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Gulubova M, Chonov D, Aleksandrova E, Ivanova K, Ignatova MM, Vlaykova T. Interleukin-6-Positive Immune Cells as a Possible New Immunologic Marker Associated With the Colorectal Cancer Prognosis. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2024; 32:233-243. [PMID: 38712586 PMCID: PMC11073565 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000001198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation creates tumor microenvironment (TME) that facilitates colorectal cancer (CRC) cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, and tumor progression. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine with a pleiotropic effect on CRC development. We aimed to evaluate IL-6 expression in tumor cells and in immune cells in TME, to assess the serum level and IL6 -174 G/C genotype distribution and to correlate the results with selected morphologic and clinical parameters that may add useful information in understanding the mechanisms of human CRC progression. A total of 153 patients with CRC were recruited in the current study. We assessed the IL-6 serum concentration through the ELISA method, the expression of IL-6 in tumor and in immune cells by immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescence staining, the MSI status by immunоhistochemistry for 4 mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, and the genotype distributions for IL6 -174G/C (rs1800795) single-nucleotide polymorphism through PCR-RFLP method. Our results showed that serum IL-6 level were increased in CRC patients as compared with healthy controls (P<0.0001), and in patients with cancers with advanced histologic type (type IV). However, the higher concentration (above the median of 55.71 pg/mL) was with borderline association with longer survival of the patients after surgical therapy (P=0.055, Log rank test). We also found that IL-6+ immune cells prevailed in the invasive front (IF) of tumors compared with the tumor stroma (TS) (P<0.0001). More IL-6+ cells were recruited in the tumors with less advanced histologic type (I+II), with stronger inflammatory infiltrate in the IF, in early pTNM stages (I+II), without lymph node and distant metastases and the higher levels of IL-6+ cells, especially in the IF, were associated with longer survival (P=0.012). The results of our study suggest that although the serum levels of IL-6 are higher in CRC, the increased IL-6+ cells in tumor microenvironment, both in the invasive front and in tumor stroma, as well as the higher serum levels are associated with good prognostic variables and longer survival of the patients mainly in the early stages of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Gulubova
- Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Deontology
- Department of Surgery
| | - Dimitur Chonov
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Elina Aleksandrova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embriology, Pathology, Latin language, Forensic Medicine and Deontology, Faculty of Medicine, University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov, Burgas
| | - Koni Ivanova
- Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Deontology
| | | | - Tatyana Vlaykova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embriology, Pathology, Latin language, Forensic Medicine and Deontology, Faculty of Medicine, University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov, Burgas
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Gülşen T, Ergenç M, Şenol Z, Emirzeoğlu L, Güleç B. Clinicopathological outcomes of microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer. J Cancer Res Ther 2024; 20:103-111. [PMID: 38554306 DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1560_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
AIMS This study aims to evaluate the histopathological features and prognostic parameters of tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI) compared with those without MSI in patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). SETTING AND DESIGN Follow-up for CRC at Istanbul Sultan 2. Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital was retrospectively evaluated between March 2017 and March 2021. METHODS AND MATERIAL The patients were divided into two groups: those with and without MSI. Groups were compared in survival parameters. As a secondary result, groups were compared in pathological parameters such as stage, tumor diameter, degree of differentiation, and lymphovascular, and perineural invasion. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Survival calculations were performed using the Kaplan-Meier analysis method. The effects of various prognostic factors related to tumor and patient characteristics on disease-free and overall survival (OS) were investigated by log-rank test. RESULTS Two hundred fourteen patients were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 66 (30-89), and 59.3% (n = 127) were male. There were 25 patients in the MSI group and 189 patients in the non-MSI group. We found that MSI tumors had a significantly higher differentiation degree than non-MSI tumors and larger tumor diameters. MSI tumors frequently settled in the proximal colon, and more lymph nodes were removed in the resection material. MSI tumors had longer disease-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS By diagnosing microsatellite instability, CRCs can be divided into two groups. The histopathological features of the tumor and the prognosis of the disease differ between these groups. MSI can be a predictive marker in the patient's follow-up and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taygun Gülşen
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Sultanbeyli State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Muhammer Ergenç
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Sultanbeyli State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zafer Şenol
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Sultan 2, Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Levent Emirzeoğlu
- Department of Oncology, Istanbul Sultan 2, Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bülent Güleç
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Sultan 2, Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Ciobanu AE, Marginean CM, Mesina C, Balseanu TA, Ciobanu D, Florescu MM. Immunoexpression of Mismatch Repair Proteins in a Cohort of Colorectal Cancer Patients. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2023; 49:555-563. [PMID: 38559829 PMCID: PMC10976208 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.49.04.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
One of the molecular routes of colorectal carcinogenesis is the lack of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, which may have substantial clinical consequences in predicting therapy success. This study aimed to analyze the expression of the MutL homolog 1 (MLH1), MutS homolog 2 (MSH2), and MutS homolog 6 (MSH6) in a cohort of 91 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and to evaluate the relationship between patient clinicopathological characteristics and immunoexpression of these biomarkers. In this study, we obtained the highest scores of the MLH1 immunoexpression in non-mucinous tumors, moderately differentiated lesions, and in stage IV. The highest values of the MSH2 and MSH6 scores were observed in mucinous tumors, and poorly differentiated lesions, in stages II-III, and stages III-IV, respectively. To improve the stratification criteria for targeted oncological therapy and to predict patient outcomes, markers used may help evaluate the aggressiveness of lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cristian Mesina
- Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Tudor-Adrian Balseanu
- Center of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Daniela Ciobanu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
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Sharma A, Raphael V, Lyngdoh BS, Harris C, Jagtap VK. Role of Mismatch Repair Deficiency Status and Microsatellite Instability in Relation to the Expression of Immune Checkpoint Proteins in Colorectal Cancer. Cureus 2023; 15:e43571. [PMID: 37719521 PMCID: PMC10503400 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world among men and second among women worldwide. One of the major molecular pathways responsible for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is the microsatellite instability (MSI) pathway. During carcinogenesis, the tumor cells express programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), which reduces the immunogenicity leading to the escape of immune attack. Anti-PD-L1 interaction is an upcoming line of research for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma patients. Materials and methods The present study was an ambispective study where the mismatch repair deficiency status (MMR) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression were studied using immunohistochemistry and then later analyzed and compared with the clinicopathological parameters and MSI status in relation to the expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in neoplastic and immune cells in a total of 55 biopsy specimen. MMR expression was reported as retained or loss of nuclear staining, and PD-L1 expression was taken as positive with a cut-off of more than or equal to 5% membranous positivity in both tumor cells and immune cells. Results The analysis showed a significant correlation of microsatellite instability (MSI) status with two of the clinicopathological parameters, which were the site of the tumor (p-value<0.001) and M stage (p-value<0.001). PD-L1 expression in neoplastic cells showed no significant correlation with the clinicopathological parameters, whereas PD-L1 expression in immune cells showed a significant association with gender (p-value=0.043). Also, MSI status showed a significant association with PD-L1 expression in tumor cells (p-value <0.001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Antariksha Sharma
- Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, IND
| | - Vandana Raphael
- Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, IND
| | - Bifica S Lyngdoh
- Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, IND
| | - Caleb Harris
- Surgical Oncology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, IND
| | - Vikas K Jagtap
- Radiation Oncology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, IND
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Gulubova MV, Chonov DC, Ivanova KV, Hristova MK, Krasimirova-Ignatova MM, Vlaykova TI. Intratumoural expression of IL-6/STAT3, IL-17 and FOXP3 immune cells in the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment of colorectal cancer Immune cells-positive for IL-6, STAT3, IL-17 and FOXP3 and colorectal cancer development. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2022.2072765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitur Chavdarov Chonov
- Department of General and Operative Surgery, Trakia University, Medical Faculty, Stara Zagora Bulgaria
- Ward of Operative Surgery, University Hospital “Prof. D-r Stoyan Kirkovich”, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Koni Vancho Ivanova
- Department of Pathology, Trakia University, Medical Faculty, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | | | | | - Tatyana Ivanova Vlaykova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
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The Barretos Cancer Hospital Animal Facility: Implementation and Results of a Dedicated Platform for Preclinical Oncology Models. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9110636. [DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9110636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Barretos Cancer Hospital Animal Facility (BCHAF) is a unique facility in Brazil exclusively dedicated to working with animal models for cancer research. In this article, we briefly present our modern facility and the main experiments performed, focusing on mutant strains of mice (PTCH-knockout and ApcMin mice), xenograft models, and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Our results show the progress and challenges in establishing these models and the need for having an appropriate representation of our cancer population to better understand tumor biology and to identify cancer biomarkers, which could be putatively targeted, allowing for personalized therapy.
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The Molecular Associations of Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma in Colorectum: Meta-Analysis and System Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58070836. [PMID: 35888555 PMCID: PMC9324575 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58070836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Signet ring cell carcinoma (SC) accounts for 1% of total colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and is associated with aggressive behaviors, such as lymphatic invasion and distant metastases, resulting in poor prognosis. To date, there is still a lack of consensus on the genetic etiology underpinning this cancer subtype. This study aimed to clarify the molecular associations of SC by using meta-analysis and a systematic review. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies evaluating the KRAS, BRAF, P53 statuses, and microsatellite instability (MSI) in CRC patients with different histological subtypes, including SC. The diagnosis of SC is defined as the signet ring cells comprising ≥50 percent of the tumor mass. By dividing the studies into subgroups based on the composition of control groups, such as classic adenocarcinoma (AC; no SC components) and non-SC (including those with SC components < 50%), the relative risk (RR) of molecular alterations for SC in each study were pooled using a random-effects model. Two reviewers identified trials for inclusion, assessed quality, and extracted data independently. Results: Data from 29 studies consisting of 9366 patients were included in this analysis. SC was associated positively with MSI (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.37; 95% CI 0.77 to 4.15; p = 0.0005), BRAF mutation (RR 1.99, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.26; 95%CI 0.68 to 5.82; p = 0.0146), and negatively with KRAS mutation (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.78; 95% CI 0.09 to 2.49; p = 0.0062). No association was found between SC and P53 expression (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.13; 95%CI 0.61 to 1.39; p = 0.3790). Moreover, it was associated negatively with P53 gene mutations (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.09; 95% CI 0.46 to 1.82; p = 0.1568), and P53 protein (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.49; 95% CI 0.40 to 2.17; p = 0.6885). Conclusions: The molecular etiology of SC may be associated with the BRAF and MSI pathways. Its features, such as the high frequency of BRAF mutation, could partly explain its less favorable outcomes and limited effects of traditional chemotherapy.
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Prognostic Value and Immunohistochemical Analysis of Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Patients with Stage II and III Colorectal Carcinoma-A Single-Center Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56120676. [PMID: 33302424 PMCID: PMC7762610 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56120676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Deficient mismatch repair (MMR) status is associated with good prognosis but poor therapeutic response to adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. However, there are some opposed arguments considering therapeutic outcomes in patients with evidenced MMR deficiency in colorectal cancer. The aim of the study was the investigation of prognostic value and immunohistochemical analysis of the MMR-deficiency tumors. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 104 patients with resected stage II and III colorectal cancer samples from the period 2018–2019. Results: The tumors with deficient MMR status were significantly associated with age up to 50 years and right-sided localization (p < 0.001). During the follow-up period of 22.43 ± 6.66 months, 21 patients (20.2%) died, whereas 14 patients (13.5%) had relapses. The loss of mutL homologue 1/postmeiotic segregation increased 2 (MLH1/PMS2) expression, compared to proficient MMR tumors, was associated with shorter disease-free survival in patients with lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.05), perineural invasion (p < 0.01), stage III (p < 0.05) and high-grade tumor (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This retrospective pilot study of a single-center cohort of patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer highlights the clinical importance of using immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis as a guide for diagnostic algorithm in a country with limited resources, but with a high prevalence of colorectal carcinoma in the young patients. MMR-deficiency tumors compared with proficient MMR colorectal cancer was not shown to be a significant predictor of disease-free and overall survival.
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Atef N, Alieldin N, Sherif G, Loay I, Mostafa Mahmoud A, Mohamed G. Microsatellite Instability and Life Style Factors in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2020; 21:1471-1480. [PMID: 32458658 PMCID: PMC7541856 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2020.21.5.1471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) in Egypt is a relatively high young onset disease. As a form of heterogeneous cancer, there is interplay between genetic and environmental factors. We aimed at probing the association of life style factors and Microsatellite Instability (MSI) status that could provide more insights on carcinogenic process of CRC. Methods: One hundred incident sporadic CRC patients were involved. Information on risk factors of CRC was obtained and microsatellite instability status was predicted through evaluation of MMR protein expression via immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: Median age was 47.50 years, females represented 54.0% and 36% of patients were Microsatellite Instability High (MSI-H). Most patients with right sided colon cancer (78.3%) were MSI-H while mostly stable or low MSS/MSI-L for left-sided colon and rectum (78.6%, 74.3% respectively, p<0.001). Patients with low physical activity had higher risk of MSS/MSI-L than those with moderate or high activity p =0.026. Patients with BMI greater than 30 Kg/m2 had higher MSS/MSI-L (75.5%) than those with BMI between 25-30 Kg/m2 (60.6%) and those with normal BMI <25 (38.9%), p for trend = 0.006. On subgroup analyses, the association of high BMI with MSS/MSI-L was only shown in patients younger than 40 years, females, stage III, non-mucin secreting adenocarcinoma and a significant interaction with physical activity. Conclusion: In Conclusion, the present study confirms the increased risk of MSS/MSI-L with increased BMI and speculates this association to be modified by patient’s life style and tumor characteristics. Further research is needed to validate present results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Atef
- Biostatistics and Cancer Epidemiology department, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Nelly Alieldin
- Biostatistics and Cancer Epidemiology department, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Ghada Sherif
- Biostatistics and Cancer Epidemiology department, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Iman Loay
- Pathology Department, NCI, Cairo University, Egypt
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Kassem NM, Emera G, Kassem HA, Medhat N, Nagdy B, Tareq M, Moneim RA, Abdulla M, El Metenawy WH. Clinicopathological features of Egyptian colorectal cancer patients regarding somatic genetic mutations especially in KRAS gene and microsatellite instability status: a pilot study. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s43042-019-0028-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths which contributes to a significant public health problem worldwide with 1.8 million new cases and almost 861,000 deaths in 2018 according to the World Health Organization. It exhibits 7.4% of all diagnosed cancer cases in the region of the Middle East and North Africa. Molecular changes that happen in CRCs are chromosomal instability, microsatellite instability (MSI), and CpG island methylator phenotype. The human RAS family (KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS) is the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancer appearing in 45% of colon cancers. Determining MSI status across CRCs offers the opportunity to identify patients who are likely to respond to targeted therapies such as anti-PD-1. Therefore, a method to efficiently determine MSI status for every cancer patient is needed.
