Multiplatform Urinary Metabolomics Profiling to Discriminate Cachectic from Non-Cachectic Colorectal Cancer Patients: Pilot Results from the ColoCare Study.

Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that is characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass in cancer patients. The biological pathways involved remain poorly characterized. Here, we compare urinary metabolic profiles in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients (stage I-IV) from the ColoCare Study in Heidelberg, Germany.

BRAF mutation testing in melanoma: results from a German observational multicenter study.

Quality control of BRAF mutation testing methods used in routine practice is crucial for optimal treatment selection. In this prospective study, we assessed the impact of patient/sample characteristics on BRAF mutation testing results in patients with melanoma, during clinical practice. Data were collected on routine testing practices and documented mutation status in patients with melanoma stages IIIB, IIIC, or IV across 28 diagnostic pathology centers in Germany.

Associations of branched-chain amino acids with parameters of energy balance and survival in colorectal cancer patients: Results from the ColoCare Study.

Background: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) have been previously linked to survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. It is unclear whether BCAAs are prognostic biomarkers or surrogate markers for energy balance.

Objectives: We aimed to determine correlations of BCAAs with markers of energy balance over time and to investigate prognostic significance of BCAAs in CRC.

Epigenetic regulation of diacylglycerol kinase alpha promotes radiation-induced fibrosis.

Radiotherapy is a fundamental part of cancer treatment but its use is limited by the onset of late adverse effects in the normal tissue, especially radiation-induced fibrosis. Since the molecular causes for fibrosis are largely unknown, we analyse if epigenetic regulation might explain inter-individual differences in fibrosis risk. DNA methylation profiling of dermal fibroblasts obtained from breast cancer patients prior to irradiation identifies differences associated with fibrosis.

Aspirin Reduces Plasma Concentrations of the Oncometabolite 2-Hydroxyglutarate: Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Trial.

Background: Aspirin use is an effective strategy for the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer, even at low doses. However, in order to implement aspirin interventions, risk-benefit balances and biologic mechanisms need to be better defined; to further this aim, we used a metabolomics approach.

Methods: We metabolically profiled 40 healthy, nonsmoking men and women ages 20 to 45 years enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial of 325 mg aspirin/day over a period of 60 days.

Changes in urinary metabolic profiles of colorectal cancer patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study (ColoCare).

Introduction: Metabolomics is a valuable tool for biomarker screening of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we profiled the urinary metabolomes of patients enrolled in a prospective patient cohort (ColoCare). We aimed to describe changes in the metabolome in the longer clinical follow-up and describe initial predictors as candidate markers with possibly prognostic significance.

Metabolomics and transcriptomics identify pathway differences between visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in colorectal cancer patients: the ColoCare study.

Background: Metabolic and transcriptomic differences between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) compartments, particularly in the context of obesity, may play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis. We investigated the differential functions of their metabolic compositions.

Objectives: Biochemical differences between adipose tissues (VAT compared with SAT) in patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) were investigated by using mass spectrometry metabolomics and gene expression profiling.

Review of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in cancer research.

Metabolomics, the systematic investigation of all metabolites present within a biologic system, is used in biomarker development for many human diseases, including cancer. In this review, we investigate the current role of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in cancer research. A literature review was carried out within the databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Knowledge.