Colorectal Cancer : Aspects of Heredity, Prognosis and Tumour Markers

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancer types and leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Since CRC is a heterogenic disease, there is a demand for increased knowledge of the underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. The aim of this thesis was to investigate heredity and potential tumour markers in relation to prognosis. In paper I, survival of patients with CRC and a positive family history of CRC in first-degree relatives was analysed. Patients with colon cancer and positive family history of CRC had improved survival compared to patients with negative family history. This improvement in survival could not be explained by known clinico-pathological factors. In paper II, we investigated the prognostic value of Tryptophanyl t-RNA synthetase (TrpRS) in tissues from patients operated for CRC. Low protein expression of TrpRS in primary tumour tissues correlated with increased risk of recurrence and poorer survival. In paper III, the prognostic value of microsatellite instability (MSI) and the correlation to heredity for CRC in first-degree relatives was investigated. Patients with proximal colon cancer and MSI had improved cancer specific survival. There were no correlation between MSI and heredity. In paper IV, we evaluated the potential use of proximity ligation assay (SP-PLA) in patients with CRC, by simultaneous analysis of 35 proteins in only 5 μl plasma. SP-PLA is a suitable method for protein detection and might give valuable guidance in pursuing new prognostic and predictive tumour markers. However, none of the markers selected for present SP-PLA analyses gave better prognostic information than CEA. In conclusion, heredity is related to better survival independent of MSI in patients with CRC and MSI is associated with better prognosis in proximal colon cancer. Detection and increased knowledge of molecular mechanism in CRC is important, however it needs to be further investigated and validated in clinical use.

The prognostic impact of lead times in colorectal cancer patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC

Background: National lead time goals have been implemented across Sweden to standardize and improve cancer patient care. However, the prognostic impact of lead times has not yet been studied in patients with colorectal cancer and peritoneal metastases scheduled for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC). Aim: To study the correlation between lead times and overall survival and operability. Methods: One hundred forty-eight patients with peritoneal metastases originating from colorectal cancer and scheduled for CRS + HIPEC from June 2012 to December 2019 were identified using a HIPEC register at Uppsala University Hospital. Data were collected from medical records concerning operability, overall survival, recurrence and time from diagnosis, and decision to operate to the date of surgery. Patients who had neoadjuvant therapy or no malignant cells in the resected specimens were excluded. Statistical calculations were made with the chi-squared test, Cox regression analysis, and log-rank test. Results: The median age was 66 years (27-82). Ninety-five were women and 53 were men. One hundred six underwent CRS + HIPEC, 13 CRS only, and 29 were inoperable (open-close). No difference in overall survival was seen when comparing patients with lead times <= 34 days and >= 35 days from the decision to operate at the multidisciplinary conference to the surgery but there was a higher frequency of open-close (p = 0.023) in the group with longer lead time. Factors that impacted overall survival were open-close (p < 0.001), liver metastases (p = 0.003), and peritoneal cancer index score >= 20 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A long lead time from multidisciplinary conference to surgery has no direct impact on overall survival but can result in more cases of inoperability. In a larger cohort, this might translate into decreased survival, and efforts should therefore be made to complete preoperative work up as soon as possible and reduce overall time span. Important factors for survival are related to patient selection and extent of disease

Neutropenia in colorectal cancer treated with oxaliplatin-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy : An observational cohort study

BACKGROUND The implications of neutropenia after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) treatment have never been investigated. AIM To evaluate the occurrence of neutropenia and its effect on the risk of increased Clavien-Dindo morbidity as well as its effect on overall or disease-free survival. METHODS All patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (1996-2015) completing cytoreductive surgery and oxaliplatin-based HIPEC treatment from a bi-institutional database (Uppsala and Sydney) were included in the study. Clavien-Dindo grade 3-4 morbidity differences between the neutropenia group vs non-neutropenia group were calculated and Kaplan-Meier curves with log rank test were rendered. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression models for disease-free survival were implemented. RESULTS Two hundred and forty-six patients were identified - 32 postoperative any-grade neutropenia patients and 214 non-neutropenia patients. The neutropenia group had more combination oxaliplatin + irinotecan treatment than the non-neutropenia group (66% vs 13%, P = 0.0001). The neutropenia group was not associated with increased Clavien-Dindo grade 3-4 morbidity. Median overall survival was 53 mo vs 37 mo for the neutropenia and non-neutropenia group, P = 0.07. Median disease-free survival was 16 mo vs 11 mo, respectively, P = 0.02. Neutropenia was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival with hazard ratio: 0.58, 95% confidence interval: 0.36-0.95, P = 0.03. CONCLUSION 13% of patients developed neutropenia which was not associated with increased Clavien-Dindo grade 3-4 morbidity. Neutropenia was an independent positive prognostic factor for disease-free survival and was associated with more intense HIPEC treatment. This is in direct contrast to the current paradigm of decreasing the treatment intensity

