Predictors and prognosticators for survival with Yttrium-90 radioembolization therapy for unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastasis

// Meaghan S. Dendy 1,2 , Johannes M. Ludwig 2 and Hyun S. Kim 2,3 1 Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA 2 Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Division of Interventional Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA 3 Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA Correspondence to: Hyun S. Kim, email: // Keywords : colorectal cancer, liver cancer, radioembolization, Y 90 , biomarkers Received : December 28, 2016 Accepted : February 27, 2017 Published : March 08, 2017 Abstract This critical review aims to explore predictive and prognostic biomarkers of Yttrium-90 (Y 90 ) radioembolization therapy of colorectal liver metastases. A brief overview of established predictive and prognostic molecular and genetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer therapies will be discussed. A review of the literature on imaging modalities, genetic, metabolic and other molecular markers and the subsequent outcomes in post-Y 90 treatment will be presented. How these biomarkers and future biomarker research can inform locoregional treatment decisions in the clinical setting of metastatic colorectal cancer lesions of the liver will be explored. There are opportunities for personalized cancer treatment in the setting of Y 90 radioembolization. The ability to predict tumor response after Ytrium-90 radioembolization therapy can greatly impact clinical decision making and enhance treatment outcomes, therefore further research into the field is needed.