Prognostic markers for colorectal cancer: estimating ploidy and stroma.
Danielsen HE., Hveem TS., Domingo E., Pradhan M., Kleppe A., Syvertsen RA., Kostolomov I., Nesheim JA., Askautrud HA., Nesbakken A., Lothe RA., Svindland A., Shepherd N., Novelli M., Johnstone E., Tomlinson I., Kerr R., Kerr DJ.
BACKGROUND: We report here the prognostic value of ploidy and digital tumour-stromal morphometric analyses using material from 2624 patients with early stage colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: DNA content (ploidy) and stroma-tumour fraction were estimated using automated digital imaging systems and DNA was extracted from sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue for analysis of microsatellite instability. Samples were available from 1092 patients recruited to the QUASAR 2 trial and two large observational series (Gloucester, n = 954; Oslo University Hospital, n = 578). Resultant biomarkers were analysed for prognostic impact using 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) as the clinical end point. RESULTS: Ploidy and stroma-tumour fraction were significantly prognostic in a multivariate model adjusted for age, adjuvant treatment, and pathological T-stage in stage II patients, and the combination of ploidy and stroma-tumour fraction was found to stratify these patients into three clinically useful groups; 5-year CSS 90% versus 83% versus 73% [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.77 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.13-2.77) and HR = 2.95 (95% CI: 1.73-5.03), P