Reviewer's report
Title:Reduction of novel circulating long-chain fatty acids and colorectal cancer
patients is independent of tumor burden and correlates with age.
Version: 1Date:20 October 2010
Reviewer: Patrizia P. Ferroni
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript by Ritchie and colleagues reports the clinical significance of
hPULCFA C28H46O4 (CRC-446) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The main findings
of the study are that CRC-446 levels are not affected by conventional CRC
treatment and inversely correlate with age, which suggest that reduced serum
CRC-446 levels likely exist prior to the development of CRC. Authors conclude
that extrapolating their results to a screening scenario it would imply a significant
reduction of colonoscopies and an increase in CRC detection rates over the life
of the subject. Overall, the article is complete, fully comprehensive to the reader
and conveys a clear-cut message. The aim is interesting and well defined,
methods are well documented without being over-detailed, data are sound, the
discussion and conclusions are well balanced and adequately supported by the
data presented. Limitations of the work are clearly stated. I have no major
comments on this well presented paper, except few discretionary revisions:
Abstract
- Report the number of patients in the American cohort
- Report on the distribution of CRC-446 in CRC vs. control subjects
Results
- Although CRC-446 levels were already reported to be reduced in pre-treatment
CRC patients compared to disease-free subjects, I believe it would be useful to
have a brief description of pre-treatment values in comparison with controls
(Caucasian vs. Japanese). I acknowledge this is only a confirmatory finding, but
a direct comparison, instead of single reference to Figures 1 and 2 might
increase clearness for the reader.
Discussion
- Reference to other previously reported hPULCFAs, CRC-448 and CRC-450, is
redundant.
- Do the Authors have any information in terms of cost-benefit?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Reviewer's report
Title:Reduction of novel circulating long-chain fatty acids and colorectal cancer
patients is independent of tumor burden and correlates with age.
Version: 1Date:20 October 2010
Reviewer: Patrizia P. Ferroni
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript by Ritchie and colleagues reports the clinical significance of
hPULCFA C28H46O4 (CRC-446) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The main findings
of the study are that CRC-446 levels are not affected by conventional CRC
treatment and inversely correlate with age, which suggest that reduced serum
CRC-446 levels likely exist prior to the development of CRC. Authors conclude
that extrapolating their results to a screening scenario it would imply a significant
reduction of colonoscopies and an increase in CRC detection rates over the life
of the subject. Overall, the article is complete, fully comprehensive to the reader
and conveys a clear-cut message. The aim is interesting and well defined,
methods are well documented without being over-detailed, data are sound, the
discussion and conclusions are well balanced and adequately supported by the
data presented. Limitations of the work are clearly stated. I have no major
comments on this well presented paper, except few discretionary revisions:
Abstract
- Report the number of patients in the American cohort
- Report on the distribution of CRC-446 in CRC vs. control subjects
Results
- Although CRC-446 levels were already reported to be reduced in pre-treatment
CRC patients compared to disease-free subjects, I believe it would be useful to
have a brief description of pre-treatment values in comparison with controls
(Caucasian vs. Japanese). I acknowledge this is only a confirmatory finding, but
a direct comparison, instead of single reference to Figures 1 and 2 might
increase clearness for the reader.
Discussion
- Reference to other previously reported hPULCFAs, CRC-448 and CRC-450, is
redundant.
- Do the Authors have any information in terms of cost-benefit?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Reduction of novel circulating long-chain fatty acids and colorectal cancer
patients is independent of tumor burden and correlates with age.
Version: 1Date:20 October 2010
Reviewer: Patrizia P. Ferroni
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript by Ritchie and colleagues reports the clinical significance of
hPULCFA C28H46O4 (CRC-446) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The main findings
of the study are that CRC-446 levels are not affected by conventional CRC
treatment and inversely correlate with age, which suggest that reduced serum
CRC-446 levels likely exist prior to the development of CRC. Authors conclude
that extrapolating their results to a screening scenario it would imply a significant
reduction of colonoscopies and an increase in CRC detection rates over the life
of the subject. Overall, the article is complete, fully comprehensive to the reader
and conveys a clear-cut message. The aim is interesting and well defined,
methods are well documented without being over-detailed, data are sound, the
discussion and conclusions are well balanced and adequately supported by the
data presented. Limitations of the work are clearly stated. I have no major
comments on this well presented paper, except few discretionary revisions:
Abstract
- Report the number of patients in the American cohort
- Report on the distribution of CRC-446 in CRC vs. control subjects
Results
- Although CRC-446 levels were already reported to be reduced in pre-treatment
CRC patients compared to disease-free subjects, I believe it would be useful to
have a brief description of pre-treatment values in comparison with controls
(Caucasian vs. Japanese). I acknowledge this is only a confirmatory finding, but
a direct comparison, instead of single reference to Figures 1 and 2 might
increase clearness for the reader.
Discussion
- Reference to other previously reported hPULCFAs, CRC-448 and CRC-450, is
redundant.
- Do the Authors have any information in terms of cost-benefit?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
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