Potential of quantitative SEPT9 and SHOX2 methylation in plasmatic circulating cell-free DNA as auxiliary staging parameter in colorectal cancer: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Septin 9 (SEPT9) and short stature homeobox 2 (SHOX2) methylation in circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) are powerful biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, as well as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma staging and monitoring. In the present study, we investigated SEPT9 and SHOX2 ccfDNA methylation as auxiliary pre and post-therapeutic staging parameters in CRC patients.

Methods: ccfDNA methylation was quantified in 184 prospectively enrolled patients prior to and 3-10 days after surgery, and biomarker levels were associated with clinico-pathological parameters.

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells contribute to CD8 T cell tolerance toward circulating carcinoembryonic antigen in mice.

Unlabelled: Immunity against cancer is impeded by local mechanisms promoting development of tumor-specific T cell tolerance, such as regulatory T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, or immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment. The release of soluble antigens, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) from colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells, has been investigated for diagnostic purposes, but not for its immunological consequences. Here, we address the question of whether soluble CEA influences tumor-specific immunity.