Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis Guiding Adjuvant Therapy in Stage II Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colon cancer continues to be debated. The presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after surgery predicts very poor recurrence-free survival, whereas its absence predicts a low risk of recurrence. The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for ctDNA-positive patients is not well understood. METHODS: We conducted a trial to assess whether a ctDNA-guided approach could reduce the use of adjuvant chemotherapy without compromising recurrence risk. Patients with stage II colon cancer were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to have treatment decisions guided by either ctDNA results or standard clinicopathological features. For ctDNA-guided management, a ctDNA-positive result at 4 or 7 weeks after surgery prompted oxaliplatin-based or fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. Patients who were ctDNA-negative were not treated. The primary efficacy end point was recurrence-free survival at 2 years. A key secondary end point was adjuvant chemotherapy use. RESULTS: Of the 455 patients who underwent randomization, 302 were assigned to ctDNA-guided management and 153 to standard management. The median follow-up was 37 months. A lower percentage of patients in the ctDNA-guided group than in the standard-management group received adjuvant chemotherapy (15% vs. 28%; relative risk, 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 2.65). In the evaluation of 2-year recurrence-free survival, ctDNA-guided management was noninferior to standard management (93.5% and 92.4%, respectively; absolute difference, 1.1 percentage points; 95% CI, -4.1 to 6.2 [noninferiority margin, -8.5 percentage points]). Three-year recurrence-free survival was 86.4% among ctDNA-positive patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy and 92.5% among ctDNA-negative patients who did not. CONCLUSIONS: A ctDNA-guided approach to the treatment of stage II colon cancer reduced adjuvant chemotherapy use without compromising recurrence-free survival. (Supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and others; DYNAMIC Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12615000381583.).

ctDNA: Moving toward Clinical Utility.

Findings from the phase II DYNAMIC study suggest that circulating tumor DNA analyses could help clinicians decide whether patients with stage II colon cancer require chemotherapy after standard surgery. Liquid biopsies could also shed light on the development of resistance to KRASG12C inhibition, paving the way for better treatment strategies.

The Level of LINE-1 mRNA Is Increased in Extracellular Circulating Plasma RNA in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

We performed a comparative quantitative analysis of LINE-1 mRNA levels in extracellular total plasma RNA in patients with colon cancer and practically healthy donors. Quantitative multiplex PCR with reverse transcription was used to assess the level of LINE-1 and 18S rRNA mRNA in extracellular total plasma RNA. The median of LINE-1 mRNA values in colon cancer patients (4.95) was significantly higher than in healthy donors (2.3) (p=0.037). It was shown for the first time that the level of LINE-1 mRNA in total RNA from blood plasma can be determined in the format of a liquid biopsy and serve as a new potential non-invasive marker of colon cancer.

Investigation of Long Non-coding RNAs H19 and LINC00675 in Colorectal Cancers in Terms of Histopathological Features and Correlations With Plasma Markers.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Functional and bioinformatic studies provide strong evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can alter the molecular mechanisms of cancer through their interactions with DNA, RNAs, and proteins. This study aimed to evaluate the role of H19 and LINC00675 lncRNAs in colorectal cancers (CRCs) in terms of clinicopathological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor and tumor-free surrounding tissue samples were obtained from 51 CRC cases. Total RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis were performed. qPCR was performed using the TaqMan non-coding lncRNA assay specific for H19 and LINC00675. Preoperative levels of plasma markers, lncRNA expression, and clinicopathological characteristics of the cases were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Expression of H19 in tumor tissue was found to be 2.11 times higher than that of tumor-free surrounding tissue (p<0.001). LINC00675 levels were found to be approximately three times higher in colon tumors than tumors with rectal involvement (p=0.019). There was a correlation between H19 expression and creatinine (r=0.408; p=0.003). In addition, correlations were detected between LINC00675 with albumin (r=0.303; p=0.03), and between LINC00675 with globulin (r=0.332; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: H19 is a candidate biomarker that can be evaluated in terms of prognosis and antineoplastic treatment response, while LINC00675 may be an important marker of the microenvironment of advanced stage tumors, especially in tumors with rectal involvement.

Improvement in the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio after Combined Fluorouracil, Leucovorina and Oxaliplatino based (FOLFOX) Chemotherapy for Stage III Colon Cancer is Associated with Improved Minimal Residual Disease and Outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Minimal residual disease (MRD) is the net result of the biological properties of disseminated tumour cells and the effect of the immune system and treatment to eliminate them. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of combined chemotherapy on the immune function as determined by the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and if it was associated with changes in the subtype of minimal residual disease and outcome in stage III colon cancer. METHODS AND PATIENTS: A prospective, single centre observational study; the NLR was determined immediately prior to and one, two and three months after completing chemotherapy. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and bone marrow micro-metastasis (mM) using immunocytochemistry with anti-CEA were determined prior to and one month after chemotherapy. The association of changes in the NLR with MRD subtypes classified as Group I (negative for CTCs and mM), Group II (positive for mM) and Group III (positive for CTCs) as a result of chemotherapy and five-year disease free progression (DFS) analysed. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty eight patients participated of whom 83 (44.9%) relapsed. In non-relapsing patients the NLR significantly increased and was higher after chemotherapy compared with relapsing patients. Significant increases in the NLR were associated with changes to a better MRD prognostic subtype and decreases with a worse MRD subtype. Neither baseline NLR nor MRD subtype predicted response to chemotherapy. DFS for MRD subgroups were 88%, 56% and 6% for Groups I to III respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Immune function as measured by the NLR is associated with MRD prognostic subtypes, improvements in the NLR are associated with improvements in MRD post chemotherapy but neither baseline NLR or MRD predicted outcome.

Variant allele frequency in baseline circulating tumour DNA to measure tumour burden and to stratify outcomes in patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer: a translational objective of the Valentino study.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), baseline circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) variant allele fraction (VAF) might serve as a surrogate of disease burden and should be evaluated in comparison with CEA and RECIST-defined sum of target lesions. METHODS: In this pre-planned analysis of the VALENTINO trial, we included patients with RAS wild-type mCRC receiving upfront FOLFOX/panitumumab with available baseline liquid biopsy. CtDNA was analysed by means of a 14-gene NGS panel. For each patient, the gene with the highest VAF in ctDNA was selected. RESULTS: The final cohort included 135 patients. The median VAF was 12.6% (IQR: 2.0-45.2%). Higher VAF was observed in patients with liver metastases and with synchronous metastases presentation. Patients with high VAF had poorer median OS compared to those with low VAF (21.8 vs 36.5 months; HR: 1.82, 95%CI: 1.20-2.76; p = 0.005). VAF outperformed baseline CEA and target lesion diameter in the prognostic stratification and remained significantly correlated with OS (p = 0.003) in a multivariate model. VAF was not significantly correlated with dimensional response and PFS. CONCLUSION: CtDNA measured by VAF is prognostic in patients with RAS wild-type mCRC. Response and PFS after an anti-EGFR-based first-line strategy are independent from initial tumour burden.

Significance of long non-coding RNA IFNG-AS1 in the progression and clinical prognosis in colon adenocarcinoma.

Colon adenocarcinoma originates from adenoma and triggers serious healthy burdensome. lncRNAs develop a crucial role in the progression of colorectal carcinoma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical value and potential role of lncRNA interferon (IFN) gamma antisense RNA 1 (IFNG-AS1) in colon adenocarcinoma. This study enrolled 95 colorectal adenoma patients, 128 colorectal adenocarcinoma patients, and 88 healthy individuals. The serum, tissue IFNG-AS1 expression levels were explored by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. The receiver operator characteristic curve and Kaplan-Meier method were used to assess the clinical significance of IFNG-AS1. The chi-square test was used to analyze the association between tissue IFNG-AS1 and clinical characteristics. Functional experiments were conducted to delve into the effects of IFNG-AS1 on cellular activities (cell viability/migration/invasion). The target miRNA of IFNG-AS1 was also explored. IFNG-AS1 expression in both serum and tissue samples was elevated in patients. Serum IFNG-AS1 could diagnose colon adenoma and adenocarcinoma patients from the healthy control. High tissue IFNG-AS1 was correlated with several clinical characteristics and a shorter overall survival time. Silence of IFNG-AS1 could be available for repressing cellular capacities via the sponge to miR-627-3p. IFNG-AS1 was rised in colon adenocarcinoma and it was relevant to tumor size, TNM stage, and poor prognosis of patients. Beyond that, downregulated expression of IFNG-AS1 may repress malignant progression of colon adenocarcinoma by regulating miR-627-3p. IFNG-AS1 might be a potential diagnosis or prognosis predictor for colon adenocarcinoma patients.

Mutational status of plasma exosomal KRAS predicts outcome in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Liquid biopsy has become a useful alternative in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients when tissue biopsy of metastatic sites is not feasible. In this study we aimed to investigate the clinical utility of circulating exosomes DNA in the management of mCRC patients. Exosomes level and KRAS mutational status in exosomal DNA was assesed in 70 mCRC patients and 29 CRC primary tumor and were analysed at different disease steps evaluating serial blood samples (240 blood samples). There was a significant correlation between the extension of disease and exosomes level and the resection of primary localized tumor was correlated with a decrease of KRAS G12V/ D copies and fractional abundance in metastatic disease. CEA expression and liver metastasis correlated with a higher number of KRAS G12V/D copies/ml and a higher fractional abundance; in the subgroup of mCRC patients eligible for surgery, the size of tumor and the radiological response were related to exosomes level but only the size was related to the number of KRAS WT copies; both KRAS wild-type and mutated levels were identified as a prognostic factor related to OS. Finally, we found that 91% of mutated mCRC patients became wild type after the first line chemotherapy but this status reverted in mutated one at progression in 80% of cases. In a prospective cohort of mCRC patients, we show how longitudinal monitoring using exosome-based liquid biopsy provides clinical information relevant to therapeutic stratification.

Prognostic role of pre-operative serum ferritin level in stage 2 colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative serum ferritin level in patients with stage 2 colon cancer who underwent curative surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 120 patients who were stage 2 after curative surgery and whose ferritin levels were measured at the time of diagnosis without starting any treatment were analyzed. Demographic data such as age and gender, histopathological characteristics such as tumor size, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), number of removed lymph nodes, tumor grade, and clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital medical charts or electronic medical records. In the survival analysis, the cut-off level of ferritin was accepted as 150 ng/ml, which is the upper limit determined by the World Health Organization (WHO), as a prognostic factor. RESULTS: Fifty (41.7%) of the patients were female, 70 (58.3%) were male, and the median age was 63.5 (range 24-90) years. There was no significant difference between the low and high ferritin groups regarding age, gender, T stage, tumor localization, histological subtype, PNI, LVI, removal of less than 12 lymph nodes, and tumor size. Disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with high ferritin levels were worse than patients with low ferritin levels, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ferritin level is an easily monitored, cost-effective, and reproducible marker. In this study we found that high ferritin level was associated with poor survival, although it was not statistically significant.

Selenium and the 15kDa Selenoprotein Impact Colorectal Tumorigenesis by Modulating Intestinal Barrier Integrity.

