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In vitro detection of occult bone marrow metastases in patients with colorectal cancer hepatic metastases

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the immunocytochemical status of bone marrow aspirates from patients with clinically isolated hepatic metastases to test the hypothesis that such findings would allow improved patient selection for liver-directed treatment. METHODS: All patients had biopsy-proven or presumed colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver and were scheduled for an operative procedure for hepatic resection or for hepatic artery catheter and chemotherapy pump implant. Immunocytochemical analysis of bone marrow aspirate smears was performed with a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed toward cytokeratins, Lewis Y antigen and A-33 colorectal epitopes. RESULTS: Data from 80 patients indicated that bone marrow reactivity was present in 9.5 percent of those with resectable hepatic metastases and in 34 percent of those not resected (P=0.03). No single monoclonal antibody or combination produced better discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: Presence or absence of presumed occult colorectal cancer cells in the bone marrow of patients with isolated hepatic metastases is biologically interesting, but not useful in selecting or altering patient management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York

    Alfred M. Cohen M.D. (Chief, Colorectal Service Director), Morin Hanson M.D., Katherine Weyhrauch B.A., Yuman Fong M.D. & Philip Paty M.D.

  2. the Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York

    Nancy Kemeny M.D., Sydney Welt M.D. & Lloyd Old M.D.

  3. Oncology Research Dr. Karl Thomae GmbH, Biberach an der Riss, Germany

    Pilar Garin-Chesa M.D., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Alfred M. Cohen M.D.
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  2. Pilar Garin-Chesa M.D., Ph.D.
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  3. Morin Hanson M.D.
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  4. Katherine Weyhrauch B.A.
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  5. Nancy Kemeny M.D.
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  6. Yuman Fong M.D.
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  7. Philip Paty M.D.
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  8. Sydney Welt M.D.
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  9. Lloyd Old M.D.
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Supported in part by the Ludwig Institute.

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Cohen, A.M., Garin-Chesa, P., Hanson, M. et al. In vitro detection of occult bone marrow metastases in patients with colorectal cancer hepatic metastases. Dis Colon Rectum 41, 1112–1115 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02239432

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02239432

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