Tumor calcification is associated with better survival in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy

Abstract

Aims: The purpose was to investigate the correlation between calcification and outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients who received bevacizumab plus chemotherapy as the first-line treatment. Methods: A single retrospective cohort study was conducted with all diagnosed mCRC cases who received bevacizumab and chemotherapy as the first-line therapy. Results: Among all enrolled patients (n = 159), 31 had tumor calcification. The median overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly better in patients with tumor calcification than in those without calcification. A higher objective overall response rate was also observed in the tumor calcification group. On multivariate analysis, tumor calcification was independently associated with overall survival and progression-free survival. Conclusions: Tumor calcification was independently associated with improved survival in mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy.

Targeting Tumor Microenvironment by Metal Peroxide Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy

“…Calcium excess can disrupt the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway, reduce mitochondrial membrane potential, and activate phospholipases and proteases in the cytoplasm, resulting in permanent cell damage [162]. Internal calcifcation is commonly detected in some cancers following radiation or chemotherapy in clinical treatment, therefore calcifcation is typically thought of as a byproduct of tumor treatment, and it has been discovered that calcifed tumors often respond better to treatment [163,164].…”

“…Given the signifcance of Ca 2+ in cell growth, respiration and mortality, the overload mechanism might be destructive to cancerous cells, providing a drug-free approach to cancer treatment [164]. Signal transmission in cells is a fundamental and crucial aspect of life.…”

“…Ca 2+ is a broadly distributed intracellular messenger where it regulates nearly all cellular functions in cells, including muscular movement, neurotransmission from neurons and astrocytes, tissue repair, and respiratory functions in the liver and pancreas, together with cellular mitosis, maturity, and death, among others. Ca 2+ regulates the growth of cancerous cells, tumor progression, invasion, and spread, among other things [164].…”