Tuesday 14 January 2003
Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research and The University of Surrey, funded by Cancer Research UK, have made an important discovery in the fight against rectal cancer. Their study has shown that it is possible to predict how a tumour might respond to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, before any treatment has taken place.
The team, led by Dr Andrzej Dzik-Jurasz from the Cancer Research UK Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research Group at The Institute of Cancer Research, assessed whether there was any correlation between the density of cells and the way a tumour responds to treatment. The team found that of the 14 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, those whose tumours had a higher cell density were more likely to show a reduction in tumour size following chemotherapy and chemoradiation.
Taken together, colorectal cancers are the third most prevalent form of cancer after lung and breast in the UK. Over 34,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. There are over 17,000 deaths annually from colorectal cancer making it the second biggest (cancer) killer after lung cancer.
Dr Andrzej Dzik-Jurasz of The Institute of Cancer Research said, “This study has shown that understanding the make-up of a tumour could allow us to predict how the cancer will respond to treatment. This could be vital in determining appropriate treatments for patients in the future.”
The researchers studied the density of cells in the patients’ tumours using quantitative diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (qDW-MRI). The technique assesses the motion of water molecules (ADC) by varying a magnetic field across the tumour. When the researchers know how freely the water molecules are moving within the tumour, it allows them to make inferences about the density of the tumour’s cells.
Those patients whose tumours had shrunk by more than 50 per cent during the course of the trial were classed as responders, while all others were classified as non-responders. Differences were shown early on during the trial, with responders showing a rise in the density of cells after chemotherapy and a fall after chemoradiation. Non-responders maintained a high ADC water measurement, and therefore low cell density throughout treatment.
The results were tested for correlation, and the scientists found that those patients whose tumours had less movement of water molecules and a higher cell density at the start of treatment were more likely to be classed as responders with at least a 50 per cent shrinkage in the size of their tumours.
Sir Paul Nurse, Chief Executive at Cancer Research UK said “This work is important in understanding the behaviour of tumours, why some respond to treatment while others don’t. We hope that further research will lead to more effective treatments for patients ”
More research will be carried out to establish how the findings can be used to benefit patients with advanced rectal cancer, and to examine how this research will impact on the understanding of other cancers.
- ends -
For more information, please contact:
Marie MacLean
Press Officer
Institute of Cancer Research
Tel: 020 7153 5359
Email: [email protected]
Notes to editors
- This research was carried out by the Cancer Research UK Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, The Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden NHS Trust in collaboration with the academic surgical unit of the Mayday University Hospital.
- The specific diffusion-weighted MRI methodology used in this study was pioneered by researchers based at the University of Surrey Physics Department and implemented at The Royal Marsden Hospital as part of an ongoing and highly successful collaboration.
- The Institute of Cancer Research is one of the world's leading cancer research organisations and is internationally renowned for the quality of its science. Its mission is the relief of human suffering by pursuing excellence in the fight against cancer. The Institute is an associate institution of the University of London. The Institute works in a unique partnership with The Royal Marsden Hospital and together they form Europe’s largest comprehensive cancer centre.
Please note:
Unfortunately the press office are unable to answer queries from the general public. For general cancer information please refer to The Institute's cancer information page.