Selenoproteins play important roles in many cellular functions and biochemical pathways in mammals. Our previous study showed that the deficiency of the 15 kDa selenoprotein (Selenof) significantly reduced the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in a mouse model of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Selenof on inflammatory tumorigenesis, and whether dietary selenium modified these effects. For 20 weeks post-weaning, Selenof-knockout (KO) mice and littermate controls were fed diets that were either deficient, adequate or high in sodium selenite. Colon tumors were induced with AOM and dextran sulfate sodium. Surprisingly, KO mice had drastically fewer ACF but developed a similar number of tumors as their littermate controls. Expression of genes important in inflammatory colorectal cancer and those relevant to epithelial barrier function was assessed, in addition to structural differences via tissue histology. Our findings point to Selenof's potential role in intestinal barrier integrity and structural changes in glandular and mucin-producing goblet cells in the mucosa and submucosa, which may determine the type of tumor developing.

Assessment of the Anti-Cancer Efficiency of Silver Moringa oleifera Leaves Nano-extract against Colon Cancer Induced Chemically in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) categorized as the most common type of gastrointestinal cancers affected both genders equally. Chemotherapeutic drugs became limited due to their deleterious side effects. Therefore, efficiency of M. oleifera leaves extract increased by incorporating silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) then studied against colon cancer induced by azoxymethane (AOM) in rats. METHODS: Different hematological and biochemical measurements in addition to specific tumor and inflammatory markers were quantified. Histopathological examination for Colonic tissues was performed. Native proteins and isoenzyme patterns were electrophoretically detected in addition to assaying expression of Tumor Protein P53 (TP53) and Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) genes in colonic tissues. RESULTS: M. oleifera nano-extract restored levels of the hematological and biochemical measurements in addition to levels of tumor and inflammatory markers to normalcy in both of nano-extract simult- and post-treated groups. Also, it minimized severity of the histopathological alterations in the simult-treated group and prevented it completely in the post-treated group. The lowest similarity index (SI%) values were noticed with electrophoretic protein (SI=61.54%), lipid (SI=0.00%) and calcium (SI=75.00%) moieties of protein patterns, catalase (SI=85.71%), peroxidase (SI=85.71%), α-esterase (SI=50.00%) and ß-esterase (SI=50.00%) isoenzymes in addition to altering the relative quantities of total protein and isoenzyme bands in colon of cancer induced group. Moreover, levels of TP53 and APC gene expression increased significantly (P≤0.05) in colon cancer induced group. The nano-extract prevented the qualitative and quantitative alterations in the different electrophoretic patterns in addition to restoring levels of the gene expressions to normalcy in both of simult- and post-treated groups. CONCLUSION: M. oleifera nano-extract exhibited ameliorative effect against the biochemical, physiological and molecular alterations induced by AOM in nano-extract simult- and post-treated groups.
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Association of Adiponectin and Vitamin D With Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Survival in Stage III Colon Cancer.

