rome and Colonic-Neoplasms

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.

Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Circulating Tumor DNA; Colonic Neoplasms; Exosomes; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Liquid Biopsy; Male; Mutation; Prognosis; Progression-Free Survival; Prospective Studies; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); Rectal Neoplasms; Rome

Currently, there is a surge of interest on the possible relationship between cancer and acid phosphatase locus 1 (ACP(1)), an enzyme involved in the modulation of growth factors and cellular metabolism. As far as the authors know, the possible relationship between ACP(1) genetic variability and cancer grading has not yet been considered. In this article, the authors have studied the relationship between ACP(1) genotype and grade in colon and endometrium cancers.. Seventy-one patients with colon cancer and 71 patients with endometrium cancer were studied. ACP(1) genotype was determined by DNA analysis. Three-way contingency table analysis was carried out according to Sokal and Rohlf. Other statistical analyses were performed using SPSS programs.. There is a significant association between ACP(1) and cancer grade mainly due to ACP(1) genotypes carrying the *C allele that are much less represented in patients with low grade when compared with those with high grade. In both cancers, the concentration of S isoform is significantly lower in low grade than in high grade. The relationship between ACP(1) and grade is the same in the 2 cancers.. Assuming the presence of diverse classes of cancer, the role of ACP(1) in the modulation of growth factors and cellular metabolism could have significant effects in less aggressive forms but not in more aggressive ones.

Topics: Aged; Colonic Neoplasms; Endometrial Neoplasms; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Grading; Odds Ratio; Polymorphism, Genetic; Protein Isoforms; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Rome

The current study examined whether alexithymia is involved in colon cancer as has been found in breast and uterine cancer research. The TAS-20 was administered before examination to patients who underwent colon cancer screening. Histological data were obtained from the biopsies. Gender, age, education, smoking and drinking habits, and personal and family histories of neoplastic colonic disease were controlled for in the analysis. Both adenoma and adenocarcinoma patients had higher TAS-20 scores than negative cases, and both high and intermediate levels of alexithymia were implicated. Difficulty identifying feelings and externally oriented thinking were the most prominent facets related to the disease process.

Topics: Affective Symptoms; Colonic Neoplasms; Colonoscopy; Comorbidity; Female; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Risk Factors; Rome; Surveys and Questionnaires