CEA Levels Research Articles

A comparative analysis of serum NSE, LDH and CEA levels in lung cancer and extrapulmonary malignancies

A comparative analysis of serum NSE, LDH and CEA levels in lung cancer and extrapulmonary malignancies

Reference intervals of Cyfra21-1 and CEA in healthy adult Han Chinese population

ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish the reference intervals of Cyfra21-1 and CEA for the local screening populations using a chemiluminescence method. MethodsA total of 4845 healthy adults and 190 lung cancer patients were included from the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The levels of Cyfra21-1 and CEA were measured to establish the local reference intervals. ResultsThe upper limit reference intervals for Cyfra21-1 and CEA were determined as 3.19 ng/ml and 3.13 ng/ml, respectively. Notably, both Cyfra21-1 and CEA levels were found to be higher in males than in females. Additionally, both biomarkers showed an increasing trend with age.In terms of diagnostic efficacy, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas for Cyfra21-1, CEA, and their combination in lung cancer were 0.86, 0.73, and 0.91, respectively. ConclusionOur study revealed that the reference intervals of Cyfra21-1 and CEA in the local population differed from the established reference intervals. Furthermore, both biomarkers exhibited gender-dependent variations and demonstrated a positive correlation with age. Combining the two biomarkers showed potential for improving the diagnosis rate of lung cancer.

Multifactorial risk prediction analysis of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer: incorporating programmed cell death ligand 1 combined positive score and other factors

BackgroundThe occurrence of liver metastasis significantly impacts the prognosis of colorectal cancer. Existing research indicates that primary tumor location, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and abnormal preoperative tumor markers are risk factors for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Positive expression of PD-L1(Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 1) may serve as a favorable prognostic marker for nasopharyngeal and gastric cancers, where CPS（Combined Positive Score） quantifies the level of PD-L1 expression. Based on previous studies, exploring CPS as a potential risk factor for colorectal cancer liver metastasis and integrating other independent risk factors to establish a novel predictive model for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 437 colorectal cancer patients pathologically diagnosed at Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. Data were collected, including CPS, age, gender, primary tumor location, Ki-67 expression, pathological differentiation, neural invasion, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and preoperative tumor markers.The optimal cut-off point for the continuous variable CPS was determined using the Youden index, and all CPS were dichotomized into high and low-risk groups based on this threshold (scores below the threshold were considered high-risk, and those above it were considered low-risk). Univariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for colorectal cancer liver metastasis, followed by the application of multivariate logistic regression analysis to integrate the selected risk factors.The predictive model established was validated through the construction of ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves, calibration curves, and DCA (Decision Curve Analysis). A nomogram was constructed for visualization purposes. ResultsThe determined cut-off point for PD-L1 CPS was 4.5, with scores below this threshold indicating high risk for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Additionally, primary tumor origin other than the rectum, presence of pericolonic lymph node metastasis, and abnormal levels of tumor markers CEA and CA199 were identified as independent risk factors for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. The constructed clinical prediction model demonstrated good predictive ability and accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.871 (95% CI 0.838-0.904). ConclusionThe exploration and validation of CPS as a novel predictor for colorectal cancer liver metastasis were conducted. Based on this, a new clinical prediction model for colorectal cancer liver metastasis was developed by integrating other independent risk factors. The DCA, clinical impact curve, and nomogram graph constructed based on this model have significant clinical implications and provide guidance for clinical practice.

Clinical effect of anlotinib in combination with docetaxel in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

This study aimed to explore the clinical performance of anlotinib in combination with docetaxel in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One hundred advanced NSCLC patients admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively chosen to be the study objects, and separated into observation group (OG, n=50) and control group (CG, n=50) based on the different drugs used. The CG was given docetaxel injection. The OG was treated with anlotinib hydrochloride capsule combined with docetaxel injection. The clinical effective rate, levels of serum tumor markers, quality of life and occurrence of adverse reactions in both groups were compared. The total clinical effective rate in the OG presented elevated relative to the CG (P<0.01). After treatment, CEA, CA125, SCC and CYFRA21-1 levels in both groups were decreased in both groups, and those in the OG presented lower relative to the CG (P<0.05). After treatment, KPS score in both groups was increased in both groups and that in the OG presented higher relative to the CG (P<0.05). No difference was seen in the occurrence of adverse reactions between 2 groups (P=0.35). In treating advanced NSCLC patients, anlotinib combined with docetaxel can promote efficacy to a certain extent, effectively regulate the level of serum tumor markers, promote the quality of life of patients, and will not significantly affect clinical safety.