Background: Adipocyte-derived adiponectin may play a role in the host inflammatory response to cancer. We examined the association of plasma adiponectin with the density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in colon cancers and with vitamin D, clinicopathological features, and patient survival. Methods: Plasma adiponectin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were analyzed by radioimmunoassay in 600 patients with stage III colon cancer who received FOLFOX-based adjuvant chemotherapy (NCCTG N0147 [Alliance]). TIL densities were determined in histopathological sections. Associations with disease-free survival (DFS), time to recurrence, and overall survival were evaluated by multivariable Cox regression adjusting for potential confounders (ie, body mass index, race, TILs, and N stage). All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results: We found a statistically significant reduction in adiponectin, but not 25(OH)D, levels in tumors with high vs low TIL densities (median = 6845 vs 8984 ng/mL; P = .04). A statistically significant reduction in adiponectin was also observed in obese (body mass index >30 kg/m2) vs nonobese patients (median = 6608 vs 12 351 ng/mL; P < .001), in men vs women (median = 8185 vs 11 567 ng/mL; P < .001), in Blacks vs Whites or Asians (median = 6412 vs 8847 vs 7858 ng/mL; P < .03), and in those with fewer lymph node metastases (N1 vs N2: median = 7768 vs 9253 ng/mL; P = .01). Insufficiency of 25(OH)D (<30 ng/mL) was detected in 291 (48.5%) patients. In multivariable analyses, neither adiponectin nor 25(OH)D were associated with a statistically significant difference in DFS, overall survival , or time to recurrence in models adjusted for potential confounders. We found a statistically significant association of TILs with prognosis, yet no such interaction was observed for the association of adiponectin with TILs for DFS. Conclusions: Lower circulating adiponectin levels were associated with a statistically significant increase in TIL densities in colon cancers, indicating an enhanced antitumor immune response. In contrast to TILs, neither adiponectin nor 25(OH)D was independently prognostic.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Factor for Colon Cancer in Elderly Patients: A Propensity Score Analysis.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in elderly patients with Stage I-III colon cancer for long-term oncologic outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 175 patients aged >75 years who underwent radical surgery for Stage I-III colon cancer between 2000 and 2015 at our institute. Overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) were evaluated according to NLR values using propensity score analysis. Patients were allocated to the higher NLR (H-NLR) or the lower NLR (L-NLR) group with a cut-off value of 2.3, based on receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Before case matching, there were significant differences between the two groups for CSS (p=0.023) and RFS (p<0.001), but not for OS (p=0.069). Similar results were obtained after case matching, with significant differences observed for CSS (p=0.003) and RFS (p=0.027), but not for OS (p=0.145). CONCLUSION: NLR may be a prognostic factor in elderly patients with colon cancer.

Decreased Levels of Microfibril-Associated Glycoprotein (MAGP)-1 in Patients with Colon Cancer and Obesity Are Associated with Changes in Extracellular Matrix Remodelling.

OBJECTIVE: The protein microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP)-1 constitutes a crucial extracellular matrix protein. We aimed to determine its impact on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) remodelling during obesity-associated colon cancer (CC). METHODS: Samples obtained from 79 subjects (29 normoponderal (NP) (17 with CC) and 50 patients with obesity (OB) (19 with CC)) were used in the study. Circulating concentrations of MAGP-1 and its gene expression levels (MFAP2) in VAT were analysed. The impact of inflammation-related factors and adipocyte-conditioned media (ACM) on MFAP2 mRNA levels in colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells were further analysed. The effects of MAGP-1 in the expression of genes involved in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and tumorigenesis in HT-29 cells was also explored. RESULTS: Obesity (p < 0.01) and CC (p < 0.001) significantly decreased MFAP2 gene expression levels in VAT whereas an opposite trend in TGFB1 mRNA levels was observed. Increased mRNA levels of MFAP2 after the stimulation of HT-29 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (p < 0.01) and interleukin (IL)-4 (p < 0.01) together with a downregulation (p < 0.05) after hypoxia mimicked by CoCl2 treatment was observed. MAGP-1 treatment significantly enhanced the mRNA levels of the ECM-remodelling genes collagen type 6 α3 chain (COL6A3) (p < 0.05), decorin (DCN) (p < 0.01), osteopontin (SPP1) (p < 0.05) and TGFB1 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MAGP-1 significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the gene expression levels of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX2/PTGS2), a key gene controlling cell proliferation, growth and adhesion in CC. Interestingly, a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in the mRNA levels of MFAP2 in HT-29 cells preincubated with ACM from volunteers with obesity compared with control media was observed. Conclusion: The decreased levels of MAGP-1 in patients with obesity and CC together with its capacity to modulate key genes involved in ECM remodelling and tumorigenesis suggest MAGP-1 as a link between AT excess and obesity-associated CC development.

Increasing uptake of colon cancer screening in a medically underserved population with the addition of blood-based testing.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to colorectal cancer screening in the United States is suboptimal, particularly in medically underserved populations due to significant barriers to care. Unique accessible, low-cost, and non-invasive screening tests for this population could greatly benefit current rates. In this article, we assess patient preference and the impact of offering a blood-based test on screening rates in a cost-free health fair setting from April 2017 to April 2019. METHODS: Participants who met colorectal cancer screening eligibility criteria set forth by the United States Preventive Services Task Force were recommended to attend the colon cancer screening station. Those participants who elected to attend were offered various, accepted screening methods, and if they declined, were offered alternative blood-based testing. Screening rates, test outcomes, and the rate of follow up completion of colonoscopy were measured and compared with historic screening outcomes. RESULTS: Of 1401 participants who were recommended to attend, 640 (45.7%) participants were evaluated at the colon cancer screening station, of whom 460 were eligible for testing. Amongst these, none selected colonoscopy, 30 (6.5%) selected fecal immunochemical testing, and 430 (93.5%) selected blood-based testing. Only 2 participants returned the fecal immunochemical tests. In the blood test cohort, 88 were positive and 20 received a follow up colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this assessment, blood-based testing is an effective method to increase screening rates in medically underserved populations, though efforts to further improve access to follow up colonoscopy are necessary.

Significance of serum palmitoleic acid levels in inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are chronic intestinal diseases of unknown etiology that present with variable disease extents and outcomes. The use of biomarkers for the diagnosis and management of IBDs is considered beneficial. Palmitoleic acid (PO) is an adipose tissue-derived mono-unsaturated free fatty acid that potentially serves as a lipokine in metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of PO levels in the serum of patients with UC and CD. The study included patients with UC (n = 22), patients with CD (n = 35), and controls (n = 22). The levels of serum PO were analyzed using gas chromatography. The association of serum PO levels with the clinical features and disease outcomes in IBD was examined. Serum PO levels were significantly higher in patients with CD than in controls, whereas no difference in these levels was observed between patients with UC and controls. Serum PO levels were significantly associated with the CD activity index. Additionally, high serum PO levels were associated with an increased risk of surgical intervention requirement during follow-up. In a pilot study with a few patients, high PO levels were observed in the mesenteric tissue in the active disease site of patients with CD (n = 7) compared with those with colon cancer (n = 6). Elevated serum PO levels might serve as a marker for local inflammation and prognosis in patients with CD.

Mutational landscape of plasma cell-free DNA identifies molecular features associated with therapeutic response in patients with colon cancer. A pilot study.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has recently been used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for detecting tumour-specific mutations. cfDNA may also be used for monitoring disease progression and treatment response, but so far researchers focused on one or few genes only. A genomic profile may provide better information on patient prognosis compared to single specific mutations. In this hypothesis-generating study, we profiled by whole exome sequencing serial plasma samples from 10 colon cancer (CC) patients collected before and after 5-fluorouracil-based therapy, and one year after diagnosis to determine alterations associated with treatment response. In parallel, genome profiling was also performed in patients' corresponding tumour tissue to ascertain the molecular landscape of resistant tumours. The mutation concordance between cfDNA and tumour tissue DNA was higher in more advanced tumour stages than in the early stages of the disease. In non-responders, a specific mutation profile was observed in tumour tissues (TPSD1 p.Ala92Thr, CPAMD8 p.Arg341Gln, OBP2A p.ArgTyr123CysHis). A pathogenic APC mutation (p.Ser1315Ter) was detected only in cfDNA of one poor responder one year after the diagnosis and after therapy termination. Another poor responder presented a likely pathogenic TP53 mutation (p.Arg110Pro) in cfDNA of all plasma samplings and in tumour tissue. In conclusion, cfDNA could be used for genetic characterisation of CC patients and might be clinically useful for non-invasive therapy response monitoring.

Circulating tryptophan metabolites and risk of colon cancer: Results from case-control and prospective cohort studies.

Dysregulation of tryptophan metabolism has been linked to colorectal tumorigenesis; however, epidemiological studies investigating tryptophan metabolites in relation to colorectal cancer risk are limited. We studied associations of plasma tryptophan, serotonin and kynurenine with colon cancer risk in two studies with cancer patients and controls, and in one prospective cohort: ColoCare Study (110 patients/153 controls), the Colorectal Cancer Study of Austria (CORSA; 46 patients/390 controls) and the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC; 456 matched case-control pairs). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for colon cancer risk. Tryptophan was inversely associated with colon cancer risk in ColoCare (OR per 1-SD = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.31-0.64) and EPIC (OR per 1-SD = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-0.99). Comparing detectable vs nondetectable levels, serotonin was positively associated with colon cancer in CORSA (OR = 6.39; 95% CI, 3.61-11.3) and EPIC (OR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.20-3.40). Kynurenine was inversely associated with colon cancer in ColoCare (OR per 1-SD = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.98), positively associated in CORSA (OR per 1-SD = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.27-2.52), while no association was observed in EPIC. The kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio was positively associated with colon cancer in ColoCare (OR per 1-SD = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.03-1.84) and CORSA (OR per 1-SD = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.06-1.96), but not in EPIC. These results suggest that higher plasma tryptophan may be associated with lower colon cancer risk, while increased serotonin may be associated with a higher risk of colon cancer. The kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio may also reflect altered tryptophan catabolism during colon cancer development.

Two Cu(II) and Co(II) Coordination Polymers: Important Values on Colon Cancer Patients by Reducing Insulin Resistance.

In the current study, via utilizing H5L (H5L = 2,4-di(3',5'-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid), the symmetrical rigid polycarboxylic acid ligand with V-shape geometry, two new coordination polymers containing Cu(II) and Co(II) have been produced, and their chemical formulae respectively are {[Co5(L)2(H2O)12]·6H2O} n (1) and {[H2N(Me)2][Cu2(L)(H2O)]·DMF·H2O} n (2), leading to a variety kinds of coordination patterns of H5L and multifunctional skeletons. Their inhibitory activity on the insulin resistance of colon cancer patients was assessed. In addition, the detailed mechanism of the compound was also investigated. Firstly, the detection of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out and the Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) level and the Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) level was detected. Then, the glucose concentration was determined with blood glucose meter. Next, the insulin receptor expression levels of ß cells were determined with the real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. Ultimately, the cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 was determined with Cell Counting Kit-8 assay.

Prognostic Value and Relation with Adjuvant Treatment Duration of ctDNA in Stage III Colon Cancer: a Post Hoc Analysis of the PRODIGE-GERCOR IDEA-France Trial.

PURPOSE: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been suggested as a major prognostic factor in resected stage-III colon cancer. We analyzed ctDNA of patients randomized in the phase III IDEA-France trial. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: ctDNA was tested for WIF1 and NPY by droplet digital PCR with method developed and validated for colorectal cancer. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed via multivariable analysis in patients with ctDNA samples and in sub-groups according to treatment duration (3/6 months) and disease stage (high/low-risk stage III). RESULTS: Of 2,010 randomized patients, 1,345 had available ctDNA samples (1,017 collected both post-surgery and pre-chemotherapy). More Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0 (78% versus 69%) and T4 and/or N2 (40% versus 36%) were observed in patients studied (n = 1017) versus not analyzed (n = 993). There were 877 ctDNA-negative (86.2%) and 140 ctDNA-positive (13.8%) patients; their baseline characteristics were similar. With a median follow-up of 6.6 years, the 3-year DFS rate was 66.39% for ctDNA-positive patients and 76.71% for ctDNA-negative patients (P = 0.015). ctDNA was confirmed as an independent prognostic marker for DFS (adjusted HR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.13-2.12, P = 0.006) and OS (HR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.12-2.43, P = 0.011). ctDNA was prognostic in patients treated for 3 months and with T4 and/or N2 tumors, but not in those treated for 6 months and with T1-3/N1 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: In this first ctDNA assessment of a large series of patients with stage III colon cancer enrolled in phase III trial, post-surgery ctDNA was found in 13.8% of them and was confirmed as an independent prognostic marker.See related commentary by Bent and Kopetz, p. 5449.