Validating the PSOGI classification of peritoneal disease from non-carcinoid epithelial appendiceal neoplasms in the curative and palliative setting : an observational retrospective study

Background: Few studies on long-term survival have been published since the new updated pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) classification was published in 2016. The aim was to investigate long-term survival according to the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) classification and compare prognostic factors. Methods: From Uppsala University Hospital, consecutive patients referred for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) from 2004 to 2017 with peritoneal disease from non-carcinoid mucinous epithelial appendiceal neoplasms were included in the study. The peritoneal disease was divided into four groups: mucin only, low-grade mucinous carcinoma peritonei (MCP-1), high-grade (MCP-2), and high-grade with signet ring cells (MCP-3). Survival curves were rendered, and prognostic factors were compared. Results: The study included 223 patients: 36 with mucin only, 112 with MCP-1, 70 with MCP-2, and 5 with MCP-3. Thirty-eight patients had a palliative debulking or open/close procedure. The 5-and 10-year overall survival was 97% and 97% for mucin only, 83% and 70% for MCP-1, 69% and 49% for MCP-2, with no patients still under follow-up after 5 years in the MCP-3 group. In a multivariable analysis, completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score 2-3 and PSOGI class MCP-3 were significantly associated with lower survival. The 5-year overall survival in the palliative setting was 40% vs. 44% (MCP-1 vs. MCP-2, P>0.05) with median survival 51 vs. 53 months, respectively. Conclusions: The PSOGI classification of PMP provides a solid differentiation of prognostic groups after CRS/HIPEC treatment, but not in the palliative setting

Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Metastases from Colorectal Cancer-An Overview of Current Status and Future Perspectives

Simple Summary The concept of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy perfusion for the treatment of colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases has been debated based on the results of recent controlled trials. In this review, we describe the development of this "package" treatment and discuss various aspects of the selection and indications, as well as future fields of research.Abstract Peritoneal metastases (PM) are observed in approximately 8% of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, either synchronously or metachronously during follow-up. PM often manifests as the sole site of metastasis. PM is associated with a poor prognosis and typically shows resistance to systemic chemotherapy. Consequently, there has been a search for alternative treatment strategies. This review focuses on the global evolution of the combined approach involving cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for the management of PM. It encompasses accepted clinical guidelines, principles for patient selection, surgical and physiological considerations, biomarkers, pharmacological protocols, and treatment outcomes. Additionally, it integrates the relevant literature and findings from previous studies. The role of CRS and HIPEC, in conjunction with other therapies such as neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, is discussed, along with the management of patients presenting with oligometastatic disease. Furthermore, potential avenues for future development in this field are explored

Omental metastases in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei or colorectal peritoneal metastases – is routine omentectomy justified?

Background The greater omentum is routinely resected during cytoreductive surgery (CRS), but few studies have analyzed the rationale behind this. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of omental metastases (OM) and the correlation between macroscopically suspected and microscopically confirmed OM, in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) or colorectal peritoneal metastases (PM).Method All patients without previous omentectomy, treated with initial CRS and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for PMP or colorectal PM, at Uppsala University Hospital in 2013–2021, were included. Macroscopic OM in surgical reports was compared with histopathological analyses.Results In all, 276 patients were included. In those with PMP, 112 (98%) underwent omentectomy and 67 (59%) had macroscopic suspicion of OM. In 5 (4%) patients, the surgeon was uncertain. Histopathology confirmed OM in 81 (72%). In patients with macroscopic suspicion, 96% had confirmed OM (positive predictive value, PPV). In patients with no suspicion, 24% had occult OM (negative predictive value, NPV = 76%). In patients with colorectal PM, 156 (96%) underwent omentectomy and 97 (60%) had macroscopic suspicion. For 5 (3%) patients, the surgeon was uncertain. OM was microscopically confirmed in 90 (58%). PPV was 85% and NPV was 89%. The presence of OM was a univariate risk factor for death in PMP (HR 3.62, 95%CI 1.08–12.1) and colorectal PM (HR 1.67, 95%CI 1.07–2.60), but not in multivariate analyses.Conclusion OM was common and there was a high risk of missing occult OM in both PMP and colorectal PM. These results support the practice of routine omentectomy during CRS

No Indication for Routine Resection of Surgical Scars during Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC

Background: Careful macroscopic assessment of surgical scars is needed to avoid routine scar resection during cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for peritoneal metastases (PM). This study aimed to analyze the correlation between macroscopically suspected and microscopically confirmed scar metastases (SMs), and to analyze the prognostic impact of not undergoing routine scar resection. Method: All patients with previous surgery, treated with CRS and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, for colorectal PM or pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), at Uppsala University Hospital in 2013–2021, were included. Macroscopic SMs in surgical reports were compared with histopathological analyses. Results: In total, 227 patients were included. Among colorectal PM patients (n = 156), SM was macroscopically suspected in 41 (26%) patients, and 63 (40%) underwent scar resection. SM was confirmed in 19 (30%). Among patients with macroscopic suspicion, 45% had confirmed SM (positive predictive value, PPV). A total of 1 of 23 (4%) patients with no macroscopic suspicion had SM (negative predictive value, NPV = 96%). Among the PMP patients (n = 71), SM was macroscopically suspected in 13 (18%), and 28 (39%) underwent scar resection, of whom 12 (43%) had SM. The PPV was 77%. Occult SM was found in 1 of 14 (NPV = 93%). Not undergoing routine scar resection did not affect recurrence-free survival (RFS, p = 0.2) or overall survival (OS, p = 0.1) in colorectal PM patients or PMP patients (RFS p = 0.7, OS p = 0.7). Conclusion: Occult SM is uncommon and scar resection does not affect RFS or OS. Therefore, macroscopically benign-appearing scars can be left without resection, though resection should be performed upon suspicion or uncertainty

Patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases and high peritoneal cancer index may benefit from cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background: Peritoneal cancer index (PCI) >20 is often seen as a contraindication for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the overall survival in colorectal PM patients with PCI >20 and PCI <= 20 treated with CRS and HIPEC to those having open-close/debulking procedure only. Methods: All patients with colorectal PM and intention to treat with CRS and HIPEC in Uppsala Sweden 2004-2017 were included. Patients scheduled for CRS and HIPEC were divided into three groups, PCI >20, PCI <= 20, and those not operated with CRS and HIPEC stated as open-close including those treated with palliative debulking. Results: Of 201 operations, 112 (56%) resulted in CRS and HIPEC with PCI <= 20, 45 (22%) in CRS and HIPEC with PCI >20 and 44 (22%) resulted in open-close/debulking. Median survival for CRS and HIPEC and PCI >20 was 20 months (95%CI 14-27 months) with 7% surviving longer than 5 years (n = 3). For CRS and HIPEC and PCI <= 20 the median survival was 33 months (95%CI 30-39 months) with 23% (n = 26) surviving >5years. The median survival for open-close was 9 months (95%CI 4-10 months), no one survived >5years. Conclusion: Patients with PM from colorectal cancer and PCI >20 that were treated with CRS and HIPEC experience a one year longer and doubled overall survival compared with open-close/debulking patients. In addition to PCI, more factors should be taken into account when a decision about proceeding with CRS or not is taken

Oxaliplatin-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with single drug versus multiple drug treatment for colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastases : an observational cohort study

Background: Long-term survival for selected patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) is possible when treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The objective of this study was to compare three different oxaliplatin-based (OX)-HIPEC regimens. Primary end-point was disease-free survival (DFS), and secondary endpoints, morbidity and overall survival (OS). Methods: This is a retrospective study of all patients with colorectal PM treated with CRS and HIPEC between 2004 and 2015 from the prospectively maintained Uppsala HIPEC database. One hundred and thirty-three patients were identified. Three HIPEC regimens were included: OX-HIPEC, OX-HIPEC + post-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and oxaliplatin-irinotecan-based (OXIRI)-HIPEC. Multivariable Cox regression for DFS was performed. Results: Sixty-one patients received OX-HIPEC, 24 patients received OX-HIPEC + 5-FU EPIC, and 48 patients received OXIRI-HIPEC. The DFS for the OX-HIPEC group was 10.5 months, OX-HIPEC + EPIC 11.9 months, and OXIRI-HIPEC 13.4 months (OX-HIPEC vs. OXIRI HIPEC, P=0.049). The morbidity and OS did not differ between the groups. In the multivariable analysis, low peritoneal cancer index (PCI), absence of liver metastases, low completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score, and multiple drug (EPIC or OXIRI) HIPEC regimen were independent prognostic factors for DFS. Conclusions: This study showed improved DFS with an intensification of HIPEC by adding irinotecan or EPIC compared to oxaliplatin alone without an increase in morbidity or mortality

Detection of prognostic biomarkers with solid-phase proximity ligation assay in patients with colorectal cancer

Background: In the search for prognostic biomarkers a significant amount of precious biobanked blood samples is needed if conventional analyses are used. Solid-phase proximity ligation assay (SP-PLA) is an analytic method with the ability to analyse many proteins at the same time in small amounts of plasma. The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of  SP-PLA in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Material and methods: Plasma from patients with stage I-IV CRC, with (n=31) and without (n=29) disease dissemination at diagnosis or later, was analysed with SP-PLA using 35 antibodies targeting an equal number of proteins in 5 ml plasma. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), analysed earlier on this cohort, was used as a reference. Results: A total of 21 of the 35 proteins were detectable with SP-PLA. Patients in stage II-III with disseminated disease had lower plasma concentrations of HCC-4 (p=0.025). Low plasma levels of TIMP-1 were seen in patients with disseminated disease stage II (p=0.003). The level of CEA was higher in patients with disease dissemination compared to those without (p=0.007). Conclusion: SP-PLA has the ability to analyse many tumour markers simultaneously in a small amount of blood. However, none of the markers selected for the present SP-PLA analyses gave better prognostic information compared with CEA.