Associations of the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) cancer prevention recommendations with stages of colorectal carcinogenesis.

Background: While adherence to cancer prevention recommendations is linked to lower risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), few have studied associations across the entire spectrum of colorectal carcinogenesis. Here, we studied the relationship of the standardized 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Score for cancer prevention recommendations with detection of colorectal lesions in a screening setting. As a secondary objective, we examined to what extent the recommendations were being followed in an external cohort of CRC patients.

Agreement between GLIM and PG-SGA for diagnosis of malnutrition depends on the screening tool used in GLIM.

Background & Aim: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) has suggested a process for the diagnosis of malnutrition. The process consists of applying an existing screening tool for malnutrition screening, followed by malnutrition diagnostics, and finally categorization of malnutrition severity (moderate or severe) according to specific GLIM criteria. However, it is not known how well the GLIM process agrees with other diagnostic tools used in the current clinical practice.

Quantification of adipose tissues by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and Computed Tomography in colorectal cancer patients.

Background & Aims: Excess adipose tissue may affect colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' disease progression and treatment. In contrast to the commonly used anthropometric measurements, Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Computed Tomography (CT) can differentiate adipose tissues. However, these modalities are rarely used in the clinic despite providing high-quality estimates.

Preoperative CTC-Detection by CellSearch Is Associated with Early Distant Metastasis and Impaired Survival in Resected Pancreatic Cancer.

In patients with presumed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), biomarkers that may open for personalised, risk-adapted treatment are lacking. The study analysed the impact of CTCs-presence on the patterns of recurrence and survival in 98 patients resected for PDAC with 5-10 years of follow-up. Preoperative samples were analysed by the CellSearch system for EpCAM+/DAPI+/CK+/CD45-CTCs.

Low Z-4OHtam concentrations are associated with adverse clinical outcome among early stage premenopausal breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen.

Low steady-state levels of active tamoxifen metabolites have been associated with inferior treatment outcomes. In this retrospective analysis of 406 estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (BC) patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen as initial treatment, we have associated our previously reported thresholds for the two active metabolites, Z-endoxifen and Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (Z-4OHtam), with treatment outcomes in an independent cohort of BC patients. Among all patients, metabolite levels did not affect survival.

Cytokeratin-positive cells in the bone marrow from patients with pancreatic, periampullary malignancy and benign pancreatic disease show no prognostic information.

Background: Pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma are aggressive tumours where preoperative assessment is challenging. Disseminated tumour cells (DTC) in the bone marrow (BM) are associated with impaired prognosis in a variety of epithelial cancers. In a cohort of patients with presumed resectable pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma, we evaluated the frequency and the potential prognostic impact of the preoperative presence of DTC, defined as cytokeratin-positive cells detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC).

Use of bioelectrical impedance analysis to monitor changes in fat-free mass during recovery from colorectal cancer- a validation study.

Background & Aims: Although previous research show high correlation between fat-free mass (FFM) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the validity of BIA to track longitudinal changes in FFM is uncertain. Thus, the aim of this study was to validate the ability of BIA to assess changes in FFM during 6 months of recovery from non-metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: A total of 136 women and men (50-80 years) with stage I-III CRC and a wide range of baseline FFM (35.

Should calculation of chemotherapy dosage for bowel cancer be based on body composition?

Background: Dosage of chemotherapy for colon cancer is currently based on the patient's body surface area. Several studies have identified an association between low fat-free mass and chemotherapy toxicity among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. This has been less widely studied for localised disease.

Circulating Tumor Cells are an Independent Predictor of Shorter Survival in Patients Undergoing Resection for Pancreatic and Periampullary Adenocarcinoma.

Objective: We evaluated the prognostic impact of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for patients with presumed resectable pancreatic and periampullary cancers.

Summary Of Background Data: Initial treatment decisions for this group are currently taken without a reliable prognostic marker. The CellSearch system allows standardized CTC-testing and has shown excellent specificity and prognostic value in other applications.

DNA damage in blood cells in relation to chemotherapy and nutritional status in colorectal cancer patients-A pilot study.

DNA damage can be considered as a biomarker for toxicity and response to chemotherapy. It is not known whether the chemotherapy-induced genotoxicity is associated with malnutrition. In this pilot study, we assess genotoxicity by means of DNA damage in patients with lymph-node positive colorectal cancer (CRC) and explore associations with chemotherapy treatment and nutritional status.

Survival Impact of Primary Tumor Lymph Node Status and Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the survival impact of primary tumor nodal status (N0/N+) in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM), and to determine the value of circulating and disseminated tumor cells (CTCs/DTCs) in this setting.

Methods: In this prospective study of patients undergoing resection of CLM from 2008 to 2011, peripheral blood was analyzed for CTCs using the CellSearch System, and bone marrow was sampled for DTC analyses just prior to hepatic resection. The presence of one or more tumor cells was scored as CTC/DTC-positive.

CD8+ T Cells That Coexpress RORγt and T-bet Are Functionally Impaired and Expand in Patients with Distal Bile Duct Cancer.

CD8 T cells that express retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)γt (T17 cells) have been shown to promote procarcinogenic inflammation and contribute to a tolerogenic microenvironment in tumors. We investigated their phenotype and functional properties in relationship to the pathogenesis of human distal bile duct cancer (DBDC). DBDC patients had an elevated level of type 17 immune responses and the frequency of CD8RORγt T cells (T17 cells) was increased in peripheral blood.

