Combined metallothioneins and p53 proteins expression as a prognostic marker in patients with Dukes stage B and C colorectal cancer

Our study aimed to evaluate metallothionein and p53 expression in colorectal cancer and to correlate their combined expression with selected clinical and pathologic variables of the disease, to define their prognostic significance. Colorectal cancer specimens from 99 patients were retrospectively analyzed by immunohistochemistry for metallothionein and p53 expression. Survival curves were generated according to the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate survival distributions were compared with the use of the log-rank test. Multivariate models were computed using Cox proportional hazards regression. This research was approved by the institutional review boards of all centers. Tumors showing concomitant high metallothionein expression and negative p53 (metallothionein(H)/p53(-)) were significantly inversely related to depth of invasion, frequency of nodal metastasis, and Dukes stage (P < .01). In univariate analysis, patients with metallothionein(H)/p53(-) phenotype showed a better overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.83; P < .05) and disease-free survival (HR, 2.03; P < .05). In multivariate analysis, considering staging, metallothionein, and metallothionein + p53 variables, in 83 patients with Dukes stages B and C, metallothionein(H)/p53(-) combination was the sole factor showing an independent prognostic value for overall survival (HR, 3.88; P < .1) and disease-free survival (HR, 2.56; P < .1). In conclusion, the combined analysis of metallothionein and p53 may enhance the prognostic power of each individual marker by predicting the progression of the disease and contributing to a better identification of patients at low risk for mortality, especially for those with Dukes stage B and C colorectal cancer.

Surgical salvage of pelvic recurrences from colorectal tumors

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Background: The morbidity of pelvic recurrences from colorectal tumors (PRCT) represents a challenge for the oncology multidisciplinary team. Surgical treatment is the best option for palliation and in several series it offers long term local control in 30% of the cases. Objective: To perform a retrospective analysis of patients (pts) surgically resected for PRCT in terms of: time to progression after surgical salvage (TP) and specific suvival (SS). Correlatives studies were performed with clinic and pathologic factors, surgical procedures (SP), and postoperative complications in terms of TP and SS. Methods: 64 pts treated (June 1994 - February 2005) were identified (women: 30), median age 63 years, site of the primary: rectum 48, sigmoid 16; Median number of resected nodes: 8 (r: 2 - 20) in pts with negative nodes and 15 (r: 6 - 42) in pts with positive nodes; primary treatment: surgery (S): 22 pts, S + chemotherapy (CT): 18, S + radiotherapy (RT): 4, S + CT/RT: 17, CT + S: 2 pts, QT/RT + CX: 1; in 7/64 a Miles procedure was performed as primary therapy, median disease free interval: 15 months; site of initial recurrence: locoregional 58 (90%), locoregional + systemic 10%. Pain and bleeding were the most frecuent symptoms. Results: The strategy in PRCT was: S: 29 pts, S + RT: 15, S + CT/RT: 9, CT/RT + S: 7, S + CT: 2, CT + S: 1, RT + S:1; IORT: 18/64; external beam RT: 17/64, 6 pts required Miles; type of resection: R0: 50/64 (78%), R1: 8/64 (12%), R2: 3/64 (5%) and 3 (5%) unknown. Median duration of surgery: 4 hours, abscesses and fistulas were the complications most frequently observed. Median time to progression (TP): 12 months, site of recurrence (56/64 pts) post salvage surgery: pelvic: 22 pts, extrapelvic: 6 pts, combined: 10 and unknown 18. Eleven pts are free of disease. In 16 pts more than one surgical salvage was perfomed. The specific survival was 21 months (IC 95% 37 - 61 m). Conclusions: In this serie surgical salvage of PRCT showed one year of local control disease, even in pts with R2 and with moderate morbidity. The surgical decision must be individualized and in the context of a trained surgical team.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.