Near diploid large bowel carcinomas have better five-year survival than aneuploid ones

Article Abstract:

As the instruments for flow cytometry have become more widely available, more researchers are applying this automated technique of DNA measurement to the study of cancer cells. Many published studies have found that DNA measurements suggesting an abnormal (aneuploid) chromosome content are more likely to indicate a poor prognosis than normal diploid measurements. Most of these studies have been performed on paraffin-embedded cancer specimens from the archives of pathology departments. It id not clear if prospective measurement of DNA in fresh tissue will prove useful in the prognosis and treatment of cancer. In the present study, flow cytometric DNA measurements were made with fresh specimens from 100 patients with cancer of the colon. Of these, 63 contained DNA consistent with an aneuploid chromosome complement, and the remaining 37 had a DNA content that was nearly diploid. At the time this prospective study was closed, 65 percent of the patients with aneuploid cancers had died, in contrast with 32 percent of the near diploid cases. This statistically significant difference was not evident in patients with Dukes' Stage D cancer, since all patients in this advanced stage of cancer died, regardless of any other factors. The important prognostic factor was having one of the more advanced stages of disease, Dukes' Stage D or Stage C. Following this, tumor ploidy (whether the tumor was aneuploid or diploid) was the most important prognostic factor. The histologic grade of the cancer was not an independent prognostic factor. These results indicate that the presence of distinct aneuploidy in colon cancer indicates a less favorable prognosis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, DNA, Aneuploidy, Diploidy

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Diploid predominance in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma evaluated by flow cytometry

Article Abstract:

Numerous studies have found that an abnormal complement of chromosomes, or aneuploidy, correlates with a poorer prognosis in cases of colorectal cancer, but not all investigators concur. The incidence of aneuploid colorectal cancers has been reported to be roughly two-thirds. However, there has been no report of aneuploidy among cases of cancer family syndrome (CFS), although these heritable colorectal cancers account for four to six percent of all cases of colorectal carcinoma. DNA flow cytometry was used to measure the DNA content of tumor cells from 59 colorectal carcinomas of patients with CFS. In contrast to colorectal cancers in general, this specific subpopulation had a predominance of normal diploid chromosome content. In addition, those cancers which had a DNA content suggestive of an aneuploid chromosome complement were much closer to having normal DNA content than normal colorectal cancers. Most colorectal cancers have been reported to contain DNA suggestive of triploid or tetraploid chromosome complement, rather than the normal diploid (paired) chromosome complement. The predominance of diploid or near-diploid tumors in CFS colorectal cancer is consistent with the generally more favorable prognosis among these patients. In addition, within this population, there was no indication that aneuploidy carried a poorer prognosis, as is the case with most colorectal neoplasms. This observation of near-diploidy among heritable colorectal cancers may provide further insight into the factors which distinguish the heritable disorder from other forms of colorectal cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Chromosome numbers

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Incidence of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and the feasibility of molecular screening for the disease

Article Abstract:

Molecular screening for DNA replication errors in patients with colorectal cancer and additional risk factors may effectively identify those with hereditary disease. Hereditary colorectal cancer without intestinal polyps may be associated with additional tumors outside the colon. Researchers analyzed 509 colon cancer patients and found that 12% had genetic replication errors and 2% had mutations which could be inherited. Screening colorectal cancer patients with a personal or family history of some cancers may indicate those who might benefit from additional diagnostic testing.

Health aspects, Gene mutations, Gene mutation, Genetic screening, Genetic testing

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