Focal adhesion kinase expression is not a prognostic predictor in colon adenocarcinoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an enzyme of the tyrosine kinase group linked to signaling pathways between cells and their extracellular matrix. FAK expression in tumor cells in vitro may correlate with their ability for invasion and metastasis.


METHODS
FAK protein expression was examined immunohistochemically in 80 cases of colon adenocarcinoma, and correlated with clinicopathological parameters; tumor proliferative capacity, reflected by Ki-67 antigen expression; and survival.


RESULTS
All tumor samples were FAK positive compared to normal colonic mucosa. FAK protein overexpression was seen in 32 out of 80 cases. FAK protein overexpression did not correlated with tumor histological grade, stage, Ki-67 positivity or survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Raised FAK protein expression was noted by immunohistochemistry in human colon carcinoma cases. The implication are discussed.
Theocharis
S E
SE
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Athens, 75, Mikras Asias street, GR 11527, Athens, Greece.
Kouraklis
G P
GP
Kakisis
J D
JD
Kanelli
H G
HG
Apostolakou
F E
FE
Karatzas
G M
GM
Koutselinis
A S
AS
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C496050:PTK2 protein, human