Prognostic Impact of Tumor-Associated Macrophages on Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer

Natural compounds modulate the mechanism of action of tumour-associated macrophages against colorectal cancer: a review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) exhibits a substantial morbidity and mortality rate, with its aetiology and pathogenesis remain elusive. It holds significant importance within the tumour microenvironment (TME) and exerts a crucial regulatory influence on tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis. TAMs possess the capability to foster CRC pathogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, as well as angiogenesis, immune evasion, and tumour resistance. Furthermore, TAMs can mediate the prognosis of CRC. In this paper, we review the mechanisms by which natural compounds target TAMs to exert anti-CRC effects from the perspective of the promotional effects of TAMs on CRC, mainly regulating the polarization of TAMs, reducing the infiltration and recruitment of TAMs, enhancing the phagocytosis of macrophages, and regulating the signalling pathways and cytokines, and discuss the potential value and therapeutic strategies of natural compounds-targeting the TAMs pathway in CRC clinical treatment.

Impact of Preoperative Visceral Fat Area Measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis on Clinical and Oncologic Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Some studies have shown that an increase in visceral fat is associated with postoperative clinical and oncologic outcomes. However, no studies have used bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to determine the effects of visceral fat on the oncologic outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative visceral fat area measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis on clinical and oncologic outcomes of colorectal cancer Methods: This study included 203 patients who underwent anthropometric measurements by BIA before surgical treatment for CRC between January 2016 and June 2020.

RESULTS

According to the cut-off level of VFA by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, 85 (40.5%) patients had a low VFA, and 119 (59.5%) had a high VFA. Multivariate analysis found that preoperative CRP (hazard ratio (HR), 3.882; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.001-15.051; p = 0.050) and nodal stage (HR, 7.996; 95% CI, 1.414-45.209; p = 0.019) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival, while sex (HR, 0.110; 95% CI, 0.013-0.905; p = 0.040), lymphovascular invasion (HR, 3.560; 95% CI, 1.098-11.544; p = 0.034), and VFA (HR, 4.263; 95% CI, 1.280-14.196; p = 0.040) were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative VFA measured by BIA had no significant impact on postoperative clinical outcomes and was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival.