Laura Julie Schnitzler (Asklepios Klinik Barmbek) Study title: Significance of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, SMAD4 and TP53 mutations for prognosis in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) The liver is the most common location for the migration of colorectal cancer (liver metastasis). The traditional risk scores used to assess the prognosis of liver metastases are based on clinical and radiology data (e.g. laboratory parameters, size and number of liver metastases). Over recent years, many studies have shown that the mutation status, i.e. a genetic alteration in the liver metastases, has a significant influence on the prognosis. The evident next step was therefore to include molecular biological parameters in modern prognosis scores. The risk scores were made more meaningful by the “modified clinical score” (m-CS) and the “extended clinical risk score” (e-CS). There are also indications that liver metastases with certain mutations display changed growth in the liver, which would have an impact on the surgical procedure for removal of the liver metastases. It is planned to analyse the mutation status of different genes (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, SMAD4, TP53) in colorectal liver metastases on an existing patient population of 213 patients, as well as correlation with the clinical data. Specifically:
- a) Evaluation of the published e-CS and m-CS on a larger cohort.
- b) Modification and development of the score.
- c) Analysis of the influence of the mutation status on the safety margin for the removal of liver metastases.
The study is being conducted at the following sites: Laura Julie Schnitzler, Asklepios Klinik Barmbek Hamburg Funding: Hamburger Stiftung zur Förderung der Krebsbekämpfung [Hamburg foundation for the promotion of the fight against cancer] Internal research fund of Asklepios Kliniken Hamburg GmbH Donations