Current status of gastrointestinal tract cancer brain metastasis and the use of blood-based cancer biomarker biopsy.

Publication Title

Clinical & experimental metastasis

Authors

Yoshiaki Shoji, Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USAFollow
Satoru Furuhashi, Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USAFollow
Daniel F Kelly, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USAFollow
Anton J Bilchik, Department of Surgical Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.Follow
Dave S B Hoon, Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USAFollow
Matias A Bustos, Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-5-2021

Keywords

california; santa monica; jwci; sjci

Abstract

Brain metastasis (BM) frequently occurs in patients with cutaneous melanoma, lung, and breast cancer; although, BM rarely arises from cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The reported incidence of GIT cancer BM is less than 4%. In the last few years, effective systemic therapy has prolonged the survival of GIT patients and consequently, the incidence of developing BM is rising. Therefore, the epidemiology and biology of BM arising from GIT cancer requires a more comprehensive understanding. In spite of the development of new therapeutic agents for patients with metastatic GIT cancers, survival for patients with BM still remains poor, with a median survival after diagnosis of less than 4 months. Limited evidence suggests that early detection of isolated intra-cranial lesions will enable surgical resection plus systemic and/or radiation therapy, which may lead to an increase in overall survival. Novel diagnostic methods such as blood-based biomarker biopsies may play a crucial role in the early detection of BM. Circulating tumor cells and circulating cell-free nucleic acids are known to serve as blood biomarkers for early detection and treatment response monitoring of multiple cancers. Blood biopsy may improve early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of GIT cancers BM, thus prolonging patients' survivals.

Area of Special Interest

Cancer

Area of Special Interest

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Specialty/Research Institute

Gastroenterology

Specialty/Research Institute

Oncology

Specialty/Research Institute

Neurosciences