Cytoplasmic expression of p27(kip1) is associated with a favourable prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prognostic significance of p27(kip1) in colorectal cancer patients.


METHODS
Cytoplasmic and nuclear p27(kip1) expression was evaluated in 418 colorectal cancers using tissue microarrays. Data were associated with known patient and tumor variables and long-term patient outcomes, providing further insight into the mechanisms by which p27(kip1) may influence tumor development.


RESULTS
Nuclear and cytoplasmic p27(kip1) expressions were detected in 59% and 19% of tumors respectively. Cytoplasmic p27(kip1) was almost invariably associated with positive nuclear p27(kip1) expression. Neither case correlated with known clinical or pathological variables, including tumor stage, grade or extramural vascular invasion. Furthermore, nuclear p27(kip1) expression had no impact on survival. However, we identified a significant correlation between expression of cytoplasmic p27(kip1) and longer disease-specific survival times. On multivariate analysis, TNM stage and extramural vascular invasion were highly significant independent prognostic factors, with positive cytoplasmic p27 expression showing a trend towards improved patient survival (P = 0.059).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the recent evidence that cytoplasmic p27(kip1) has a distinct and important biological role that can influence tumor outcome.
Watson
Nicholas F S
NF
Section of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University of Nottingham, E Floor, West Block, Queens Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom. nicholas.watson@nottingham.ac.uk
Durrant
Lindy G
LG
Scholefield
John H
JH
Madjd
Zahra
Z
Scrimgeour
Duncan
D
Spendlove
Ian
I
Ellis
Ian O
IO
Patel
Poulam M
PM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27