Impact of Preoperative Neutrophil to Prealbumin Ratio Index (NPRI) on Short-Term Complications and Long-Term Prognosis in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Radical Surgery for Colorectal Cancer.

This study aims to evaluate the impact and predictive value of the preoperative NPRI on short-term complications and long-term prognosis in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cCancer (CRC). A total of 302 eligible CRC patients were included, assessing five inflammation-and nutrition-related markers and various clinical features for their predictive impact on postoperative outcomes. Emphasis was on the novel indicator NPRI to elucidate its prognostic and predictive value for perioperative risks. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a history of abdominal surgery, prolonged surgical duration, CEA levels ≥5 ng/mL, and NPRI ≥ 3.94 × 10-2 as independent risk factors for postoperative complications in CRC patients. The Clavien--Dindo complication grading system highlighted the close association between preoperative NPRI and both common and severe complications. Multivariate analysis also identified a history of abdominal surgery, tumor diameter ≥5 cm, poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumors, and NPRI ≥ 2.87 × 10-2 as independent risk factors for shortened overall survival (OS). Additionally, a history of abdominal surgery, tumor maximum diameter ≥5 cm, tumor differentiation as poor/undifferentiated, NPRI ≥ 2.87 × 10-2, and TNM Stage III were determined as independent risk factors for shortened disease-free survival (DFS). Survival curve results showed significantly higher 5-year OS and DFS in the low NPRI group compared to the high NPRI group. The incorporation of NPRI into nomograms for OS and DFS, validated through calibration and decision curve analyses, attested to the excellent accuracy and practicality of these models. Preoperative NPRI independently predicts short-term complications and long-term prognosis in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, enhancing predictive accuracy when incorporated into nomograms for patient survival.

Drug-eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with systemic therapy versus systemic therapy alone as first-line treatment for unresectable colorectal liver metastases.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) combined with systemic therapy to systemic therapy alone as first-line treatment for unresectable patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). From December 2017 to December 2022, patients with unresectable CRLM who received systemic therapy with or without DEB-TACE as first-line treatment were included in the study. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were tumor response, conversion rate and adverse events. Ninety-eight patients were enrolled in this study, including 46 patients who received systemic therapy combined with DEB-TACE (DEB-TACE group) and 52 patients who received systemic therapy alone (control group). The median PFS was elevated in the DEB-TACE group compared with the control group (12.1 months vs 8.4 months, p = 0.008). The disease control rate was increased in the DEB-TACE group compared with the control group (87.0% vs 67.3%, p = 0.022). Overall response rates (39.1% vs 25.0%; p = 0.133) and conversion rate to liver resection (33.8% vs 25.0%; p = 0.290) were no different between the two groups. The multivariate analysis showed that treatment options, size of liver metastasis, number of liver metastasis, synchronous metastases, and extrahepatic metastases were independent prognostic factor of PFS. Further subgroup analyses illustrated that PFS was beneficial with the DEB-TACE group in patients with age ≥ 60, male, left colon, synchronous metastases, bilobar, number of liver metastasis > 5, extrahepatic metastases, non-extrahepatic metastases, CEA level < 5 (ng/ml), and KRAS wild-type. No grade 4 or 5 toxicities related to DEB-TACE procedures were observed. In patients with unresectable CRLM, systemic chemotherapy with DEB-TACE as first-line treatment may improve progression-free survival and disease control rate outcomes over systemic chemotherapy alone with manageable safety profile.

Expression and prognostic significance of KAP1 gene in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Objective: To explore the expression of KAP1 (KRAB-associated protein 1, KAP1) in Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) based on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and clinical trials. And elucidate the correlation between the expression of KAP1 and the clinical pathological parameters of patients with MPM and its prognosis. Methods: In April 2022, Based on the second generation KAP1mRNA sequencing data and clinicopathological data of MPM patients downloaded from TCGA database, the correlation between KAP1mRNA expression and clinical parameters was analyzed, and the correlation between KAP1 protein expression and clinicopathological parameters and its prognostic value were analyzed based on Chuxiong data set cohort clinical samples. The expression of KAP1 mRNA in MPM samples and matched normal tumor adjacent tissues was detected by qRT-PCR, and the expression of KAP1 protein in MPM and normal pleural tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and Westernblotting. To construct a Kaplan-Meier model to explore the effect of KAP1 expression on the prognosis of MPM patients, and to analyze the prognostic factors of MPM patients by Cox regression. Results: qRT-PCR and Western blotting detection showed that the expression levels of KAP1 gene in four different MPM cells (NCI-H28, NCI-H2052, NCI-H2452, and MTSO-211H) were significantly higher than those in normal pleural mesothelial cells Met-5A. qRT-PCR, Western blotting and IHC results demonstrated that the mRNA and protein expression levels of KAP1 in MPM tissues was significantly higher than that in matching normal mesothelial tissues, and the expression level of KAP1 protein was correlated with TP 53 protein expression levels and serum CEA levels (P<0.05) . The mRNA expression level was significantly correlated with the prognosis, The overall survival time of mesothelioma patients with high KAP1mRNA expression was significantly shorter (HR=3.7, Logrank P<0.001) . Tumor type, age and the mRNA expression were related to the prognosis of MPM patients (P<0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that tumor type and KAP1 mRNA expression level were independent prognostic factors of MPM patients (P<0.05) . Conclusion: In this study, TCGA database and Chuxiong cohort experiment samples were used to collect the relevant information of KAP1 expression in malignant melanoma tissues. It was confirmed that KAP1 is highly expressed in MPM tissues. The mRNA expression level and pathological type are correlated with the prognosis of patients.

Predictive and Prognostic Factors Related to Chemoradioresistance in Neoadjuvant Treatment of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer at Panama

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Background:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; In Panama, and the rest of Latin America, there are few publications on chemoradioresistance, it leads to poor prognosis and represents the main reason for failure of therapy, ultimately it can lead to tumor recurrence and metastasis. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Objective:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Identify factors associated with chemoradioresistance in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer at the Instituto Oncológico Nacional de Panamá, period 2016-2020. Methodology: This retrospective study included 71 patients with LARC who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery. Chemoradioresistant patients were those who did not reach a higher pathological stage of ypT2NO and the results were compared. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Results:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Of the 71 patients, pathological complete response (pCR) was achieved in 34 patients (48%). 49% of patients met chemoradioresistance criteria. In this group, the median CEA was 136 ng/ml, the median hemoglobin was 12 g/dl, and the median BMI was 26 kg/m2. The median radiation dose was 5000Gy. The time between completion of chemoradiotherapy and surgery was 110 days (16 weeks). Depending on the type of surgery, 65% who underwent low anterior resection were chemoradioresistant. The variables with statistical significance were the CEA value &amp;gt;5 ng/mL (OR=1.81, p=0.026) prior to the start of neoadjuvant treatment, with a lower pCR rate. Likewise, the ECOG scale (OR=2.51, p=0.015) was a risk factor related to chemoradioresistance, the lower the ECOG, the lower the risk of chemoradioresistance. The median overall survival and median recurrence-free survival was not reached in both groups and there was no statistically significant difference. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusions:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Significant interactions were identified between CEA levels prior to the start of neoadjuvant treatment with the pathological complete response rate and the ECOG score with chemoradioresistance. Therefore, these factors can be used to predict patient outcomes, will help optimize personalized treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Predicting the surgical benefit of primary tumor resection in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer

There exists continuous controversy regarding the benefit of primary tumor resection (PTR) for stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Little is known about how to predict the patients' benefit from PTR. This study aimed to develop a tool for surgical benefit prediction. Stage IV CRC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database were included. Patients receiving PTR who survived longer than the median cancer-specific survival (CSS) time of those who did not undergo PTR were considered to benefit from surgery. Logistic regression analysis identified prognostic factors influencing surgical benefit, based on which a nomogram was constructed. The data of patients who underwent PTR from our institution was used for external validation. A user-friendly webserver was then built for convenient clinical use. The median CSS of the PTR group was 23 months, significantly longer than that of the non-PTR group (7 months, P<0.001). In the PTR group, 23.3% of patients did not benefit from surgery. Logistic regression analysis identified age, marital status, tumor location, CEA level, chemotherapy, metastasectomy, tumor size, tumor deposits, number of examined lymph nodes, N stage, histological grade and number of distant metastases as independently associated with surgical benefit. The established prognostic nomogram demonstrated satisfactory performance in both the internal and external validation. PTR was associated with prolonged CSS in stage IV CRC. The proposed nomogram could be used as an evidenced-based platform for risk-to-benefit assessment to select appropriate patients for undergoing PTR.

Association of preoperative and recurrent serum carcinoembryonic antigen and outcome of colorectal cancer patients with metastatic relapse

BackgroundSeldom have the associations of preoperative CEA (p-CEA) and recurrent CEA (r-CEA) levels as well as changes in p-CEA and r-CEA with survival in patients with stage I–III colorectal cancer (CRC) who have experienced metastatic relapse, been thoroughly examined. Methods241 consecutive patients with stage I–III CRC who experienced metastatic relapse at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) between January 2008 and January 2016 were investigated. The influence of p-CEA, r-CEA and CEA alteration on the overall survival (OS) and relapse-to-death survival (RDS) was evaluated. The restricted cubic spline regression model was employed to explore the optimal cut-off value of CEA. ResultsAll 241 patients were categorized into four groups built on their CEA alteration patterns as follows: A, patients presenting elevated p-CEA levels but normal r-CEA levels (P–N); B, patients displaying normal levels of both p-CEA and r-CEA (N–N); C, patients exhibiting elevated levels of both p-CEA and r-CEA (P–P); D, patients with normal p-CEA levels but elevated r-CEA levels (N–P). The correlation between p-CEA and OS (P = 0.3266) and RDS (P = 0.2263) was insignificant. However, r-CEA exhibited a significant association with both OS (P = 0.0005) and RDS (P = 0.0002). Group A demonstrated the longest OS and RDS, whereas group D exhibited the poorest OS and RDS outcomes. For both OS and RDS, the CEA alteration groups served as an independent prognostic indicator. The optimal cut-off threshold for CEA was determined to be 5.1 ng/ml via the restricted cubic spline regression model. Conclusionr-CEA has a stronger correlation with OS and RDS in individuals with stage I–III CRC who have experienced metastatic relapse.The change between p-CEA and r-CEA could further indicate post-relapse survival, thereby facilitating the assessment of mortality risk stratification in stage I-III CRC patients experiencing metastatic relapse.

Clinical value of KiSS-1 and MMP-2 expression levels in breast cancer tissue in evaluating prognosis of elderly breast cancer patients after modified radical mastectomy.

We attempted to clarify clinical value of KiSS-1 and MMP-2 levels in breast cancer (BC) tissue in evaluating prognosis of elderly BC patients after modified radical mastectomy (MCM). The data of 192 elderly female BC patients receiving MCM in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 were collected. According to prognosis, patients received division into poor prognosis group (n = 43) and good prognosis group (n = 149). The serum CEA level and KiSS-1 and MMP-2 levels in BC tissue received measurement in both groups. The predictive value of KiSS-1 and MMP-2 alone and jointly in adverse prognosis of elderly BC patients after MCM received assessment. Results showed that No statistical significance was exhibited between both groups in general data (P > 0.05). The serum CEA level and MMP-2 expression in BC tissue in poor prognosis group exhibited elevation relative to those in good prognosis group, and KiSS-1 expression in BC tissue in poor prognosis group exhibited depletion relative to that in good prognosis group, indicating statistical significance (P < 0.05). The high-level KiSS-1 might be a protective element for adverse prognosis of elderly BC patients after MCM, and high-level CEA and MMP-2 might be an independent risk element for adverse prognosis of elderly BC patients after MCM (P < 0.05). KiSS-1 and MMP-2 alone and jointly predicted AUC of adverse prognosis in elderly BC patients after MCM were 0.93, 0.802 and 0.958, with certain predictive values; when cutoff values of KiSS-1 and MMP-2 were 6.15 and 2.26, the predictive value was the best. In conclusion, KiSS-1 and MMP-2 levels in BC tissue possess relation to adverse prognosis of MCM. KiSS-1 and MMP-2 levels in elderly BC patients before surgery may be detected in the future to assist in prognosis evaluation of elderly BC patients after MCM.

Efficacy and safety of anlotinib plus anti-PD-1 agents in patients with refractory advanced biliary tract cancers.

Anlotinib has demonstrated promising anti-tumor efficacy in various solid tumors. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that immune therapy can enhance the systemic responses of anlotinib. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of combining anlotinib with PD-1 inhibitors compared to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy as a second-line treatment option for advanced biliary tract cancers (BTCs). A total of 242 patients with BTCs were screened at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2015 to October 2022. Among them, 78 patients who received either anlotinib plus PD-1 inhibitors (AP) or fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy (FB) as second-line treatment were included in the study. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), safety, and predictive tumor biomarkers. Among the 78 patients with BTCs, 39 patients received AP, while 39 patients were administered FB. The ORR in the AP group was 20.5%, compared to 5.1% in the FB group. The DCR was 87.2% in the AP group and 66.7% in the FB group. The AP group demonstrated significantly better ORR and DCR compared to the FB group (p=0.042, p=0.032). The median PFS and OS in the AP group were 7.9months (95% CI: 4.35-11.45) and 13.9months (95% CI: 5.39-22.41), respectively. In the FB group, the median PFS and OS were 4.1months (95% CI: 3.17-5.03) and 13.2months (95% CI: 8.72-17.68), respectively. The AP group exhibited significantly better median PFS than the FB group (p=0.027). In the subgroup analysis, patients without liver metastasis had a much longer PFS in the AP group compared to the FB group (14.3 vs. 5.5months, p=0.016). Similarly, patients with CEA≤5μg/L also demonstrated a longer PFS in the AP group compared to the FB group (8.7 vs. 3.9months, p=0.008). The combination of anlotinib and PD-1 inhibitors demonstrated a promising clinical effect compared to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy in the second-line treatment of refractory advanced BTCs. Liver metastases and CEA levels may serve as predictive factors for identifying patients who may benefit from AP therapy.

Abstract 2498: Assessing the clinical value of ctDNA sequencing for initial tumor profiling in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with sufficient tumor tissue

Abstract Introduction Tumor profiling including RAS, BRAF, HER2, and MSI/MMR status, is required to determine the treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) at the time of diagnosis. While comprehensive tumor profiling using tissue-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) is increasingly adopted for initial profiling in mCRC, the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) NGS as initial testing in patients with sufficient tumor tissue is not clearly understood. We assessed the clinical value of ctDNA sequencing compared to tumor NGS in patients with newly diagnosed mCRC who have sufficient tumor specimens. Methods We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with newly diagnosed mCRC at the National Cancer Center Korea. As per the institutional protocol for mCRC, initial tumor profiling was performed on primary tumor tissue using an in-house NGS panel (NCC PCP ver.3), which included 525 genes. For ctDNA sequencing, patients were evaluated using the AlphaLiquid®100 comprehensive cancer panel (IMBdx, Inc.), which included 118 genes, before the initiation of chemotherapy. Additionally, immunohistochemical (IHC) testing for HER2 and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/IHC testing for MSI and/or MMR were performed to assess the accuracy of HER2 and MSI/MMR status. Results A total of 188 patients were enrolled. In 139 eligible patients, 275 potentially actionable mutations were found in 12 selected CRC-related genes (APC, TP53, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, FBXW7, PIK3CA, ERBB2, SMAD4, NF1, EGFR, MET). Of these, 32% were found both in ctDNA and tissue; 54% were found in ctDNA only; 12% in tissue only, and 2% were discordant. For RAS/BRAF mutations, which are required for anti-EGFR treatment decisions, the concordance rate between ctDNA and tissue NGS was 83.1%, and the concordance was higher in patients with higher ctDNA concentrations. For 9 patients with potentially actionable copy number variations (CNV) in EGFR, HER2, MET, and FGFR1, 3 cases were found by both assays; 4 were found by ctDNA only, and 2 were found by tissue only. ctDNA NGS correctly predicted MSI/MMR status in 2 out of 4 patients with MSI-H/dMMR; in the 2 other patients, the MSI and MMR statuses were different, suggesting potential false positivity. In addition, the fold changes in ctDNA dynamics during treatment significantly correlated with changes in tumor size and CEA levels, as well as with droplet digital PCR copy number fold changes. In a patient with MET amplification, ctDNA NGS identified MET Y1230H as a potential acquired resistance mutation after crizotinib treatment, which responded to cabozantinib but not to capmatinib. Conclusions Initial tumor profiling using ctDNA NGS yielded outcomes comparable to those of tumor tissue NGS in guiding treatment for patients with newly diagnosed mCRC, thereby suggesting its utility as an initial profiling method in mCRC. Citation Format: Yongjun Cha, Bun Kim, Dong Woon Lee, Hyun Yang Yeo, Chang Won Hong, Kyung Su Han, Byung Chang Kim, Hee Jin Chang. Assessing the clinical value of ctDNA sequencing for initial tumor profiling in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with sufficient tumor tissue [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2498.

Abstract 2582: Intra- and peri-tumoral radiomic features are predictive of pathologic response to multiple neoadjuvant therapy regimen in rectal cancers via pre-treatment MRI

Abstract Introduction: Rectal cancers undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiation prior to resection, with increasing evidence that neoadjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy can boost clinical or pathologic response rates. However, baseline clinical tumor staging and carcinoembryonic antigen levels are limited for identifying which patients will most benefit from a multimodal neoadjuvant regimen, and which will not. We evaluated whether radiomics (computational features from radiographic images) from pretreatment MRI could identify which rectal cancer patients will achieve clinical or pathologic response to different neoadjuvant treatment regimens. Methods: MRI scans were retrospectively obtained from 3 different institutions for rectal cancer patients who had either undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiation or an experimental immunotherapy + chemoradiation. After pre-processing all MRI scans, tumor was manually delineated with an automated annotation of a 10 mm peritumor region. 916 radiomic features were extracted from two planes of acquisition (axial, coronal) and two ROIs (tumor, peritumor). 5 top-ranked radiomic features were identified from each region and plane via multi-stage mutual information feature selection to train a linear discriminant machine classifier to assign a predicted likelihood of achieving complete response to each patient. Model performance was validated via ROC analysis against response groups defined via (i) tumor regression grade indicating no tumor present on surgical pathology, and (ii) 1-year clinical complete response for patients who underwent non-operative management. Clinical variables (CEA, clinical stage) were statistically compared between response groups. Results: Training cohort comprised 64 patients who underwent chemoradiation alone (2 institutions, median age 61 yrs, M:F:MtF = 36:27:1). Validation cohort included 37 patients who underwent experimental TGFß inhibitor therapy prior to chemotherapy + chemoradiation (1 institution, median age 51 yrs, M:F = 25:12). Area under the ROC curve for multi-plane tumor+peritumor radiomic features (0.765 ± 0.054) was significantly higher for distinguishing complete response vs non/partial response compared to tumor (AUC = 0.635 ± 0.057, p &amp;lt; 0.0001) or peritumor (AUC = 0.612 ± 0.064, p &amp;lt; 0.0001). In holdout validation, performance was maintained with AUCs of 0.742 (tumor) 0.596 (peritumor), and 0.700 (all), respectively. Baseline CEA levels (p=0.3385) and cT stage (p=0.3386) were found to lack statistical significance as a predictor of response. Conclusion: Radiomic features from tumor and peritumor regions on pre-treatment MRI scans in rectal cancer patients may enable robust and accurate identification of pathologic or near-complete response after multiple neoadjuvant treatment regimen, while outperforming baseline clinical variables. Citation Format: Leo Bao, Thomas DeSilvio, Benjamin N. Parker, Mohsen Hariri, Prathyush Chirra, Murad Labbad, Stephen Tang, Gregory M. O'Connor, Emily Steinhagen, Jennifer L. Miller-Ocuin, Amit Gupta, Eric L. Marderstein, Aaron Carroll, Marka Crittenden, Michael J. Gough, Smitha Krishnamurthi, Kristina H. Young, Satish E. Viswanath. Intra- and peri-tumoral radiomic features are predictive of pathologic response to multiple neoadjuvant therapy regimen in rectal cancers via pre-treatment MRI [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2582.

