pSTAT3 expression reliable marker of poor prognosis for gastric cancer
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Gastric cancer populations that show higher rates of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 were more likely to have a shorter medial overall survival rate , according to data from a three phase 3 clinical trials presented at ASCO.
"By analyzing [phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3)] in both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), our data indicates the correlation between pSTAT3 and clinical outcomes," Emily Brooks, PhD, director of Biomarkers and Companion Diagnostic Development at Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Oncology, said.
In a retrospective study of data from three phase 3 randomized controlled trials, Brooks and colleagues examined data from patients who received standard of care treatment for gastrointestinal cancers, colorectal cancers and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Regardless of tumor type, median OS was shorter in patients from all three trials.
Expression of pSTAT3 in tumor cells and TME was evaluated to determine the prognostic value of the key regulator gene in determining clinical outcomes for patients with gastric cancers.
"When STAT 3 is dysregulated, it can act as an oncogene, promoting tumor growth and survival, regulating inflammation in the tumor microenvironment, or the TME, and regulating self-renewal of cancer cells," Brooks explained.
Previous research indicated that pSTAT3 expression in cancer cells may serve as an accurate biomarker of poor prognosis.
"However, these studies were performed using data and tissue from non-randomized trials, and focused on the percentage, or intensity, of pSTAT3 staining within only the malignant cells of the tumor tissue," Brooks said.
For a sample to be evaluated as pSTAT3 positive, 20% or more of the TME cells must have significant pSTAT3 staining, she explained.
"Our method represents a novel approach to studying the role of pSTAT3 in gastric cancers, and we developed a robust pathological assessment for the combined scoring of tumor cells and the TME that can be applied to other tumor types," Brooks said.
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Brooks E, et al. Abstract 4147. Presented at: ASCO Annual Meeting; June 4-8, 2021 (virtual meeting).
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