hERG1 and HIF-2α Behave as Biomarkers of Positive Response to Bevacizumab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients

oleh: Jessica Iorio, Elena Lastraioli, Lorenzo Tofani, Giulia Petroni, Lorenzo Antonuzzo, Luca Messerini, Giuseppe Perrone, Damiano Caputo, Maria Francesconi, Maria Michelina Amato, Moris Cadei, Giuseppina Arcangeli, Vincenzo Villanacci, Luca Boni, Roberto Coppola, Francesco Di Costanzo, Annarosa Arcangeli

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Elsevier 2020-03-01

Deskripsi

Background: In search of novel biomarkers of response to bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), we analyzed the expression and prognostic role of several proteins related to angiogenesis. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study on 80 surgical samples from mCRC patients treated in first line with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy was accomplished. The following proteins were analyzed by immunohistochemistry: hERG1 potassium channel, β1-integrin, pAKT, NFkB, HIF-1α, HIF-2α, p53, VEGF-A, GLUT-1, and CA-IX. Data were analyzed in conjunction with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients, KRAS status, response to bevacizumab, and follow-up. Results: (1) All the proteins were expressed in the samples, with statistically significant associations between HIF-1α and gender, HIF-2α and left colon, hERG1 and VEGF-A, β1-integrin and HIF-2α, GLUT-1 and both HIF-1α and HIF-2α, and CA-IX and VEGF-A. (2) At the univariate analysis, positivity for hERG1, VEGF-A, and the active form of HIF-2α (aHIF-2α), and the G3 histological grade showed a positive impact on progression-free survival (PFS). (3) hERG1 and aHIF-2α maintained their positive impact on PFS at the multivariate analysis. (4) hERG1 behaved as a protective factor for PFS independently on KRAS status. Conclusions: hERG1 and aHIF-2α might help to identify patients who would benefit from bevacizumab treatment.