Prognostic impact of immune-microenvironment in colorectal liver metastases resected after triplets plus a biologic agent: A pooled analysis of five prospective trials

Eur J Cancer. 2020 Aug:135:78-88. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.04.045. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Abstract

Background: Immune-contexture of tumour microenvironment (TME) influences prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and can be altered by cytotoxic and targeted agents. Limited data are available regarding the immune-TME of CRC after treatment.

Methods: An extensive immunohistochemistry evaluation of immunological parameters on tumour cells and TME of colorectal liver metastases from 106 patients who underwent secondary resection, after receiving triplets FOLFOXIRI (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan) or COI (capecitabine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan) plus bevacizumab (N = 59) or cetuximab (N = 47) in five first-line no-profit clinical trials was performed.

Results: No substantial differences were reported in immunological parameters according to administered targeted agent, RAS/BRAF mutational status and histopathological or Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours response. Stromal expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (p = 0.002), Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) (p = 0.003) and Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) (p = 0.002) were independent prognostic factors for longer relapse-free survival (RFS) at multivariate analysis with a positive trend for post-resection overall survival (OS). Patients whose metastases expressed stromal COX-2, HLA and PD1 (inflamed-score positive) reported longer RFS (25.5 versus 9.8 months; p < 0.001) and post-resection OS (64.3 versus 37.7 months; p = 0.003) as compared with others. In addition, patients with higher expression of CD4 and CD8 T-cells in tumour core and invasive margin (CD4/CD8-score) showed a better post-resection OS (not-reached versus 41.6 months; p = 0.032). A combined score of inflamed-score and CD4/CD8-score (combo-score) showed a clear prognostic role.

Conclusions: The present study emphasises the role of immune-TME as independent predictor of survival in patients resected after triplets plus biologic. Inflamed-, CD4/C8- and combo-scores should be confirmed as prognostic factors in further studies.

Keywords: Colorectal liver metastasis; Immunological parameters; Triplet plus targeted agent; Tumour microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bevacizumab / administration & dosage
  • Camptothecin / administration & dosage
  • Camptothecin / analogs & derivatives
  • Capecitabine / administration & dosage
  • Cetuximab / administration & dosage
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant* / adverse effects
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant* / mortality
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Hepatectomy* / adverse effects
  • Hepatectomy* / mortality
  • Humans
  • Irinotecan / administration & dosage
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Liver Neoplasms / immunology
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy* / adverse effects
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy* / mortality
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Oxaliplatin / administration & dosage
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Bevacizumab
  • Capecitabine
  • Irinotecan
  • Cetuximab
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil
  • Camptothecin

Supplementary concepts

  • FOLFOXIRI protocol