ALCAM/CD166 is overexpressed in colorectal carcinoma and correlates with shortened patient survival.
BACKGROUND
Activated leucocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) has been implicated in tumorigenesis and tumour progression of malignant melanoma and prostate cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To clarify the expression patterns of ALCAM in colon cancer and to correlate these with clinicopathological parameters, including patient survival.


METHODS
One hundred and eleven colorectal carcinomas were immunostained for ALCAM (clone MOG/07) using a standard detection system. Cytoplasmic and membranous immunoreactivity were scored semiquantitatively. Fisher's exact test, chi2 test for trends, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox's regression were applied.


RESULTS
In colorectal cancer, 58.6% and 30.6% of cases showed strong cytoplasmic and membranous expression of ALCAM, respectively. No significant correlation with patient age, tumour grade, stage, or nodal status was apparent. In survival analyses, membranous ALCAM expression correlated significantly (Cox's regression, p=0.028; relative risk, 2.3) with shortened patient survival.


CONCLUSIONS
ALCAM is frequently upregulated in colorectal cancer and is a new independent prognostic marker, underscoring the importance of ALCAM in tumour progression in this disease.
Weichert
W
W
Institute of Pathology, Charité University Hospital, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
Knösel
T
T
Bellach
J
J
Dietel
M
M
Kristiansen
G
G
D020410:Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule / Q000032:analysis*; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016019:Survival Analysis
D020410:Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm