A multivariate analysis of adhesion molecules expression in assessment of colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Adhesion molecules are implicated in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite the evidence of association between their expression and patients' prognosis, the data have not been examined simultaneously in a same study; thus, the relative clinical value remained largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the adhesion factors that display the most significant prognostic value for CRC patients to guide clinical decision-making regarding appropriate treatment.


METHODS
We examined by immunohistochemistry, the expression of E-cadherin and its associated catenins, alpha(alpha)-catenin and beta(beta)-catenin, DCC, and CD44 and its partner, MT1-MMP in a series of 140 CRC tissues at intermediate Stage II and Stage III to determine their prognostic significance.


RESULTS
Clinicopathological survey indicated an inverse relationship between E-cadherin expression and tumor differentiation, and an association between CD44 expression and venous invasion. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that loss of expression of E-cadherin and CD44 significantly correlated to poor survival, especially in Stage II. Combination studies indicated that loss of E-cadherin and loss of CD44 had the worst impact on patient prognosis, particularly in colon cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemical staining of E-cadherin and CD44 may help to identify a subgroup of high-risk patients with Stage II CRC, especially in colon cancer, who may need intensive follow-up and appropriate therapeutic strategy.
Ngan
Chew Yee
CY
Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Yamamoto
Hirofumi
H
Seshimo
Iwao
I
Ezumi
Koji
K
Terayama
Motokazu
M
Hemmi
Hideyuki
H
Takemasa
Ichiro
I
Ikeda
Masataka
M
Sekimoto
Mitsugu
M
Monden
Morito
M
D000368:Aged; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000075389:DCC Receptor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000075389:DCC Receptor; C501909:DCC protein, human; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14