Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dalma Mueller, Balazs Gyorffy
Summary: DNA methylation is an important mechanism regulating gene expression and can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Some methylation-based diagnostic biomarkers have been approved, and there are also new candidate biomarkers. However, most of the methylation changes still need validation in independent samples.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Klara Cervena, Sona Vodenkova, Veronika Vymetalkova
Summary: In this review, recent studies on the cellular mechanisms and potential exploitation of MALAT1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) are evaluated, providing robust support for the essential role of MALAT1 in CRC development and future personalized therapy.
Article
Oncology
Yaoqing Li, Chuchu Xu, Renjun Zhu, Liyijing Shen, Gengyuan Hu, Kelong Tao, Feng Tao, Zengxin Lu, Guolin Zhang
Summary: This study evaluates the value of tissue inhibitors of MMPs-2 (TIMP-2) as an indicator of 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) resistance in colorectal cancer. The results show that TIMP-2 expression is elevated in drug-resistant colorectal cancer cell lines and is closely related to 5-Fu resistance. Monitoring serum TIMP-2 levels can help clinicians identify 5-Fu resistance in colorectal cancer patients earlier during chemotherapy.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanghyun Roh, Sooyoun Kim, Inpyo Hong, Minho Lee, Han Jo Kim, Tae Sung Ahn, Dong Hyun Kang, Moo-Jun Baek, Hyoung Jong Kwak, Chang-Jin Kim, Dongjun Jeong
Summary: In this study, the TSPAN5 gene was identified as an important biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Suppression of TSPAN5 was found to decrease cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target. Evaluating TSPAN5 expression may help in prognosis observation and treatment determination for CRC patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Sara Ribeirinho-Soares, Diana Padua, Ana Luisa Amaral, Elvia Valentini, Daniela Azevedo, Cristiana Marques, Rita Barros, Filipa Macedo, Patricia Mesquita, Raquel Almeida
Summary: In stage II CRC patients, low MUC2 expression, in combination with high CDX2 expression, absence of SOX2 or MMR-proficiency, is associated with worse prognosis, while none of these biomarkers showed prognostic value overall. Patients with low MUC2 expression derived significant benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
Article
Immunology
Chao Li, Ulrich Wirth, Josefine Schardey, Viktor V. Ehrlich-Treuenstaett, Alexandr V. Bazhin, Jens Werner, Florian Kuehn
Summary: This study established an IRGPI model to predict the survival of CRC patients and found differential expression and functional pathways of immune-related genes in the tumor microenvironment, providing a new perspective for personalized treatment of CRC.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Jordi Badia-Ramentol, Francisco Gimeno-Valiente, Elena Durendez, Carolina Martinez-Ciarpaglini, Jenniffer Linares, Mar Iglesias, Andres Cervantes, Alexandre Calon, Noelia Tarazona
Summary: Adjuvant chemotherapy is the main treatment option for localized colorectal cancer (CRC), but many patients have unfavorable outcomes. CDX2, a biomarker of prognosis and relapse, is associated with the complexity of CRC. Immunohistochemistry evaluation of CDX2 can identify high-risk CRC patients, but assessing its expression remains challenging in many patients.
CANCER TREATMENT REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aman Chandra Kaushik, Zhongming Zhao
Summary: Breast cancer is highly heterogeneous and personalized treatment has become a new strategy. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype with diverse genetic markers. Six effective drugs against TNBC cell lines were identified through database scanning.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yan Gao, Yulai Zhou, Le Wei, Ziyang Feng, Yihong Chen, Ping Liu, Yinghui Peng, Qiaoqiao Huang, Le Gao, Yongting Liu, Ying Han, Hong Shen, Changjing Cai, Shan Zeng
Summary: The novel circRNA hsa_circ_0066351 inhibits cell proliferation in colorectal cancer, with its expression correlating with patient survival and constructing a ceRNA network involving multiple miRNAs and mRNAs, suggesting potential anti-cancer functions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Siddhartha Deb, Anannya Chakrabarti, Stephen B. Fox
Summary: The importance of identifying and targeting in treating familial breast cancers is recognized. This review paper focuses on prognostic and predictive tumour biomarkers within familial breast cancer. These cancers are different from sporadic cases, with earlier age of onset and specific breast cancer subtypes. However, there is limited research on relevant prognostic and predictive biomarkers within this breast cancer subgroup.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jean-Baptiste Delhorme, Emilie Bersuder, Chloe Terciolo, Ourania Vlami, Marie-Pierrette Chenard, Elisabeth Martin, Serge Rohr, Cecile Brigand, Isabelle Duluc, Jean-Noel Freund, Isabelle Gross
Summary: This study demonstrates the role of CDX2 in chemoresistance of CRC, showing that CDX2 expression enhances resistance of colon cancer cells towards 5-FU by regulating ABCC11 and DPYD genes. The findings suggest the therapeutic potential of targeting CDX2/ABCC11/DPYD pathway to improve systemic chemotherapy in CRC.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Siyuan Weng, Zaoqu Liu, Xiaofeng Ren, Hui Xu, Xiaoyong Ge, Yuqing Ren, Yuyuan Zhang, Qin Dang, Long Liu, Chunguang Guo, Richard Beatson, Jinhai Deng, Xinwei Han
Summary: The study identified that the SCG2 gene is closely associated with the chemotherapy response in colorectal cancer patients, with high expression predicting poorer prognosis and showing significantly higher expression in the APC non-mutation group. The SCG2 high expression subgroup is more suitable for immunotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xinlong Zheng, Kan Jiang, Weijin Xiao, Dongqiang Zeng, Wenying Peng, Jing Bai, Xiaohui Chen, Pansong Li, Longfeng Zhang, Xiaobin Zheng, Qian Miao, Haibo Wang, Shiwen Wu, Yiquan Xu, Haipeng Xu, Chao Li, Lifeng Li, Xuan Gao, Suya Zheng, Junhui Li, Deqiang Wang, Zhipeng Zhou, Xuefeng Xia, Shanshan Yang, Yujing Li, Zhaolei Cui, Qiuyu Zhang, Ling Chen, Xiandong Lin, Gen Lin
Summary: The study found that CFR is a newly discovered simple parameter that can be used to identify patients unlikely to benefit from immunotherapy. A higher CFR was strongly associated with improved survival in lung cancer, melanoma, and urothelial cancer immunotherapy cohorts. A higher correlation coefficient was observed between CFR and the ORR following pembrolizumab monotherapy in 20 solid tumor types.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Neda Yaghoubi, Farnaz Zahedi Avval, Majid Khazaei, Seyed Hamid Aghaee-Bakhtiari
Summary: miRNAs, as highly sensitive and specific markers, play important roles in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer. They can serve as quantifiable and effective molecular tools, offering potential new strategies for early cancer detection and treatment.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qasem Al-Tashi, Maliazurina B. Saad, Amgad Muneer, Rizwan Qureshi, Seyedali Mirjalili, Ajay Sheshadri, Xiuning Le, Natalie I. Vokes, Jianjun Zhang, Jia Wu
Summary: The identification of biomarkers is crucial in personalized medicine, but differentiating between predictive and prognostic biomarkers can be challenging due to overlap. Prognostic biomarkers predict cancer outcomes regardless of treatment, while predictive biomarkers assess the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Misclassifying them can have serious consequences for patients. This study provides an in-depth analysis of recent advancements, challenges, and future prospects in biomarker identification, using a systematic search of studies published between 2017 and 2023. The review aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers in understanding biomarker discovery methods and identifying future research opportunities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Joana Pimenta, Ricardo Ribeiro, Raquel Almeida, Pedro F. Costa, Marta A. da Silva, Bruno Pereira
