Molecular Staging of Colorectal Carcinoma: The EGF 61 A/G polymorphism ? a predictive marker for recurrence of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

Einführung in die Problemstellung: Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common causes for cancer death in the western world. Newer investigations have lead to the discovering of molecular markers, such as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and its receptor. Tissue samples of 268 patients, who had undergone surgery for colorectal cancer liver metastasis with curative intent, were analyzed for Epidermal Growth Factor 61 A/G polymorphism. Therefore real time PCR was used. Zusammenfassung des Buchinhaltes: Interestingly a 1,9 fold increased risk for recurrence was registered in male patients, who expressed the EGF G/G genotype. This study suggests that patients carrying the EGF G/G genotype have an increased risk of liver metastasis recurrence after curative surgery. In future, such molecular parameters as EGF could be used to improve staging systems and also to calculate the individual risk profiles after surgery in a more reliable way.