Results
KRAS mutations were detected in 31.6% of CRC patients, namely in older patients (p = 0.003). Codons 12 and 13 constituted 5/6 (83.3%) and 1/6 (16.7%) of all KRAS mutations, respectively. We found three mutations G12D, G12C, and G13D which occur as a result of substitution at c.35G>A, c.34G>T, and c.38G>A and have been detected in 4/6 (66.6%), 1/6 (16.7%), and 1/6 (16.7%) patients, respectively. Eleven (57.9%) patients had microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) CRC. A higher percentage of MSI-H CRC was detected in female patients (p = 0.048). Eight patients had both MSI-H CRC and wild KRAS mutation with no statistical significance was found between MSI status and KRAS mutation in these studied patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, considering that KRAS mutations confer resistance to EGFR inhibitors, patients who have CRC with KRAS mutation could receive more tailored management by defining MSI status. MSI-high patients have enhanced responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapies. Thus, the question arises as to whether it is worth investigating this association in the routine clinical setting or not. Further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to assess the impact of MSI status on Egyptian CRC care.
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Wang SM, Jiang B, Deng Y, Huang SL, Fang MZ, Wang Y. Clinical significance of MLH1/ MSH2 for stage II/III sporadic colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2019; 11:1065-1080. [PMID: 31798786 PMCID: PMC6883179 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v11.i11.1065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complicated multistep process that involves an accumulation of mutations in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. In the process of DNA replication, base mismatch often occurs due to various factors leading to abnormal expression of mismatch repair genes (MMR), among which MLH1 and MSH2 are the most important. Recently, numerous studies indicated that MLH1/MSH2 phenotype is associated with CRC. We wanted to elucidate the role of MLH1/MSH2 in the prediction and prognosis of CRC through long-term clinical observation.
AIM To evaluate the prognostic and predictive significance of MLH1/MSH2 in patients with stage II-III CRC using immunohistochemical analysis and GeneScan.
METHODS Specimens from 681 patients with CRC (395 stage II and 286 stage III, 387 males and 294 females) who underwent curative surgical resection from 2013 to 2016 were tested. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze MMR status and the microsatellite status of 133 patients was determined by GeneScan analysis.
RESULTS Five hundred and fifty (80.76%) patients were MLH1/MSH2 positive and 131 (19.24%) were negative by immunohistochemistry. MLH1/MSH2-positive tumors were significantly more frequent in the colon than in the rectum, and had poor differentiation and less mucin production (P < 0.05). Patients of different groups did not differ in terms of age, gender, tumor size, tumor stage, lymphocytic infiltration, or circumscribed margin. MLH1/MSH2-negative patients had a more favorable OS than MLH1/MSH2-positive patients (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated MLH1/MSH2 expression as an independent prognostic and predictive factor for stage II/III CRC. MLH1/MSH2 expression was a strong prognostic factor in all patients [P < 0.001, hazard ratio (HR) = 4.064, 95%CI: 2.241–7.369]. Adjuvant chemotherapy had a greater correlation with survival advantage in MLH1/MSH2-negative patients with stage III disease (P < 0.001, HR = 7.660, 95%CI: 2.974–15.883). However, patients with stage II disease or MLH1/MSH2-positive patients with stage III disease did not benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. GeneScan analysis demonstrated that among 133 patients, 105 (78.95%) were microsatellite stable, and 28 (21.05%) had microsatellite instability (MSI), including 18 (13.53%) with high MSI and 10 (7.52%) with low MSI. This is consistent with the immunohistochemical results.
CONCLUSION MLH1/MSH2 phenotype constitutes a pathologically and clinically distinct subtype of sporadic CRC. MLH1/MSH2 is an independent prognostic and predictive factor for outcome of stage II-III CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shui-Ming Wang
- National Center of Colorectal Disease, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210022, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- National Center of Colorectal Disease, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210022, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Youping Deng
- Bioinformatics Core, Department of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
| | - Shu-Liang Huang
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210022, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ming-Zhi Fang
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210022, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Bioinformatics Core, Department of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210022, Jiangsu Province, China
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