Prognostic importance of circulating epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with chemotherapy and bevacizumab

High tumor expression of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) has been associated with a poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible prognostic impact of circulating EGFL7 (cir-EGFL7), combined with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses, in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with first line chemotherapy and bevacizumab. A total of 88 patients were included. Serum was collected prior to treatment initiation, at first evaluation after 3 weeks, and at progression. Cir-EGFL7 was analysed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The SNPs were analysed by real-time qPCR based on DNA from whole blood. Endpoints were response rate (RR), progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Cir-EGFL7 decreases after administration of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab. Baseline levels of cir-EGFL7 were significantly related to PFS and OS, p = 0.0431 and p = 0.0017, respectively, with increasing cir-EGFL7 levels associated with a worse prognosis. Circulating EGFL7 was not associated with RR. The SNP analyses revealed a significant relationship between rs1051851 and OS, p = 0.030. This study demonstrates that cir-EGFL7 changes during treatment with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab and that baseline levels and genetic variations may influence the overall prognosis of patients with mCRC. The findings call for further validation.