Prognostic role of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations in advanced colorectal cancer.

AIM: To explore the prognostic value of extended mutational profiling for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). MATERIALS & METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed survival results of 194 mCRC patients that were assigned to four molecular subgroups: BRAF mutated; KRAS mutated codons 12-13 only; any of KRAS codons 61-146, PIK3CA or NRAS mutations and all wild-type. Point mutations were investigated by pyrosequencing. RESULTS: BRAF (5.2%) and KRAS 12-13 (31.9%) mutations were associated with poorer survival (HR 2.8 and 1.76, respectively). Presenting with right-sided colon cancer, not resected primary tumor, WBC >10 × 10(9)/l, receiving less chemotherapy or no bevacizumab were all associated with inferior outcome. The all-wild-type subgroup (39.2%) reported the longest survival. CONCLUSION: Extended mutational profile combined with clinical factors may impact on survival in mCRC.

Risk of unplanned visits for colorectal cancer outpatients receiving chemotherapy: a case-crossover study.

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of chemotherapy on the risk of unplanned visit in a cohort of colorectal cancer outpatients. Chief complaints for unplanned visits and risk factors for hospital admission were also analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 229 consecutive colorectal cancer patients who were unexpectedly presented to our acute oncology clinic between 2006 and 2009 were reviewed. A case-crossover statistical analysis was applied to study the association between exposure to chemotherapy (trigger event) and the occurrence of unplanned visit (acute outcome) in three time windows (7, 15, and 21 days from the closest previous chemotherapy treatment). Cox model was used to assess the risk factors for hospitalization. RESULTS: There were 469 unplanned visits registered. Most of the patients had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0-1 (80 %) and advanced cancer stage (78 %). The majority of unplanned visits (72 %) occurred within 30 days since last chemotherapy. The most frequent presenting complaints were pain, fatigue, and anorexia. The two time windows associated with higher risk of visit were 15 and 21 days from last treatment, both for early (odds ratio [OR] 3.8, CI 1.4-10.2 and OR 3.8, CI 1.4-10.2) and advanced disease stage (OR 1.71, CI 1-2.9 and OR 3, CI 1.5-5.9). Of the unplanned visits, 10 % resulted in hospital admission. Presenting with multiple symptoms and with deteriorated PS were both predictors for hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy exposition triggers the need for unplanned visits over the second and third week after treatment. The prompt and effective management of unexpected events may be cost- and time-saving and reduce pressure on oncology services.

Biglycan expression and clinical outcome in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Conflicting results have been reported on the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in pancreatic cancer. Preclinical studies suggest that the overexpression of biglycan (proteoglycan-I, PG-I), a leucine-rich protein of the ECM, may induce growth arrest of pancreatic cancer cells. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of biglycan expression in pancreatic cancer. We also evaluated MIB-1 and COX-2 expressions (as potential markers of growth and aggressiveness) to better characterize the biology of the tumors. The classical pathological parameters (grading, desmoplasia, perineural, or vascular invasion) as well as molecular determinants of prognosis were examined. MIB-1 (a proliferative index associated with prognosis in most tumors), COX-2, and PG-I expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence on tissue samples from 53 patients with pancreatic cancer and reviewed by two independent pathologists. To verify PG-I expression, three rabbit sera (LF104, LF112, and LF121 from NIH, Bethesda, MA, US) were tested. Logrank test and Cox's model were applied for statistical analysis. Out of 53 patients, 40 had stage III and IV pancreatic cancer. Fourteen patients did not express any of the PG-I epitopes. The patients who expressed at least two PG-I epitopes had shorter survival compared to those with single epitope or lacking any expression (28 vs 44 weeks, P = 0.0021). The MIB-1 higher expression predicted shorter survival (25 vs 41 weeks, P = 0.0059). The other parameters were not associated with clinical outcome. Multivariate analyses confirmed PG-I expression and MIB-1 as independent negative prognostic factors. Patients who presented PG-I expression in the ECM had the worse prognosis compared to those who did not. Our results are not in contrast with the hypothesis that ECM proteins are a potential barrier to metastatic spread in localized pancreatic cancer. Rather, we underline the complexity of tumor-stroma interactions in the advanced stage of cancer and the need of further study.

Neurosurgical management and postoperative whole-brain radiotherapy for colorectal cancer patients with symptomatic brain metastases.

BACKGROUND: New systemic treatments for advanced colorectal cancer have conferred a survival advantage, allowing patients to reach a median survival of almost 2 years. Due to this remarkable life extension, the incidence of brain metastases, though still low, is progressively increasing over time. There is little reported data on the optimal strategy to manage brain lesions from colorectal cancer. METHODS: To explore the role of an aggressive approach to colorectal cancer brain metastases, we retrospectively collected and analyzed data from 30 patients who underwent neurosurgical resection + whole-brain radiotherapy between March 1998 and December 2006. Univariate (logrank) and multivariate (Cox's model) analyses were used to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: Median age at the time of surgery was 66 years, median ECOG PS was 1, most patients (87%) had concomitant lung and/or liver metastases. Median number of previous chemotherapies was two, with half of the patients being exposed both to oxaliplatin and irinotecan. A median of 27 Gy of radiotherapy were administered to 16 patients after resection. At the time of the analysis, 29 out of 30 patients had died, with a median survival time after brain metastasectomy of 167 days (8-682). Only one patient died within a month from surgery. Median survival was significantly longer in patients who received postsurgical radiotherapy (7.6 vs. 4.7 months, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgical management of symptomatic brain metastases from colorectal cancer is feasible, relatively safe, and offers a chance of prolonged survival. Patients who received radiotherapy after resection experienced a better outcome.