Mucin-producing tumors of the ovary——preoperative differentiation between metastatic ovarian mucinous carcinoma and primary mucinous malignant tumors

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features for preoperatively discriminating primary ovarian mucinous malignant tumors (POMTs) and metastatic mucinous carcinomas involving the ovary (MOMCs).MethodsThis retrospective multicenter study enrolled 61 patients with 22 POMTs and 49 MOMCs, which were pathologically proved between November 2014 to Jane 2023. The clinical and MRI features were evaluated and compared between POMTs and MOMCs. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the significant variables between the two groups, which were then incorporated into a predictive nomogram, and ROC curve analysis was subsequently carried out to evaluate diagnostic performance.Results35.9% patients with MOMCs were discovered synchronously with the primary carcinomas; 25.6% patients with MOMCs were bilateral, and all of the patients with POMTs were unilateral. The biomarker CEA was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.002). There were significant differences in the following MRI features: tumor size, configuration, enhanced pattern, the number of cysts, honeycomb sign, stained-glass appearance, ascites, size diversity ratio, signal diversity ratio. The locular size diversity ratio (p = 0.005, OR = 1.31), and signal intensity diversity ratio (p = 0.10, OR = 4.01) were independent predictors for MOMCs. The combination of above independent criteria yielded the largest area under curve of 0.922 with a sensitivity of 82.3% and specificity of 88.9%.ConclusionsPatients with MOMCs were more commonly bilaterally and having higher levels of CEA, but did not always had a malignant tumor history. For ovarian mucin-producing tumors, the uniform locular sizes and signal intensities were more predict MOMCs.

Predictive nomograms of repeat intrahepatic recurrence and overall survival after radiofrequency ablation of recurrent colorectal liver metastases

Objectives This study was conducted to develop nomograms for predicting repeat intrahepatic recurrence (rIHR) and overall survival (OS), after radiofrequency ablation (RFA), treatment in patients with recurrent colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) after hepatectomy based on clinicopathologic features. Methods A total of 160 consecutive patients with recurrent CLMs after hepatectomy who were treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA from 2012 to 2022 were retrospectively included. Patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort, with a ratio of 8:2. Potential prognostic factors associated with rIHR and OS, after RFA, were identified by using the competing-risks and Cox proportional hazard models, respectively, and were used to construct the nomogram. The nomogram was evaluated by Harrell’s C-index and a calibration curve. Results The 1-, 2-, and 3-year rIHR rates after RFA were 58.8%, 70.2%, and 74.2%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 96.3%, 60.4%, and 38.5%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, mutant RAS, interval from hepatectomy to intrahepatic recurrence ≤ 12 months, CEA level >5 ng/ml, and ablation margin <5 mm were the independent predictive factors for rIHR. Mutant RAS, largest CLM at hepatectomy >3 cm, CEA level >5 ng/ml, and extrahepatic disease were independent predictors of poor OS. Two nomograms for rIHR and OS were constructed using the respective significant variables. In both cohorts, the nomogram demonstrated good discrimination and calibration. Conclusions The established nomograms can predict individual risk of rIHR and OS after RFA for recurrent CLMs and contribute to improving individualized management.

Prediction of pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer.

To investigate the predictive factors of pathologic complete response (pCR) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who had been treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT). For this retrospective study, 53 LARC patients (37 males and 16 females; age range 25 to 79 years) were selected. Clinical characteristics, baseline mrTNM staging, MR gross tumor volumes (GTV), and pCR were evaluated. The diagnostic accuracy of GTV for predicting pCR was calculated. Among 53 LARC patients, 15 patients achieved pCR (28.3%), while 38 patients achieved non-pCR. Only three (5.7%) out of 53 patients did not downstage after nCRT. GTV and tumor differentiation were the significant prognostic parameters for predicting pCR. A tumor volume threshold of 21.1 cm3 was determined as a predictor for pCR, with a sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 47%. In addition, GTV was associated with mrN stage, circumferential resection margin (CRM) status, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) status, and pretreatment serum CEA level. Tumor volume and tumor differentiation have significant predictive values in preoperative assessment of pCR among LARC patients. These findings aid clinicians to discriminate those patients who may likely benefit from preoperative regimens and to make optimal treatment plans.

A case of treatment-resistant advanced gastric cancer with FGFR2 gene alteration successfully treated with pemigatinib.

