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Prognostic and predictive biomarkers in metastatic colorectal cancer constant and evolutionary perspectives

Siesing, Christina LU (2021) In Lund University, Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation Series
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects nearly 2 million people each year and accounts for 900 000 deaths worldwide.
The main prognostic factor is disease stage at diagnosis and around 40% of the patients presents with or develop
metastatic CRC (mCRC). Even if the disease has disseminated, cure is sometimes possible, but despite thorough
selection of patients for metastasectomy, most patients will suffer relapse of the disease. Hence, there is a great
need for new prognostic and predictive biomarkers in order to better select the appropriate treatment for each
patient. The aim of this thesis was to study the prognostic and predictive impact of selected biomarkers, with
particular focus on RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3),... (More)
Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects nearly 2 million people each year and accounts for 900 000 deaths worldwide.
The main prognostic factor is disease stage at diagnosis and around 40% of the patients presents with or develop
metastatic CRC (mCRC). Even if the disease has disseminated, cure is sometimes possible, but despite thorough
selection of patients for metastasectomy, most patients will suffer relapse of the disease. Hence, there is a great
need for new prognostic and predictive biomarkers in order to better select the appropriate treatment for each
patient. The aim of this thesis was to study the prognostic and predictive impact of selected biomarkers, with
particular focus on RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3), in mCRC and to perform an extensive mapping of the
spatial heterogeneity in mCRC with peritoneal carcinomatosis.
In paper I, RBM3 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in primary tumours from 455 patients
with mCRC. High RBM3 expression was an independent predictor of prolonged survival, and in the group with
high RBM3 expression, a longer progression-free survival was seen in patients treated with oxaliplatin compared
to patients treated with irinotecan in first line.
In paper II, RBM3 expression was assessed by IHC in 211 resected lung metastases and 164 paired primary
tumours. High RBM3 expression in the lung metastases was an independent predictor of prolonged survival, in
particular in patients treated with oxaliplatin at any time point. Other prognostic factors for prolonged survival were
age ≤ 60 years, one metastasis, a lung metastasis <3 cm in size, disease free interval >24 months and adjuvant
treatment.
In paper III, the spatial molecular heterogeneity was delineated in seven curatively treated patients with mCRC
disseminated to the peritoneum. Multiregional targeted sequencing and IHC analysis of RBM3, special AT-rich
sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) and mismatch repair (MMR) proteins were performed. The expression of
RBM3 and SATB2 was allover low. Mutations in key CRC driver genes, i.e KRAS, APC and TP53, were
homogenous across samples from individual patients, whereas less common mutations were more heterogenous.
In some cases, a higher similarity was seen between PC and lymph node metastases than between PC and the
primary tumour.
Paper IV is a study protocol for the planned On-treatment biomarkers in metastatic Colorectal Cancer for Life (On-
CALL) study. The aim of this prospective, observational study is to follow up on relevant findings from the present
thesis and to generate further knowledge on the spatial and temporal tumour heterogeneity and evolution of
mCRC during curative treatment. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Professor Lothe, Ragnhild, University of Oslo, Norway
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
in
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation Series
issue
2021:77
pages
87 pages
publisher
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine
defense location
Belfragesalen, BMC D15, Klinikgatan 32 i Lund. Join by Zoom: https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/61290637608
defense date
2021-09-03 09:00:00
ISSN
1652-8220
ISBN
978-91-8021-083-6
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
a407c873-4b3b-4368-a62e-9a538a0eab73
date added to LUP
2021-08-09 11:23:50
date last changed
2021-08-23 15:24:41
@phdthesis{a407c873-4b3b-4368-a62e-9a538a0eab73,
  abstract     = {{Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects nearly 2 million people each year and accounts for 900 000 deaths worldwide.<br>
The main prognostic factor is disease stage at diagnosis and around 40% of the patients presents with or develop<br>
metastatic CRC (mCRC). Even if the disease has disseminated, cure is sometimes possible, but despite thorough<br>
selection of patients for metastasectomy, most patients will suffer relapse of the disease. Hence, there is a great<br>
need for new prognostic and predictive biomarkers in order to better select the appropriate treatment for each<br>
patient. The aim of this thesis was to study the prognostic and predictive impact of selected biomarkers, with<br>
particular focus on RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3), in mCRC and to perform an extensive mapping of the<br>
spatial heterogeneity in mCRC with peritoneal carcinomatosis.<br>
In paper I, RBM3 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in primary tumours from 455 patients<br>
with mCRC. High RBM3 expression was an independent predictor of prolonged survival, and in the group with<br>
high RBM3 expression, a longer progression-free survival was seen in patients treated with oxaliplatin compared<br>
to patients treated with irinotecan in first line.<br>
In paper II, RBM3 expression was assessed by IHC in 211 resected lung metastases and 164 paired primary<br>
tumours. High RBM3 expression in the lung metastases was an independent predictor of prolonged survival, in<br>
particular in patients treated with oxaliplatin at any time point. Other prognostic factors for prolonged survival were<br>
age ≤ 60 years, one metastasis, a lung metastasis &lt;3 cm in size, disease free interval &gt;24 months and adjuvant<br>
treatment.<br>
In paper III, the spatial molecular heterogeneity was delineated in seven curatively treated patients with mCRC<br>
disseminated to the peritoneum. Multiregional targeted sequencing and IHC analysis of RBM3, special AT-rich<br>
sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) and mismatch repair (MMR) proteins were performed. The expression of<br>
RBM3 and SATB2 was allover low. Mutations in key CRC driver genes, i.e KRAS, APC and TP53, were<br>
homogenous across samples from individual patients, whereas less common mutations were more heterogenous.<br>
In some cases, a higher similarity was seen between PC and lymph node metastases than between PC and the<br>
primary tumour.<br>
Paper IV is a study protocol for the planned On-treatment biomarkers in metastatic Colorectal Cancer for Life (On-<br>
CALL) study. The aim of this prospective, observational study is to follow up on relevant findings from the present<br>
thesis and to generate further knowledge on the spatial and temporal tumour heterogeneity and evolution of<br>
mCRC during curative treatment.}},
  author       = {{Siesing, Christina}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-8021-083-6}},
  issn         = {{1652-8220}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2021:77}},
  publisher    = {{Lund University, Faculty of Medicine}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  series       = {{Lund University, Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation Series}},
  title        = {{Prognostic and predictive biomarkers in metastatic colorectal cancer constant and evolutionary perspectives}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/101027823/Kappa_Siesing.pdf}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}