Abstract 692: Systemic inflammation and survival in colon and rectal cancer patients: Results from the ColoCare Study

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Systemic inflammation is an established risk marker for colorectal cancer that may also predict survival. We investigated associations between systemic inflammation and overall survival in a prospectively followed cohort of colorectal cancer patients. METHODS Pre-operatively collected serum samples from n=228 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients (stage I-IV) from the ColoCare Study were utilized to measure CRP, SAA, IL-6, IL-8, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 (Meso Scale Discovery platform). We used Cox proportional hazard models to investigate associations of biomarkers with overall survival after 24 months follow-up overall, and in analyses stratified by colon (n=92) and rectal tumors (n=136). Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, tumor stage and neo-adjuvant therapy (y/n). RESULTS After 24 months follow-up n=45 patients (20%) were deceased. CRP was significantly associated with increased risk of death in colon (HR:1.27; 95% CI: 1.03-1.57; pValue=0.02) but not rectal cancer (HR:1.06; 95% CI: 0.87-1.29; pValue=0.55). A doubling of circulating sICAM and sVCAM concentrations was significantly associated with increased risk of death in colorectal cancer (sICAM: HR:2.82; 95% CI: 1.57-5.05; pValue=0.0005; sVCAM: HR:3.70; 95% CI: 1.93-7.10; pValue<0.0001). For both biomarkers we observed stronger associations in rectal compared to colon cancer (e.g., sVCAM: rectal cancer (HR:8.13; 95% CI: 3.13-21.11; pValue<0.0001); colon cancer (HR:1.42; 95% CI: 0.68-2.98; pValue=0.35). Circulating IL-6 and IL-8 were not associated with increased risk of death in colon and/or rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS Inflammatory biomarkers are significantly associated with increased risk of death in colorectal cancer patients. Our data suggest that the role of inflammation in disease progression may be particularly strong relevant in rectal cancer. Keywords: colorectal cancer; inflammation, biomarkers, overall survival, Citation Format: Jennifer Ose. Systemic inflammation and survival in colon and rectal cancer patients: Results from the ColoCare Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 692.