Clinical significance of circulating tumor cells in predicating the outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Relapse and metastasis of patients with Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the major obstacle to the long-term life of patients. Its mechanisms remain defined. METHODS: A total of 48 CRC patients were enrolled and 68 samples were obtained from the peripheral blood of patients before or after treatments in this study. Twenty non-cancer patients were also detected as a negative control. Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs), including Epithelial CTCs (eCTCs), Mesenchymal (MCTCs), and epithelial/mesenchymal mixed phenotypes (mixed CTCs), were identified by CanPatrolTM CTC enrichment and RNA in situ hybridization. The relationship between CTCs number and Progression-Free Survival (PFS) or Overall Survival (OS) was evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 48 patients (70.8%) were found to have positive CTCs. Total CTCs and MCTCs in the post-treatment had a significant correlation PFS and OS. When total CTCs or MCTCs in 5 mL blood of patients were more than 6 CTCs or 5 MCTCs, PFS of the patients was significantly shorter (p < 0.05) than that in patients with less than 6 CTCs or 5 MCTCs. The patients with > 5 CTCs count changes were found to exhibit poor PFS and OS rates (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Total CTCs and MCTCs number detection in patients with colorectal cancer was very useful biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients. Higher CTCs or MCTCs had poorer PFS and OS rates.

Clinical significance of circulating tumor cells in predicating the outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer

Abstract Background: Relapse and metastasis of patients with Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the major obstacle to the long-term life of patients. Its mechanisms remain defined. Methods: A total of 48 CRC patients were enrolled and 68 samples were obtained from the peripheral blood of patients before or after treatments in this study. Twenty non-cancer patients were also detected as a negative control. Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs), including Epithelial CTCs (eCTCs), Mesenchymal (MCTCs), and epithelial/ mesenchymal mixed phenotypes (mixed CTCs), were identified by CanPatrolTM CTC enrichment and RNA in situ hybridization. The relationship between CTCs number and Progression-Free Survival (PFS) or Overall Survival (OS) was evaluated. Results: Thirty-four of 48 patients (70.8%) were found to have positive CTCs. Total CTCs and MCTCs in the post-treatment had a significant correlation PFS and OS. When total CTCs or MCTCs in 5 mL blood of patients were more than 6 CTCs or 5 MCTCs, PFS of the patients was significantly shorter (p < 0.05) than that in patients with less than 6 CTCs or 5 MCTCs. The patients with > 5 CTCs count changes were found to exhibit poor PFS and OS rates (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Total CTCs and MCTCs number detection in patients with colorectal cancer was very useful biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients. Higher CTCs or MCTCs had poorer PFS and OS rates.

[Effects of the activity of superoxide dismutase in blood serum and gingival tissues of rabbit in periodontitis model after hypoxia exposure at high altitude].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rabbit periodontitis model in normoxia and hypoxia environment, and to research the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases at high altitude. METHODS: Fourty male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: Normoxia control group, normoxia periodontitis group (periodontitis models), hypoxia control group, hypoxia periodontitis group (periodontitis models). The periodontitis models were established by ligating the two central incisors of mandible and raised by periodontitis diets. The weights of four groups were dynamically observed. After eight weeks, the clinical periodontal indexes and the activity of total-SOD (T-SOD) in blood serum and gingival tissues in all groups were detected. RESULTS: The activity of T-SOD of hypoxia periodontitis group was significantly lower than normoxia periodontitis group and hypoxia control group (P<0.05), the weights and clinical periodontal indexes were also dramatically different (P<0.01). The activity of SOD in serum was positively correlated with the gingival tissues (r=0.846, P<0.01), and they both negatively correlated with AL (r=-0.980, -0.804, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The growth state of the body and the balance of bioconversion were affected in hypoxia environment when exposed at high altitude. The activity of SOD in total body and local tissues were decreased, thus the superoxide free radicals were accumulated in the body, especially in local periodontal tissues. Therefore it can accelerate and aggravate the destruction of periodontal tissues.