Project description:Background Published multi-gene classifiers suggested outcome prediction for patients with stage UICC II colon cancer based on different gene expression signatures. However, there is currently no translation of these classifiers for application in routine diagnostic. Therefore, we aimed at validating own and published gene expression signatures employing methods which enable RNA and protein detection in routine diagnostic specimens. Results Immunohistochemistry was applied to 68 stage UICC II colon cancers to determine the protein expression of five selected previously published classifier genes (CDH17, LAT, CA2, EMR3, and TNFRSF11A). Correlation of protein expression data with clinical outcome within a 5-year post-surgery course failed to separate patients with a disease-free follow-up [Group DF] and relapse [Group R]). In addition, RNA from macrodissected tumor samples from 53 of these 68 patients was profiled on Affymetrix GeneChips (HG-U133 Plus 2.0). Prognostic signatures were generated by Nearest Shrunken Centroids with cross-validation. Although gene expression profiling allowed the identification of differentially expressed genes between the groups DF and R, a stable classification and prognosis signature was not discernable in our data. Furthermore, the application of previously published gene signatures consisting of 22 and 19 genes, respectively, to our gene expression data set using ‘global tests’ and leave-one-out cross-validation was unable to predict clinical outcome (prediction rate 75.5% and 64.2%; n.s.). T-stage was the only independent prognostic factor for relapse in multivariate analysis with established clinical and pathological parameters including microsatellite status. Conclusions Our protein and gene expression analyses currently do not support application of molecular classifiers for prediction of clinical outcome in routine diagnostic as a basis for patient-orientated therapy in stage UICC II colon cancer. Further studies are needed to develop prognosis signatures applicable in patient care.
Project description:Background: Around 30% of all stage II colon cancer patients will relapse and die of their disease. At present no objective parameters for identification of high-risk stage II colon cancer patients, who will benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, are established. With traditional histopathological features definition of high-risk stage II colon cancer patients is inaccurate. Therefore more objective and robust markers for prediction of relapse are needed. DNA copy number aberrations have proven to be robust prognostic markers, but have not been investigated for this specific group of patients. The aim of the present study is to identify chromosomal aberrations that can predict relapse of tumor in patients with stage II colon cancer. Materials and Methods: DNA was isolated from 40 formaldehyde fixed paraffin embedded stage II colon cancer samples with extensive clinicopathological data. Samples where hybridized using Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) arrays to determine DNA copy number changes and microsatellite stability was determined by PCR. To analyze differences between stage II colon cancer patients with and without relapse of tumor a Wilcoxon rank-sum test was implemented with multiple testing correction Results: Patients with stage II colon cancer who had relapse of disease showed significant more losses on chromosome 4, 5, 15q, 17q and 18q. When microsatellite stable (MSS) patients were analyzed separately, only losses on chromosome 4q22.1-4q35.2 predicted worse outcome in stage II colon cancer patients. No differences in clinicopathological characteristics between patients with and without relapse were observed. Conclusion: Losses on 4q22.1-4q35.2 predict worse outcome in MSS stage II colon cancer patients and may aid in the selection of patients for adjuvant therapy.
Project description:Background: Around 30% of all stage II colon cancer patients will relapse and die of their disease. At present no objective parameters for identification of high-risk stage II colon cancer patients, who will benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, are established. With traditional histopathological features definition of high-risk stage II colon cancer patients is inaccurate. Therefore more objective and robust markers for prediction of relapse are needed. DNA copy number aberrations have proven to be robust prognostic markers, but have not been investigated for this specific group of patients. The aim of the present study is to identify chromosomal aberrations that can predict relapse of tumor in patients with stage II colon cancer. Materials and Methods: DNA was isolated from 40 formaldehyde fixed paraffin embedded stage II colon cancer samples with extensive clinicopathological data. Samples where hybridized using Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) arrays to determine DNA copy number changes and microsatellite stability was determined by PCR. To analyze differences between stage II colon cancer patients with and without relapse of tumor a Wilcoxon rank-sum test was implemented with multiple testing correction Results: Patients with stage II colon cancer who had relapse of disease showed significant more losses on chromosome 4, 5, 15q, 17q and 18q. When microsatellite stable (MSS) patients were analyzed separately, only losses on chromosome 4q22.1-4q35.2 predicted worse outcome in stage II colon cancer patients. No differences in clinicopathological characteristics between patients with and without relapse were observed. Conclusion: Losses on 4q22.1-4q35.2 predict worse outcome in MSS stage II colon cancer patients and may aid in the selection of patients for adjuvant therapy. 40 Stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue samples (FFPE), 16 with and 24 without relapse of tumor
Project description:Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Histological staging is efficient but combination with molecular markers may improve tumors classification. Gene expression profiles have been defined as prognosis predictors among stage II and III tumors but their implementation in medical practice remains controversial. Stage-II tumors have been recognized as a heterogeneous group and high-risk morphologic features have been retained as justifying adjuvant chemotherapy. We propose here the investigation of clinical features and expression profiles from stage II and stage III colon carcinomas without DNA mismatch repair defect. A series of 130 colon cancer samples was retained. Expression profiles were established on oligonucleotide microarrays and processed in the R/Bioconductor environment. Hierarchical then supervised analyses were successively performed applying the data-sampling approach. A molecular signature of seven genes was found to cluster stage III tumors with an adjusted p-values lower than 10^-10. A subgroup of stage-II tumors aggregated this cluster in both series. No correlation was found between with the disease severity but the function of the discriminating genes suggests that tumors have been classified according to their putative response to adjuvant targeted or classic therapies. Further pharmacogenetic studies might document this observation.
Project description:Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Histological staging is efficient but combination with molecular markers may improve tumors classification. Gene expression profiles have been defined as prognosis predictors among stage II and III tumors but their implementation in medical practice remains controversial. Stage-II tumors have been recognized as a heterogeneous group and high-risk morphologic features have been retained as justifying adjuvant chemotherapy. We propose here the investigation of clinical features and expression profiles from stage II and stage III colon carcinomas without DNA mismatch repair defect. A series of 130 colon cancer samples was retained. Expression profiles were established on oligonucleotide microarrays and processed in the R/Bioconductor environment. Hierarchical then supervised analyses were successively performed applying the data-sampling approach. A molecular signature of seven genes was found to cluster stage III tumors with an adjusted p-values lower than 10^-10. A subgroup of stage-II tumors aggregated this cluster in both series. No correlation was found between with the disease severity but the function of the discriminating genes suggests that tumors have been classified according to their putative response to adjuvant targeted or classic therapies. Further pharmacogenetic studies might document this observation. Expression profile of stage-II colon carcinomas distinguishes two patterns of tumors based on a 7-gene signature. One pattern is very similar to that of stage-III tumors and the corresponding tumors aggregate into a single cluster. Genes function suggests possible tumor determinism in drug response more than in prognosis evolution.
Project description:Chromosomal instable colorectal cancer is marked by specific large chromosomal copy number aberrations. Recently, focal aberrations of 3Mb or smaller have been identified as a common phenomenon in cancer. Inherent to their limited size, these aberrations harbour one or few genes. The aim of this study is to identify recurrent focal chromosomal aberrations and their candidate driver genes in a well defined series of stage II colon cancers and assess their potential clinical relevance. High resolution DNA copy number profiles were obtained from 38 formalin fixed paraffin embedded colon cancer samples with matched normal mucosa as a reference using array comparative genomic hybridization. In total, 81 focal chromosomal aberrations were identified that harboured 177 genes. Statistical validation of focal aberrations and identification of candidate driver genes was performed by enrichment analysis and mapping copy number and mutation data of colorectal-, breast-, pancreatic cancer and glioblastomas to loci of focal aberrations in stage II colon cancer. This analysis demonstrated a significant overlap with previously identified focal amplifications in colorectal cancer, but not with cancers from other sites. In contrast, focal deletions seem less tumour type specific since they also show significant overlap with focal deletions of other sites. Focal deletions detected are significantly enriched for cancer genes and genes frequently mutated in colorectal cancer. The mRNA expression of these genes is significantly correlated with DNA copy number status, supporting the relevance of focal aberrations. Loss of 5q34 and gain of 13q22.1 were identified as independent prognostic factors of survival in this series of patients. In conclusion, focal chromosomal copy number aberrations in stage II colon cancer are enriched in cancer genes which contribute to and drive the process of colorectal cancer development. DNA copy number status of these genes correlate with mRNA expression and some are associated with clinical outcome. 38 Stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue samples (FFPE) of which 19 were done on expression arrays. One sample (Stage II colorectal cancer tissue samples (FFPE) 26) was also done on the 135K NimbleGen array. Fresh frozen and FFPE of the same CRC stage I sample was done on 105K agilent. The fresh frozen was across array in silico set out against a pool of blood of 18 healthy females.
