treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma." Review article.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory marker which has been investigated as a prognostic indicator in post-therapeutic recurrence and survival of patients with HCC. Our aim was to review all studies that assessed the prognostic value of pre-treatment NLR in predicting patient survival, cancer recurrence, and graft survival in patients undergoing various therapies for HCC. We searched the database of PubMed and Google Scholar to review all studies that have the word "NLR" and the word "HCC." We included all studies that assessed pre-treatment NLR as a prognostic factor in predicting outcomes in HCC patients. We excluded studies that assessed the correlation between post-treatment NLR or dynamic changes in NLR after treatment and HCC outcomes in an effort to minimize the confounding effect of each treatment on NLR. We reviewed 123 studies that studied the correlation between pre-treatment NLR and patient survival, 72 studies that evaluated the correlation between pre-treatment NLR and tumor recurrence, 21 studies that evaluated the correlation between NLR and tumor behavior, and 4 studies that assessed the correlation between NLR and graft survival. We found a remarkable heterogeneity between the methods of the studies, which is likely responsible for the differences in outcomes. The majority of the studies suggested a correlation between higher levels of pre-treatment NLR and poor outcomes. We concluded that NLR is a reliable and inexpensive biomarker and should be incorporated into other prognostic models to help determine outcomes following HCC treatment.

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Young Adult-Onset Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Management: Expert Review.

DESCRIPTION: The objectives of this expert review are: (1) to prepare clinicians to recognize the presentation and evidence-based risk factors for young adult-onset colorectal cancer (CRC), defined as CRC diagnosed in individuals 18 - <50 years of age; (2) to improve management for patients with young onset CRC. This review will focus on the following topics relevant to young adult-onset CRC: epidemiology and risk factors; clinical presentation; diagnostic and therapeutic management including options for colorectal and extra-colonic surgical intervention, chemotherapy and immune-oncology therapies; genetic testing and its potential impact on preimplantation genetics; fertility preservation; and cancer surveillance recommendations for these individuals and their family members. METHODS: The evidence reviewed in this manuscript is a summation of relevant scientific publications, expert opinion statements, and current practice guidelines. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 1: With the rising incidence of people developing CRC before 50 years of age, diagnostic evaluation of the colon and rectum is encouraged for all patients, irrespective of age, who present with symptoms that may be consistent with CRC, including but not limited to: rectal bleeding, weight loss, change in bowel habit, abdominal pain, iron deficiency anemia. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 2: Clinicians should obtain family history of colorectal and other cancers in first and second degree relatives of patients with young adult-onset CRC and discuss genetic evaluation with germline genetic testing either in targeted genes based on phenotypic presentation or in multiplex gene panels regardless of family history. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 3: Clinicians should present the role of fertility preservation prior to cancer-directed therapy including surgery, pelvic radiation, or chemotherapy BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 4: Clinicians should counsel patients on the benefit of germline genetic testing and familial cancer panel testing in the pre-surgical period to inform which surgical options may be available to the patient with young adult-onset CRC BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 5: Clinicians should consider utilizing germline and somatic genetic testing results to inform chemotherapeutic strategies BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 6: Clinicians should offer hereditary CRC syndrome specific screening for CRC and extra-colonic cancers only to young adult-onset CRC patients who have a genetically or clinically diagnosed hereditary CRC syndrome. For patients with sporadic young adult-onset CRC, extra-colonic screening and CRC surveillance intervals are the same as for patients with older adult-onset CRC.

MetaMarker: a pipeline for de novo discovery of novel metagenomic biomarkers.

SUMMARY: We present MetaMarker, a pipeline for discovering metagenomic biomarkers from whole-metagenome sequencing samples. Different from existing methods, MetaMarker is based on a de novo approach that does not require mapping raw reads to a reference database. We applied MetaMarker on whole-metagenome sequencing of colorectal cancer (CRC) stool samples from France to discover CRC specific metagenomic biomarkers. We showed robustness of the discovered biomarkers by validating in independent samples from Hong Kong, Austria, Germany and Denmark. We further demonstrated these biomarkers could be used to build a machine learning classifier for CRC prediction. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: MetaMarker is freely available at https://bitbucket.org/mkoohim/metamarker under GPLv3 license. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Synthesis of multi-omic data and community metabolic models reveals insights into the role of hydrogen sulfide in colon cancer.

Multi-omic data and genome-scale microbial metabolic models have allowed us to examine microbial communities, community function, and interactions in ways that were not available to us historically. Now, one of our biggest challenges is determining how to integrate data and maximize data potential. Our study demonstrates one way in which to test a hypothesis by combining multi-omic data and community metabolic models. Specifically, we assess hydrogen sulfide production in colorectal cancer based on stool, mucosa, and tissue samples collected on and off the tumor site within the same individuals. 16S rRNA microbial community and abundance data were used to select and inform the metabolic models. We then used MICOM, an open source platform, to track the metabolic flux of hydrogen sulfide through a defined microbial community that either represented on-tumor or off-tumor sample communities. We also performed targeted and untargeted metabolomics, and used the former to quantitatively evaluate our model predictions. A deeper look at the models identified several unexpected but feasible reactions, microbes, and microbial interactions involved in hydrogen sulfide production for which our 16S and metabolomic data could not account. These results will guide future in vitro, in vivo, and in silico tests to establish why hydrogen sulfide production is increased in tumor tissue.

A mutational comparison of adult and adolescent and young adult (AYA) colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: It is possible that the relative lack of progress in treatment outcomes among adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer is caused by a difference in disease biology compared with the corresponding diseases in younger and older individuals. There is evidence that colon cancer is more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis in AYA patients than in older adult patients. METHODS: To further understand the molecular basis for this difference, whole-exome sequencing was conducted on a cohort of 30 adult, 30 AYA, and 2 pediatric colon cancers. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in mutational frequency was observed between AYA and adult samples in 43 genes, including ROBO1, MYC binding protein 2 (MYCBP2), breast cancer 2 (early onset) (BRCA2), MAP3K3, MCPH1, RASGRP3, PTCH1, RAD9B, CTNND1, ATM, NF1; KIT, PTEN, and FBXW7. Many of these mutations were nonsynonymous, missense, stop-gain, or frameshift mutations that were damaging. Next, RNA sequencing was performed on a subset of the samples to confirm the mutations identified by exome sequencing. This confirmation study verified the presence of a significantly greater frequency of damaging mutations in AYA compared with adult colon cancers for 5 of the 43 genes (MYCBP2, BRCA2, PHLPP1, TOPORS, and ATR). CONCLUSIONS: The current results provide the rationale for a more comprehensive study with a larger sample set and experimental validation of the functional impact of the identified variants along with their contribution to the biologic and clinical characteristics of AYA colon cancer. Cancer 2018;124:1070-82. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Early genetic aberrations in patients with sporadic colorectal cancer.

Chromosome instability (CIN) is widely observed in both sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). Defects in APC and WNT signaling are primarily associated with CIN in hereditary CRC, but the genetic causes for CIN in sporadic CRC remain elusive. Using high-density SNP array and exome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we characterized loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and copy number variation (CNV) in the peripheral blood, normal colon, and corresponding tumor tissue in 15 CRC patients with proficient mismatch repair (MMR) and 24 CRC patients with deficient MMR. We found a high frequency of 18q LOH in tumors and arm-specific enrichment of genetic aberrations on 18q in the normal colon (primarily copy neutral LOH) and blood (primarily copy gain). These aberrations were specific to the sporadic, pMMR CRC. Though in tumor samples genetic aberrations were observed for genes commonly mutated in hereditary CRC (eg, APC, CTNNB1, SMAD4, BRAF), none of them showed LOH or CNV in the normal colon or blood. DCC located on 18q21.1 topped the list of genes with genetic aberrations in the tumor. In an independent cohort of 13 patients subjected to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), we found LOH and CNV on 18q in adenomatous polyp and tumor tissues. Our data suggests that patients with sporadic CRC may have genetic aberrations preferentially enriched on 18q in their blood, normal colon epithelium, and non-malignant polyp lesions that may prove useful as a clinical marker for sporadic CRC detection and risk assessment.

Loss of ZG16 is associated with molecular and clinicopathological phenotypes of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Zymogen granule protein 16 (ZG16) is one of the most significantly down-regulated genes in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. This study aimed to further evaluate its expression changes and investigate its association with molecular and clinicopathological characteristics of CRC. METHODS: We applied quantitative RT-PCR to determine expression difference between tumor and matched normal tissues from 23 CRC patients. To further validate the down-regulation in tumor tissues, we performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis in 40 paraffin-embedded normal-tumor pairs and 22 colon tissues with a variety of diseases. To evaluate if the ZG16 gene changes were associated with clinicopathological characteristics, we further analyzed the gene expression and copy number changes from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Oncomine datasets. RESULTS: Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed significant down-regulation (~ 130-fold) of ZG16 in all tumor tissues. ZG16 expression was in an organ-specific manner with an extremely high expression in normal epithelial cells of small intestine, colon and rectum. IHC analysis showed that ZG16 protein was completely lost in all of 40 CRC tissues, and partially lost in premalignant adenomatous polyps (adenomas) and chronic ulcerative colitis tissues. Gene expression and copy number changes were significantly associated with multiple molecular and clinicopathological features of CRC including microsatellite instability (MSI), MLH1 silencing, CpG island methylator phenotype, hyper-mutation status, gender, presence of synchronous adenomas, and histological type (P < 0.05). Patients with lower ZG16 gene expression showed shorter progression-free survival and overall survival than those with relatively higher expression (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis suggested that the ZG16 expression was an independent prognosis factor (P = 0.012, HR = 6.286, 95% CI = 0.816-0.975). CONCLUSION: For the first time, our study demonstrated that ZG16 expression was sequentially reduced from normal, adenoma, to carcinoma. Association with multiple clinicopathological features indicates that ZG16 may play an important role in cancer initiation and progression. ZG16 may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.

Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with telomere lengthening.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Telomere shortening is linked to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. Because these conditions are highly prevalent in OSA, we hypothesized that telomere length (TL) would be reduced in OSA patients. We identified 106 OSA and 104 non-OSA subjects who underwent polysomnography evaluation. Quantitative PCR was used to measure telomere length in genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples. The association between OSA and TL was determined using unadjusted and adjusted linear models. There was no difference in TL between the OSA and non-OSA (control) group. However, we observed a J-shaped relationship between TL and OSA severity: the longest TL in moderate-to-severe OSA [4,918 ± 230 (SD) bp] and the shortest TL in mild OSA (4,735 ± 145 bp). Mean TL in moderate-to-severe OSA was significantly longer than in the control group after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and depression (ß = 96.0, 95% confidence interval: 15.4-176.6, P = 0.020). In conclusion, moderate-to-severe OSA is associated with telomere lengthening. Our findings support the idea that changes in TL are not unidirectional processes, such that telomere shortening occurs with age and disease but may be prolonged in moderate-to-severe OSA.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we show that moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with longer telomeres, independent of age and cardiovascular risk factors, challenging the hypothesis that telomere shortening is a unidirectional process related to age/disease. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying telomere dynamics may identify targets for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular aging/other chronic diseases.

Novel Approach to Fecal Occult Blood Testing by Assay of Erythrocyte-Specific microRNA Markers.

BACKGROUND: Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) has historically relied on methods to detect hemoglobin with no fundamental innovations in decades. AIM: To examine microRNA (miRNA) as a new marker class for FOBT. METHODS: Candidate miRNA markers were identified by small RNA sequencing of human whole blood compared to colorectal epithelia. Markers were tested in human blood cell subsets and blood from non-human species. We assessed assay linearity in blood spiking and marker stability in stool over incubation experiments. Levels of candidate erythrocyte markers were explored in stools from colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and controls. RESULTS: Based on small RNA sequencing and validation RT-qPCR, expression level of each of the top blood-enriched markers (hsa-miR-144-3p, 144-5p, 451a, 486-5p, 363-3p, 20b-5p) could perfectly discriminate blood from colorectal epithelia. All six markers arose from and showed specificity to human erythrocytes. Marker levels increased linearly with erythrocyte concentration in saline or stool and demonstrated a broader dynamic range than did immunochemical test for hemoglobin. Degradation of markers occurred in stool but was reduced with preservative buffers. Erythrocyte marker candidates for stool testing were selected in an exploratory set of stools (20 CRC, 40 normal). Candidates were then further tested in a feasibility set (29 CRC, 31 advanced adenoma, and 115 normal); a miRNA panel (hsa-miR-451a, 144-5p, and 200b-3p as normalizer) yielded an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.82-0.95, P < .0001) for CRC. CONCLUSIONS: A novel miRNA-based approach accurately quantifies fecal blood levels over a broad, clinically relevant range.

Telomere structure and maintenance gene variants and risk of five cancer types.

Telomeres cap chromosome ends, protecting them from degradation, double-strand breaks, and end-to-end fusions. Telomeres are maintained by telomerase, a reverse transcriptase encoded by TERT, and an RNA template encoded by TERC. Loci in the TERT and adjoining CLPTM1L region are associated with risk of multiple cancers. We therefore investigated associations between variants in 22 telomere structure and maintenance gene regions and colorectal, breast, prostate, ovarian, and lung cancer risk. We performed subset-based meta-analyses of 204,993 directly-measured and imputed SNPs among 61,851 cancer cases and 74,457 controls of European descent. Independent associations for SNP minor alleles were identified using sequential conditional analysis (with gene-level p value cutoffs ≤3.08 × 10-5 ). Of the thirteen independent SNPs observed to be associated with cancer risk, novel findings were observed for seven loci. Across the DCLRE1B region, rs974494 and rs12144215 were inversely associated with prostate and lung cancers, and colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers, respectively. Across the TERC region, rs75316749 was positively associated with colorectal, breast, ovarian, and lung cancers. Across the DCLRE1B region, rs974404 and rs12144215 were inversely associated with prostate and lung cancers, and colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers, respectively. Near POT1, rs116895242 was inversely associated with colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancers, and RTEL1 rs34978822 was inversely associated with prostate and lung cancers. The complex association patterns in telomere-related genes across cancer types may provide insight into mechanisms through which telomere dysfunction in different tissues influences cancer risk.

Biologic and clinical characteristics of adolescent and young adult cancers: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and sarcoma.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer have not attained the same improvements in overall survival as either younger children or older adults. One possible reason for this disparity may be that the AYA cancers exhibit unique biologic characteristics, resulting in differences in clinical and treatment resistance behaviors. This report from the biologic component of the jointly sponsored National Cancer Institute and LiveStrong Foundation workshop entitled "Next Steps in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology" summarizes the current status of biologic and translational research progress for 5 AYA cancers; colorectal cancer breast cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, melanoma, and sarcoma. Conclusions from this meeting included the need for basic biologic, genomic, and model development for AYA cancers as well as translational research studies to elucidate any fundamental differences between pediatric, AYA, and adult cancers. The biologic questions for future research are whether there are mutational or signaling pathway differences (for example, between adult and AYA colorectal cancer) that can be clinically exploited to develop novel therapies for treating AYA cancers and to develop companion diagnostics.

Pouchitis Is a Common Complication in Patients With Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Following Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the surgical procedure most commonly selected for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or ulcerative colitis that is refractive to medical treatment. Pouchitis is the most common complication in patients with ulcerative colitis after IPAA, but is thought to rarely occur in patients with FAP. We investigated the frequency of pouchitis and other pouch-related complications in patients with FAP after IPAA. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients with FAP who underwent IPAA at a single tertiary institution from 1992 through 2015 (n = 113). Patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases-9 diagnostic and current procedural terminology codes. We obtained relevant demographic and clinical data from patients' electronic medical records. The frequencies of pouchitis and pouch-related complications were determined. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (22.1%) developed pouchitis (mean time to pouchitis, 4.1 years) and 88 did not (77.9%). Patients with pouchitis showed a trend toward developing late (>90 days after IPAA) pouch-related complications (56.0% of patients with pouchitis developed late complications, compared with 36.4% without). In patients who developed pouchitis, the disease course was acute in 72.0% and chronic in 28.0%. Of those treated, 69.6% responded to antibiotics, 13.0% became dependent on antibiotics, and 13.0% developed antibiotic resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Pouchitis is more prevalent in patients with FAP than previously believed. Although pouchitis seems to occur later in patients with FAP than in patients with ulcerative colitis, and have a milder course, it should be considered a common complication among patients with FAP following IPAA.

eRNA: a graphic user interface-based tool optimized for large data analysis from high-throughput RNA sequencing.

BACKGROUND: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is emerging as a critical approach in biological research. However, its high-throughput advantage is significantly limited by the capacity of bioinformatics tools. The research community urgently needs user-friendly tools to efficiently analyze the complicated data generated by high throughput sequencers. RESULTS: We developed a standalone tool with graphic user interface (GUI)-based analytic modules, known as eRNA. The capacity of performing parallel processing and sample management facilitates large data analyses by maximizing hardware usage and freeing users from tediously handling sequencing data. The module miRNA identification" includes GUIs for raw data reading, adapter removal, sequence alignment, and read counting. The module "mRNA identification" includes GUIs for reference sequences, genome mapping, transcript assembling, and differential expression. The module "Target screening" provides expression profiling analyses and graphic visualization. The module "Self-testing" offers the directory setups, sample management, and a check for third-party package dependency. Integration of other GUIs including Bowtie, miRDeep2, and miRspring extend the program's functionality. CONCLUSIONS: eRNA focuses on the common tools required for the mapping and quantification analysis of miRNA-seq and mRNA-seq data. The software package provides an additional choice for scientists who require a user-friendly computing environment and high-throughput capacity for large data analysis. eRNA is available for free download at https://sourceforge.net/projects/erna/?source=directory.

Prospective evaluation of adverse events following lower gastrointestinal tract EUS FNA.

OBJECTIVES: There are virtually no data concerning the risk of adverse events (AEs) following lower gastrointestinal (LGI) endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Our aim was to determine the incidence and factors associated with AEs following LGI EUS fine needle aspiration (FNA). METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study at a tertiary referral center. Five hundred and sixty-three patients underwent LGI EUS FNA between 1 January 2004 and 1 January 2012. We analyzed the 502 patients who had complete follow-up. AE severity was graded (1-5) utilizing Common Terminology Criteria or Visual Analog Scale. AEs were assessed during the procedures, in clinical follow-up, during phone interviews conducted at 7-14 days, and final clinical and/or phone interviews at 2-4 months. RESULTS: AEs developed in 103 (20.5%) patients and were classified as grade 1, 2, 3, or 4 in 34 (6.8%), 41 (8.2%), 23 (4.6%), and 5 (1.0%) patients, respectively. Bleeding and pain were the commonest AEs. No deaths occurred. On multivariate analysis, AEs were associated with prior pain (odds ratio (OR): 3.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.35-6.25), FNA from a site other than a lymph node (LN) or gut wall (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.10-4.70), and malignant FNA cytology (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.10-2.97); serious (grade 3-4) AEs were associated with prior pain (OR: 15.21, 95% CI: 5.04-45.85) and FNA from a site other than a LN or gut wall (OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.15-9.20). CONCLUSIONS: LGI EUS FNA is associated with a high rate of serious grades 3-4 AEs. This may reflect the total number of associated interventions and the frequency of underlying pathology and symptoms.

Endoscopically identified well-differentiated rectal carcinoid tumors: impact of tumor size on the natural history and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data pertaining to the natural history and outcomes of patients with well-differentiated rectal carcinoids. OBJECTIVE: To correlate endoscopic size with the natural history and outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Single tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Eighty-seven patients with endoscopically identified well-differentiated rectal carcinoid tumors. INTERVENTION: Colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of metastasis at diagnosis, disease progression, and survival. RESULTS: Metastasis was present at diagnosis in 3%, 66%, and 73% of tumors measuring ≤10 mm, 11 to 19 mm, and ≥20 mm, respectively. Metastasis was predicted with 100% sensitivity and 87% specificity using an endoscopic lesion size ≥9 mm. In patients without identified metastasis, 64% were identified during screening colonoscopy. Within this select cohort, subsequent metastasis was discovered only at distant extra pelvic sites, in 1.6%, 50%, and 100% of patients with tumors initially measuring ≤10 mm, 11 to 19 mm, and ≥20 mm, respectively. The carcinoid related 5- and 10-year survival rates for locally confined disease were 96%. The corresponding survival rates for local and advanced metastatic disease were 60% and 35%, respectively. LIMITATIONS: Subjective estimation of tumor size, mitotic index or Ki-67 labeling index not reported, and lack of formal and standardized baseline staging algorithm and surveillance program. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical behavior of 11- to 19-mm tumors appears to mimic that of larger (>20 mm) lesions with respect to the presence of metastasis at diagnosis and disease progression. Therefore, if local therapy is contemplated, we propose to make a distinction between ≤10-mm and 11- to 19-mm tumors, favoring an aggressive staging and management protocol for 11- to 19-mm carcinoid tumors.

An investigation of the colorectal cancer experience and receptivity to family-based cancer prevention programs.

PURPOSE: Cancer is a shared family experience and may provide a "teachable moment" to motivate at-risk family members to adopt cancer prevention and health promotion behaviors. This study explored how a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is experienced by family members and may be used to develop a family-based CRC prevention program. Preferences regarding content, timing, and modes of program delivery were examined. Social cognitive theory provided the conceptual framework for the study. METHODS: This study employed mixed methodology (semi-structured interviews and self-report questionnaires). Participants included 73 adults (21 patients, 52 family members) from 23 families (two patients were deceased prior to being interviewed). Most patients (n = 14; 67 %) were interviewed 1-5 years post-diagnosis. Individual interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed. RESULTS: For many, a CRC diagnosis was described as a shared family experience. Family members supported each other's efforts to prevent CRC through screening, exercising, and maintaining a healthy diet. Teachable moments for introducing a family-based program included the time of the patient's initial cancer surgery and post-chemotherapy. Reported willingness to participate in a family-based program was associated with risk perception, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and the social/community context in which the program would be embedded. Program preferences included cancer screening, diet/nutrition, weight management, stress reduction, and exercise. Challenges included geographic dispersion, variation in education levels, generational differences, and scheduling. CONCLUSIONS: CRC patients and family members are receptive to family-based programs. Feasibility concerns, which may be mitigated but not eliminated with technological advances, must be addressed for successful family-based programs.

Gastric adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis are common, but subtle, and have a benign course.

BACKGROUND: Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are known to have an increased risk for gastric adenomas. The clinical features of gastric adenomas in FAP have not been well characterized, and there is a lack of standardized approaches to the management of these lesions. AIMS: To study the endoscopic appearance, risk factors, clinical course, and response to therapy of gastric adenomas in patients with FAP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 97 patients with FAP who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at Mayo Clinic (Florida, Rochester and Arizona) between 2004 and 2013. RESULTS: Nine patients (9%) had biopsy-proven gastric adenomas. Adenomas were located in the antrum (five patients), in the body and fundus in the setting of background fundic gland polyps (FGP) (three patients), and in the body not associated with FGP (one patient). Adenoma size was 3-40 mm and the number of adenomas per patient ranged from one to 20. Adenomas in the antrum were flat and subtle, whereas those in the gastric body or fundus were polypoid and difficult to differentiate from the cystic FGPs seen in patients with FAP. The performing endoscopists reported difficulty with identifying adenomas, and six patients had at least one EGD within the previous three years where gastric adenomas were not reported. Adenomas were classified as tubular in eight patients and tubulovillous in one patient. High grade dysplasia was noted in one patient. After a median follow-up of 63 months (interquartile range: 20-149 months), no patient in our entire cohort (with or without gastric adenomas) developed gastric cancer. The patients in whom gastric adenoma developed, compared to those without gastric adenoma, were more likely to be younger [36 ± 12 vs. 48 ± 15 years, p = 0.02], have concomitant chronic gastritis [22% vs. 0%, p = 0.008], and have desmoid tumors [5 (56%) vs. 19 (22%), p = 0.04]. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric adenomas are not uncommon in patients with FAP and are often difficult to identify endoscopically. Endoscopists should have a high degree of suspicion for gastric adenomas in these patients and a low threshold to biopsy. Given the benign clinical course, recommended initial management is conservative with endoscopic therapy and periodic surveillance.

Genomic landscape of diploid and aneuploid microsatellite stable early onset colorectal cancer.

Although colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, the overall incidence and mortality from the disease have declined in recent decades. In contrast, there has been a steady increase in the incidence of CRC in individuals under 50 years of age. Hereditary syndromes contribute disproportionately to early onset CRC (EOCRC). These include microsatellite instability high (MSI+) tumors arising in patients with Lynch Syndrome. However, most EOCRCs are not associated with familial syndromes or MSI+ genotypes. Comprehensive genomic profiling has provided the basis of improved more personalized treatments for older CRC patients. However, less is known about the basis of sporadic EOCRC. To define the genomic landscape of EOCRC we used DNA content flow sorting to isolate diploid and aneuploid tumor fractions from 21 non-hereditary cases. We then generated whole exome mutational profiles for each case and whole genome copy number, telomere length, and EGFR immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses on subsets of samples. These results discriminate the molecular features of diploid and aneuploid EOCRC and provide a basis for larger population-based studies and the development of effective strategies to monitor and treat this emerging disease.