NME1 and DCC variants are associated with susceptibility and tumor characteristics in Mexican patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in cancer incidence globally and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1 (NME1) and netrin 1 receptor (DCC) genes have been associated with resistance against tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis. This study investigates the potential association between NME1 (rs34214448 G > T and rs2302254 C > T) and DCC (rs2229080 G > C and rs714 A > G) variants and susceptibility to colorectal cancer development.

METHODS

Samples from 232 colorectal cancer patients and 232 healthy blood donors underwent analysis. Variants were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology. Associations were assessed using odds ratios (OR), and the p values were adjusted with Bonferroni test.

RESULTS

Individuals carrying the G/T and T/T genotypes for the NME1 rs34214448 variant exhibited a higher susceptibility for develop colorectal cancer (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.76-4.09, P = 0.001 and OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.37-4.47, P = 0.001, respectively). These genotypes showed significant associations in patients over 50 years (OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.81-4.54, P = 0.001 and OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.54-5.79, P = 0.001 respectively) and with early Tumor-Nodule-Metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.001), and tumor location in the rectum (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the DCC rs2229080 variant revealed that carriers of the G/C genotype had an increased risk for develop colorectal cancer (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.28-3.11, P = 0.002) and were associated with age over 50 years, sex, and advanced TNM stages (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the NME1 rs34214448 and DCC rs2229080 variants play a significant role in colorectal cancer development.

Circulating cell-free-DNA concentration is a good biomarker for diagnosis of colorectal cancer in Mexican patients

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Overall survival is related to clinical stage: more advanced stages show lower survival rates; therefore, they need to be monitored regularly with new, less invasive and more specific biomarkers. The concentration and integrity index of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) have been proposed as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for CRC, however, inconsistent results are still observed in different reports. Here we analyze these potential CRC biomarkers in a Mexican population. In this study, 124 patients with sporadic CRC and 37 healthy individuals were examined as a reference group. The ccfDNA was isolated from plasma samples of all included subjects. The ccfDNA concentration was determined by fluorometry and the integrity index (ALU247/ALU115 ratio) by quantitative PCR amplification (qPCR) of ALU sequences. The results show that ccfDNA concentration was higher in CRC patients than in the reference group (P=0.001). The integrity index showed no significant differences between these groups (P=0.258), except for histological type (P=0.012). A higher ccfDNA concentration was also associated with patients younger than 50 years (P=0.030). The ccfDNA concentration showed significant discriminatory power (AUC: 0.854, C.I.: 0.78-0.92, P=0.001) between patients and the reference group and between tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. In conclusion, ccfDNA concentration proves to be a good diagnostic biomarker for CRC patients, whereas the integrity index did not show diagnostic utility.

Peri-infusional adverse reactions to rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Rituximab is effective in the treatment of B-cell lymphoid malignances and some autoimmune diseases. Most patients receiving the first infusion of rituximab experience symptoms that decrease with subsequent infusions. It is assumed that the first dose of rituximab should be infused slowly during a 6-h period and during 4-h periods subsequently. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of adverse reactions to rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

METHODS

This was an intensive pharmacovigilance prospective, observational, open labeled, multicenter cohort study conducted in 12 hospitals. Adults requiring treatment with rituximab (375 mg/m(2) body surface area) alone or with chemotherapy were included. Adverse reactions were graded according to the National Cancer Institute scale, whereas causality was established using the Naranjo algorithm. Infusions were classified as fast (0-90 min) and slow (>91 min). Fast infusions were used to analyze the associated adverse reactions.

RESULTS

We included 550 adult patients. Total infusion episodes were 1,749 and 52 adverse reactions were reported in 22 patients (4%). Thirty-one of 52 adverse reactions occurred during the first infusion. The risk of adverse reactions was lower with the fast infusions (10/52 adverse reactions [19.23%]). All adverse effects were mild. Twenty-three adverse effects were possibly related to rituximab.

