| 1. |
- Aldulaymi, Bahir, et al.
(författare)
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High Plasma TIMP-1 and Serum CEA Levels during Combination Chemotherapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Are Significantly Associated with Poor Outcome
- 2010
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Ingår i: Oncology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0030-2414 .- 1423-0232. ; 79:1-2, s. 144-149
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To evaluate whether combination chemotherapy leads to early changes in plasma TIMP-1 and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), and whether such changes relate to subsequent objective response, time to progression (TTP) and overall survival. Materials and Methods: Eighty-eight patients with mCRC were included. Blood samples were collected before initiation and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment with an irinotecan-5-fluorouracil combination. Plasma TIMP-1 and serum CEA levels were determined by validated ELISA platforms. The first response evaluation was performed after 8 weeks of chemotherapy. Results: Median plasma TIMP-1 and serum CEA levels did not change significantly during 6 weeks of treatment. High plasma TIMP-1 and high serum CEA levels before treatment and at weeks 2, 4 and 6 were related to poor objective response. Moreover, high levels of plasma TIMP-1 before treatment and at weeks 2 and 4 were significantly associated with short TTP, while high levels of serum CEA at week 4 were significantly associated with short TTP. Finally, high levels of plasma TIMP- 1 before and during treatment were significantly associated with poor overall survival; p < 0.0001 in all 4 determinations. A similar association between serum CEA and overall survival could only be demonstrated before treatment. Conclusion: Median plasma TIMP-1 or serum CEA levels do not change significantly during the first 6 weeks of chemotherapy for mCRC. The results indicate that plasma TIMP-1 in particular and serum CEA may be valuable biomarkers even in samples collected during treatment with chemotherapy.
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| 2. |
- Dimberg, Jan, et al.
(författare)
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Genomic Profiling of Stage II Colorectal Cancer Identifies Candidate Genes Associated with Recurrence-Free Survival, Tumor Location, and Differentiation Grade.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Oncology. - : S. Karger. - 0030-2414 .- 1423-0232. ; 98:8, s. 575-582
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Identification of high-risk stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, potential candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy, is challenging. Current clinical guidelines rely mainly on histopathological markers with relatively weak prognostic value. This motivates further search for prognostic markers.METHODS: This explorative study aimed to identify potential candidate gene mutations to facilitate differentiation between subgroups of patients with CRC stage II. Panel-based massive parallel sequencing was used to genetically characterize tumor tissues from 85 patients radically operated for CRC stage II, of which 12 developed recurrent cancer during follow-up. Genetic data was compared between patients with or without cancer recurrence, between tumors located in colon and in rectum, and for association with tumor differentiation grade.RESULTS: Genetic variation in ATM, C11ORF65 was associated with recurrence-free survival. Previous reports regarding the association between BRAF mutation and a higher age at diagnosis, and tumor location in colon were confirmed. APC, BRAF, or KRAS mutation was associated with tumor differentiation grade. Multiple correspondence analyses revealed no obvious clustering of patients with the studied clinical characteristics, indicating that the genetic signatures observed here were unique for each individual.CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we have demonstrated the utility of panel-based massive parallel sequencing to explore the pathogenesis of CRC stage II. We have identified promising candidate gene mutations associated with cancer recurrence, tumor location, and differentiation grade in patients with CRC stage II, which merit further investigation.
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| 3. |
- Forster, T, et al.
(författare)
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Cetuximab in Pancreatic Cancer Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- 2020
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Ingår i: Oncology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0232 .- 0030-2414. ; 98:1, s. 53-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- <b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The present study evaluated the potential benefit of adding cetuximab to neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or palliative standard therapy for pancreatic cancer. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of adding cetuximab to standard chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer were included. Evaluated outcomes were overall survival, progression-free survival, objective response, and toxicity. For overall survival and progression-free survival, hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were chosen as effect measure. For objective response, odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were used. Analysis was based on a random effects model. <b><i>Results:</i></b> After screening 568 publications, a total of 4 RCTs with 924 patients were included. In all trials, patients were adequately randomised with balanced intervention and control groups. There was no significant difference in overall survival (HR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.90–1.19; <i>p</i> = 0.60), progression-free survival (HR 1.06; 95% CI: 0.93–1.22; <i>p</i> = 0.36), or objective response (OR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.66 –1.49; <i>p</i> = 0.96) when adding cetuximab to a standard therapy. Toxicity was the same or higher in each of the included trials. According to GRADE, the certainty of the evidence is high. Therefore, adding cetuximab to pancreatic cancer therapy has no clinically relevant benefit. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In the presence of no survival benefit, increased toxicity, and higher costs, a decreased cost-benefit ratio compared to the standard care must be suggested. Conducting further RCTs in unselected pancreatic cancer populations is unlikely to change this conclusion.
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| 4. |
- Lannen, Patrizia, et al.
(författare)
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Absorbing information about a child's incurable cancer.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Oncology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0030-2414 .- 1423-0232. ; 78:3-4, s. 259-266
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: To assess parents' ability to absorb information that their child's cancer was incurable and to identify factors associated with parents' ability to absorb this information.PATIENTS AND METHODS: An anonymous mail-in questionnaire study was performed as a population-based investigation in Sweden between August and October of 2001. 449 parents who lost a child to cancer 4-9 years earlier (response rate 80%) completed the survey. 191 (43%) of the bereaved parents were fathers and 251 (56%) were mothers.RESULTS: Sixty percent of parents (n = 258) reported that they were able to absorb the information that their child's illness was incurable. Parents were better able to absorb this information when the information was given in an appropriate manner (RR 1.6; CI 1.3-2.0), when they shared their problems with others during the child's illness course (RR 1.4; CI 1.1-1.8) and when they had no history of depression (RR 1.3; CI 1.0-1.8). Parents who reported that they were able to absorb the information were more likely to have expressed their farewells to the child in their desired manner (RR 1.3; CI 1.0-1.5).CONCLUSIONS: Parents who received information that their child's illness was incurable in an appropriate manner are more likely to absorb that information. Whether or not parents are able to absorb the information that their child's cancer is incurable has implications in terms of preparation for the child's impending death.
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| 5. |
- Peltonen, R, et al.
(författare)
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High Expression of MMP-9 in Primary Tumors and High Preoperative MPO in Serum Predict Improved Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer with Operable Liver Metastases
- 2021
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Ingår i: Oncology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0232 .- 0030-2414. ; 99:3, s. 144-160
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- <b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The liver metastases of colorectal cancer (CRC) can be surgically treated in selected cases, with continuously improving results. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to cancer invasion by degrading the extracellular matrix, and elevated levels of MMP-2, MMP-8, and MMP-9 have been detected in several malignancies. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a mediator of tissue damage that can oxidatively activate latent MMPs. We evaluated the prognostic value of MMP-2, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in tissue samples of primary tumors and liver metastases and the pre- and postoperative serum levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, and MPO in CRC patients undergoing liver resection. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Tissue and serum samples were obtained from 111 patients who had primary colorectal tumors and their liver metastases surgically treated at the Helsinki University Hospital between 1988 and 2007. Tissue expression of MMP-2, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in primary tumors and liver metastases was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Pre- and postoperative serum concentrations of MMP-8, MMP-9, and MPO were determined using a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay or commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Clinical data were retrieved from patient records and the Central Statistical Office of Finland. Associations with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Cox regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method. <b><i>Results:</i></b> High expression of MMP-9 in colorectal tumor tissue was associated with better DFS (<i>p</i> = 0.010), and high preoperative MPO in serum with improved DFS and OS (<i>p</i> < 0.001 and <i>p</i> = 0.014, respectively). The prognostic significance varied according to gender, age, and the synchronicity of liver metastases. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Low preoperative MPO in serum might identify patients at high risk of recurrence and death after resection of colorectal liver metastases. Elevated preoperative MPO and high expression of MMP-9 in colorectal tumor tissue indicate an improved prognosis. The use of these biomarkers should be adjusted according to clinical characteristics.
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| 6. |
- Reijonen, P, et al.
(författare)
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Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 and Myeloperoxidase Predict Survival after Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases
- 2021
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Ingår i: Oncology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0232 .- 0030-2414. ; 99:12, s. 766-779
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- <b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been extensively studied in several malignancies, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a promising new prognostic biomarker. We investigated the prognostic value of MMP-8, MMP-9, and MPO, as well as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA19-9, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in colorectal cancer with operable liver metastases. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study included 419 patients who underwent liver resection for colorectal metastases at the Helsinki University Hospital between 2000 and 2013. Serum samples were drawn before and 3 months after liver resection. We evaluated associations of MMP-8, MMP-9, MPO, CRP, CEA, and CA19-9 concentrations to disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) using the Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier log-rank method. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In univariate Cox regression analyses, pre- and postoperatively high MMP-8 (HR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.07–2.19, <i>p</i> = 0.021 and HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.01–2.09, <i>p</i> = 0.044, respectively) associated with worse 10-year OS. Postoperatively high MPO indicated better 5-year DFS (HR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.54–0.90, <i>p</i> = 0.007). Elevated pre- and postoperative CEA and CA19-9 as well as postoperative CRP indicated impaired survival. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Pre- and postoperatively high MMP-8 associates with worse 10-year OS, and postoperatively high MPO associates with better 5-year DFS. CEA, CA19-9, and CRP are also prognostic.
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| 7. |
- Zhao, JJ, et al.
(författare)
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Low-Dose Nivolumab in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Real-World Experience
- 2021
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Ingår i: Oncology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0232 .- 0030-2414. ; 99:3, s. 192-202
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- <b><i>Background:</i></b> The approved doses of the single agent nivolumab – an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody – for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are 3 mg/kg and a 240-mg flat dose, despite efficacy shown at lower doses in earlier CheckMate trials. In view of financial constraints, the minimum dose of nivolumab required for efficacy remains a critical area of inquiry. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A retrospective review of RCC patients receiving single-agent anti-PD-1 treatment was conducted. Using the median cutoff of the maximum dose per body weight received, we investigated the effect of lower dosages on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and immune-related adverse event-free survival (irAE-FS). Survival analysis was made by Kaplan-Meier, by uni- and multivariable Cox models, and by modeling the statistical interaction between dosages and survival. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 32 patients were recruited: 8 patients (25%) receiving first-line treatment and 24 (75%) receiving second-line treatment and beyond. A median split at 2.15 mg/kg yielded 16 patients in both the lower-dose (LD) and the higher-dose (HD) cohort. Hazard ratios (HRs) demonstrated no difference in OS after adjustment for gender (HR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.05–1.05, <i>p</i> = 0.054; favoring LD), as well as in PFS after adjustment for gender and concurrent radiation therapy (HR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.25–1.34, <i>p</i> = 0.210; favoring LD). No differences in ORR were observed (50.0 vs. 43.8%, <i>p</i> = 1.00, in the LD and the HD cohort, respectively). Immune-related phenomena were observed in the LD group, including pseudoprogression and increased all-grade immune-related toxicities (irAE-FS: HR = 1.72, 95% CI 0.48–6.14, <i>p</i> = 0.293; favoring HD). Iterative dichotomization of dosages showed no dose-OS or dose-irAE-FS relationship. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our study suggests no apparent reduction in efficacy when using a low-dosage nivolumab regimen.
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