Coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer recurrence and all-cause mortality.

Coffee consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it is not clear whether coffee consumption is related to CRC progression. Hence, we assessed the association of coffee consumption with CRC recurrence and all-cause mortality using data from a prospective cohort study of 1719 stage I-III CRC patients in the Netherlands. Coffee consumption and other lifestyle characteristics were self-reported using questionnaires at the time of diagnosis. We retrieved recurrence and all-cause mortality data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and the Personal Records Database, respectively. Cox proportional hazard regression models with and without restricted cubic splines were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking status, cancer stage and tumor location. We observed 257 recurrences during a 6.2-year median follow-up and 309 deaths during a 6.6-year median follow-up. Consuming more than 4 cups/d of coffee compared to an intake of <2 cups/d was associated with a 32% lower risk of CRC recurrence (95% CI: 0.49, 0.94,). The association between coffee consumption and all-cause mortality was U-shaped; coffee intake seemed optimal at 3-5 cups/d with the lowest risk at 4 cups/d (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.88). Our results suggest that coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of CRC recurrence and all-cause mortality. The association between coffee consumption and all-cause mortality appeared nonlinear. More studies are needed to understand the mechanism by which coffee consumption might improve CRC prognosis.

Induction chemotherapy followed by response evaluation and esophagectomy for advanced esophageal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with limited metastatic/advanced esophageal cancer not amenable for neoadjuvant therapy plus surgery have a poor prognosis and often receive palliative care. Alternatively, induction chemotherapy with response evaluation can be considered and in some patients surgery with curative intent may become feasible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with induction chemotherapy and to identify patient and/or tumor characteristics associated with survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with esophageal or junctional cancer who underwent induction chemotherapy between 2005 and 2021 were identified from an institutional database of a tertiary referral center. Response to therapy was assessed by (18F-FDG PET)/CT. Response to therapy and treatment options, including surgery or palliation, were discussed in the multidisciplinary tumor board. Overall survival (OS) was calculated using the Kaplan Meier method. Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: 238 patients were identified. The majority had esophageal adenocarcinoma (68.9 %) and were treated with a taxane/platinum-based chemotherapy (79.4 %). Response evaluation was performed in 233 patients and 154 of 238 patients (64.7 %) underwent surgical exploration. Resection was performed in 127 patients (53.4 %) resulting in a median and 5-year OS of 26.3 months (95 % CI 18.8-33.8) and 29.6 %, respectively. Presence of T4b (HR = 2.01, 95 % CI 1.02-3.92) and poorly differentiated tumor (HR = 1.45, 95 % CI 1.02-2.10) was associated with worse survival (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In carefully selected patients with advanced disease not amenable for standard curative treatment, induction chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy may result in a 5-year overall survival of approximately 30 %.

Intake and biomarkers of folate and folic acid as determinants of chemotherapy-induced toxicities in patients with colorectal cancer: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapeutic drug showing antitumor activity through inhibition of thymidylate synthase, an enzyme involved in folate metabolism. There are concerns about the high intake of certain vitamins, and specifically folate, during chemotherapy with capecitabine. Whether folate or folic acid, the synthetic variant of the vitamin, impact treatment toxicity remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We studied associations between intake and biomarkers of folate as well as folic acid and toxicities in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving capecitabine. METHODS: Within the prospective COLON (Colorectal cancer: Longitudinal, Observational study on Nutritional and lifestyle factors that influence recurrence, survival, and quality of life) cohort, 290 patients with stage II to III CRC receiving capecitabine were identified. Dietary and supplemental intake of folate and folic acid were assessed at diagnosis and during chemotherapy using questionnaires (available for 280 patients). Plasma folate and folic acid levels were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and were available for 212 patients. Toxicities were defined as toxicity-related modifications of treatment, including dose reductions, regimen switches, and early discontinuation. Associations of intake and biomarkers of folate and folic acid with toxicities were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: In total, 153 (53%) patients experienced toxicities leading to modification of capecitabine treatment. Folate intake and plasma folate levels were not associated with risk of toxicities. However, use of folic acid-containing supplements during treatment (hazard ratio (HR) 1.81 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-2.85) and presence of folic acid in plasma at diagnosis (HR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.52) and during treatment (HR 2.31, 95% CI: 1.29, 4.13) were associated with an increased risk of toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a potential association between folic acid and capecitabine-induced toxicities, providing a rationale to study diet-drug interactions and raise further awareness of the use of dietary supplements during oncological treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL DETAILS: This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03191110.

