Molecular diagnosis of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) is an important prognostic factor in locally advanced rectal cancer. However, it is uncertain if histopathological techniques accurately detect pCR. We tested a novel molecular approach for detecting pCR and compared it with current histopathological approaches.

Study design

Pretreatment tumor biopsies and surgical specimens were collected from 96 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant CRT and surgery. Tumor response was categorized by tumor regression grade. Tumor DNA from pre-CRT tumor biopsies was screened for K-ras and p53 mutations. DNA from paired surgical specimens was then screened for the same mutations using highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction-bas

SUBMITTER: Chen Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3104075 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature