Oesophageal Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer

Metastasis to the oesophagus is most frequently described in association with lung or breast cancer. Diagnosis is frequently complicated as often only normal tissue is present in endoscopic biopsy specimens. Although oesophagectomy for metastasis has been described, few patients are suitable for curative resection. We report the case of a 62-year-old man who developed an oesophageal metastasis from colorectal cancer and review the available literature

Cancer chemopreventive properties of anthocyanins in patients with colorectal cancer and colorectal liver metastases

Anthocyanins, polyphenolic phytochemicals which render fruit and vegetables bright red or blue, possess anticarcinogenic properties in preclinical models of carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether consumption of mirtocyan, a standardised anthocyanin extract, would cause pharmacodynamic changes consistent with chemoprevention and generate measurable levels of anthocyanins in blood, urine and target tissue. Twenty-five patients with either primary colorectal cancer or colorectal liver metastases received 1.4, 2.8 or 5.6 g of mirtocyan (containing 0.5-2.0 g anthocyanins) daily for 7 days prior to colon/liver resection. Anthocyanin levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (caspase-3) and inflammation (COX-2) were measured in colorectal tumour tissue. Effects on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis were evaluated in plasma and markers of oxidative DNA damage were assessed in blood and urine. Consumption of up to 5.6 g of mirtocyan daily was well tolerated. Analysis of colorectal tumour tissue revealed that consumption of mirtocyan was associated with a 7% decrease in proliferation (p=0.003) and a 1.7% increase in apoptosis (0.044). A trend towards a reduction in circulating IGF-1 levels was observed (p=0.168). Mirtocyan anthocyanins and methyl and glucuronide metabolites were identified in plasma, urine and colorectal tissue, but not in liver. Anthocyanin concentrations in biomatrices were approximately dose-dependent. Following consumption of 5.6 g of mirtocyan daily anthocyanin levels in plasma, urine and colorectal tumour tissue were 117 ng/ml, 3 μg/ml and 179 ng/g, respectively. Mirtocyan did not affect levels of COX-2 or markers of oxidative DNA damage. Administration of mirtocyan furnished levels of anthocyanins in colorectal tumour tissue comparable to those capable of mediating chemopreventive effects in vivo. Consumption of only 1.4 g of mirtocyan daily may exert pharmacodynamic effects commensurate with colorectal cancer chemoprevention. These data support further clinical development of anthocyanins as potential colorectal cancer chemopreventive agents

Cancer chemopreventive properties of anthocyanins in patients with colorectal cancer and colorectal liver metastases

Anthocyanins, polyphenolic phytochemicals which render fruit and vegetables bright red or blue, possess anticarcinogenic properties in preclinical models of carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether consumption of mirtocyan, a standardised anthocyanin extract, would cause pharmacodynamic changes consistent with chemoprevention and generate measurable levels of anthocyanins in blood, urine and target tissue. Twenty-five patients with either primary colorectal cancer or colorectal liver metastases received 1.4, 2.8 or 5.6 g of mirtocyan (containing 0.5-2.0 g anthocyanins) daily for 7 days prior to colon/liver resection. Anthocyanin levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (caspase-3) and inflammation (COX-2) were measured in colorectal tumour tissue. Effects on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis were evaluated in plasma and markers of oxidative DNA damage were assessed in blood and urine. Consumption of up to 5.6 g of mirtocyan daily was well tolerated. Analysis of colorectal tumour tissue revealed that consumption of mirtocyan was associated with a 7% decrease in proliferation (p=0.003) and a 1.7% increase in apoptosis (0.044). A trend towards a reduction in circulating IGF-1 levels was observed (p=0.168). Mirtocyan anthocyanins and methyl and glucuronide metabolites were identified in plasma, urine and colorectal tissue, but not in liver. Anthocyanin concentrations in biomatrices were approximately dose-dependent. Following consumption of 5.6 g of mirtocyan daily anthocyanin levels in plasma, urine and colorectal tumour tissue were 117 ng/ml, 3 μg/ml and 179 ng/g, respectively. Mirtocyan did not affect levels of COX-2 or markers of oxidative DNA damage. Administration of mirtocyan furnished levels of anthocyanins in colorectal tumour tissue comparable to those capable of mediating chemopreventive effects in vivo. Consumption of only 1.4 g of mirtocyan daily may exert pharmacodynamic effects commensurate with colorectal cancer chemoprevention. These data support further clinical development of anthocyanins as potential colorectal cancer chemopreventive agents.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Do anthocyanins and anthocyanidins, cancer chemopreventive pigments in the diet, merit development as potential drugs?

Anthocyanins, plant pigments in fruits and berries, have been shown to delay cancer development in rodent models of carcinogenesis, especially those of the colorectal tract. Anthocyanins and anthocyanidins, their aglycons, especially cyanidin and delphinidin, have been subjected to extensive mechanistic studies. In cells in vitro, both glycosides and aglycons engage an array of anti-oncogenic mechanisms including anti-proliferation, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of activities of oncogenic transcription factors and protein tyrosine kinases. Anthocyanins and anthocyanidins exist as four isomers, interconversion between which depends on pH, temperature and access to light. Anthocyanidins are much more prone to avid chemical decomposition than the glycosides, and they only survive for minutes in the biophase. These pharmaceutical issues are very important determinants of the suitability of these flavonoids for potential development as cancer chemopreventive drugs, and they have hitherto not received adequate attention. In the light of their robust cancer chemopreventive efficacy in experimental models and their superior stability as compared to that of the aglycons, the anthocyanins seem much more suitable for further drug development than their anthocyanidin counterparts