Determinants of Physical Activity among Patients with Colorectal Cancer: From Diagnosis to 5 Years after Diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is associated with higher quality of life and probably better prognosis among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study focuses on determinants of PA among CRC patients from diagnosis until 5 yr postdiagnosis. METHODS: Sociodemographic and disease-related factors of participants of two large CRC cohort studies were combined. Moderate-to-vigorous PA during sport and leisure time (MVPA-SL) was measured at diagnosis (T0) and 6, 12, 24, and 60 months (T6 to T60) postdiagnosis, using the SQUASH questionnaire. Mixed-effects models were performed to identify sociodemographic and disease-related determinants of MVPA-SL, separately for stage I-III colon (CC), stage I-III rectal cancer (RC), and stage IV CRC (T0 and T6 only). Associations were defined as consistently present when significant at ≥4 timepoints for the stage I-III subsets. MVPA-SL levels were compared with an age- and sex-matched sample of the general Dutch population. RESULTS: In total, 2905 CC, 1459 RC and 436 stage IV CRC patients were included. Patients with higher fatigue scores, and women compared with men had consistently lower MVPA-SL levels over time, regardless of tumor type and stage. At T6, having a stoma was significantly associated with lower MVPA-SL among stage I-III RC patients. Systemic therapy and radiotherapy were not significantly associated with MVPA-SL changes at T6. Compared with the general population, MVPA-SL levels of CRC patients were lower at all timepoints, most notably at T6. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex and higher fatigue scores were consistent determinants of lower MVPA-SL levels among all CRC patients, and MVPA-SL levels were lowest at 6 months postdiagnosis. Our results can inform the design of intervention studies aimed at improving PA, and guide healthcare professionals in optimizing individualized support.

Pre- and post-diagnostic dairy intake in relation to recurrence and all-cause mortality in people with stage I-III colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Higher dairy consumption is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but no studies thus far have investigated its relation with recurrence in CRC. Few studies have investigated total dairy in relation to mortality in CRC, and yielded inconsistent results. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, people newly diagnosed with stage I-III CRC filled out a food frequency questionnaire at diagnosis (n = 1812) and six months after diagnosis (n = 1672). We examined associations between pre- and post-diagnostic intake of total dairy, low-fat dairy, high-fat dairy, milk, yoghurt, and cheese with recurrence and all-cause mortality using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models and restricted cubic splines (RCS). RESULTS: A total of 176 recurrences and 301 deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 3.0 and 5.9 years, respectively. Before diagnosis, a higher low-fat dairy intake was associated with a lower risk of recurrence (HRQ4vsQ1: 0.42, 95% CI 0.26-0.67; PRCS: 0.008) and all-cause mortality (HRQ4vsQ1: 0.58, 95% CI 0.41-0.81; PRCS < 0.001), whereas a higher high-fat dairy consumption tended to be associated with an increased all-cause mortality risk (HRQ4vsQ1: 1.41, 95% CI 0.98-2.01; PRCS: 0.030). After diagnosis, only the associations between low- and high-fat dairy in relation to all-cause mortality remained. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that higher pre- and post-diagnostic intakes of low-fat dairy were associated with a reduced all-cause mortality risk in people with stage I-III CRC, whereas higher intakes of high-fat dairy were associated with an increased all-cause mortality risk. Also, a higher pre-diagnostic low-fat dairy intake was associated with a reduced risk of recurrence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT03191110.

Postdiagnostic intake of a more proinflammatory diet is associated with a higher risk of recurrence and all-cause mortality in colorectal cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory potential of the diet has been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but its association with CRC prognosis is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inflammatory potential of the diet in relation to recurrence and all-cause mortality among persons diagnosed with stage I to III CRC. METHODS: Data of the COLON study, a prospective cohort among CRC survivors were used. Dietary intake, 6 mo after diagnosis, was assessed by using a food frequency questionnaire and was available for 1631 individuals. The empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) score was used as a proxy for the inflammatory potential of the diet. The EDIP score was created by using reduced rank regression and stepwise linear regression to identify food groups that explained most of the variations in plasma inflammatory markers (IL6, IL8, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α) measured in a subgroup of survivors (n = 421). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with restricted cubic splines were used to investigate the relation between the EDIP score and CRC recurrence and all-cause mortality. Models were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, PAL, smoking status, stage of disease, and tumor location. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 2.6 y (IQR: 2.1) for recurrence and 5.6 y (IQR: 3.0) for all-cause mortality, during which 154 and 239 events occurred, respectively. A nonlinear positive association between the EDIP score and recurrence and all-cause mortality was observed. For example, a more proinflammatory diet (EDIP score +0.75) compared with the median (EDIP score 0) was associated with a higher risk of CRC recurrence (HR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.29) and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.35). CONCLUSIONS: A more proinflammatory diet was associated with a higher risk of recurrence and all-cause mortality in CRC survivors. Further intervention studies should investigate whether a switch to a more anti-inflammatory diet improves CRC prognosis.

Higher vitamin B6 status is associated with improved survival among patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Folate-mediated 1-carbon metabolism requires several nutrients, including vitamin B6. Circulating biomarker concentrations indicating high vitamin B6 status are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, little is known about the effect of B6 status in relation to clinical outcomes in CRC patients. OBJECTIVES: We investigated survival outcomes in relation to vitamin B6 status in prospectively followed CRC patients. METHODS: A total of 2031 patients with stage I-III CRC participated in 6 prospective patient cohorts in the international FOCUS (folate-dependent 1-carbon metabolism in colorectal cancer recurrence and survival) Consortium. Preoperative blood samples were used to measure vitamin B6 status by the direct marker pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), as well as the functional marker HK-ratio (HKr)[3'-hydroxykynurenine: (kynurenic acid + xanthurenic acid + 3'-hydroxy anthranilic acid + anthranilic acid)]. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we examined associations of vitamin B6 status with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and risk of recurrence, adjusted for patient age, sex, circulating creatinine concentrations, tumor site, stage, and cohort. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 3.2 y for OS, higher preoperative vitamin B6 status as assessed by PLP and the functional marker HKr was associated with 16-32% higher all-cause and disease-free survival, although there was no significant association with disease recurrence (doubling in PLP concentration: HROS, 0.68; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.79; HRDFS, 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.94; HRRecurrence, 0.96; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.09; HKr: HROS, 2.04; 95% CI: 1.67, 2.49; HRDFS, 1.56; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.85; HRRecurrence, 1.21; 95% CI: 0.96,1. 52). The association of PLP with improved OS was consistent across colorectal tumor site (right-sided colon: HROS, 0.75; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.96; left-sided colon: HROS, 0.71; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.92; rectosigmoid junction and rectum: HROS, 0.61; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.78). CONCLUSION: Higher preoperative vitamin B6 status is associated with improved OS among stage I-III CRC patients.

Identification of Lifestyle Behaviors Associated with Recurrence and Survival in Colorectal Cancer Patients Using Random Survival Forests.