CONCLUSIONS

Rituximab can be infused at a fast rate without an increase in adverse reactions. Peri-infusional adverse reactions are similar to those described for other populations but the incidence rate is lower. Rituximab has a favorable safety profile in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Alpha 1-antitrypsin: a novel tumor-associated antigen identified in patients with early-stage breast cancer

Several studies have demonstrated that sera from patients with cancer contain antibodies that recognize a unique group of autologous antigens called tumor-associated antigens (TAA). In the current study, we employed an immunoproteomic approach, combining 2DE, Western blot, and MALDI-MS to identify TAA in the sera of patients diagnosed with infiltrating ductal or in situ carcinoma breast cancer. Sera obtained from 25 newly diagnosed patients with stage II breast cancer and 20 healthy volunteers was evaluated for the presence of novel TAA. Alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT) antibodies were detected in 24 of 25 patients with breast cancer (96%) and in 2 of 20 controls (10%). Sensitivity of detection of autoantibodies against A1AT in patients with breast cancer was 96%. Our preliminary results suggest that A1AT and autoantibodies against alpha 1 antitrypsin may be useful serum biomarkers for early-stage breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

[Evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and colorectal cancer at different stages, attending the Mexican Institute of Social Security]

INTRODUCTION

In Mexico during 2008, were reported 127,604 new cancer cases, 6,347 of them were colorectal cancer cases and 4,276 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cases.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate health related quality of life in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and colorectal cancer cases in different clinical stages, attended in a High Specialty Medical facility at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, during a 13 month period.

RESULTS

162 patients were included, 56.8% (n=92) with NHL and 43.2% (n=70) with colorectal cancer. The scores obtained in the NHL group were: Global health status/QoL: 67.75 (± 27.55), physical functioning 69.64 (± 29.98), role functioning 71.38 (± 33.73), emotional functioning 69.7 (± 26.57), cognitive functioning 75.36 (± 28.01), social functioning 79.35 (± 29.38), fatigue 35.27 (± 28.27), nausea and vomiting 13.41 (± 21.85), pain 28.08 (± 30.25), dyspnea 19.20 (± 32.11), insomnia 30.80 (± 38.03), appetite lost 26.45 (± 36.16), constipation 19.20 (± 32.11), diarrhea 12.32 (± 26.48), financial difficulties 26.09 (± 35.57). In colorectal cancer patients the scores were: Global health status/QoL: 68.21 (± 24.46), physical functioning 67.38 (± 30.45), role functioning 65.48 (± 35.70), emotional functioning 66.43 (± 26.84), cognitive functioning 78.57 (± 26.49), social functioning 75.24 (± 31.05), fatigue 37.78 (± 31.62), nausea and vomiting 20.00 (± 28.32), pain 37.38 (± 34.45), dyspnea 11.90 (± 26.64), insomnia 28.09 (± 35.73), appetite lost 23.81 (± 36.40), constipation 19.05 (± 32.88), diarrhea 20.95 (± 31.17), financial difficulties 34.76 (± 38.67).

CONCLUSIONS

With these basal results is important a follow-up with special attention to the treatment and attendance processes, in patients with this neoplasms and their impact on the quality of life.

[Evaluation of patient satisfaction with the quality of health care received within the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 trial by patients with breast and colorectal cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma at different stages. Correlation with sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities and other procedural variables at the Mexican Institute of Social Security]

INTRODUCTION

In Mexico cancer is a public health burden. Nowadays the health care systems pay special attention to patient's perception and satisfaction of the health care received. Satisfaction with quality of health care has an impact in the adherence to the treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the satisfaction with the quality of health care received at the IMSS in a group of cancer patients [non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), breast and colorectal cancer]. Socio-demographic features, co-morbid diseases, and attendance processes impact on satisfaction are also evaluated.

RESULTS

476 cancer patients were studied: 314 with breast cancer, 92 with NHL and 70 with colorectal cancer. In women with breast cancer the mean score to nurses' interpersonal skills in non-classified disease group and clinical stage III group were: 73.64 ± 32.53, 90.00 ± 18.25 respectively (p=0.005), nurses' availability in non-classified and clinical stage III group were: 69.71 ± 30.25, 89.21 ± 19.00 respectively (p=0.003). In subjects with NHL the mean scores for doctors' technical skills in clinical stage I and III groups, were: 63.69 ± 37.78, 80.30 ± 18.46 respectively (p=0.017), doctors' information provision scores in subject in clinical stage I and IV were: 49.40 ± 40.75, 79.49 ± 24.63 respectively (p=0.043). In the group of colorectal cancer patients the mean of the score to exchange of information between clinical stage II and clinical stage III group were 50.00 ± 41.83, 84.21 ± 22.37 respectively (p=0.036). Were not observed association between attendance processes features and general satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

In Mexico 50% of cancer patients are attended at the IMSS. The continued evaluation of the satisfaction with health care received by the health care service users is important to enhance attention's quality.