Prevalence and characteristics of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome in immigrant Asian colorectal cancer patients

Predicting Endometrial Hyperplasia and Endometrial Cancer on Recurrent Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To develop predictive models for endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in patients with recurrent abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients with recurrent AUB who had previous endometrial sampling that showed benign results between January 2013 and December 2021. A model was constructed from the significant factors associated with endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer using multivariate logistic regression. Risk scores were calculated from the log odds of each significant predictive factor and were subsequently subcategorized into risk groups. The overall performance and internal validation of the model were assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and bootstrap methods.

RESULTS

Of the total 456 patients with recurrent AUB, endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer were detected in 8.3% and 2.2% of cases, respectively. The average interval between the first and second endometrial samplings was 25.1 months. Factors significantly associated with endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer included age older than 45 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.86, 95% CI, 1.31-7.03), nulliparity (OR 3.50, 95% CI, 1.76-6.85), a history of endometrial polyp (OR 3.69, 95% CI, 1.93-7.05), and an interval of less than 12 months between sampling (OR 2.36, 95% CI, 1.25-4.42). Predictive factors were scored and categorized into three groups: 0-3, 5-8, and 9-11 points. The corresponding risks for endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in these groups were 4.7%, 15.5%, and 57.1%, respectively. The AUC was 73.1%, with a mean absolute error of 0.01.

CONCLUSION

Endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer occur at low incidence among one-fifth of patients with AUB who experience recurrent bleeding. Older age, nulliparity, a history of endometrial polyps, and an interval of less than 12 months between samplings are predictive factors for endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in this cohort.

Role of microRNA in colorectal carcinoma (CRC): a narrative review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that play a critical role in regulating gene expression by binding to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). They were first discovered around 8 years after the identification of the first miRNA in 1993, and since then, there has been a significant increase in miRNA-related research and discoveries. MiRNAs have been implicated in various biological processes, including cancer, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC). In CRC, miRNAs act as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors, influencing essential cellular functions such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The dysregulation of miRNAs in CRC can arise from different factors, leading to abnormal expression levels of their target mRNAs and subsequently affecting protein production. Consequently, miRNAs may directly target oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, thereby contributing to cancer initiation and progression. Notably, tumors often exhibit reduced expression of mature miRNAs. In CRC research, miRNAs offer potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Specific miRNA profiles could serve as non-invasive tools for early CRC detection and risk assessment. Additionally, miRNA-based therapies present a promising approach for targeted cancer treatment by modulating miRNA expression. However, challenges related to delivery systems and long-term safety must be addressed to fully harness their therapeutic potential.

Survival rate of colorectal cancer in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

This study aims to comprehensively summarize the colorectal survival rate in China. Method: In PubMed and Web of Science, keywords such as "colorectal cancer", "survival" and "China" were used to search literatures in the past 10 years. Random effect models were selected to summarize 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates, and meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed on the included studies.

Results

A total of 16 retrospective and prospective studies providing survival rates for colorectal cancer in China were included. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates of colorectal cancer in China were 0.79, 0.72 and 0.62, respectively. In the included studies, the 5-year survival rates of stage I (5474 cases), stage II (9215 cases), stage III (8048 cases), and stage IV (4199 cases) colorectal cancer patients were 0.85, 0.81, 0.57 and 0.30, respectively. Among them, the 5-year survival rates of colorectal cancer were 0.82, 0.76, 0.71, 0.67, 0.66, 0.65 and 0.63 in Tianjin, Beijing, Guangdong, Shandong, Liaoning, Zhejiang and Shanghai, respectively.

Conclusion

The 5-year survival rate in China is close to that of most European countries, but still lower than Japan and South Korea, and the gap is gradually narrowing. Region, stage, differentiation, pathological type, and surgical approach can affect 5-year survival in colorectal cancer.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ identifier, CRD42022357789.

Whole-Exome Sequencing Study of Familial Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Implication for Identifying High-Risk Individuals

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely associated with genetic factors and Epstein-Barr virus infection, showing strong familial aggregation. Individuals with a family history suffer elevated NPC risk, requiring effective genetic counseling for risk stratification and individualized prevention.

METHODS

We performed whole-exome sequencing on 502 familial NPC patients and 404 unaffected relatives and controls. We systematically evaluated the established cancer predisposition genes and investigated novel NPC susceptibility genes, making comparisons with 21 other familial cancers in the UK biobank (N = 5218).

RESULTS

Rare pathogenic mutations in the established cancer predisposition genes were observed in familial NPC patients, including ERCC2 (1.39%), TP63 (1.00%), MUTYH (0.80%), and BRCA1 (0.80%). Additionally, 6 novel susceptibility genes were identified. RAD54L, involved in the DNA repair pathway together with ERCC2, MUTYH, and BRCA1, showed the highest frequency (4.18%) in familial NPC. Enrichment analysis found mutations in TP63 were enriched in familial NPC, and RAD54L and EML2 were enriched in both NPC and other Epstein-Barr virus-associated cancers. Besides rare variants, common variants reported in the studies of sporadic NPC were also associated with familial NPC risk. Individuals in the top quantile of common variant-derived genetic risk score while carrying rare variants exhibited increased NPC risk (odds ratio = 13.47, 95% confidence interval = 6.33 to 28.68, P = 1.48 × 10-11); men in this risk group showed a cumulative lifetime risk of 24.19%, much higher than those in the bottom common variant-derived genetic risk score quantile and without rare variants (2.04%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study expands the catalog of NPC susceptibility genes and provides the potential for risk stratification of individuals with an NPC family history.

Worldwide prevalence of Lynch syndrome in patients with colorectal cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome, with an estimated prevalence of 2% to 3% of CRC. A prevalence study is needed to provide accurate estimates of the true prevalence of LS.

METHODS

MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, and Web of Science were searched. Prevalence was calculated by random effects meta-analysis models. I² score was used to assess heterogeneity across studies. Meta-regression was performed for between-study variance.

RESULTS

A total of 51 studies were included in this review. The overall pooled yield of LS screening was 2.2% based on all methods of detection. Studies performing germline tests on all participants with CRC reported higher prevalence (5.1%) as opposed to studies only performing germline tests on participants with tumors with mismatch repair deficiency (1.6%) or microsatellite instability (1.1%). Selected cohorts of CRC had a higher prevalence of germline LS diagnoses.

CONCLUSION

LS prevalence across multiple ethnic, geographic, and clinical populations is remarkably similar. Universal germline testing of patients presenting with cancer identifies that most CRCs are attributed to LS. Young patients presenting with CRC and those who fulfill criteria for a familial risk provide the highest returns for LS identification. Our study supports the universal germline CRC screening for LS.

Molecular Analysis of Colorectal Cancers Suggests a High Frequency of Lynch Syndrome in Indonesia

Simple Summary

The incidence of young people <50 years old who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), termed as early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), accounted for nearly 30% of the total CRC patients in Indonesia, which is about three times higher than what is being reported in Europe, the UK and USA. Lynch syndrome (LS) is a hereditary type of CRC that is associated with a younger age of onset. Detecting LS has been long reported to be a cost-effective strategy to provide aid in the diagnosis or management of the individual or at-risk family members. The aim of this retrospective study was to screen for Lynch Syndrome in Indonesian CRC patients using simple and robust polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular testing, known as N_LyST (Nottingham Lynch Syndrome Test). To our knowledge, we are the first to study and observe a potentially higher frequency of LS (13.85%) among CRC patients in Indonesia (n = 231). This may partially contribute to the reported much higher rate of EOCRC found in the country.

Abstract

There is about three times higher incidence of young patients <50 years old with colorectal cancer, termed EOCRC, in Indonesia as compared to Europe, the UK and USA. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of Lynch Syndrome (LS) in Indonesian CRC patients. The previously described Nottingham Lynch Syndrome Test (N_LyST) was used in this project. N_LyST is a robust high-resolution melting (HRM)-based test that has shown 100% concordance with standard reference methods, including capillary electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing. The test consisted of five mononucleotide microsatellite markers (BAT25, BAT26, BCAT25, MYB, EWSR1), BRAF V600E mutation and MLH1 region C promoter for methylation (using bisulphite-modified DNA). A total of 231 archival (2016–2019) formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumour tissues from CRC patients collected from Dr. Sardjito General Hospital Yogyakarta, Indonesia, were successfully tested and analysed. Among those, 44/231 (19.05%) were MSI, 25/231 (10.82%) were harbouring BRAF V600E mutation and 6/231 (2.60%) had MLH1 promoter methylation. Almost all—186/197 (99.45%)—MSS cases were MLH1 promoter unmethylated, while there were only 5/44 (11.36%) MSI cases with MLH1 promoter methylation. Similarly, only 9/44 (20.45%) of MSI cases were BRAF mutant. There were 50/231 (21.65%) EOCRC cases, with 15/50 (30%) regarded as MSI, as opposed to 29/181 (16.02%) within the older group. In total, 32/231 patients (13.85%) were classified as “Probable Lynch” (MSI, BRAF wildtype and MLH1 promoter unmethylated), which were enriched in EOCRC as compared to older patients (24% vs. 11.05%, p = 0.035). Nonetheless, 30/50 (76.00%) cases among the EOCRC cases were non-LS (sporadic) and were significantly associated with a left-sided tumour. The overall survival of both “Probable Lynch” and non-LS (sporadic) groups (n = 227) was comparable (p = 0.59), with follow up period of 0–1845 days/61.5 months. Stage, node status, histological grading and ECOG score were significantly associated with patient overall survival (p < 0.005), yet only ECOG was an independent factor for OS (HR: 4.38; 95% CI: 1.72–11.2; p = 0.002). In summary, this study is the first to reveal a potentially higher frequency of LS among CRC patients in Indonesia, which may partially contribute to the reported much higher number of EOCRC as compared to the incidence in the West.

Clinicopathologic Factors Associated with Mismatch Repair Status Among Filipino Patients with Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Introduction

Young-onset colorectal cancer is recognized as a distinct disease that may be sporadic or hereditary in nature. Microsatellite instability testing is recommended as a routine procedure in evaluating colorectal cancer specimens, especially in young-onset disease, because of implications in management. Immunohistochemistry of mismatch repair proteins serves as an inexpensive alternative to microsatellite instability testing with the added advantage of monitoring protein expression levels that may suggest underlying genetic or epigenetic alterations. This descriptive study aimed to determine the frequencies of proficient and deficient mismatch repair status among Filipino young-onset colorectal cancer patients, and to investigate their clinicopathologic profile.

Methods

Tumor tissues were prospectively collected from patients from two tertiary hospitals in the Philippines. Patients of age ≤45 years with resected adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum were recruited.

Results

Seventy-seven out of 124 patients had tumor samples sent for immunohistochemistry. Of these, 61 samples (79%) were found to have proficient status while 16 samples (21%) had deficient status. Mismatch repair protein deficiencies, when present, more commonly involved MSH2 and MSH6 (9%) rather than MLH1 and PMS2 (5%). The deficient group had a mean age of 37.1 years and a female preponderance (56.25%), presenting as locally advanced ascending or descending colon tumors with mucinous histology in half of the population. The mismatch repair proficient group presented as locally advanced rectal and sigmoid tumors but with fewer mucinous adenocarcinomas (26.2%) compared to the deficient group. In both the mismatch repair proficient and deficient patients with family history reports, most did not have any known relative with cancer (75.4% and 68.75%, respectively).

Conclusion

This is the first attempt to perform mismatch repair testing among young-onset colorectal cancer patients in the Philippines and to gather data on their clinicopathologic characteristics. However, the limited sample size precludes conclusive results for the associations of mismatch repair with clinicopathologic features.

The Asian Immigrant Cancer Survivor Experience in the United States: A Scoping Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans, a growing population in the United States. While cancer survivors often experience complex issues after diagnosis, being an immigrant and having cancer pose additional challenges.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review analyzed research about immigrant cancer survivors of Asian ethnicity in the United States and provided a structured method to understand an area of research and evidence. Aims focused on immigrants' experiences and how findings could tailor evidence-based interventions, programs, and resources.

METHODS

The PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases were searched to identify studies in English (2009-2018) targeting Asian immigrant cancer survivors in the United States. While 385 records were initially identified, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis of charted study elements revealed 4 themes with subthemes: (1) survival patterns, (2) barriers, (3) culturally informed care, and (4) quality of life (QOL). While qualitative studies provided insight about the cancer experience from immigrants' perspectives, quantitative designs posed descriptions and associations among QOL concepts.

CONCLUSIONS

Study results illustrate the need for survival research that explores outcomes by Asian ethnic subgroups and tracks the influence of acculturation. Future research should test culturally informed interventions that minimize barriers and foster QOL across the cancer continuum. Culturally tailored instruments can expedite larger-scaled studies that allow generalization.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Asian immigrants comprise an underserved, vulnerable, and growing group with various cancers. Nurses who care for immigrants and their families should be cognizant of cultural beliefs, values, practices, and issues related to communication, care access, and socioeconomics.

Distinct clinical phenotype and genetic testing strategy for Lynch syndrome in China based on a large colorectal cancer cohort

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) predisposition syndrome. We performed a large-scale study to assess a screening strategy for identifying LS in Chinese CRC patients in routine clinical testing. A total of 4,195 eligible CRCs were universally screened. Then, 8.7% of CRCs were detected with dMMR. The incidence of LS was 2.7% (115 of 4,195) in this cohort; among patients over 70 years of age, only 0.3% (2 of 678) were diagnosed as LS. Then, 17.4% of LS cases showed large genomic deletions/duplications. LS probands developed CRCs predominantly at proximal colon location. The frequency of BRAF V600E mutation among Chinese CRCs was significantly lower than that among Western populations, and MLH1 promoter methylation significantly improved the efficiency of genetic screening for LS among MLH1-deficient patients. A comprehensive molecular testing strategy that includes detection of large genomic rearrangements is imperative for the diagnosis of LS. Among CRC patients aged 70 years or younger, a selective strategy for LS screening might be considered for routine clinical testing.

Patterns of germline and somatic mutations in 16 genes associated with mismatch repair function or containing tandem repeat sequences

BACKGROUND

We assumed that targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of mismatch repair-associated genes could improve the detection of driving mutations in colorectal cancers (CRC) with microsatellite instability (MSI) and microsatellite alterations at selected tetranucleotide repeats (EMAST) and clarify the somatic mutation patterns of CRC subtypes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

DNAs from tumors and white blood cells were obtained from 81 patients with EMAST(+)/MSI-high (MSI-H), 78 patients with EMAST(+)/microsatellite stable (MSS), and 72 patients with EMAST(-)/MSI-H. The germline and somatic mutations were analyzed with a 16-genes NGS panel.

RESULTS

In total, 284 germline mutations were identified in 161 patients. The most common mutations were in EPCAM (24.8%), MSH6 (24.2%), MLH1 (21.7%), and AXIN2 (21.7%). Germline mutations of AXIN2, POLE, POLD1, and TGFBR2 also resulted in EMAST and MSI. EMAST(+)/MSI-H tumors had a significant higher mutation number (205.9 ± 95.2 mut/MB) than tumors that were only EMAST(+) or MSI-H (118.6 ± 64.2 and 106.2 ± 54.5 mut/MB, respectively; both P < .001). In patients with AXIN2 germline mutations, the number of pathological somatic mutations in the tumors was significantly higher than those without AXIN2 germline mutations (176.7 ± 94.2 mut/MB vs 139.6 ± 85.0 mut/MB, P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Next-generation sequencing could enhance the detection of familial CRC. The somatic mutation burden might result from not only the affected genes in germline mutations but also through the dysfunction of downstream effectors. The AXIN2 gene might associate with hypermutation in tumors. Further in vitro experiments to confirm the causal relationship is deserved.

Interleukin-17A polymorphisms predict the response and development of tolerance to FOLFOX chemotherapy in colorectal cancer treatment

Polymorphic variants in IL-17A gene were differentially associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility but their link with response and toxicity to CRC treatment have not yet been evaluated. We investigated association between seven IL-17A variants with the response and toxicity to CRC treatment in 294 patients with CRC. IL-17A genotyping was done by real-time PCR. MAF of rs3748067 was significantly higher in CRC cases resistant to FOLFOX treatment (R+) than non resistant (R-). Significantly higher rs3804513 MAF was noted in R+ versus R- colon cancer (CC). Higher rs2275913 and rs10484879, and reduced rs3804513 MAF were seen in rectal cancer (RC) tolerant to FOLFOX (T+) compared to (T-) patients. Strong association of rs3819025, rs3804513, and rs7747909 was found with tolerance to RC treatment. rs3748067 was associated with FOLFOX tolerance in CC but not RC. Significant higher frequency of AGGCAGG and GAGCAGG haplotypes was seen among R + CC, thus assigning non-favorable nature to these haplotypes. Higher and lower frequencies of GAGTAAG and AGGCTGA haplotypes, respectively, were observed in T + RC, thereby assigning FOLFOX-tolerant and non-tolerant nature to these haplotypes. The obtained results suggest that IL-17A variants and haplotypes may be a target for future management of CRC treatment.