Current lifestyle recommendations for cancer survivors are the same as those for the general public to decrease their risk of cancer. However, it is unclear which lifestyle behaviors are most important for prognosis. We aimed to identify which lifestyle behaviors were most important regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence and all-cause mortality with a data-driven method. The study consisted of 1180 newly diagnosed stage I-III CRC patients from a prospective cohort study. Lifestyle behaviors included in the current recommendations, as well as additional lifestyle behaviors related to diet, physical activity, adiposity, alcohol use, and smoking were assessed six months after diagnosis. These behaviors were simultaneously analyzed as potential predictors of recurrence or all-cause mortality with Random Survival Forests (RSFs). We observed 148 recurrences during 2.6-year median follow-up and 152 deaths during 4.8-year median follow-up. Higher intakes of sugary drinks were associated with increased recurrence risk. For all-cause mortality, fruit and vegetable, liquid fat and oil, and animal protein intake were identified as the most important lifestyle behaviors. These behaviors showed non-linear associations with all-cause mortality. Our exploratory RSF findings give new ideas on potential associations between certain lifestyle behaviors and CRC prognosis that still need to be confirmed in other cohorts of CRC survivors.

Association of Habitual Preoperative Dietary Fiber Intake With Complications After Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

IMPORTANCE: Postoperative complications are associated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients with colorectal cancer. As a modifiable factor associated with gut health, dietary fiber intake is of interest with regard to the risk of complications after surgery for colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between preoperative dietary fiber intake and risk of complications after surgery for colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study used data from the Colorectal Longitudinal, Observational Study on Nutritional and Lifestyle Factors (COLON) study, which recruited adult patients with colorectal cancer at any stage at diagnosis from 11 hospitals in the Netherlands between August 2010 and December 2017. The present study included patients with stage I to IV colorectal cancer who underwent elective abdominal surgery. Data were analyzed between December 2019 and September 2020. EXPOSURES: Habitual dietary fiber intake was assessed at diagnosis using a 204-item food frequency questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Any complications, surgical complications, and anastomotic leakage occurring during the 30 days after surgery for colorectal cancer. The association between fiber intake and risk of postoperative complications was assessed using logistic regression analyses. Additional analyses stratified by sex, tumor location, and fiber source were performed. RESULTS: Among the 1399 patients included in the analysis, the median age at inclusion was 66 years (interquartile range, 61-72 years) and 896 (64%) were men. Any complications occurred in 397 patients (28%), and surgical complications occurred in 235 patients (17%). Of 1237 patients with an anastomosis, 67 (5%) experienced anastomotic leakage. Higher dietary fiber intake (per 10 g per day) was associated with a lower risk of any complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.92) and surgical complications (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60-0.97), whereas no association with anastomotic leakage was found (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.66-1.43). Among women, higher dietary intake was associated with any complications (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.94), whereas there was no association among men (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63-1.01). Fiber intake from vegetables (per 1 g per day) was inversely associated with any (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99) and surgical (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.97) complications. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, higher habitual dietary fiber intake before surgery was associated with a lower risk of postoperative complications among patients with colorectal cancer. The findings suggest that improving preoperative dietary fiber intake may be considered in future prehabilitation programs for patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

Circulating B-vitamin biomarkers and B-vitamin supplement use in relation to quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer: results from the FOCUS consortium.

BACKGROUND: B vitamins have been associated with the risk and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), given their central roles in nucleotide synthesis and methylation, yet their association with quality of life in established CRC is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether quality of life 6 months postdiagnosis is associated with: 1) circulating concentrations of B vitamins and related biomarkers 6 months postdiagnosis; 2) changes in these concentrations between diagnosis and 6 months postdiagnosis; 3) B-vitamin supplement use 6 months postdiagnosis; and 4) changes in B-vitamin supplement use between diagnosis and 6 months postdiagnosis. METHODS: We included 1676 newly diagnosed stage I-III CRC patients from 3 prospective European cohorts. Circulating concentrations of 9 biomarkers related to the B vitamins folate, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and cobalamin were measured at diagnosis and 6 months postdiagnosis. Information on dietary supplement use was collected at both time points. Health-related quality of life (global quality of life, functioning scales, and fatigue) was assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire 6 months postdiagnosis. Confounder-adjusted linear regression analyses were performed, adjusted for multiple testing. RESULTS: Higher pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) was cross-sectionally associated with better physical, role, and social functioning, as well as reduced fatigue, 6 months postdiagnosis. Associations were observed for a doubling in the hydroxykynurenine ratio [3-hydroxykynurenine: (kynurenic acid + xanthurenic acid + 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid + anthranilic acid); an inverse marker of vitamin B6] and both reduced global quality of life (ß = -3.62; 95% CI: -5.88, -1.36) and worse physical functioning (ß = -5.01; 95% CI: -7.09, -2.94). Dose-response relations were observed for PLP and quality of life. No associations were observed for changes in biomarker concentrations between diagnosis and 6 months. Participants who stopped using B-vitamin supplements after diagnosis reported higher fatigue than nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Higher vitamin B6 status was associated with better quality of life, yet limited associations were observed for the use of B-vitamin supplements. Vitamin B6 needs further study to clarify its role in relation to quality of life.

Lifestyle after colorectal cancer diagnosis in relation to recurrence and all-cause mortality.

BACKGROUND: An unhealthy lifestyle is associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but it is unclear whether overall lifestyle after a CRC diagnosis is associated with risks of recurrence and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To examine associations between postdiagnosis lifestyle and changes in lifestyle after a CRC diagnosis with risks of CRC recurrence and all-cause mortality. METHODS: The study population included 1425 newly diagnosed, stage I-III CRC patients from 2 prospective cohort studies enrolled between 2010 and 2016. Lifestyle, including BMI, physical activity, diet, and alcohol intake, was assessed at diagnosis and at 6 months postdiagnosis. We assigned lifestyle scores based on concordance with 2 sets of cancer prevention guidelines-from the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) and the American Cancer Society (ACS)-and national disease prevention guidelines. Higher scores indicate healthier lifestyles. We computed adjusted HRs and 95% CIs using Cox regression. RESULTS: We observed 164 recurrences during a 2.8-year median follow-up and 171 deaths during a 4.4-year median follow-up. No associations were observed for CRC recurrence. A lifestyle more consistent with the ACS recommendations was associated with a lower all-cause mortality risk (HR per +1 SD, 0.85; 95% CI: 0.73-0.995). The same tendency was observed for higher WCRF/AICR (HR, 0.92; 95% CI: 0.78-1.08) and national (HR, 0.90; 95% CI: 0.77-1.05) lifestyle scores, although these associations were statistically nonsignificant. Generally, no statistically significant associations were observed for BMI, physical activity, diet, or alcohol. Improving one's lifestyle after diagnosis (+1 SD) was associated with a lower all-cause mortality risk for the ACS (HR, 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.96) and national (HR, 0.84; 95% CI: 0.70-0.999) scores, yet was statistically nonsignificant for the WCRF/AICR score (HR, 0.94; 95% CI: 0.78-1.13). CONCLUSIONS: A healthy lifestyle after CRC diagnosis and improvements therein were not associated with the risk of CRC recurrence, but were associated with a decreased all-cause mortality risk.

Effects of Protein and Calorie Restriction on the Metabolism and Toxicity Profile of Irinotecan in Cancer Patients.

Preclinical data suggests that protein and calorie restriction (PCR) might improve treatment tolerability without impairing antitumor efficacy. Therefore, we have studied the influence of PCR on irinotecan pharmacokinetics and toxicity. In this crossover trial, patients with liver metastases of solid tumors were included and randomized to treatment with irinotecan preceded by 5 days of PCR (~ 30% caloric and ~ 70% protein restriction) during the first cycle and a second cycle preceded by a normal diet or vice versa. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling and biopsies of both healthy liver and liver metastases were performed. The primary end point was the relative difference in geometric means for the active metabolite SN-38 concentration in healthy liver analyzed by a linear mixed model. No significant differences were seen in irinotecan (+ 16.8%, P = 0.22) and SN-38 (+ 9.8%, P = 0.48) concentrations between PCR and normal diet in healthy liver, as well as in liver metastases (irinotecan: -38.8%, P = 0.05 and SN-38: -13.8%, P = 0.50). PCR increased irinotecan plasma area under the curve from zero to 24 hours (AUC0-24h ) with 7.1% (P = 0.04) compared with normal diet, whereas the SN-38 plasma AUC0-24h increased with 50.3% (P < 0.001). Grade ≥ 3 toxicity was not increased during PCR vs. normal diet (P = 0.69). No difference was seen in neutropenia grade ≥ 3 (47% vs. 32% P = 0.38), diarrhea grade ≥ 3 (5% vs. 21% P = 0.25), and febrile neutropenia (5% vs. 16% P = 0.50) during PCR vs. normal diet. In conclusion, plasma SN-38 exposure increased dramatically after PCR, whereas toxicity did not change. PCR did not alter the irinotecan and SN-38 exposure in healthy liver and liver metastases. PCR might therefore potentially improve the therapeutic window in patients treated with irinotecan.

Inflammation Is a Mediating Factor in the Association between Lifestyle and Fatigue in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Fatigue is very common among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We examined the association between adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) lifestyle recommendations and fatigue among stage I-III CRC patients, and whether inflammation mediated this association. Data from two prospective cohort studies were used. Adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations was expressed as a score ranging from 0-7, and assessed shortly after diagnosis. Six months post-diagnosis, fatigue was assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), and in a subpopulation, the plasma levels of inflammation markers (IL6, IL8, TNFα, and hsCRP) were assessed. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations and fatigue. To test mediation by inflammation, the PROCESS analytic tool developed by Hayes was used. A higher WCRF/AICR adherence score was associated with less fatigue six months after diagnosis (n = 1417, ß -2.22, 95%CI -3.65; -0.78). In the population of analysis for the mediation analyses (n = 551), the total association between lifestyle and fatigue was (ß -2.17, 95% CI -4.60; 0.25). A statistically significant indirect association via inflammation was observed (ß -0.97, 95% CI -1.92; -0.21), explaining 45% of the total association between lifestyle and fatigue (-0.97/-2.17 × 100). Thus, inflammation is probably one of the underlying mechanisms linking lifestyle to fatigue.

Circulating Folate and Folic Acid Concentrations: Associations With Colorectal Cancer Recurrence and Survival.

BACKGROUND: Folates, including folic acid, may play a dual role in colorectal cancer development. Folate is suggested to be protective in early carcinogenesis but could accelerate growth of premalignant lesions or micrometastases. Whether circulating concentrations of folate and folic acid, measured around time of diagnosis, are associated with recurrence and survival in colorectal cancer patients is largely unknown. METHODS: Circulating concentrations of folate, folic acid, and folate catabolites p-aminobenzoylglutamate and p-acetamidobenzoylglutamate were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry at diagnosis in 2024 stage I-III colorectal cancer patients from European and US patient cohort studies. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess associations between folate, folic acid, and folate catabolites concentrations with recurrence, overall survival, and disease-free survival. RESULTS: No statistically significant associations were observed between folate, p-aminobenzoylglutamate, and p-acetamidobenzoylglutamate concentrations and recurrence, overall survival, and disease-free survival, with hazard ratios ranging from 0.92 to 1.16. The detection of folic acid in the circulation (yes or no) was not associated with any outcome. However, among patients with detectable folic acid concentrations (n = 296), a higher risk of recurrence was observed for each twofold increase in folic acid (hazard ratio = 1.31, 95% confidence interval = 1.02 to 1.58). No statistically significant associations were found between folic acid concentrations and overall and disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating folate and folate catabolite concentrations at colorectal cancer diagnosis were not associated with recurrence and survival. However, caution is warranted for high blood concentrations of folic acid because they may increase the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence.

Are Ergothioneine Levels in Blood Associated with Chronic Peripheral Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Underwent Chemotherapy?

