Comparison of Molecular-Genetic Concordance of the Primary Tumor and Brain Metastases of Colorectal Cancer

Comparison of Molecular-Genetic Concordance of the Primary Tumor and Brain Metastases of Colorectal Cancer

GENCONCOR-1 study is translational research aimed to investigate the concordance of the molecular genetic profile of the primary tumor and brain metastases (BM) of colorectal cancer (CRC). The study was conducted by post hoc analysis of pairs of samples of histological material with determination of the mutational status of genes KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, HER2 and MSI.

Brain metastases (BM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) are a rare event reported in less than 3% of patients with CRC (the reported incidence ranges from 0.27 to 3%). This course is associated with a poor prognosis. Treatment of these patients remains challenging. Nevertheless, given the rarity of the event, at this time not enough is known about molecular biology of BM from colorectal cancer and its concordance with matched primary tumors.

In N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology over 26 years (1998-2024) identified 108 patients with BM from CRC. Of this number, 72 patients had a history of neurosurgical resection of BM. In turn, for 32 patients access to a pair of tumor samples: from the primary tumor and from intracranial metastases. Tumor samples will be tested for mutation status of genes KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, HER2 and MSI. Analysis was limited to this pool of genes because of their clinical relevance and potential prognostic information. The molecular profile of the BM will be compared with the corresponding primary tumor with calculation of concordance rate (%).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Men and women over 18 years of age.
2. Histologically confirmed cancer of the colon or rectum.
3. Histologically confirmed metastatic lesion of the brain.
4. Neurosurgical resection for brain metastases of colorectal cancer.
5. Presence of paired tumor samples (both primary tumor and intracranial material).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Missing one sample from a pair of tumor samples.
2. Low quality or lack of tumor material for molecular genetic research.