Overexpression of fascin-1 in advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma: tissue microarray analysis of immunostaining scores with clinicopathological parameters.
OBJECTIVE
Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein that promotes cell proliferation, adhesion and motility. We tested the hypothesis that fascin-1 expression correlates with clinicopathological parameters of colorectal adenocarcinomas.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis of fascin-1 was performed in tissue microarrays of 91 surgical specimens, including 32 well, 33 moderately, and 26 poorly differentiated colorectal adenocarcinomas; and in 22 specimens from colorectal adenomas with dysplasia.


RESULTS
Scattered fascin-1 expression was demonstrated in 9 control specimens of normal colonic glandular epithelia. Higher fascin-1 immunostaining scores were significantly associated with advanced dysplasia in colorectal adenomas (mild 4.2 +/- 1.3, moderate 13.5 +/- 5.3, and severe 22.5 +/- 6.7) and high-grade histopathological differentiation of colorectal adenocarcinomas (grade I 88.6 +/- 9, grade II 101 +/- 11, and grade III 144 +/- 13). Higher immunostaining scores of fascin-1 were also significantly associated with advanced T stage (T1: 42 +/- 10, T2: 60 +/- 12, T3: 108 +/- 12, and T4: 142 +/- 15). Higher fascin-1 scores were related with more advanced M and N stages of colorectal carcinomas, but not significant correlation.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher expression of fascin-1 correlates significantly with tumor grades and TNM stages in colorectal adenocarcinomas and also with levels of dysplastic change in colorectal adenomas.
Tsai
Wen-Chiuan
WC
Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chao
You-Chen
YC
Sheu
Lai-Fa
LF
Chang
Junn-Liang
JL
Nieh
Shin
S
Jin
Jong-Shiaw
JS
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C502658:FSCN1 protein, human; D008840:Microfilament Proteins