Molecular and Kinetic Analyses of Circulating Tumor Cells as Predictive Markers of Treatment Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients

Autor(es)

Troncarelli Flores, Bianca C. ^[1] ; Souza E Silva, Virgilio ^[2] ; Abdallah, Emne Ali ^[1] ; Mello, Celso A. L. ^[2] ; Gobo Silva, Maria Leticia ^[3] ; Mendes, Gustavo Gomes ^[4] ; Braun, Alexcia Camila ^[1] ; Aguiar Junior, Samuel ^{[5, 6]} ; Domingos Chinen, Ludmilla Thome ^{[1, 5]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Int Res Ctr, BR-01508010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Med Oncol, BR-01509900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Radiotherapy, BR-01509900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Radiol, BR-01509900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Natl Inst Sci & Technol Oncogen & Therapeut Innov, BR-01509900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Pelv Surg, BR-01509900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: CELLS; v. 8, n. 7 JUL 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) followed by total mesorectal excision is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). To justify a non-surgical approach, identification of pathologic complete response (pCR) is required. Analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be used to evaluate pCR. We hypothesize that monitoring of thymidylate synthase (TYMS) and excision repair protein, RAD23 homolog B (RAD23B), can be used to predict resistance to chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Therefore, the aims of this study were to analyze CTCs from patients with LARC who underwent NCRT plus surgery for expression of TYMS/RAD23B and to evaluate their predictive value. Blood samples from 30 patients were collected prior to NCRT (S1) and prior to surgery (S2). CTCs were isolated and quantified by ISET (R), proteins were analyzed by immunocytochemistry, and TYMS mRNA was detected by chromogenic in situ hybridization. CTC counts decreased between S1 and S2 in patients exhibiting pCR (p = 0.02) or partial response (p = 0.01). Regarding protein expression, TYMS was absent in 100% of CTCs from patients with pCR (p = 0.001) yet was expressed in 83% of non-responders at S2 (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, RAD23B was expressed in CTCs from 75% of non-responders at S1 (p = 0.01) and in 100% of non-responders at S2 (p = 0.001). Surprisingly, 100% of non-responders expressed TYMS mRNA at both timepoints (p = 0.001). In addition, TYMS/RAD23B was not detected in the CTCs of patients exhibiting pCR (p = 0.001). We found 83.3% of sensitivity for TYMS mRNA at S1 (p = 0.001) and 100% for TYMS (p = 0.064) and RAD23B (p = 0.01) protein expression at S2. Thus, TYMS mRNA and/or TYMS/RAD23B expression in CTCs, as well as CTC kinetics, have the potential to predict non-response to NCRT and avoid unnecessary radical surgery for LARC patients with pCR. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/50943-1 - INCT 2014: de Oncogenômica e Inovação Terapêutica
• Beneficiário: Dirce Maria Carraro
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático