Preoperative serum markers for individual patient prognosis in stage I-III colon cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) remains the only recommended biomarker for follow-up care of colorectal cancer (CRC), but besides CEA, several other serological parameters have been proposed as prognostic markers for CRC. The present retrospective analysis investigates a comprehensive set of serum markers with regard to cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS). A total of 472 patients with colon cancer underwent surgery for curative intent between January 1988 and June 2007.

Evaluation of preoperative serum markers for individual patient prognosis in stage I-III rectal cancer.

Several independent serum biomarkers have been proposed as prognostic and/or predictive markers for colorectal cancer (CRC). To this date, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) remains the only recommended serological CRC biomarker. The present retrospective analysis investigates the prognostic value of several serum markers.

Association of MICA-TM and MICB C1_2_A microsatellite polymorphisms with tumor progression in patients with colorectal cancer.

Purpose: The major histocompatibility complex class I related A (MICA) and MICB molecules are ligands of NKG2D receptors on natural killer cells, gamma/delta T cells, and CD8ass T cells that mediate host antitumor immune response. The role of MICA-TM and MICB C1_2_A alleles in patients with colorectal cancer has not yet been investigated.

Methods: We have analyzed the MICA-TM and MICB C1_2_A polymorphisms in colorectal cancer patients (n = 79) by polymerase chain reaction amplification, subsequent electrophoresis, and sequencing in comparison to a previously analyzed cohort of healthy controls (n = 306).

Analysis of specific transcriptional regulators as early predictors of independent prognostic relevance in resected colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Prognostic studies on transcription factors acting at specific promoter elements have never been done so far. However, in tumors with long necessary follow-up, such as colorectal cancer, early-risk predictors would be needed. The invasion-related gene u-PAR is regulated via an activator protein 2 (AP-2)/Sp1 (-152/-135) and an AP-1 binding promoter motif (-190/-171), mediating u-PAR induction by K-Ras and Src.

Results of long-term follow-up after curative resection of Dukes A colorectal cancer.

Patients with Dukes A (UICC I) colorectal cancer have a good prognosis after curative resection. It is not known, however, if the outcome is significantly different for UICC Ia and Ib patients or if patients with reduced risks of recurrences can be identified early after surgery. This is of interest, as it would permit a more cost-effective, patient-oriented, and tumor stage-oriented follow-up program.

Effect of preoperative radiochemotherapy on lymph node retrieval after resection of rectal cancer.

Hypothesis: Preoperative radiochemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer results in fewer lymph nodes detected in the tumor-bearing specimen.

Design: Nonrandomized control trial with analysis of a prospective perioperative database.

Setting: Department of Surgery of a large-volume university hospital.

Gender differences in long-term survival of patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: Significant differences exist in the immunological response to surgery. This raises the possibility that gender differences exist concerning the outcome after curative colorectal cancer resection.

Methods: To study this hypothesis, a database of patients with colorectal cancer was analysed prospectively.

Multivariate analysis of the prognostic value of CEA and CA 19-9 serum levels in colorectal cancer.

Unlabelled: Carcinoembrionic Antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) are the most commonly used tumor-associated antigens in the management of patients with colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative serum levels of CEA and/or CA 19-9 and the classical prognostic factors (age, sex, tumor infiltration and staging) in 495 patients.

Patients And Methods: The retrospective study was performed on frozen sera (stored at -70 degrees C) of patients with histologically proven colorectal cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen for the detection of recurrent disease following curative resection of colorectal cancer.

Background: During recent years a discussion about cost-effectiveness and importance of follow-up determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) after curative resection of large bowel cancer has developed.

Patients And Methods: Between 1990 and 1998 follow-up CEA levels of 1,321 patients after curative colorectal cancer resection were prospectively collected in cooperation with family physicians, CEA determinations were made with different assays by various laboratories. The reported findings were adjusted for the different methods used.

The role of carcinoembryonic antigen for the detection of recurrent disease following curative resection of large-bowel cancer.

Background And Aims: During recent years, a discussion about cost-effectiveness and importance of follow-up evaluation after curative resection of large-bowel cancer has developed. It is not known whether the determination of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) plays a crucial role in the early detection of recurrent disease.

Patients/methods: We conducted an analysis of the prospective follow-up database of 1321 patients after curative resection of colorectal cancer in our institution between 1990 and 1998 to evaluate the role of CEA in the early detection of recurrent disease.

Preoperative serum levels of CEA and CA 19-9 and their prognostic significance in colorectal carcinoma.

Unlabelled: The prognostic information provided by preoperative serum CEA, CA 19-9 antigen assays as compared with the classical prognostic factors (age, sex, tumor infiltration, tumor stage (Dukes') and R-classification) in 495 patients with colorectal carcinoma was analysed.

Patients And Methods: Survival function estimates were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier. The patients were separated into two groups according to the preoperative marker levels.