Molecular and Kinetic Analyses of Circulating Tumor Cells as Predictive Markers of Treatment Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients.

ABSTRACT: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) followed by total mesorectal excision is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). To justify a non-surgical approach, identification of pathologic complete response (pCR) is required. Analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be used to evaluate pCR. We hypothesize that monitoring of thymidylate synthase (TYMS) and excision repair protein, RAD23 homolog B (RAD23B), can be used to predict resistance to chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Therefore, the aims of this study were to analyze CTCs from patients with LARC who underwent NCRT plus surgery for expression of TYMS/RAD23B and to evaluate their predictive value. Blood samples from 30 patients were collected prior to NCRT (S1) and prior to surgery (S2). CTCs were isolated and quantifi

SUBMITTER: Troncarelli Flores BC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6679115 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature