Prognostic biomarkers of distant metastasis following curative-intent resection of early-stage rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Curative-intent surgery is the standard treatment for node-negative, early-stage rectal cancer. Although distant recurrence is uncommon in this setting, it carries a markedly poor prognosis. There is limited understanding of tumour biology linked to this aggressive cancer and no biomarkers to aid clinical practice. The aim of this pilot study was to demonstrate feasibility to identify putative prognostic biomarkers of distant metastasis following curative-intent surgery for early rectal cancer. METHODS: T cells densities were measured using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: T cell density was also lower in the tumour epithelial regions of patients who developed distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated feasibility to detect putative protein and T cell infiltrate biomarkers of distant metastasis in early-stage rectal cancer. A multi-centre validation study is now required to identify higher risk patients where adjuvant chemotherapy may improve outcomes.