Long non-coding RNA LINC00959 predicts colorectal cancer patient prognosis and inhibits tumor progression.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. This study focused on the relationship between the lncRNA LINC00959 and colorectal cancer (CRC). We found that LINC00959 expression was lower in CRC tissues than normal colorectal mucosae. High LINC00959 expression was negatively associated with TNM stage, distant metastasis, and lymphatic metastasis, and correlated with a better prognosis in 87 CRC cases. In vitro, LINC00959 knockdown enhanced colon cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration; upregulated N-cadherin and vimentin; and downregulated E-cadherin and Caspase-3. LINC00959 overexpression produced the opposite effects. These data suggest that LINC00959 inhibits tumor cell invasion and migration by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes apoptosis through Caspase-3. LINC00959 may be a tumor suppressor and useful prognostic biomarker in CRC.

Prognostic value of lymph node metastasis in patients with T1-stage colorectal cancer from multiple centers in China.

AIM: To explore the features and prognostic value of lymph node metastasis in patients with T1-stage colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: In all, 321 cases of T1-stage CRC were selected from 10132 patients with CRC who received surgical therapy in six large-scale hospitals in China and were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the risk factors for lymphatic metastasis. A survival analysis was then performed to analyze the prognostic value of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: The occurrence rate of T1 stage was 3.17% (321/10132); of these patients, the lymph node metastasis rate was 8.41% (27/321), and the non-lymph node metastasis rate was 91.59% (294/321). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative serum CEA, preoperative serum CA199, preoperative serum CA724, vascular invasion, and degree of differentiation were associated with lymph node metastasis in T1-stage CRC (P < 0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis indicated that preoperative serum CA724, vascular invasion, and degree of differentiation were closely related to lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05 for all). Log-rank survival analysis showed that age, preoperative serum CEA, preoperative serum CA199, vascular invasion, degree of differentiation, and lymph node metastasis (χ2 = 24.180, P < 0.001) were predictors of 5-year overall survival (OS) (P < 0.05 for all). COX regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative serum CA199 and lymph node metastasis (HR = 5.117; P < 0.05; 95%CI: 0.058-0.815) were independent prognostic indicators of 5-year OS in patients with T1-stage CRC (P < 0.05 for both). CONCLUSION: The morbidity of T1-stage CRC was 3.17% for all CRC cases. Preoperative serum CA724, vascular invasion, and degree of differentiation are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis. Lymph node metastasis is an independent prognostic factor for OS in patients with T1-stage CRC.

Impact of multidisciplinary team working on the management of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The continual and rapid development of techniques which are used for diagnosis and treatment makes management of colorectal cancer more difficult depending on single discipline. Colorectal cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) working model is recommended by UK and other countries, but there is little information on the impact of MDT working on management of colorectal cancer in China. The aim of this study was to assess the effect on management of colorectal cancer after the inception of an MDT. METHODS: A total of 595 consecutive colorectal cancer patients were referred to the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, the pre-MDT cohort include 297 patients, recruited from January 1999 to November 2002, and the MDT cohort had 298 patients enrolled from December 2002 to September 2006. Information recorded included: TNM stage from histological reports, degree of differentiation, the number of examined lymph nodes and CT TNM staging performed or not, and its accuracy, including local and distant recurrence. RESULTS: The number of examined lymph nodes and the accuracy of TNM staging by CT in the MDT group were significantly more than those in pre-MDT group. CT TNM staging was more accurate in the MDT group compared to the pre-MDT group (P = 0.044). The rate of tumor recurrence in the MDT group was lower than pre-MDT group (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that age (P = 0.001), management after inception of the MDT (P = 0.002), degree of differentiation (P = 0.003), number of examined lymph nodes (P = 0.002), and TNM stage (P = 0.000) were important factors that independently influence overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: The inception of MDT working improved the diagnostic accuracy and overall survival of colorectal cancer patients. MDT working promoted communication and cooperation between disciplines and ensured high-quality diagnosis, evidence-based decision making, and optimal treatment planning.