Basal VEGF-A and ACE Plasma Levels of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Have Prognostic Value for First-Line Treatment with Chemotherapy Plus Bevacizumab.

The identification of factors that respond to anti-angiogenic therapy would represent a significant advance in the therapeutic management of metastatic-colorectal-cancer (mCRC) patients. We previously reported the relevance of VEGF-A and some components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the response to anti-angiogenic therapy in cancer patients. Therefore, this prospective study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of basal plasma levels of VEGF-A and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in 73 mCRC patients who were to receive bevacizumab-based therapies as a first-line treatment.

Impact on the Raman spectra of liquids when a polarized light source is used.

The polarization state of the excitation light used in two Raman systems was controlled to study its effect in the unpolarized Raman spectra of unstructured samples. Both systems work in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (NIR and visible). Four polarization states (linear, linear at 45° and 90°, and circular) were used to excite liquid samples (ethanol, acetone, and their mixture).

Effect of aflibercept plus FOLFIRI and potential efficacy biomarkers in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: the POLAF trial.

Background: Aflibercept is an antiangiogenic drug against metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) combined with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/irinotecan (FOLFIRI); however, no antiangiogenic biomarker has yet been validated. We assessed aflibercept plus FOLFIRI, investigating the biomarker role of baseline vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).

Methods: Phase II trial in oxaliplatin-treated mCRC patients who received aflibercept plus FOLFIRI.

First-Line Biological Agents Plus Chemotherapy in Older Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Pooled Analysis.

Background: Biologicals, in combination with chemotherapy, are recommended as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC); however, evidence guiding the appropriate management of older patients with mCRC is limited.

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety outcomes in older versus younger patients with mCRC who received first-line biological therapy.

Methods: This retrospective analysis used pooled data from five trials undertaken by the Spanish Cooperative Group for the Treatment of Digestive Tumours.

Association Between Baseline Circulating Tumor Cells, Molecular Tumor Profiling, and Clinical Characteristics in a Large Cohort of Chemo-naïve Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Prospectively Collected.

Background: Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic and predictive factors offer valuable guidance when selecting optimal first-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). The association between baseline circulating tumor cell (bCTC) count, molecular tumor profile, and clinicopathologic features was analyzed in a chemo-naïve metastatic CRC population.

Patients And Methods: A total of 1202 patients from the Spanish VISNÚ-1 (FOLFIRINOX/bevacizumab vs.