Predictive Molecular Markers for Colorectal Cancer Patients with Resected Liver Metastasis and Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Background & Aims: The aims of the study were to evaluate the predictive value of 8 candidate molecular markers for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients receiving hepatic arterial infusion (floxuridine [FUDR] and dexamethasone) and systemic irinotecan (CPT11) post resection of liver metastasis.

Methods: RNA was extracted from microdissected tumor cells of fixed and embedded specimens of resected liver metastases (94 cases) and analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for thymidine phosphorylase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, thymidylate synthase, uridine phosphorylase, uridine/cytidine (monophospho)kinase, Bcl-2 related protein, Cyclin-D1, and Survivin expression. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses and an explorative hierarchical clustering analysis of quantitative RT-PCR data were performed for overall survival and recurrent disease.

Results: After adjustment for multiple clinicopathologic parameters, none of the markers were significantly associated with overall survival (except, marginally, Cyclin-D1; P = .06) or extrahepatic recurrence. However, high Survivin (P = .03) and Cyclin-D1 (P = .05) levels were predictive for hepatic recurrence. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified 7 of 94 patients associated with lower hepatic recurrence (P < .001). This patient group was characterized by low Cyclin-D1 and Survivin messenger RNA levels, both genes also clustering together.

Conclusions: Cyclin-D1 and Survivin messenger RNA analyzed by standardized, quantitative RT-PCR are predictive markers for CRC patients receiving hepatic arterial infusion (FUDR/dexamethasone) and systemic CPT11 post resection of liver metastasis. Moreover, our exploratory hierarchical cluster analysis of quantitative RT-PCR data supports its potential as an application to define clinically relevant patient subgroups.