TLR2 and TLR4 in colorectal cancer: relationship to tumor necrosis and markers of systemic inflammation.

In colorectal cancer (CRC), systemic inflammation is associated with poor prognosis, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully characterized. Tumor necrosis may contribute to systemic inflammation by inducing interleukin (IL)-6 signaling, and proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 also are linked to adverse CRC outcomes. Because Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important mediators of inflammatory responses, we investigated the roles of TLR2 and TLR4 in CRC-associated systemic inflammatory responses, especially tumor necrosis. In 118 patients with CRC, extensive tumor necrosis was associated with low TLR4 expression in tumor cells. Tumor cell TLR4 expression was inversely correlated with serum IL-6 and MMP-8 levels, blood total leukocyte and neutrophil counts, and serum C-reactive protein levels. Tumor cell TLR2 expression was not significantly associated with necrosis or systemic inflammation, but low expression in normal mucosa was linked to high serum MMP-8 and IL-8. These findings indicate that tumor necrosis is associated with low TLR4 expression in cancer cells and that low TLR4 expression correlates with a strong systemic inflammatory response. The low TLR2 expression in normal mucosa and its association with systemic inflammation suggest that the normal mucosa may reflect or contribute to the systemic inflammatory response.

Mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation versus no bowel preparation for elective colectomy (MOBILE): a multicentre, randomised, parallel, single-blinded trial.

BACKGROUND: Decreased surgical site infections (SSIs) and morbidity have been reported with mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation (MOABP) compared with no bowel preparation (NBP) in colonic surgery. Several societies have recommended routine use of MOABP in patients undergoing colon resection on the basis of these data. Our aim was to investigate this recommendation in a prospective randomised context. METHODS: In this multicentre, parallel, single-blinded trial, patients undergoing colon resection were randomly assigned (1:1) to either MOABP or NBP in four hospitals in Finland, using a web-based randomisation technique. Randomly varying block sizes (four, six, and eight) were used for randomisation, and stratification was done according to centre. The recruiters, treating physicians, operating surgeons, data collectors, and analysts were masked to the allocated treatment. Key exclusion criteria were need for emergency surgery; bowel obstruction; colonoscopy planned during surgery; allergy to polyethylene glycol, neomycin, or metronidazole; and age younger than 18 years or older than 95 years. Study nurses opened numbered opaque envelopes containing the patient allocated group, and instructed the patients according to the allocation group to either prepare the bowel, or not prepare the bowel. Patients allocated to MOABP prepared their bowel by drinking 2 L of polyethylene glycol and 1 L of clear fluid before 6 pm on the day before surgery and took 2 g of neomycin orally at 7 pm and 2 g of metronidazole orally at 11 pm the day before surgery. The primary outcome was SSI within 30 days after surgery, analysed in the modified intention-to-treat population (all patients who were randomly allocated to and underwent elective colon resection with an anastomosis) along with safety analyses. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02652637, and EudraCT, 2015-004559-38, and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: Between March 17, 2016, and Aug 20, 2018, 738 patients were assessed for eligibility. Of the 417 patients who were randomised (209 to MOABP and 208 to NBP), 13 in the MOABP group and eight in the NBP were excluded before undergoing colonic resection; therefore, the modified intention-to-treat analysis included 396 patients (196 for MOABP and 200 for NBP). SSI was detected in 13 (7%) of 196 patients randomised to MOABP, and in 21 (11%) of 200 patients randomised to NBP (odds ratio 1·65, 95% CI 0·80-3·40; p=0·17). Anastomotic dehiscence was reported in 7 (4%) of 196 patients in the MOABP group and in 8 (4%) of 200 in the NBP group, and reoperations were necessary in 16 (8%) of 196 compared with 13 (7%) of 200 patients. Two patients died in the NBP group and none in the MOABP group within 30 days. INTERPRETATION: MOABP does not reduce SSIs or the overall morbidity of colon surgery compared with NBP. We therefore propose that the current recommendations of using MOABP for colectomies to reduce SSIs or morbidity should be reconsidered. FUNDING: Vatsatautien Tutkimussäätiö Foundation, Mary and Georg Ehrnrooth's Foundation, and Helsinki University Hospital research funds.

Prospective, Randomized Study on the Use of Prosthetic Mesh to Prevent a Parastomal Hernia in a Permanent Colostomy: Results of a Long-term Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernias are common with permanent colostomies and prone to complications. The short-term results of trials of parastomal hernia prevention are widely published, but long-term results are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to detect the long-term effects and safety of preventive intra-abdominal parastomal mesh. DESIGN: This is a long-term follow-up of a previous prospective randomized, controlled multicenter trial. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at 2 university hospitals and 3 central hospitals in Finland. PATIENTS: Patients who had a laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer between 2010 and 2013 were included in the study and invited for a follow-up visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were clinical and radiological parastomal hernias. RESULTS: Twenty subjects in the mesh group and 15 in the control group attended the follow-up visit with a median follow-up period of 65 (25th-75th percentiles, 49-91) months. A clinically detectable parastomal hernia was present in 4 of 20 (20.0%) and 5 of 15 (33.3%) subjects in the mesh and control groups (p = 0.45). A radiological parastomal hernia was present in 9 of 19 (45.0%) subjects in the mesh group and 7 of 12 (58.3%) subjects in the control group (p = 0.72). However, when all subjects (n = 70, 1:1) who attended the 12-month follow-up were screened for long-term results according to register data, 9 of 35 (25.9%) subjects in the mesh group and 16 of 35 (45.6%) subjects in control group were diagnosed with a parastomal hernia during the follow-up period (p = 0.10). In addition, only 1 of 35 (2.7%) subjects in the mesh group but 6 of 35 (17.1%) subjects in the control group underwent a parastomal hernia operation during the long-term follow-up (p = 0.030). LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by the small number of patients. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic intra-abdominal keyhole mesh did not decrease the rate of clinically detectable hernias but reduced the need for the surgical repair of parastomal hernias. Further trials are needed to identify a more efficient method to prevent parastomal hernias. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B171. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02368873. ESTUDIO PROSPECTIVO ALEATORIZADO SOBRE EL USO DE MALLA PROTÉSICA PARA PREVENIR UNA HERNIA PARAESTOMAL EN UNA COLOSTOMÍA PERMANENTE: RESULTADOS DE UN SEGUIMIENTO A LARGO PLAZO: PREVENCIÓN DE HERNIA PARAESTOMAL, NEOPLASIA COLORRECTAL/ANAL: Las hernias paraestomales son comunes con colostomías permanentes y son propensas a complicaciones. Los resultados a corto plazo de los ensayos sobre la prevención de la hernia parastomal se publican ampliamente, pero los resultados a largo plazo son escasos.El objetivo del estudio es detectar los efectos a largo plazo y la seguridad de la malla parastomal intraabdominal preventiva.Este es un seguimiento a largo plazo de un estudio aleatorizado prospectivo, controlado y multicentrico previo.Este estudio se realizó en dos hospitales universitarios y tres hospitales centrales en Finlandia.Los pacientes que se sometieron a una resección abdominoperineal laparoscópica por cáncer de recto 2010-2013 fueron incluidos en el estudio e invitados a una visita de seguimiento.Hernias parastomales clínicas y radiológicas.Veinte sujetos en el grupo de malla y 15 en el grupo control asistieron a la visita de seguimiento con una mediana de seguimiento de 65 meses (25-75 ° percentil 49-91). Una hernia paraestomal clínicamente detectable estuvo presente en 4/20 (20.0%) y 5/15 (33.3%) en los grupos de malla y control, respectivamente (p = 0.45). Una hernia parastomal radiológica estuvo presente en 9/19 (45.0%) en el grupo de malla y 7/12 (58.3%) en el grupo de control (p = 0.72). Sin embargo, cuando todos los sujetos (n = 70, 1: 1) que asistieron a los 12 meses de seguimiento fueron evaluados para obtener resultados a largo plazo de acuerdo con los datos del registro, 9/35 (25.9%) sujetos en el grupo de malla y 16/35 (45,6%) sujetos en el grupo control fueron diagnosticados con una hernia paraestomal durante el período de seguimiento (p = 0,10). Además, solo 1/35 (2.7%) en el grupo de malla pero 6/35 (17.1%) en el grupo control se sometieron a una operación de hernia paraestomal durante el seguimiento a largo plazo (p = 0.030).El estudio está limitado por un pequeño número de pacientes.La malla intra-abdominal profiláctica en ojo de cerradura no disminuyó la tasa de hernias clínicamente detectables, pero redujo la necesidad de la reparación quirúrgica de las hernias paraestomales. Se necesitan ensayos adicionales para identificar un método más eficiente para prevenir las hernias parastomales. Vea el resumen del video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B171. (Traducción-Dr. Gonzalo Hagerman).NCT02368873.

