Dynamic monitoring of carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9 and inflammation-based indices in patients with advanced colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Use of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Combined With Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 in Predicting Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis

BACKGROUND

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) combined with serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels to evaluate the efficacy of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM) treatment is still rare.

PURPOSE

To investigate the predictive value of DCE-MRI combined with serum CEA and CA 19-9 concerning the efficacy of comprehensive treatment for CRCLM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 120 patients with CRC were retrospectively recruited using convenience sampling between May 2019 and March 2024. After treatment, they were divided into two groups according to the treatment efficacy: responders (86 cases) and non-responders (34 cases), and their clinical data were collected for comparison.

RESULTS

Before treatment, there were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the proportion of positive CEA (χ2 = 17.364, p < 0.001), the proportion of positive CA 19-9 (χ2 = 23.639, p < 0.001), the rate constant of a contrast agent from the vascular to the interstitial compartment (Ktrans) (χ2 = 2.341, p = 0.023), and the rate constant between the extravascular extracellular space (EES) (Kep) (χ2 = 2.556, p = 0.011). The values of Ktrans, Kep, CEA, and CA 19-9 reflected a certain degree of predictive value for the efficacy of comprehensive treatment in patients with CRCLM (p < 0.05). The combination of the four measurements is better than any single value, with an area under the curve of 0.898 (95% CI: 0.833, 0.922).

CONCLUSION

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, CEA, and CA 19-9 have predictive value for the early efficacy of comprehensive treatment for CRCLM.

Advances in the Immunomodulatory Properties of Glycoantigens in Cancer

Simple Summary

This work reviews the role of aberrant glycosylation in cancer cells during tumour growth and spreading, as well as in immune evasion. The interaction of tumour-associated glycans with the immune system through C-type lectin receptors can favour immune escape but can also provide opportunities to develop novel tumour immunotherapy strategies. This work highlights the main findings in this area and spotlights the challenges that remain to be investigated.

Abstract

Aberrant glycosylation in tumour progression is currently a topic of main interest. Tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) are expressed in a wide variety of epithelial cancers, being both a diagnostic tool and a potential treatment target, as they have impact on patient outcome and disease progression. Glycans affect both tumour-cell biology properties as well as the antitumor immune response. It has been ascertained that TACAs affect cell migration, invasion and metastatic properties both when expressed by cancer cells or by their extracellular vesicles. On the other hand, tumour-associated glycans recognized by C-type lectin receptors in immune cells possess immunomodulatory properties which enable tumour growth and immune response evasion. Yet, much remains unknown, concerning mechanisms involved in deregulation of glycan synthesis and how this affects cell biology on a major level. This review summarises the main findings to date concerning how aberrant glycans influence tumour growth and immunity, their application in cancer treatment and spotlights of unanswered challenges remaining to be solved.