We studied 44 rectal cancer patients enrolled onto a prospective population-based biomarker study, who were planned for curative-intent radiation therapy before definitive surgery, yet at high risk of metastatic progression beyond the pelvic cavity. The patients had full-length mtDNA sequencing of whole blood (WB) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), sampled at the time of diagnosis. Metastatic events were recorded up to 60 months of follow-up after completion of the multimodal ... (Show More)

We studied 44 rectal cancer patients enrolled onto a prospective population-based biomarker study, who were planned for curative-intent radiation therapy before definitive surgery, yet at high risk of metastatic progression beyond the pelvic cavity. The patients had full-length mtDNA sequencing of whole blood (WB) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), sampled at the time of diagnosis. Metastatic events were recorded up to 60 months of follow-up after completion of the multimodal treatment.