The transition from primary colorectal cancer to isolated peritoneal malignancy is associated with an increased tumour mutational burden

Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 3;10(1):18900. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-75844-6.

Abstract

Colorectal Peritoneal metastases (CPM) develop in 15% of colorectal cancers. Cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS & HIPEC) is the current standard of care in selected patients with limited resectable CPM. Despite selection using known prognostic factors survival is varied and morbidity and mortality are relatively high. There is a need to improve patient selection and a paucity of research concerning the biology of isolated CPM. We aimed to determine the biology associated with transition from primary CRC to CPM and of patients with CPM not responding to treatment with CRS & HIPEC, to identify those suitable for treatment with CRS & HIPEC and to identify targets for existing repurposed or novel treatment strategies. A cohort of patients with CPM treated with CRS & HIPEC was recruited and divided according to prognosis. Molecular profiling of the transcriptome (n = 25), epigenome (n = 24) and genome (n = 21) of CPM and matched primary CRC was performed. CPM were characterised by frequent Wnt/ β catenin negative regulator mutations, TET2 mutations, mismatch repair mutations and high tumour mutational burden. Here we show the molecular features associated with CPM development and associated with not responding to CRS & HIPEC. Potential applications include improving patient selection for treatment with CRS & HIPEC and in future research into novel and personalised treatments targeting the molecular features identified here.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Dioxygenases
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / therapy*
  • Patient Selection
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Dioxygenases
  • TET2 protein, human