Project description:Chromosomal instable colorectal cancer is marked by specific large chromosomal copy number aberrations. Recently, focal aberrations of 3Mb or smaller have been identified as a common phenomenon in cancer. Inherent to their limited size, these aberrations harbour one or few genes. The aim of this study is to identify recurrent focal chromosomal aberrations and their candidate driver genes in a well defined series of stage II colon cancers and assess their potential clinical relevance. High resolution DNA copy number profiles were obtained from 38 formalin fixed paraffin embedded colon cancer samples with matched normal mucosa as a reference using array comparative genomic hybridization. In total, 81 focal chromosomal aberrations were identified that harboured 177 genes. Statistical validation of focal aberrations and identification of candidate driver genes was performed by enrichment analysis and mapping copy number and mutation data of colorectal-, breast-, pancreatic cancer and glioblastomas to loci of focal aberrations in stage II colon cancer. This analysis demonstrated a significant overlap with previously identified focal amplifications in colorectal cancer, but not with cancers from other sites. In contrast, focal deletions seem less tumour type specific since they also show significant overlap with focal deletions of other sites. Focal deletions detected are significantly enriched for cancer genes and genes frequently mutated in colorectal cancer. The mRNA expression of these genes is significantly correlated with DNA copy number status, supporting the relevance of focal aberrations. Loss of 5q34 and gain of 13q22.1 were identified as independent prognostic factors of survival in this series of patients. In conclusion, focal chromosomal copy number aberrations in stage II colon cancer are enriched in cancer genes which contribute to and drive the process of colorectal cancer development. DNA copy number status of these genes correlate with mRNA expression and some are associated with clinical outcome.
Project description:Unsupervised classification of gene expression profiles has resulted in the identification of biologically and clinically distinct colon cancer subtypes (CCSs). The subtype that associates with poor clinical outcome displays a mesenchymal gene expression profile. No driver mutation has been identified for this category and patients are heterogeneous with regard to commonly used clinical markers. Here we report a regulatory network consisting of the miR-200 family members that tunes the majority of genes differentially expressed in the poor prognosis CCS, including genes involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Our data indicate that the epigenetic silencing of the miR-200 family by promoter methylation is identifying the mesenchymal CCS and is predictive of disease-free survival in this malignancy. We demonstrate that the molecular features of poor prognosis colon cancer - expression of EMT-associated genes and miR-200 promoter methylation - can already be installed at the premalignant stage, suggesting a highly malignant potential of specific colon cancer precursor lesions.
Project description:Unsupervised classification of gene expression profiles has resulted in the identification of biologically and clinically distinct colon cancer subtypes (CCSs). The subtype that associates with poor clinical outcome displays a mesenchymal gene expression profile. No driver mutation has been identified for this category and patients are heterogeneous with regard to commonly used clinical markers. Here we report a regulatory network consisting of the miR-200 family members that tunes the majority of genes differentially expressed in the poor prognosis CCS, including genes involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Our data indicate that the epigenetic silencing of the miR-200 family by promoter methylation is identifying the mesenchymal CCS and is predictive of disease-free survival in this malignancy. We demonstrate that the molecular features of poor prognosis colon cancer - expression of EMT-associated genes and miR-200 promoter methylation - can already be installed at the premalignant stage, suggesting a highly malignant potential of specific colon cancer precursor lesions. Four colorectal cancer cell lines that display methylated miR-200 loci have been used to overexpress miR-200 family members from both loci separatedly or simultaneously.