Colorectal cancer. Genetic variants in BMP signaling pathway and ancestry in the Mexican population.

Introduction: Genetic variants related to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP2, BMP4, GREM1, SMAD7) signaling pathway have been associated with colorectal cancer, mainly in Caucasian populations.

Objective: To describe the association of variants in members of the BMP signaling pathway in a Mexican population, characterized by its indigenous American and Caucasian ancestry.

Methods: Genotyping of 1,000 colorectal cancer cases and 1,043 control individuals recruited in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Torreón was carried out using the Sequenom platform.

Selective efficacy and safety of first line and non front line antineoplasic agent combinations determined with individualized assays on colorectal cancer primary cultures.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of first-line and not-conventional antineoplastic drug combinations in colorectal adenocarcinoma primary cultures (CRAC PCs).

Methods: The efficacy and safety of 21 drug combinations (DCs) were evaluated using a simplified adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay (sATP-CRA). The efficacy of each DC was reported as the percentage of cell death (PCD) produced on each of 12 CRAC-PCs, and the safety of each DC was evaluated as a safety window (SW).

Thymidylate synthase gene variants as predictors of clinical response and toxicity to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.

Background: Fluoropyrimidines form the chemotherapy backbone of advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). These drugs are frequently associated with toxicity events that result in dose adjustments and even suspension of the treatment. The thymidylate synthase (TYMS) gene is a potential marker of response and toxicity to fluoropyirimidines as this enzyme is the molecular target of these drugs.