Summary: The combination of microfluidics technology with cell culture has led to the development of organs-on-chip models that mimic the proliferative and differentiated compartments of the intestinal epithelium, long-term maintenance of commensals, and intraluminal perfusion of organoids. These systems show closer transcriptomic profile and functionality to the intestine in vivo. The design flexibility of microfluidic technology enables the simultaneous incorporation of multiple components, potentially allowing applications in disease modeling, host-microbiota studies, stem cell biology, drug testing, and personalized medicine.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jonas M. Stromme, Bjarne Johannessen, Susanne G. Kidd, Mari Bogaard, Kristina T. Carm, Xiaokang Zhang, Anita Sveen, Anthony Mathelier, Ragnhild A. Lothe, Ulrika Axcrona, Karol Axcrona, Rolf I. Skotheim
Summary: The study revealed extensive heterogeneity at the gene expression level in multifocal prostate cancer. Different malignant foci within the same patient showed similar levels of heterogeneity as tumors from different patients. Expression patterns linked to ETS status and extraprostatic extension were identified, and a set of 62 genes with low intrapatient heterogeneity and high interpatient heterogeneity were found, which could serve as prognostic biomarkers regardless of the sampled malignant focus.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Carla Pereira, Ji-Hyeon Park, Sofia Campelos, Irene Gullo, Carolina Lemos, Leslie Solorzano, Diana Martins, Gilza Goncalves, Dina Leitao, Hyuk-Joon Lee, Seong-Ho Kong, Ana Andre, Clara Borges, Daniela Almeida, Carolina Walbhy, Raquel Almeida, Woo Ho Kim, Fatima Carneiro, Han-Kwang Yang, Gabriela M. Almeida, Carla Oliveira
Summary: Surgical resection with lymphadenectomy and perioperative chemotherapy is the mainstay treatment for gastric cancer patients. The study found specific immunophenotypic profiles in chemo-naive patients from Portugal and South Korea, impacting overall survival and aggressiveness of the disease. The discrepancy in survival rates between Western and Eastern regions may be due to different immunophenotypic profiles and clinical factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Eva Segelov, Marianne Gronlie Guren, David Sebag-Montefiore, Sheela Rao, Anders Johnsson, Pierfrancesco Franco, Eric Deutsch, Dirk Arnold, Karen-Lise Garm Spindler
CLINICAL COLORECTAL CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Hartwig Korner, Marianne G. Guren, Inger Kristin Larsen, Dagny Faksvag Haugen, Kjetil Soreide, Leif Roland Korner, Jon Arne Soreide
Summary: This study analyzed data from the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Registry to describe treatment pathways and survival of rectal cancer patients not eligible for curative treatment. The study found that almost 40% of patients did not receive curative-intent treatment, and there were significant variations in treatment journeys and outcomes.
Article
Pathology
Christian H. Bergsland, Marine Jeanmougin, Seyed H. Moosavi, Aud Svindland, Jarle Bruun, Arild Nesbakken, Anita Sveen, Ragnhild A. Lothe
Summary: This study investigated the prognostic heterogeneity of different regulatory T cell (Treg) populations in colorectal cancer (CRC) using multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis. The results showed that Treg infiltration in tumors was strongly correlated with the overall amount of T cells and was associated with a favorable prognosis among CRC patients who underwent complete tumor resection. However, high expression of the activation marker CD25 in Tregs was independently associated with an adverse outcome. Moreover, spatial analysis revealed a significant proximity between Tregs and CD8+ cells, which was associated with a poor survival rate. These findings highlight the importance of multi-marker and spatial analysis in accurately predicting patient outcomes in CRC.
