Disseminated tumour cells as a prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer
2011

Disseminated Tumour Cells as a Prognostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer

Sample size: 235 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Flatmark K, Borgen E, Nesland J M, Rasmussen H, Johannessen H-O, Bukholm I, Rosales R, Hårklau L, Jacobsen H J, Sandstad B, Boye K, Fodstad Ø

Primary Institution: Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital

Hypothesis

The study aims to determine the detection rate and prognostic relevance of disseminated tumour cells (DTC) in patients receiving curatively intended surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Conclusion

The presence of DTC was associated with adverse prognosis in patients who underwent curative resection for CRC.

Supporting Evidence

  • Disseminated tumour cells were detected in 41 (17%) and 28 (12%) of the 235 examined bone marrow samples by two different methods.
  • The presence of DTC was associated with adverse outcomes in both univariate and multivariate analyses.
  • The study suggests that DTC detection holds promise as a biomarker in colorectal cancer.

Takeaway

This study found that tiny cancer cells in the bone marrow can help predict how well patients with colorectal cancer will do after surgery.

Methodology

The study involved 235 patients with CRC, where bone marrow samples were collected during surgery and analyzed for DTC using immunological methods.

Limitations

The study had a relatively low detection overlap between the two methods used for identifying DTC.

Participant Demographics

{"mean_age":72,"gender_distribution":{"female":106,"male":129},"TNM_stages":{"stage_1":52,"stage_2":111,"stage_3":72}}

Statistical Information

P-Value

{"metastasis_free_survival":0.049,"disease_specific_survival":0.03,"overall_survival":0.02}

Confidence Interval

{"disease_specific_survival":"1.5–5.8","overall_survival":"1.2–3.0"}

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/bjc.2011.97

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