Nucleosomes in colorectal cancer patients during radiochemotherapy

Apoptotic markers and tumor-associated antigens might be suitable
to indicate the response to radiochemotherapy early. We analyzed
the courses of nucleosomes, CEA, CA 19-9 and CYFRA 21-1 in 25
colorectal cancer patients during radiochemotherapy (4
postoperative, 13 preoperative, 8 local relapse therapy). Blood was
taken before therapy, daily during the first week, once weekly
during the following weeks, and at the end of the
radiochemotherapy. After a temporary decline 6 h after the first
irradiation, nucleosomes rose in most patients rapidly reaching a
maximum during the first days which was followed by a subsequent
decrease. In patients receiving postoperative therapy after
complete resection of tumor, nucleosome levels generally were lower
than in patients with preoperative or relapse therapy.
Correspondingly, CEA, CA 19-9 and CYFRA 21-1 levels of
postoperatively treated patients were the lowest whereas those with
tumor relapse had the highest ones. During preoperative therapy,
lower nucleosome concentrations were found in patients with
response to therapy resulting in a smaller area under the curve of
days 1-3 (AUC) than in those with progressive disease (p = 0.028).
The other parameters did not indicate the response to therapy at
the initial treatment phase. In conclusion, the course of
nucleosomes (AUC) might be valuable for the early prediction of
therapy response in preoperatively treated colorectal cancer
patients. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.