title: Serum levels of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in colorectal cancer patients: correlations with clinicopathological features, patient survival and tumour surgery.
abstract: The serum concentrations of the cell adhesion molecules E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were investigated in 63 patients with colorectal cancer and in 51 controls by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Their relationship to clinicopathological variables and patient survival and changes in their levels after surgery were examined. Colorectal cancer patients showed significantly higher serum levels of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 compared with healthy controls. There was a significant association between the serum levels of these molecules, disease stage and the presence of both lymph node and distant metastases. Both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels correlated with serum E-selectin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Serum levels of all three molecules decreased significantly after radical resection of the tumour. Elevated pre-operative E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels were significant prognostic factors, although not independent of stage, for patient survival. These findings suggest that serum concentrations of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 may reflect tumour progression and metastasis. Since these markers are linked to CEA levels, it is uncertain whether their measurement will prove cost-effective in colorectal cancer management.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alexiou
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Karayiannakis
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Syrigos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zbar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kremmyda
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bramis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsigris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019040:E-Selectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1