Serum nectin-2 levels are diagnostic and prognostic in patients with colorectal carcinoma

Introduction

Nectins are a family of integral protein and immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules involved in the formation of functioning adherence and tight junctions. Aberrant expression is associated with cancer progression, apoptosis and cell proliferation but little is known how these effects change in cell behavior. The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of nectin-2 with regard to diagnostic, predictive and prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Materials and methods

One-hundred and forty CRC patients were enrolled in this study. Serum nectin-2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Age- and sex-matched 40 healthy controls were included in the analysis.

Results

Median age of patients was 60 years old, range 24–84 years. The localization of tumor in majority of the patients was colon (n = 81, 58 %). Non-metastatic (stage II and III) and metastatic patients’ baseline serum nectin-2 levels were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group (p < 0.001; for two group). However, known clinical variables including response to CTx (chemotherapy) were not found to be correlated with serum nectin-2 concentrations (p > 0.05). While non-metastatic group patients with elevated serum nectin-2 levels showed significant adverse effect on PFS, metastatic group patients with elevated serum nectin-2 levels showed no significant adverse effect on PFS (p = 0.05 and p = 0.29, respectively). On the other hand, our study results did not show statistically significant serum nectin-2 concentrations regarding overall survival rates.

Conclusion

Serum levels of nectin-2 may have diagnostic roles for CRC patients. Moreover, our study results show the prognostic role of nectin-2 in non-metastatic group patients.

     

Colonic Stent as Bridge to Surgery in Patients with Obstructive Left-Sided Colon Cancer

Objective:

We assessed the optimal time interval between endoscopic stenting and subsequent surgery in patients with obstructive left-sided colon cancer.

Methods:

We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent endoscopic colonic stenting for obstructive left-sided colon cancer between January 2009 and January 2012. Patients who had successful endoscopic intervention as a bridge to surgery were included in the study. Other variables studied were the duration between endoscopic stenting and surgery, the reobstruction rate, the stoma creation rate, the anastomotic leak rate, and the in-hospital mortality rate.

Results:

The medical records of 53 patients who underwent endoscopic stenting for obstructive left-sided colon cancer were reviewed, and 43 were included in the study. The median duration between endoscopic stenting and surgery was 7 days (range, 5–33).

Conclusion:

A median duration of 7 to 9 days after endoscopic stenting in patients with obstructive left-sided colon cancer is enough time to subsequently perform a safe surgical procedure. Extending this duration may expose the patient to the risk of reobstruction and emergency surgery.     

Apparent diffusion coefficient measurement of ovarian stroma: A potential tool for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of measuring the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of ovarian stroma in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Different disease characteristics in young patients with colorectal cancer: a large retrospective study in a city in Romania

ObjectiveIn 2018, colorectal cancer (CRC) was the second most frequent malignancy in Romania after lung cancer. Although CRC is typically encountered in patients >50 years old, CRC''s global incidence among younger adults has been increasing. We aimed to compare the disease characteristics of patients with CRC aged ≤50 years with those >50 years old.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated data from patients with CRC who underwent standard surgery at “Pius Brinzeu” Emergency County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (patients ≤50 years old) and Group 2 (patients >50 years old). Six parameters were analyzed (sex, residence location, age, tumor localization, microscopic findings, pathological staging).ResultsData on age-related CRC were available for 1380 patients treated from January 2012 to December 2018. Group 1 included 120 patients while group 2 included 1260 patients. Significantly more Group 1 patients presented with advanced CRC compared with Group 2 patients (94.2% vs. 87.4%). Furthermore, CRC in younger adults was more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage.ConclusionsMonitoring the CRC incidence in younger adults is essential to assess whether screening practices require changes and to raise awareness among clinicians of the increasing CRC incidence among younger patients.