Immunological and prognostic significance of tumour necrosis in colorectal cancer

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) causes the second most cancer deaths worldwide, but the disease course varies according to tumour characteristics and immunological factors. Our objective was to examine the associations of tumour necrosis with tumour characteristics, immune cell infiltrates, serum cytokine concentrations, as well as prognosis in CRC.MethodsThree independent CRC cohorts, including 1413 patients, were analysed. Associations of the areal percentage of tumour necrosis with clinicopathologic parameters, tumour infiltrating immune cells, cytokine concentrations in systemic and mesenteric vein blood, and survival were examined.ResultsHigher tumour necrosis percentage associated with shorter colorectal cancer-specific survival independent of tumour grade, T, N or M-class, mismatch repair status, BRAF status, and other possible confounding factors. In the largest cohort (N = 1100), the HR for high tumour necrosis percentage (>= 40% vs. <3%) was 3.22 (95% CI 1.68-6.17, P-trend < 0.0001). Tumour necrosis percentage positively correlated with peripheral serum levels of CXCL8, a proinflammatory chemokine, and negatively correlated with mesenteric serum levels of CXCL10 and mast cell densities in the invasive margin of the tumour.ConclusionsOur results support the value of tumour necrosis as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. CXCL8 may have a role in the systemic effects of tumour necrosis.

Automated summary

This study analyzed data from 1413 patients with colorectal cancer and found associations between tumor necrosis percentage and tumor characteristics, immune cell infiltrates, serum cytokine concentrations, as well as prognosis. The results showed that high tumor necrosis percentage is associated with shorter colorectal cancer-specific survival, independent of other factors. Tumor necrosis is therefore considered an important prognostic factor in colorectal cancer.