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Satorres C, García-Campos M, Bustamante-Balén M. Molecular Features of the Serrated Pathway to Colorectal Cancer: Current Knowledge and Future Directions. Gut Liver 2021; 15:31-43. [PMID: 32340435 PMCID: PMC7817929 DOI: 10.5009/gnl19402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Serrated lesions are the precursor lesions of a new model of colorectal carcinogenesis. From a molecular standpoint, the serrated pathway is thought to be responsible for up to 30% of all colorectal cancer cases. The three major processes of this molecular mechanism are alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, production of the CpG island methylation phenotype, and generation of microsatellite instability. Other contributing processes are activation of WNT, alterations in the regulation of tumor suppressor genes, and alterations in microRNAs or in MUC5AC hypomethylation. Although alterations in the serrated pathway also contribute, their precise roles remain obscure because of the various methodologies and definitions used by different research groups. This knowledge gap affects clinical assessment of precursor lesions for their carcinogenic risk. The present review describes the current literature reporting the molecular mechanisms underlying each type of serrated lesion and each phenotype of serrated pathway colorectal cancer, identifying those areas that merit additional research. We also propose a unified serrated carcinogenesis pathway combining molecular alterations and types of serrated lesions, which ends in different serrated pathway colorectal cancer phenotypes depending on the route followed. Finally, we describe some key issues that need to be addressed in order to incorporate the newest technologies in serrated pathway research and to improve overall knowledge for developing specific prevention strategies and new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Satorres
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Research Group, La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, Digestive Diseases Department, La Fe Polytechnic University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - María García-Campos
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, Digestive Diseases Department, La Fe Polytechnic University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marco Bustamante-Balén
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Research Group, La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, Digestive Diseases Department, La Fe Polytechnic University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
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Pakbaz B, Jabinin R, Soltani N, Ayatollahi H, Farzanehfar MR. Quantitative study of vimentin gene methylation in stool samples for colorectal cancer screening. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2019; 10:121-125. [PMID: 31334094 PMCID: PMC6621348 DOI: 10.4103/japtr.japtr_381_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to importance of screening for colorectal cancer the present study was conducted and aimed at investigating the quantitative methylation of vimentin gene in stool, tumor tissue, and healthy tissue of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in comparison with healthy individuals. This is a case-control study in which we measures methylation of the vimentin in tumoral tissue, normal tissue and stool specimens were collected from forty-nine CRC patients as case group and stool and normal tissue specimens were collected from thirty healthy individuals as control group. There was no statistically significant difference in methylation of vimentin in normal tissue (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Moreover, the status of methylated or unmethylated vimentin gene in tumor and stool tissues in the case group was not significantly correlated with their mean age and sex (P > 0.05). This study showed that the specificity and sensitivity of vimentin methylation in stool of CRC patients are 100% and 60%, respectively. Furthermore, the methylation of vimentin in stool of CRC patients has a high-positive predictive value (100%). The results of this study suggested that methylation of the vimentin gene in the stool can be used as a specific marker for the detection and screening of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behfar Pakbaz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pathology and Cytogenetic, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Raheleh Jabinin
- Department of Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Narjes Soltani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pathology and Cytogenetic, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Ayatollahi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pathology and Cytogenetic, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Farzanehfar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pathology and Cytogenetic, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Khan M, Loree JM, Advani SM, Ning J, Li W, Pereira AAL, Lam M, Raghav K, Morris VK, Broaddus R, Maru D, Overman MJ, Kopetz S. Prognostic Implications of Mucinous Differentiation in Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma Can Be Explained by Distinct Molecular and Clinicopathologic Characteristics. Clin Colorectal Cancer 2018; 17:e699-e709. [PMID: 30205948 PMCID: PMC6588353 DOI: 10.1016/j.clcc.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mucinous histologic subtype accounts for 5% to 20% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases but remains poorly characterized. The present study characterized the baseline characteristics, mutational profile, and clinical outcomes of patients diagnosed with mucinous CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified 1877 patients with metastatic CRC with available histologic findings and molecular profiling and summarized the baseline clinical and pathologic characteristics and overall survival (OS) stratified by the histologic type. The data from separate cohorts with consensus molecular subtype (CMS) and CpG island methylator information were also summarized. RESULTS The mucinous histologic type was found in 277 of the 1877 patients (14.8%) and was associated with an increased prevalence of microsatellite instability (P < .001) and a right-sided primary (P < .001). An increased frequency of CMS1 (microsatellite instability immune) and lower rates of CMS2 (canonical) were identified, with mucinous compared with nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (P < .0001). Mutations in SMAD4 (P < .001), GNAS (P < .001), ERBB2 (P = .02), BRAF (P < .001), and KRAS (P < .001) occurred at greater frequencies in the mucinous CRC cases, and TP53 (P < .001), APC (P < .001), and NRAS mutations (P = .03) were less common. Univariate (hazard ratio [HR], 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.63; P < .001) and multivariate analysis (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.12-1.64; P = .002) demonstrated that the mucinous histologic type is associated with worse OS. The features associated with the mucinous histologic subtype were independent predictors for shorter OS, including BRAF (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.35-2.25; P < .001) and KRAS (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.22-1.65; P < .001) mutations, right-sided location (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.04-1.39; P = .01), and synchronous metastases (HR, 2.92; 95% CI, 2.49-3.42; P < .001). CONCLUSION Compared with nonmucinous adenocarcinoma, the mucinous histologic type is associated with a worse prognosis, even when controlling for known prognostic features. This unique biologic behavior should be considered in the treatment and prognostic assessment of patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliha Khan
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jonathan M Loree
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Shailesh M Advani
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Jing Ning
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Allan A L Pereira
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Michael Lam
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Kanwal Raghav
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Van K Morris
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Russell Broaddus
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Dipen Maru
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Michael J Overman
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
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Clinical, Pathological, and Molecular Characteristics of CpG Island Methylator Phenotype in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Transl Oncol 2018; 11:1188-1201. [PMID: 30071442 PMCID: PMC6080640 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) tumors, comprising 20% of colorectal cancers, are associated with female sex, age, right-sided location, and BRAF mutations. However, other factors potentially associated with CIMP have not been robustly examined. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive assessment of the clinical, pathologic, and molecular characteristics that define CIMP tumors. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of the literature from January 1999 through April 2018 and identified 122 articles, on which comprehensive data abstraction was performed on the clinical, pathologic, molecular, and mutational characteristics of CIMP subgroups, classified based on the extent of DNA methylation of tumor suppressor genes assessed using a variety of laboratory methods. Associations of CIMP with outcome parameters were estimated using pooled odds ratio or standardized mean differences using random-effects model. RESULTS: We confirmed prior associations including female sex, older age, right-sided tumor location, poor differentiation, and microsatellite instability. In addition to the recognized association with BRAF mutations, CIMP was also associated with PIK3CA mutations and lack of mutations in KRAS and TP53. Evidence of an activated immune response was seen with high rates of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (but not peritumoral lymphocytes), Crohn-like infiltrates, and infiltration with Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria. Additionally, CIMP tumors were associated with advance T-stage and presence of perineural and lymphovascular invasion. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis highlights key features distinguishing CIMP in colorectal cancer, including molecular characteristics of an active immune response. Improved understanding of this unique molecular subtype of colorectal cancer may provide insights into prevention and treatment.
