TGFBR2 and BAX Mononucleotide Tract Mutations, Microsatellite Instability, and Prognosis in 1072 Colorectal Cancers
2011

TGFBR2 and BAX Mutations in Colorectal Cancer

Sample size: 1072 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Shima Kaori, Morikawa Teppei, Yamauchi Mai, Kuchiba Aya, Imamura Yu, Liao Xiaoyun, Meyerhardt Jeffrey A., Fuchs Charles S., Ogino Shuji

Primary Institution: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School

Hypothesis

Are TGFBR2 or BAX mononucleotide mutations in colorectal cancer associated with altered tumor behavior beyond microsatellite instability?

Conclusion

TGFBR2 or BAX mononucleotide mutations are not associated with patient survival outcomes in MSI-high colorectal cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • MSI-high tumors were associated with longer colorectal cancer-specific survival compared to MSS/MSI-low cancers.
  • TGFBR2 and BAX mutations were detected in a significant percentage of MSI-high tumors.
  • The study utilized a large database from two prospective cohort studies, enhancing the generalizability of the findings.

Takeaway

This study looked at whether certain gene mutations affect how colorectal cancer behaves. It found that these mutations don't change how long patients live after diagnosis.

Methodology

The study analyzed data from 1072 colorectal cancer cases using Cox proportional hazards models to assess survival outcomes.

Potential Biases

The study may be subject to publication bias, as larger studies are less prone to this issue compared to smaller studies.

Limitations

Data on cancer treatment were limited, and information on cancer recurrences was unavailable.

Participant Demographics

The study included 1072 colorectal cancer patients from two prospective cohort studies, with a majority being women from the Nurses' Health Study and men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.0011

Confidence Interval

95% CI, 0.20–0.57

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025062

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