Article
Oncology
Esmee A. Dijkstra, Geke A. P. Hospers, Elma Meershoek-Klein Kranenbarg, Joke Fleer, Annet G. H. Roodvoets, Renu R. Bahadoer, Marianne G. Guren, Jolien J. J. Tjalma, Hein Putter, Rogier M. P. H. Crolla, Mathijs P. Hendriks, Jaume Capdevila, Calin Radu, Cornelis J. H. van de Velde, Per J. Nilsson, Bengt Glimelius, Boudewijn van Etten, Corrie A. M. Marijnen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of total neoadjuvant treatment on health-related quality of life, bowel function, and late toxicity in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. The results demonstrate that total neoadjuvant treatment does not compromise patients' quality of life and bowel function, and it does not result in more severe toxicity when compared to standard chemoradiotherapy.
RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Renu R. Bahadoer, Esther Bastiaannet, Koen C. M. J. Peeters, Elizabeth van Eycken, Julie Verbeeck, Marianne G. Guren, Hartwig Korner, Anna Martling, Robert Johansson, Cornelis J. H. van de Velde, Jan Willem T. Dekker
Summary: This study investigates the survival gap between young and older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in four European countries. The results show that older patients have a worse survival rate during the first year after surgery compared to younger patients. However, after surviving the first year, the survival gap is mainly observed in stage III disease.
JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Pierfrancesco Franco, Eva Segelov, Anders Johnsson, Rachel Riechelmann, Marianne G. Guren, Prajnan Das, Sheela Rao, Dirk Arnold, Karen-Lise Garm Spindler, Eric Deutsch, Marco Krengli, Vincenzo Tombolini, David Sebag-Montefiore, Francesca De Felice
Summary: Squamous-cell carcinoma of the anus (ASCC) is a rare disease with barriers to conducting research, but researchers' collaboration has been a prime example of cooperation. Through bibliometric analysis, common patterns in anal cancer research over the past 20 years have been identified, particularly in prevention and screening and overall management. Emerging research topics include imaging, biomarkers, and patient-reported outcomes.
Review
Oncology
Alison Rowsell, Samantha C. Sodergren, Vassilios Vassiliou, Anne-Sophie Darlington, Marianne G. Guren, Bilal Alkhaffaf, Chantelle Moorbey, Kristopher Dennis, Mistumi Terada
Summary: The treatment landscape for gastric cancer is constantly evolving, and it is important to monitor the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. This review explores the HRQoL measures used in patients with gastric cancer across different cultures, including East Asia. The study found that while some Western measures were widely used, there were also specific measures developed within East Asian countries.
Article
Oncology
S. Rao, G. Anandappa, J. Capdevila, L. Dahan, L. Evesque, S. Kim, M. P. Saunders, D. C. Gilbert, L. H. Jensen, E. Samalin, K-L Spindler, S. Tamberi, A. Demols, M. G. Guren, D. Arnold, M. Fakih, T. Kayyal, M. Cornfeld, C. Tian, M. Catlett, M. Smith, J-P Spano
Summary: Retifanlimab demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable antitumor activity, and an acceptable safety profile in patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic squamous carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC).
Article
Oncology
Samantha C. Sodergren, Colin D. Johnson, Alexandra Gilbert, Anne-Sophie Darlington, Kim Cocks, Marianne G. Guren, Eleonor Rivin del Campo, Christine Brannan, Peter Christensen, William Chu, Hans Chung, Kristopher Dennis, Isacco Desideri, Duncan C. Gilbert, Rob Glynne-Jones, Michael Jefford, Mia Johansson, Anders Johnsson, Therese Juul, Dimitrios Kardamakis, Julia Lai-Kwon, Vicky McFarlane, Isalia M. C. Miguel, Karen Nugent, Femke Peters, Rachel P. Riechelmann, Nazim S. Turhal, Shun Wong, Vassilios Vassiliou
Summary: This study tested the psychometric properties and acceptability of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) health-related quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-ANL27) for anal cancer. The results showed that the QLQ-ANL27 has good psychometric properties and is acceptable for use in measuring specific concerns of anal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Bettina A. Hanekamp, Ellen Viktil, Kathinka S. Slordahl, Johann Baptist Dormagen, Nils E. Klow, Eirik Malinen, Cathrine Brunborg, Marianne G. Guren, Anselm Schulz
Summary: This study aimed to analyze tumor characteristics in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) using pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and during chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and to compare the changes between responders and nonresponders to CRT. The results showed that changes in tumor volume and diameter during early CRT could serve as easily assessable imaging-based biomarkers for evaluating treatment response.