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Mucinous Differentiation With Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes Is a Feature of Sporadically Methylated Endometrial Carcinomas. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2017; 36:205-216. [DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0000000000000315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Kandimalla R, Linnekamp JF, van Hooff S, Castells A, Llor X, Andreu M, Jover R, Goel A, Medema JP. Methylation of WNT target genes AXIN2 and DKK1 as robust biomarkers for recurrence prediction in stage II colon cancer. Oncogenesis 2017; 6:e308. [PMID: 28368388 PMCID: PMC5520503 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2017.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stage II colon cancer (CC) still remains a clinical challenge with patient stratification for adjuvant therapy (AT) largely relying on clinical parameters. Prognostic biomarkers are urgently needed for better stratification. Previously, we have shown that WNT target genes AXIN2, DKK1, APCDD1, ASCL2 and LGR5 are silenced by DNA methylation and could serve as prognostic markers in stage II CC patients using methylation-specific PCR. Here, we have extended our discovery cohort AMC90-AJCC-II (N=65) and methylation was analyzed by quantitative pyrosequencing. Subsequently, we validated the results in an independent EPICOLON1 CC cohort (N=79). Methylation of WNT target genes is negatively correlated to mRNA expression. A combination of AXIN2 and DKK1 methylation significantly predicted recurrences in univariate (area under the curve (AUC)=0.83, confidence interval (CI): 0.72–0.94, P<0.0001) analysis in stage II microsatellite stable (MSS) CC patients. This two marker combination showed an AUC of 0.80 (CI: 0.68–0.91, P<0.0001) in the EPICOLON1 validation cohort. Multivariate analysis in the Academic Medical Center (AMC) cohort revealed that both WNT target gene methylation and consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4) are significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio (HR)methylation: 3.84, 95% CI: 1.14–12.43; HRCMS4: 3.73, 95% CI: 1.22–11.48). CMS4 subtype tumors with WNT target methylation showed worse prognosis. Combining WNT target gene methylation and CMS4 subtype lead to an AUC of 0.89 (0.791–0.982, P<0.0001) for recurrence prediction. Notably, we observed that methylation of DKK1 is high in BRAF mutant and CIMP (CpG island methylator phenotype)-positive cancers, whereas AXIN2 methylation appears to be associated with CMS4. Methylation of AXIN2 and DKK1 were found to be robust markers for recurrence prediction in stage II MSS CC patients. Further validation of these findings in a randomized and prospective manner could pave a way to identify poor prognosis patients of stage II CC for AT.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kandimalla
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center for Gastrointestinal Research and Center for Epigenetics, Cancer Prevention and Cancer Genomics, Baylor Scott and White Research Institute and Charles A Sammons Cancer Center, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - J F Linnekamp
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S van Hooff
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Castells
- Institut de Malaties Digestives i Metabòliques, CIBERehd, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Llor
- University of Yale, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - M Andreu
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Jover
- Servicio de Medicina Digestiva, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ISABIAL, Alicante, Spain
| | - A Goel
- Center for Gastrointestinal Research and Center for Epigenetics, Cancer Prevention and Cancer Genomics, Baylor Scott and White Research Institute and Charles A Sammons Cancer Center, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - J P Medema
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Jang BG, Kim HS, Chang WY, Bae JM, Oh HJ, Wen X, Jeong S, Cho NY, Kim WH, Kang GH. Prognostic significance of stromal GREM1 expression in colorectal cancer. Hum Pathol 2016; 62:56-65. [PMID: 28041973 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2016.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts are the dominant cell population in the cancer stroma. Gremlin 1 (GREM1), an antagonist of the bone morphogenetic protein pathway, is expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts in a variety of human cancers. However, its biological significance for cancer patients is largely unknown. We applied RNA in situ hybridization to evaluate the prognostic value of stromal GREM1 expression in a large cohort of 670 colorectal cancers (CRCs). Overall, GREM1 expression in CRCs was lower than that of the matched normal mucosa, and GREM1 expression had a strong positive correlation with BMI1 and inverse correlations with EPHB2 and OLFM4. RNA in situ hybridization localized the GREM expression to smooth muscle cells of the muscularis mucosa and fibroblasts around crypt bases and in the submucosal space of a normal colon. In various colon polyps, epithelial GREM1 expression was exclusively observed in traditional serrated adenomas. In total, 44% of CRCs were positive for stromal GREM1, which was associated with decreased lymphovascular invasion, a lower cancer stage, and nuclear β-catenin staining. Stromal GREM1 was significantly associated with improved recurrence-free and overall survival, although it was not found to be an independent prognostic marker in multivariate analyses. In addition, for locally advanced stage II and III CRC, it was associated with better, stage-independent clinical outcomes. In summary, CRCs are frequently accompanied by GERM1-expressing fibroblasts, which are closely associated with low lymphovascular invasion and a better prognosis, suggesting stromal GREM1 as a potential biomarker and possible candidate for targeted therapy in the treatment of CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Gun Jang
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, 690-767 Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, 690-767 Republic of Korea
| | - Weon Young Chang
- Department of General Surgery, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, 690-767 Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Mo Bae
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Jeong Oh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Xianyu Wen
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Seorin Jeong
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Yun Cho
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Ho Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Hoon Kang
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea.
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