Association of Family History With Cancer Recurrence, Survival, and the Incidence of Colorectal Adenoma in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Background

The influence of family history (FH) on cancer recurrence and survival among patients with established colorectal cancer (CRC) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association of FH with cancer recurrence, survival, and the incidence of colorectal adenomas in patients with CRC.

Methods

Consecutive patients with stage III CRC diagnosed between 2004 and 2009 and followed-up in Severance Hospital were retrospectively enrolled and followed until December 2014. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) according to FH of CRC or colorectal neoplasm were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier curve.

Results

Among analyzed 979 patients, 69 (7.0%) was identified as having a FH of CRC in a first-degree relative. During a median follow-up of 9.6 years, mortality occurred in 14 of 69 patients (20.3%) with a FH of CRC and 348 of 910 patients (38.2%) without a FH. Compared with patients without a FH, a first-degree FH of CRC, first or second-degree FH of CRC, and first-degree FH of colorectal neoplasm (CRC or polyps) were associated with a significant reduction in the risk of overall mortality, with adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.52 (95% CI, 0.29-0.92), 0.51 (95% CI, 0.30-0.88), and 0.48 (95% CI, 0.28-0.82), respectively. However, DFS improvement was significant only when the definition of FH was FH of colorectal neoplasm (adjusted HR 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36-0.89). The incidence of adenoma and advanced adenoma was not different according to the FH.

Conclusions

Among patients with stage III CRC receiving curative surgery, a FH of colorectal neoplasm was associated with a reduction in cancer recurrence and mortality. The larger scaled studies are needed.

Effectiveness of a Tailored Colorectal Cancer Educational Seminar in Enhancing the Awareness, Knowledge, and Behavior of Korean Americans Living in the Los Angeles Koreatown Area

BACKGROUND

Improving rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can reduce CRC-related mortality, which is estimated to cause about 50,630 deaths in the U.S. by the end of 2018. There is a noted increasing prevalence of CRC among Korean Americans. Although CRC screening has been widely implemented, Korean Americans over the age of 50 have the lowest rates of proper CRC screening, compared to those of other Asian ethnicities. Barriers, such as language and culture, may be making participation in screening procedures difficult for those with immigrant backgrounds. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether proper CRC education can enhance awareness, knowledge, and behavior in screening among Korean Americans living in the Los Angeles Koreatown area.

DESIGN

This study was conducted among 100 self-identified Korean Americans between the ages of 45-75, who voluntarily participated in this study through local community outreach from January to June 2018. Educational brochures were provided for those in the control group, while those in the intervention group attended an additional short educational seminar. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire after, and data were collected on site.

RESULTS

We found that intervention had a significant effect on awareness regarding colorectal polyps (OR (odds ratio): 22.47; 95% CI: 6.42-78.62; p-value <0.001) and fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs)/stool blood test (OR, 245.37; 95% CI: 34.55-1742.75; p-value <0.001). Willingness for CRC screening in following 6 months significantly increased (OR: 87.17; 95% CI: 19.01-399.63; p-value <0.001). Knowledge on options for CRC screening (OR: 126.63; 95% CI: 23.61-679.07; p-value <0.001) and stool blood tests (OR: 157.17; 95% CI: 18.02-1370.41; p-value <0.001) were significantly enhanced. In additional univariate analysis, we found that Korean Americans with higher level of education, birthplace in US or better general health showed better CRC awareness or knowledge.

CONCLUSION

There is a significant gap in our knowledge and understanding of the contributing factors that may be leading to low CRC screening rates in Korean Americans. This study suggests that well-tailored educational seminars can overcome certain barriers to screening and improve CRC knowledge and awareness, which is critical to achieving greater screening compliance. Our findings provide important references for designing effective strategies to increasing CRC screening rates among Korean Americans.