STRAHLENTHERAPIE UND ONKOLOGIE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Teijo Pellinen, Kevin Sandeman, Sami Blom, Riku Turkki, Annabrita Hemmes, Katja Vaelimaeki, Juho Eineluoto, Anu Kenttaemies, Stig Nordling, Olli Kallioniemi, Antti Rannikko, Tuomas Mirtti
Summary: This study investigates the differences in cellular and molecular properties of tumor stroma in surgically treated localized prostate cancer lesions that are positive or negative on MRI. The results show that MRI-visible lesions have a different stromal composition compared to benign tissues and MRI false-negative lesions. The presence of high numbers of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) positive cells in MRI-visible lesions is associated with elevated risk for biochemical recurrence and poor prognosis. These findings have clinical implications for treatment recommendations.
CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Diana Padua, Debora Filipa Pinto, Paula Figueira, Carlos Filipe Pereira, Raquel Almeida, Patricia Mesquita
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical value of HMGA1 in gastric cancer and found that high expression of HMGA1 was associated with better response to chemotherapy and improved overall survival in patients.
Article
Oncology
Andra S. Martinikova, Miroslav Stoyanov, Anna Oravetzova, Yannick P. Kok, Shibo Yu, Jana Dobrovolna, Pavel Janscak, Marcel van Vugt, Libor Macurek
Summary: Oncogene-induced replication stress is a major cause of genome instability in cancer cells. This study reveals that increased activity of PPM1D exacerbates replication stress caused by cyclin E1 overexpression, leading to abnormal cell cycle progression and accumulation of DNA copy number alterations. Pharmacological inhibition of PPM1D can alleviate replication stress-induced genome instability.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Oncology
Alamelu G. Bharadwaj, Meghan E. McLean, Margaret L. Dahn, Hannah F. Cahill, Marie-Claire D. Wasson, Raj Pranap Arun, Olivia L. Walker, Brianne M. Cruickshank, Wasundara Fernando, Jaganathan Venkatesh, Penelope J. Barnes, Gillian Bethune, Gregory Knapp, Lucy K. Helyer, Carman A. Giacomantonio, David M. Waisman, Paola Marcato
Summary: ALDH1A3 regulates the plasminogen activation pathway to promote breast cancer metastasis. Co-expression of ALDH1A3 and tPA is associated with TNBC subtype, high tumor grade, and recurrent metastatic disease.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Oncology
Nayela N. Chowdhury, Yi Yang, Ananya Dutta, Michelle Luo, Zimu Wei, Sara R. Abrahams, Alexey S. Revenko, Fenil Shah, Lindsey A. Miles, Robert J. Parmer, Bas de Laat, Alisa S. Wolberg, James P. Luyendyk, Melissa L. Fishel, Matthew J. Flick
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly fatal metastatic disease associated with robust activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. Primary fibrinolytic protease plasminogen promotes PDAC tumor growth and metastatic potential through engaging plasminogen receptors on tumor cells.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Oncology
Nuria Gendrau-Sanclemente, Agnes Figueras, Kristina Gracova, Alvaro Lahiguera, Elisenda Alsina-Sanchis, Juan A. Marin-Jimenez, August Vidal, Xavier Matias-Guiu, Sergi Fernandez-Gonzalez, Marc Barahona, Lola Marti, Jordi Ponce, Francesc Vinals
Summary: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the deadliest gynecological malignancy, spreads through transcoelomic dissemination. This study reveals that platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) is essential for the formation of tumorspheres in HGSOC. Inhibition of PDGFRβ blocks the clustering of ovarian cancer cells and prevents peritoneal dissemination.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2024)