Comprehensive genome profiling (CGP) is expected to widen the scope of cancer drug options by identifying the genes involved in carcinogenesis. However, a few patients can access recommended treatments following CGP. Herein, we report a case in which pemigatinib, a selective fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor, was used as last-line therapy to treat a patient with advanced gastric cancer exhibiting FGFR2 genomic alterations, as determined by CGP testing. The patient (male, 52years old) was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer (cStage IV, cT4aN3M1 [LYM], por, HER2 0, microsatellite stable) and received docetaxel + cisplatin + S-1 (7 cycles), irinotecan + ramucirumab (11 cycles), and nivolumab (3 cycles), but experienced progressive disease (PD). Subsequently, FoundationOne Liquid CDx testing was conducted, revealing FGFR2 rearrangement and amplification; however, no clinical trials on genotype-matched therapies for FGFR2 alterations were available. After three cycles of TAS-102, the patient experienced PD and provided consent for the off-label use of pemigatinib. The Cancer Genomics Medical Committee of our hospital approved the self-funded treatment. The patient had markedly decreased CEA and CA19-9 levels after treatment initiation, but experienced PD after five courses. Over the treatment course, grade 1 hyperphosphatemia and onychomadesis were observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pemigatinib therapy employed in a patient with advanced gastric cancer exhibiting FGFR2 gene alterations. This case could serve as a notable example of tumor-agnostic therapy to broaden treatment options for gastric cancer patients with rare genetic alterations.

Prognostic value of dynamic changes of pre- and post-operative tumor markers in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis assessment is vital for personalized treatment plans. This study investigates the prognostic value of dynamic changes of tumor markers CEA, CA19-9, CA125, and AFP before and after surgery and constructs prediction models based on these indicators. A retrospective clinical study of 2599 CRC patients who underwent radical surgery was conducted. Patients were randomly divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) datasets. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified independent prognostic factors, and nomograms were constructed. A total of 2599 CRC patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into training (70%, n = 1819) and validation (30%, n = 780) sets. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified age, total number of resected lymph nodes, T stage, N stage, the preoperative and postoperative changes in the levels of CEA, CA19-9, and CA125 as independent prognostic factors. When their postoperative levels are normal, patients with elevated preoperative levels have significantly worse overall survival. However, when the postoperative levels of CEA/CA19-9/CA125 are elevated, whether their preoperative levels are elevated or not has no significance for prognosis. Two nomogram models were developed, and Model I, which included CEA, CA19-9, and CA125 groups, demonstrated the best performance in both training and validation sets. This study highlights the significant predictive value of dynamic changes in tumor markers CEA, CA19-9, and CA125 before and after CRC surgery. Incorporating these markers into a nomogram prediction model improves prognostic accuracy, enabling clinicians to better assess patients' conditions and develop personalized treatment plans.

Malnutrition as an unfavorable prognostic factor after surgical treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer.

&lt;b&gt;&lt;br&gt;Introduction:&lt;/b&gt; Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Distant metastases are usually located in the liver and are present in 50% of patients.&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;br&gt;Aim:&lt;/b&gt; The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in body composition and phase angle before and after surgical treatment of CRC liver metastases, as well as survival time and treatment costs.&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;br&gt;Material and methods:&lt;/b&gt; The study included 134 patients who received 174 surgeries for CRC liver metastases. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed using an AKERN BIA 101 analyzer.&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;br&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; BIA was performed before and after surgery. The results of tests (total body water content [TBW], body cell mass [BCM], and phase angle) showed a reduction in BCM by 2.21 kg and a statistically significant decrease in phase angle values after surgery (from 5.06 to 4.25 in women and from 5.34 to 4.76 in men). These values are below the reference range for both sexes. There was a correlation between phase angle values and muscle mass, both before (R = 0.528, p&lt;0001) and after surgery (R = 0.634, p&lt;000.1). Preoperative levels of the tumor marker CEA were elevated in more than half of the patients. The median survival time after resection of liver metastases was 37.6 months.&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;br&gt;Discussion:&lt;/b&gt; A significant factor that increases complications, mortality, and treatment costs of cancer patients is malnutrition, which could be the earliest symptom of malignant disease.&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;br&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; Successful treatment of CRC requires the patients to participate in follow-up examinations and to be aware of early signs associated with recurrence (e.g., blood in the stool or weight loss). The patients' nutritional status should be monitored and recorded in a DILO card.&lt;/br&gt.