Project description:Primary objectives: The primary objective is to investigate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via deep sequencing for mutation detection and by whole genome sequencing for copy number analyses before start (baseline) with regorafenib and at defined time points during administration of regorafenib for treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS).
Primary endpoints: circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via deep sequencing for mutation detection and by whole genome sequencing for copy number analyses before start (baseline) with regorafenib and at defined time points during administration of regorafenib for treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS).
Project description:Purpose: Gut microbiota is associated with the progression of brain tumor. However, the alterations in the gut microbiota during glioma growth and temozolomide (TMZ) therapy remains to be understood. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were implanted with GL261 glioma cells. TMZ/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCC) was administered by gavage for five consecutive days (from 8 to 12 days after implantation). Fecal samples were collected before (T0) and on days 7 (T1), 14 (T2), and 28 (T3) after implantation. The gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing followed by absolute and relative quantitation analyses. Results: Nineteen genera were altered during glioma progression with the most dramatic changes in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla. During glioma growth, Lactobacillus abundance decreased at the earlier stage of glioma development (T1), and then gradually increased (T2, T3); Intestinimonas abundance exhibited a persistent increase; Anaerotruncus showed a transient increase and then a subsequent decrease. Twenty genera altered following TMZ treatment. The enrichment of Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium was observed only at the early stage following TMZ treatment (T2), but not at the later stage (T3). Additionally, the decrease of Anaerotruncus was slighter in TMZ group at T3 comparing to the vehicle group. The abundance of Intestinimonas increased constantly during the progression of glioma, but was unaffected by TMZ. Conclusions: Glioma development and progression resulted in altered gut microbiota. TMZ reversed the decrease of Anaerotruncus in glioma at T3, and increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium with no influence on the increase of Intestinimonas. Short-term and long-term effects of TMZ treatment on the bacterial communities may be differential. This study will improve understanding the role of gut microbiota in glioma, and help develop gut microbiota as a potential therapeutic target.
Project description:BackgroundAnaerotruncus colihomonis is a newly described bacterial genus and species isolated from the stool specimens of children. Its clinical significance, however, is unknown.AimsTo describe a case of A colihominis bacteraemia identified by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing and provide an emended description of the species.MethodsAn unidentified anaerobic bacillus (strain HKU19) that stains Gram negative was subjected to characterisation by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, G+C content determination and electron microscopy.ResultsStrain HKU19 was isolated from the blood culture of a 78-year-old woman with nosocomial bacteraemia. It was found to be an anaerobic, non-motile, pleomorphic, thin bacillus that stains Gram negative. It produces Indole and utilises glucose and mannose. Identifying the strain to the species level was not possible by conventional phenotypic tests and commercial identification systems. The G+C content of strain HKU19 was found to be 53.43 mol%. A similarity of 99.3% nucleotide identities was found between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain HKU19 and that of A colihominis WAL 14 565(T), which was isolated from a human faecal specimen. In contrast with the original description of A colihominis, HKU19 was found to produce occasional oval, terminal spores, although the other phenotypic characteristics matched. Spores were also occasionally observed when the two previously reported strains were re-examined.ConclusionsAlthough the source of the bacteraemia in the patient cannot be determined, this report suggests that A colihominis is of clinical significance. Spore formation is proposed as an emended description of A colihominis.