Objective: Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is highly prevalent among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Ergothioneine (ET) - a dietary antioxidant -protected against CIPN in experimental models, but human studies are lacking. We explored whether whole blood ET levels were associated with chronic peripheral neuropathy among CRC patients who had completed chemotherapy.Methods: At diagnosis, median ET-concentration in whole blood of 159 CRC patients was 10.2 µg/ml (7.2-15.8). Patients completed questionnaires on peripheral neuropathy 6 months after completion of chemotherapy. We calculated prevalence ratios (PR) to assess associations of ET-concentrations and prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and used linear regression to assess associations with severity of peripheral neuropathy.Results: Prevalence of total and sensory peripheral neuropathy were both 81%. Higher ET-concentrations tended to be associated with lower prevalence of total and sensory peripheral neuropathy, but not statistically significant (highest versus lowest tertile of ET: PR = 0.93(0.78, 1.11) for total neuropathy, and PR = 0.84(0.70, 1.02) for sensory neuropathy). ET-concentrations were not associated with severity of neuropathy.Conclusion: Statistically significant associations were not observed, possibly because of limited sample size. Although data may putatively suggest higher levels of ET to be associated with a lower prevalence of neuropathy, analyses should be repeated in larger populations with larger variability in ET-concentrations.

Colorectal cancer survivors only marginally change their overall lifestyle in the first 2 years following diagnosis.

PURPOSE: A healthy lifestyle after colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis may improve prognosis. Data related to lifestyle change in CRC survivors are inconsistent and potential interrelated changes are unknown. METHODS: We assessed dietary intake, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and smoking among 1072 patients diagnosed with stages I-III CRC at diagnosis, 6 months and 2 years post-diagnosis. An overall lifestyle score was constructed based on the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research recommendations (range 0-7). We used linear mixed models to analyze changes in lifestyle over time. RESULTS: Participants had a mean (± SD) age of 65 ± 9 years and 43% had stage III disease. In the 2 years following CRC diagnosis, largest changes were noted for sugary drinks (- 45 g/day) and red and processed meat intake (- 62 g/week). BMI (+ 0.4 kg/m2), waist circumference (+ 2 cm), and dietary fiber intake (- 1 g/day) changed slightly. CRC survivors did not statistically significant change their mean intake of fruits and vegetables, alcohol, or ultra-processed foods nor did they change their physical activity or smoking behavior. Half of participants made simultaneous changes that resulted in improved concordance with one component as well as deteriorated concordance with another component of the lifestyle score. Overall lifestyle score changed from a mean 3.4 ± 0.9 at diagnosis to 3.5 ± 0.9 2 years post-diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: CRC survivors hardly improve their overall lifestyle after diagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Given the importance of a healthy lifestyle, strategies to effectively support behavior changes in CRC survivors need to be identified.

Pre-to-post diagnosis weight trajectories in colorectal cancer patients with non-metastatic disease.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown that > 50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy gain weight after diagnosis. This may affect long-term health. Therefore, prevention of weight gain has been incorporated in oncological guidelines for CRC with a focus on patients that undergo adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. It is, however, unknown how changes in weight after diagnosis relate to weight before diagnosis and whether weight changes from pre-to-post diagnosis are restricted to chemotherapy treatment. We therefore examined pre-to-post diagnosis weight trajectories and compared them between those treated with and without adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: We included 1184 patients diagnosed with stages I-III CRC between 2010 and 2015 from an ongoing observational prospective study. At diagnosis, patients reported current weight and usual weight 2 years before diagnosis. In the 2 years following diagnosis, weight was self-reported repeatedly. We used linear mixed models to analyse weight trajectories. RESULTS: Mean pre-to-post diagnosis weight change was -0.8 (95% CI -1.1, -0.4) kg. Post-diagnosis weight gain was + 3.5 (95% CI 2.7, 4.3) kg in patients who had lost ≥ 5% weight before diagnosis, while on average clinically relevant weight gain after diagnosis was absent in the groups without pre-diagnosis weight loss. Pre-to-post diagnosis weight change was similar in patients treated with (-0.1 kg (95%CI -0.8, 0.6)) and without adjuvant chemotherapy (-0.9 kg (95%CI -1.4, -0.5)). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, hardly any pre-to-post diagnosis weight change was observed among CRC patients, because post-diagnosis weight gain was mainly observed in patients who lost weight before diagnosis. This was observed independent of treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Influence of the Proton Pump Inhibitor Esomeprazole on the Bioavailability of Regorafenib: A Randomized Crossover Pharmacokinetic Study.

Regorafenib exposure could potentially be influenced by an interaction with acid-reducing drugs. In this crossover trial, patients were randomized into two sequence groups consisting of three phases: regorafenib intake alone, regorafenib with concomitant esomeprazole, and regorafenib with esomeprazole 3 hours prior. The primary end point was the relative difference (RD) in geometric means for regorafenib 0-24-hour area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-24h ) and was analyzed by a linear mixed model in 14 patients. AUC0-24h for regorafenib alone was 55.9 µg·hour/mL (coefficient of variance (CV): 40%), and for regorafenib with concomitant esomeprazole or with esomeprazole 3 hours prior AUC0-24h was 53.7 µg·hour/mL (CV: 34%) and 53.6 µg·hour/mL (CV: 43%), respectively. No significant differences were identified when regorafenib alone was compared with regorafenib with concomitant esomeprazole (RD: -3.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI): -20.5 to 16.1%; P = 1.0) or regorafenib with esomeprazole 3 hours prior (RD: -4.1%; 95% CI: -22.8 to 19.2%; P = 1.0). These findings indicate that regorafenib and esomeprazole can be safely combined in clinical practice.

Dietary Intake of Magnesium or Calcium and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and severe side-effect in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study assessed the association between habitual dietary intake of magnesium or calcium and prevalence and severity of chronic CIPN in CRC patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. For this prospective cohort study, 196 CRC patients were considered. Magnesium and calcium intake was determined using a food frequency questionnaire at diagnosis, during and after chemotherapy. Chronic CIPN was assessed 12 months after diagnosis using the quality of life questionnaire CIPN20. Prevalence ratios were calculated to assess the association between magnesium or calcium intake and the prevalence of CIPN. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between magnesium or calcium intake and severity of CIPN. CIPN was reported by 160 (82%) patients. Magnesium intake during chemotherapy was statistically significantly associated with lower prevalence of CIPN (prevalence ratio (PR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32, 0.92). Furthermore, higher dietary intake of magnesium during (ß -1.08, 95% CI -1.95, -0.22) and after chemotherapy (ß -0.93, 95% CI -1.81, -0.06) was associated with less severe CIPN. No associations were found for calcium intake and the prevalence and severity of CIPN. To conclude, we observed an association between higher dietary magnesium intake and lower prevalence and severity of CIPN in CRC patients.

An increase in physical activity after colorectal cancer surgery is associated with improved recovery of physical functioning: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The influence of physical activity on patient-reported recovery of physical functioning after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery is unknown. Therefore, we studied recovery of physical functioning after hospital discharge by (a) a relative increase in physical activity level and (b) absolute activity levels before and after surgery. METHODS: We included 327 incident CRC patients (stages I-III) from a prospective observational study. Patients completed questionnaires that assessed physical functioning and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity shortly after diagnosis and 6 months later. Cox regression models were used to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) of no recovery of physical functioning. All PRs were adjusted for age, sex, physical functioning before surgery, stage of disease, ostomy and body mass index. RESULTS: At 6 months post-diagnosis 54% of CRC patients had not recovered to pre-operative physical functioning. Patients who increased their activity by at least 60 min/week were 43% more likely to recover physical function (adjusted PR 0.57 95%CI 0.39-0.82), compared with those with stable activity levels. Higher post-surgery levels of physical activity were also positively associated with recovery (P for trend = 0.01). In contrast, activity level before surgery was not associated with recovery (P for trend = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: At 6 month post-diagnosis, about half of CRC patients had not recovered to preoperative functioning. An increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity after CRC surgery was associated with enhanced recovery of physical functioning. This benefit was seen regardless of physical activity level before surgery. These associations provide evidence to further explore connections between physical activity and recovery from CRC surgery after discharge from the hospital.