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Session Item

Sunday
November 29
16:45 - 17:45
Physics Stream 1
Proffered papers 25 - Clinical implementation of online MRgRT
2495
Proffered Papers
Physics
11:18 - 11:26
The influence of telomere length on mortality in prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy
PH-0120

Abstract

The influence of telomere length on mortality in prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.
Authors: Langsenlehner , Tanja(1)[tanja.langsenlehner@klinikum-graz.at];Lukasiak , Katarzyna(2)*;Thurner , Eva-Maria(2);Langsenlehner , Uwe(3);Stranzl-Lawatsch , Heidi(2);Renner , Wilfried(4);
(1)Medical University of Graz, Department of Radiation Oncology, Graz, Austria;(2)Medical University of Graz, Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Graz, Austria;(3)FÄZ Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria;(4)Medical University of Graz, Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Graz, Austria;
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Purpose or Objective

Telomeres, the end parts of linear chromosomes, play a crucial role in protecting DNA during each cell division. Telomere shortening has been associated with a higher risk of cancer and its progression, in contrast, previous studies also reported an association between shorter telomere length and improved outcome for a variety of cancers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between leucocyte relative telomere length (RTL) and mortality in prostate cancer patients.

Material and Methods

Blood samples from 533 patients were gathered before start of irradiation for prostate cancer. RTL of peripheral blood leucocytes was determined by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction method and was divided into quartiles based on the distribution in the entire cohort.  The study endpoints were overall and cancer-specific mortality.

Results

During a median follow-up time of 149 months, 188 patients (35.3%) died, 58 patients (10.9%) died of prostate cancer. Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed a significant association of RTL quartiles and overall mortality (HR 1.20; 95% Cl 1.05 – 1.36; p = 0.006). In multivariate Cox regression, which included age at diagnosis, androgen deprivation therapy and risk group based on GS, T stage and PSA level, RTL quartiles were still a significant predictor of higher overall mortality (HR 1.22; 95% Cl 1.07 – 1.39; p = 0.003). Multivariate Cox regression analysis also showed a significant association of RTL quartiles with cancer specific mortality (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.00 - 1.60; p = 0.047).

Conclusion

Longer leucocyte RTL correlates with higher mortality in prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.