Genomic mutations and histopathologic biomarkers in Y90 radioembolization for chemorefractory colorectal liver metastases

The cover for issue 65 of Oncotarget features Figure 5, "Waterfall plot showing response by % change in tumor size after Y-90 radioembolization," by Dendy, et al.

To investigate mutational load and histologic biomarkers as prognostic factors in patients with chemorefractory colorectal liver metastases treated with Y-90 radioembolization therapy. Single institution retrospective study of patients with CRLM who received Y-90 radioembolization after undergoing molecular testing was performed. Patient demographics, systemic therapy regimens, tumor characteristics and overall survival were analyzed between patients with differing histopathologic and genomic status.

Dr. Hyun S. Kim from the Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA, the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA and the Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA said, "Patient management of colorectal liver metastases has improved over the past decade due to advances in surgical, medical and interventional radiologic treatments."

Figure 5: Waterfall plot showing response by % change in tumor size after Y-90 radioembolization.

Genotyping CRC lesions has become standard of care in assessing prognosis of these patients and those lesions more susceptible to specific systemic treatments. In addition to MMR status, the analysis of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutation status has become standard of care in CRC patient biopsies and determines whether patients will receive treatment with EGFR inhibitors.

Results from these studies showed increased time to progression, progression-free survival time and better response rate in those patients receiving Y-90 treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the mutational status and histologic grade of mCRC lesions of the liver to determine patient outcomes after Y-90 radioembolization by comparing overall survival and progression free survival in a patient cohort receiving Y-90 for treatment of chemorefractory metastatic CRC of the liver.

The Hyun S. Kim research team concluded, "Firstly, this study was a retrospective data analysis. Secondly, the cohort size limits the power of the study's statistical analysis."

Full text - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.25992

Correspondence to - Hyun S. Kim - [email protected]

Keywords - radioembolization, CRC, biomarker, colorectal liver metastases, CRLM