Alterations in serum amino-acid profile in the progression of colorectal cancer: associations with systemic inflammation, tumour stage and patient survival.

BACKGROUND: Cancer cachexia is a complex wasting syndrome affecting patients with advanced cancer, with systemic inflammation as a key component in pathogenesis. Protein degradation and release of amino acids (AAs) in skeletal muscle are stimulated in cachexia. Here, we define factors contributing to serum AA levels in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Serum levels of nine AAs were characterised in 336 CRC patients and their relationships with 20 markers of systemic inflammatory reaction, clinicopathological features of cancers and patient survival were analysed. RESULTS: Low serum glutamine and histidine levels and high phenylalanine levels associated with indicators of systemic inflammation, including high modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, high blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and high serum levels of CRP, IL-6 and IL-8. Low levels of serum glutamine, histidine, alanine and high glycine levels also associated with advanced cancer stage and with poor cancer-specific survival in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In CRC, serum AA levels are associated with systemic inflammation and disease stage. These findings may reflect muscle catabolism induced by systemic inflammation in CRC.

Platelet count, aspirin use, and characteristics of host inflammatory responses in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Platelets not only contribute to hemostasis but also to the regulation of inflammatory reactions and cancer pathogenesis. We hypothesized that blood platelet count would be associated with systemic inflammation, the densities of tumor infiltrating immune cells, and survival in colorectal cancer (CRC), and these relationships could be altered by aspirin use. METHODS: We measured blood platelet count in a cohort of 356 CRC patients and analyzed its relationships with tumor and patient characteristics including aspirin use, markers of systemic inflammation (modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, mGPS; serum levels of CRP, albumin, and 13 cytokines), blood hemoglobin levels, five types of tumor infiltrating immune cells (CD3, CD8, FoxP3, Neutrophil elastase, mast cell tryptase), and survival. RESULTS: Platelet count inversely correlated with blood hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001) and positively correlated with serum levels of CRP and multiple cytokines including IL-1RA, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-12, IFNγ, and PDGF-BB (p < 0.001 for all), while aspirin use was not associated with the levels of systemic inflammatory markers. High platelet count was also associated with high mGPS (p < 0.001) but did not show statistically significant multivariable adjusted associations with the densities of tumor infiltrating immune cells. Higher platelet counts were observed in higher tumor stage (p < 0.001), but platelet count or aspirin use were not associated with patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: High platelet count is associated with systemic inflammation in CRC. This study could not demonstrate statistically significant associations between platelet count, aspirin use, and the densities of tumor infiltrating immune cells.

High-serum MMP-8 levels are associated with decreased survival and systemic inflammation in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) is a protease mainly expressed by neutrophils that cleaves numerous substrates, including collagens and cytokines. We have previously shown that serum MMP-8 levels increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) and correlate with distant metastasis. However, short follow-up in our prospective cohort did not enable survival analyses at the time of the first publication. METHODS: Preoperative serum MMP-8 levels were measured by immunofluorometric assay in 271 CRC patients and related to clinicopathological parameters, markers of systemic inflammation (modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, mGPS; serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin and 13 cytokines), the density of six types of tumour-infiltrating immune cells and survival. RESULTS: Increased MMP-8 levels associated with higher mGPS and higher serum levels of CRP and several cytokines, including IL-1ra, IL-7 and IL-8 (p < 0.001 for all). Serum MMP-8 negatively correlated with tumour-infiltrating mast cells (invasive margin: p = 0.005, tumour centre: p = 0.010). The patients with high-serum MMP-8 levels (>100 ng/mL) had poor cancer-specific survival, independent of tumour stage, grade, lymphatic invasion, patient age, BRAF VE1 immunohistochemistry, mismatch repair deficiency, Immunoscore and mGPS (multivariate HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.21-3.71, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: High-serum MMP-8 levels are associated with systemic inflammation and adverse outcome in CRC.

Predictors of quality-of-life after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVES: Predictors of the postoperative quality of life (QoL) following ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) have not been thoroughly investigated. This study was planned to assess the postoperative QoL following IPAA and to identify its predictors using the 15D instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on IPAA-operated patients with ulcerative colitis in two Finnish tertiary hospitals during the period 1985-2014 (n = 485). Medical records were examined to collect data on baseline, operative and postoperative characteristics. Patients were surveyed using the 15D-instrument to assess their postoperative QoL. Linear regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve were applied to identify the predictors of postoperative QoL. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Of all patients, 61.5% experienced worse postoperative QoL, with significantly lower QoL level than that of an age and sex-standardized general population in 12 dimensions of the 15D-instrument, with the highest mean difference QoL scores calculated for excretion, sexual activity and sleeping dimensions. Older age and preoperative hypertension were the only significant predictors of lower overall QoL (p = .003 and p = .03, respectively). A preoperative age of ≥35 years was the most valid predictor of lower postoperative QoL (Sensitivity = 62.4% and Specificity = 49.6%, p = .04). In conclusion, postoperative QoL is generally low using the 15D-instrument after IPAA. Worse postoperative QoL is predicted after the age of 35.

The relationships between serum cytokine levels and tumor infiltrating immune cells and their clinical significance in colorectal cancer.

Increased inflammatory cell infiltration correlates to improved survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). Development and progression of CRC is associated with alterations in serum cytokine levels but their significance is not well defined. In this study, we investigated the relationships between the serum levels of 13 cytokines and the densities of eight types of tumor infiltrating inflammatory cells and their impact on disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in a prospectively recruited group of 147 CRC patients. There were strong positive correlations between the serum concentrations of different cytokines, as well as between the different types of tumor infiltrating immune cells, whereas the associations between serum cytokines and tumor infiltrating immune cells were generally weak. High serum IL-12 levels associated with increased densities of peritumoral CD8(+) T cells, intraepithelial CD3(+) T cells and intratumoral neutrophils, while high serum CCL4 levels associated with increased densities of peritumoral CD68(+) cells. In multivariate survival models, increased infiltration of intraepithelial CD3(+) T cells and increased serum CCL4 associated with improved DFS, whereas higher intratumoral CD83(+) dendritic cell density and increased serum interferon gamma levels associated with improved CSS and OS. Also high density of peritumoral CD3(+) T cells associated with improved CSS. In conclusion, serum cytokines and tumor infiltrating immune cells in CRC represent entities with high intragroup correlations but relatively weak intergroup correlations. The results suggest that tumor infiltrating CD3(+) T cells, CD83(+) dendritic cells, serum CCL4 and serum interferon gamma represent relevant markers of disease outcome.

Clinical impact and network of determinants of tumour necrosis in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The disease outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC) can vary in a wide range within the same tumour stage. The aim of this study was to clarify the prognostic value and the determinants of tumour necrosis in CRC. METHODS: The areal proportion (%) of tumour tissue showing coagulative necrosis was evaluated in a cohort of 147 CRC patients and correlated with basic clinicopathological characteristics, microvascular density (MVD), cell proliferation rate, KRAS and BRAF mutations, and survival. To validate the prognostic significance of tumour necrosis, an independent cohort of 418 CRC patients was analysed. RESULTS: Tumour necrosis positively correlated with tumour stage (P=8.5E-4)-especially with T class (4.0E-6)-and inversely correlated with serrated histology (P=0.014), but did not significantly associate with cell proliferation rate, MVD, and KRAS or BRAF mutation. Abundant (10% or more) tumour necrosis associated with worse disease-free survival independent of stage and other biological or clinicopathological characteristics in both cohorts, and the adverse effect was directly related to its extent. High CD105 MVD was also a stage independent marker for worse disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Tumour necrosis percentage is a relevant histomorphological prognostic indicator in CRC. More studies are needed to disclose the mechanisms of tumour necrosis.

Gremlin1 expression associates with serrated pathway and favourable prognosis in colorectal cancer.

AIMS: Gremlin1 is a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist with a suggested role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. We have analysed Gremlin1 protein expression in CRC and assessed its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics, including developmental pathway and prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Material included a non-selected series of 148 surgically treated CRC cases. The tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, histological grade and inflammatory infiltrate at the invasive margin were assessed, and tumours were classified to serrated or non-serrated types. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to evaluate Gremlin1 expression. Prognosis (60-month follow-up) was analysed by Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression analysis. Gremlin1 expression was detected in epithelial cells both in normal mucosa and in carcinomas. Abundant expression in carcinomas associated with low TNM stage (P = 0.044), low histological grade (P = 0.044), serrated histology (P = 0.033 or P = 0.053 depending on the classification cut-off) and intensive inflammatory infiltrate at the invasive margin (P = 0.044), and was a stage independent indicator of extended survival (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Gremlin1 protein expression in CRC associates with low tumour stage and extended survival independently of tumour stage, suggesting that it represents a relevant prognostic indicator in CRC. High expression in carcinomas with serrated histology suggests a potential role for Gremlin1 in the serrated pathway of CRC.

The role of low CRP values in the prediction of the development of acute diverticulitis.

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) is the most appropriate imaging modality for the assessment of acute diverticulitis at the emergency unit. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcome of the patients presented first time with symptoms of acute diverticulitis and low CRP values. METHODS: Two-hundred patients, who presented with the symptoms of acute diverticulitis and had CRP values under 150 mg/L, underwent abdominal CT examination on admission to Oulu University Hospital. The clinical parameters and radiological findings were compared in relation to clinical outcome both by means of univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Seventy-one (35.5 %) of the 200 patients presented on admission with complicated diverticulitis. CRP values between 100 and 150 mg/L predicted complicated disease, but the mean values of CRP between uncomplicated disease, 89 mg/L ± 39, and complicated disease, 101 mg/L ± 39, did not differ significantly. Free intra-abdominal fluid in CT was the only independent risk factor of the need for interventional therapy and treatment in the intensive care unit. Longevity of the patients and free fluid in CT predicted significantly prolonged hospitalization. Mortality was 1 % and older patients were significantly affected. The recurrence rate of acute diverticulitis was 24 % (43/177) in the whole group and 18 % (23/129) after uncomplicated diverticulitis. CONCLUSIONS: Low CRP values do not reliably predict uncomplicated disease in patients presented first time at the emergency unit with acute diverticulitis. We recommend that the need for abdominal CT is carefully evaluated according to the patient's clinical status, always even when the CRP value is under 150 mg/L.

Prospective, Randomized Study on the Use of a Prosthetic Mesh for Prevention of Parastomal Hernia of Permanent Colostomy.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic placement of a mesh has been suggested to prevent parastomal hernia, but evidence to support this approach is scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether laparoscopic placement of a prophylactic, dual-component, intraperitoneal onlay mesh around a colostomy is safe and prevents parastomal hernia formation after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. DESIGN: This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at 2 university and 3 central Finnish hospitals. PATIENTS: From 2010 to 2013, 83 patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer were recruited. After withdrawals and exclusions, the outcome of 70 patients, 35 patients in each study group, could be examined. INTERVENTIONS: In the intervention group, an end colostomy was created with placement of a intraperitoneal, dual-component onlay mesh and compared with a group with a traditional stoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the incidence of clinically and radiologically detected parastomal hernias and their extent 12 months after surgery. Stoma-related morbidity and the need for surgical repair of parastomal hernia were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Parastomal hernia was observed by clinical inspection in 5 intervention patients (14.3%) and in 12 control patients (32.3%; p = 0.049). Surgical repair of parastomal hernia was performed in 1 control patient (3.2%) and in none of the patients in the intervention group. CT detected parastomal hernia in 18 intervention patients (51.4%) and in 17 control patients (53.1%; p = 1.00). The extent of hernias was similar according to European Hernia Society classification (p = 0.41). Colostomy-related morbidity (32.3% vs 14.3%; p = 0.140) did not differ between the study groups. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its small size and short follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic laparoscopic placement of intraperitoneal onlay mesh does not significantly reduce the overall risk of radiologically detected parastomal hernia after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. However, prophylactic mesh repair was associated with significantly lower risk of clinically detected parastomal hernia.

The role of C-reactive protein in prediction of the severity of acute diverticulitis in an emergency unit.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography (CT) is the most appropriate initial imaging modality for the assessment of acute diverticulitis. The aim here was to determine the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting the severity of the diverticulitis process and the need for a CT examination. METHODS: The CRP values of 350 patients who presented first time with symptoms of acute diverticulitis and underwent CT imaging on admission to Oulu University Hospital were compared with the CT findings and clinical parameters by means of both univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a CRP cut-off value of 149.5 mg/l significantly discriminated acute uncomplicated diverticulitis from complicated diverticulitis (specificity 65%, sensitivity 85%, area under the curve 0.811, p = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, a CRP value over 150 mg/l and old age were independent risk factors for acute complicated diverticulitis. The mean CRP value was significantly higher in the patients who died, 207 (84 SD), than in those who survived, 139 (SD 83). In addition, a CRP value over 150 mg/l and free abdominal fluid in CT were independent variables predicting postoperative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: CRP is useful for the predicting the severity of acute diverticulitis on admission. Patients with a CRP value higher than 150 mg/l have an in increased risk of complicated diverticulitis and a CT examination should always be carried out.

Characteristics and significance of colorectal cancer associated lymphoid reaction.

A subset of colorectal cancers (CRCs) exhibits so-called Crohn's like lymphoid reaction (CLR), an inflammatory reaction pattern that consists of numerous transmural lymphoid aggregates. However, the composition of these aggregates, their biological mechanisms and their prognostic significance are not well-defined. We analyzed two CRC cohorts (418 and 149 patients) and determined clinicopathological features including survival. A new method for evaluating CLR based on counting the areal density of the lymphoid follicles (CLR density) was adopted. Immune cell densities at intratumoral and peritumoral regions, as well as the composition of the lymphoid follicles, were studied by immunohistochemistry. We found that CLR comprised of lymphoid aggregates with no evidence of granuloma formation. High CLR density associated with lower tumor stage, lack of preoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy and deficient mismatch repair enzyme expression. CLR density had positive correlations with peritumoral and intratumoral densities of CD83(+) mature dendritic cells and T cells. High CLR density associated with better survival and had prognostic value that was independent of stage, Klintrup-Mäkinen score for peritumoral inflammation and the numbers of tumor infiltrating T cells. CLR density evaluation had excellent intraobserver and interobserver agreement. In conclusion, the results suggest that CLR contributes to the adaptive antitumor immunity. Quantitative evaluation of CLR density is a relevant prognostic indicator in CRC.

[Fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis]. / Fulminantin Clostridium difficilen aiheuttama koliitti--milloin kirurginen hoito on aiheellinen?

Clostridium difficile is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea and it's most difficult Fulminant form is increasing in prevalence and severity in hospitalized patients. The early diagnostics and intensive conservative therapy are essential in the treatment of this ominous disease. The physicians must be aware of the possibility of this disease, when treating patients, who have received preceding antibiotic therapy. These patients have to be followed up in the surgical units. If the general condition of these patients is deteriorating, they must be transferred to emergency units. Surgery becomes mandatory before the development of multi organ failure.

Annual hospital volume and colorectal cancer survival in a population-based nationwide cohort study in Finland.

PURPOSE: To examine the annual hospital volume of surgery in relation to survival in colorectal cancer. Previous studies on hospital volume and survival following colorectal cancer surgery are conflicting. METHODS: All 49 032 patients who underwent resection for colorectal cancer in 1987-2016 in Finland were included, with complete follow-up until December 31, 2019. Primary outcome was 5-year mortality. Cox regression provided hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for quartiles of annual hospital volume for colorectal surgery, adjusted for calendar period, age, sex, comorbidity, stage, tumor location and oncological therapy. Additionally, colon and rectal cancer surgery were assessed separately. Sensitivity analysis of patients with confirmed curative intent was conducted. RESULTS: Compared to highest quartile (≥108 resections annually), lowest hospital volume (≤37 resections annually) was associated with slightly increased 5-year all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.12). A pre-planned subgroup-analysis suggested a slightly improved 5-year survival in high-volume institutions for rectal cancer, but not colon cancer surgery. Sensitivity analysis including only those operated with confirmed curative intent suggested no differences between hospital volume groups in colorectal, colon or rectal cancer for 5-year all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Higher hospital volume is associated with slightly improved all-cause 5-year mortality in colorectal cancer surgery, but this effect may be limited to rectal cancer surgery only. Volume-outcome relationship in rectal cancer surgery should be investigated further using large datasets. These results do not support centralization of colon cancer surgery based on hospital volume only.

Putative anoikis resistant subpopulations are enriched in lymph node metastases and indicate adverse prognosis in colorectal carcinoma.

Anoikis refers to apoptosis induced by the loss of contact with the extracellular matrix. Anoikis resistance is essential for metastasis. We have recently shown that it is possible to quantitatively evaluate putative anoikis resistant (AR) subpopulations in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Abundance of these multi-cell structures is an independent marker of adverse prognosis. Here, we have quantified putative AR subpopulations in lymph node (LN) metastases of CRC and evaluated their prognostic value and relationship with the characteristics of primary tumors. A case series included 137 unselected CRC patients, 54 with LN metastases. Areal densities (structures/mm2) of putative AR structures in primary tumors had been analyzed previously and now were determined from all nodal metastases (n = 183). Areal density of putative AR structures was higher in LN metastases than in primary tumors. Variation of the areal density within different LN metastases of a single patient was lower than between metastases of different patients. Abundance of putative AR structures in LN metastases was associated with shorter cancer specific survival (p = 0.013), and this association was independent of T and N stages. Abundance of putative AR structures in primary tumors and LN metastases had a cumulative adverse effect on prognosis. Enrichment of putative AR subpopulations in LN metastases suggest that in metastasis formation, there is a selection favoring cells capable of forming these structures. Higher intra-case constancy relative to inter-case variation suggests that such selection is stable in metastasis development. Our findings indirectly support the biological validity of our concept of putative AR structures.

Sarcopenia and Myosteatosis Are Associated with Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio but Not Glasgow Prognostic Score in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Cancer patients commonly present sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and systemic inflammation, which are risk factors of poor survival. In this study, sarcopenia and myosteatosis were defined from preoperative body computed tomography scans of 222 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and analyzed in relation to tumor and patient characteristics, markers of systemic inflammation (modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), neutrophil−lymphocyte ratio (NLR), serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and 13 cytokines, and survival. Of the systemic inflammation markers, sarcopenia and/or myosteatosis associated with elevated NLR (p = 0.005) and low albumin levels (≤35 g/L) (p = 0.018), but not with mGPS or serum cytokine levels. In addition, myosteatosis was associated with a proximal tumor location (p = 0.039), serrated tumor subtype (p < 0.001), and severe comorbidities (p = 0.004). Multivariable analyses revealed that severe comorbidities and serrated histology were independent predictors of myosteatosis, and older age and elevated NLR were independent indicators of sarcopenia. Myosteatosis associated with shorter overall survival in univariable analysis (HR 1.959, 95% CI 1.24−3.10, p = 0.004) but not in multivariable analysis (p = 0.075). We conclude that sarcopenia and myosteatosis were associated with inflammatory marker NLR, but not with mGPS. Moreover, patients with serrated CRC may have an increased risk of myosteatosis. Myosteatosis or sarcopenia were not independent predictors of patient survival.

Putative anoikis-resistant subpopulations in colorectal carcinoma: a marker of adverse prognosis.

Anoikis is a form of apoptosis induced when a cell loses contact with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Anoikis resistance is essential for metastasis formation, yet only detectable by in vitro experiments. We present a method for quantitation of putative anoikis-resistant (AR) subpopulations in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and evaluate their prognostic significance. We studied 137 CRC cases and identified cell subpopulations with and without stromal or extracellular matrix (ECM) contact with hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained sections and immunohistochemistry for laminin and type IV collagen. Suprabasal cells of micropapillary structures and inner cells of cribriform and solid structures lacked both stromal contact and contact with ECM proteins. Apoptosis rate (M30) was lower in these subpopulations than in the other carcinoma cells, consistent with putative AR subpopulation. We determined the areal density of these subpopulations (number/mm2 tumor tissue), and their high areal density independently indicates low cancer-specific survival. In conclusion, we show evidence that subpopulations of carcinoma cells in micropapillary, cribriform, and solid structures are resistant to anoikis as shown by lack of ECM contact and low apoptosis rate. Abundance of these subpopulations is a new independent indicator of poor prognosis in CRC, consistent with the importance of anoikis resistance in the formation of metastasis.

Systemic inflammation is associated with circulating cell death released keratin 18 fragments in colorectal cancer.

Systemic inflammation is a stage-independent marker of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC), activated in a complex, multifactorial process. It has been proposed that one of the main factors driving systemic inflammation may be tumor necrosis. Keratin 18 (KRT18) fragments are released from dead cells and their serum levels are markers for apoptotic and necrotic cell death. In CRC, high KRT18 levels associate with advanced disease, but their relationship with tumor necrosis and systemic inflammation is unknown. In this study, serum total soluble KRT18 (tKRT18) and apoptosis-related, caspase-cleaved fragment (aKRT18) levels were measured preoperatively from 328 CRC patients, and their difference was calculated to assess necrosis related KRT18 (nKRT18) levels. The relationships of these markers with tumor necrosis, clinicopathologic features, systemic inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, albumin, and 13 cytokines), and survival were analyzed. High serum tKRT18, aKRT18, and nKRT18 levels showed association with a higher extent of tumor necrosis, distant metastasis, and increased levels of several markers of systemic inflammation, including CXCL8. High serum tKRT18 (multivariable HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.28-2.95, p = .002) and nKRT18 (multivariable HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.24-2.82, p = .003) levels were associated with poor overall survival independent of potential confounding factors. Our results show that tumor necrosis in CRC contributes to serum levels of KRT18 fragments, and both necrosis and KRT18 levels associate with systemic inflammation. Moreover, we show that serum tKRT18 and nKRT18 levels have independent prognostic value in CRC. Our observations confirm the link between cell death and systemic inflammation.