Determination of the activity of CD134 (OX-40) and CD137 (4-1BB) adhesive molecules by means of flow cytometry in patients with colorectal cancer metastases to the liver.

UNLABELLED: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common reasons of mortality in patients diagnosed with neoplasms. In nearly 20% of patients with colorectal carcinoma metastatic lesions are diagnosed. In general, survival of patients with metastatic lesions to the liver and other organs is poor. Conventional therapy of colorectal carcinoma is based on the surgical excision of the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was to determine the expression of CD134 and CD137 molecules inside the tumor, at the border of the tumor, in the healthy tissue, and peripheral blood, considering patients with colorectal carcinoma metastases to the liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 39 patients subject to surgical treatment at the Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, due to colorectal carcinoma with liver metastases. CD134 and CD137 adhesive molecule levels were determined inside the tumor, at the border of the tumor, and in the healthy margins of the surgical incision. Additionally, the authors evaluated the peripheral blood level of the above-mentioned molecules on the day of the surgical procedure, and 10 days, thereafter. RESULTS: The mean CD134 levels were the highest inside the tumor, significantly decreasing towards the direction of healthy tissues. The average peripheral blood molecule levels were four-fold higher on the day of the surgical procedure, as compared to values obtained on the tenth postoperative day. This dependency also concerned the remaining statistical measures.The mean CD137 levels showed no significant difference, regardless their location. The authors observed significant, peripheral blood, CD137 level differences, considering the day of the surgical procedure and tenth postoperative period. The mean CD137 peripheral blood level was several times higher on the day of the surgical procedure, as compared to the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of the activity of CD134 and CD137 molecules might create opportunities to plan treatment and predict prognosis in case of colorectal carcinoma. Proper immuno-therapeutic management which is based on the expression of the above-mentioned molecules might help determine the risk of metastases, preventing from their development. In advanced cases treatment of liver metastases might be possible.

Assessment of activity of an adhesion molecule CD134 and CD137 in colorectal cancer patients.

UNLABELLED: Epidemiological studies prove that incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing. The first line therapy of colorectal cancer is surgical resection of the primary tumor and elimination of regional and remote metastases. THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to determine expression of adhesion molecules CD134 and CD137 in the peripheral blood in colorectal cancer patients, depending on clinical cancer stage, size and invasion of the tumor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 72 patients with primary colorectal adenocarcinoma. An average patient age was 64.55 years. Clinical tumor stage was assessed using two scales: Dukes: A and Astler-Coller scale. Expression of adhesion molecules was determined in the peripheral blood collected on the day of the procedure and 10 days after the procedure. RESULTS: An average activity of CD134 molecules (12.66%) was significantly higher than that of CD137 (6.26%) (p<0.001). Clinical tumor stage was assessed on Dukes scale and was unrelated to CD134 activity, while activity of CD137 was related to clinical cancer stage. CONCLUSIONS: CD137 activity is directly proportional to colorectal cancer stage. Surgical resection of the tumor results in increased CD134 and CD137 expression. Long term studies, enrolling larger groups of patients, including their subdivision to colon and rectal cancer, are required to utilize CD134 and CD137 in immune therapy of colorectal cancer.