Regulatory T cells that co-express RORγt and FOXP3 are pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive and expand in human pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly infiltrated by CD4T cells that express RORγt and IL-17 (T17). Compelling evidence from the tumor microenvironment suggest that regulatory T cells (T) contribute to T17 mediated inflammation. Concurrently, PDAC patients have elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that may lead to T17 associated functional plasticity in T.

Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells at Surgery and at Follow-Up Assessment to Predict Survival After Two-Stage Liver Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Background: The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is negatively associated with survival after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM). The current study aimed to determine the prognostic value of CTCs and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) at the time of surgery and the prognostic value of CTCs at follow-up assessment, for patients scheduled to undergo two-stage hepatectomy with portal vein embolization (PVE) for CLM.

Methods: Samples were collected at surgery (blood and bone marrow) and at follow-up assessment (blood) for the period 2008 through 2011.

Clinical outcome with correlation to disseminated tumor cell (DTC) status after DTC-guided secondary adjuvant treatment with docetaxel in early breast cancer.

Purpose: The presence of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in bone marrow (BM) predicts survival in early breast cancer. This study explores the use of DTCs for identification of patients insufficiently treated with adjuvant therapy so they can be offered secondary adjuvant treatment and the subsequent surrogate marker potential of DTCs for outcome determination.

Patients And Methods: Patients with early breast cancer who had completed six cycles of adjuvant fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC) chemotherapy underwent BM aspiration 2 to 3 months (BM1) and 8 to 9 months (BM2) after FEC.

Circulating tumor cells in patients with colorectal liver metastasis predict impaired survival.

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the prognostic and predictive value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in bone marrow (BM) in patients with colorectal liver metastasis referred to surgery.

Background: A total of 194 patients were included. Treatment of the patients was decided in a multidisciplinary team.

Disseminated tumor cells as selection marker and monitoring tool for secondary adjuvant treatment in early breast cancer. Descriptive results from an intervention study.

Background: Presence of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in bone marrow (BM) after completion of systemic adjuvant treatment predicts reduced survival in breast cancer. The present study explores the use of DTCs to identify adjuvant insufficiently treated patients to be offered secondary adjuvant treatment intervention, and as a surrogate marker for therapy response.

Methods: A total of 1121 patients with pN1-3 or pT1c/T2G2-3pN0-status were enrolled.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in invasive breast carcinomas and its prognostic impact.

Representative tumour sections from 468 patients with invasive breast cancer were immunostained for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and evaluated. The relationships between COX-2 expression, clinical outcome and various clinicopathological variables, including tumour vascularity and disseminated tumour cells (DTC) in the bone marrow were examined. COX-2 expression in invasive breast carcinoma cells was positively associated with oestrogen receptor and/or progesterone receptor positivity (p<0.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 in invasive breast carcinoma: prognostic significance and relationship with markers for aggressiveness.

Aims: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) play a role in breast cancer growth and angiogenesis. We examined the expression and relationship with clinical outcome and other prognostic factors.

Methods And Results: Tumour sections from 468 breast cancer patients were immunostained for VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2, and their relationships with tumour vascularity, disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) in bone marrow and other clinicopathological parameters were evaluated.

Persistence of disseminated tumor cells in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients predicts increased risk for relapse--a European pooled analysis.

Background: The prognostic significance of disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in bone marrow (BM) of breast cancer patients at the time of primary diagnosis has been confirmed by a large pooled analysis. In view of the lack of early indicators for secondary adjuvant treatment, we here evaluated whether the persistence of DTCs after adjuvant therapy increases the risk of subsequent relapse and death.

Patients And Methods: Individual patient data from 676 women with primary diagnosis of early breast cancer stages I-III from 3 follow-up studies were pooled.

Qualitative assessment of the progesterone receptor and HER2 improves the Nottingham Prognostic Index up to 5 years after breast cancer diagnosis.

Purpose: To investigate whether the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) can improve the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) in the classification of patients with primary operable breast cancer for disease-free survival (DFS).

Patients And Methods: The analysis is based on 1,927 patients with breast cancer treated between 2000 and 2005 at the University Hospitals, Leuven. We compared performances of NPI with and without ER, PR and/or HER2.

Breast carcinoma vascularity: a comparison of manual microvessel count and Chalkley count.

Manual counting of microvessels as intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) and Chalkley counting have been used in several studies to assess the prognostic impact of vascularity in invasive breast carcinomas. In our present study, the aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of angiogenesis in invasive breast carcinoma assessed by MVD and Chalkley techniques in the same series of patients. A total of 498 breast carcinoma patients with median follow up time 85 months were evaluated.

Vascularization in primary breast carcinomas: its prognostic significance and relationship with tumor cell dissemination.

Purpose: The interaction between tumor cells, stroma, and endothelial cells is important for the dissemination of tumor cells. The aim of the present study is to examine vascularity in primary breast carcinomas and its prognostic significance and relationship with tumor cell dissemination.

Experimental Design: A total of 498 invasive breast carcinomas were analyzed.

Presence of bone marrow micrometastasis is associated with different recurrence risk within molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Expression profiles of primary breast tumors were investigated in relation to disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in bone marrow (BM) in order to increase our understanding of the dissemination process. Tumors were classified into five pre-defined molecular subtypes, and presence of DTC identified (at median 85 months follow-up) a subgroup of luminal A patients with particular poor outcome (p=0.008).