[SARIFA: Literature review and expert opinion on the new morphological biomarker].

BACKGROUND

Stroma areactive invasion front area (SARIFA) was recently defined and introduced as a histomorphological, prognostic biomarker for various carcinomas.

QUESTION: Current state of research and prospects for future developments. Report on the results of the consensus meeting.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Evaluation of the available literature and the results of the consensus meeting.

RESULTS

SARIFA has been successfully established as a strong prognostic biomarker. Its advantages include rapid, almost cost-neutral determination and excellent low interobserver variability. SARIFA correlates with increased expression ofproteinases and lipid metabolism proteins and genes. The immune response, by contrast, is downregulated in SARIFA-positive tumours. The consensus experts confirm the prognostic relevance in gastric and colorectal carcinomas and advocate routine reporting. The role of the biological background should be investigated in further studies and the name should be reconsidered and, if necessary, adapted.

CONCLUSIONS

SARIFA is a prognostically relevant and robust biomarker. The evidence is particularly strong for gastric and colorectal carcinomas.