The presence of BRAF in colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a higher chance of distant metastasis. Oxidative stress in disseminated tumor cells limits metastatic capacity. To study the relationship between BRAF, sensitivity to oxidative stress, and metastatic capacity in CRC, we use patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and tissue samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn severely anaemic patients, blood transfusions remain the standard of care when haemoglobin levels become dangerously low. However, in some situations blood transfusion is not an option. In this clinical lesson, we present a case of a young Jehovah's Witness who developed a life-threatening anaemia due to a gastro-intestinal bleeding.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Recently it has been recognized that stromal markers could be used as a clinically relevant biomarker for therapy response and prognosis. Here, we report on a serum marker for stromal activation, A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12) in colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods: Using gene expression databases we investigated ADAM12 expression in CRC and delineated the source of ADAM12 expression.
Background: Intermittent systemic anti-cancer therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (aCRC) may improve quality of life without compromising overall survival (OS). We aimed to use individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA) from multiple randomised controlled trials evaluating intermittent strategies to inform clinical practice. We also aimed to validate whether thrombocytosis as a predictive biomarker identified patients with significantly reduced OS receiving a complete treatment break.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Patient characteristics and stratification factors are key features influencing trial outcomes. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in reporting of patient characteristics and use of stratification factors in phase 3 trials investigating systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We aimed to develop a minimum set of essential baseline characteristics and stratification factors to include in such trials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Patient characteristics and stratification factors are important factors influencing trial outcomes. Uniform reporting on these parameters would facilitate cross-study comparisons and extrapolation of trial results to clinical practice. In 2007, standardisation on patient characteristics reporting and stratification in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) trials was proposed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The CAIRO3 and AIO 0207 trials demonstrated the efficacy of fluoropyrimidine plus bevacizumab (FP+Bev) maintenance treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. In this individual patient data meta-analysis with updated follow-up, we aim to provide more precise estimates of treatment effects and to identify subgroups that benefit most from maintenance treatment or observation.
Methods: In 871 patients, randomised to FP+Bev maintenance treatment or observation, we investigated whether treatment effect was modified by sex, age, performance status, response to induction treatment, primary tumour location, number of metastatic sites, disease stage and primary tumour resection, serum LDH, platelet count, CEA, and RAS/BRAF mutation status.
Background: Although synchronous and metachronous metastases are considered as separate entities of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with different outcomes, its proportion is reported infrequently. We compared inclusion rates and survival of synchronous versus metachronous mCRC in different types of studies investigating initial systemic therapy or surgical treatment of mCRC.
Methods: We searched PubMed and EMBASE (January 2004 - February 2016) for mCRC studies investigating first-line systemic therapy or surgical treatment of mCRC including information on synchronous versus metachronous metastases.