Expression of calreticulin is associated with infiltration of T-cells in stage IIIB colon cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between expression of calreticulin and infiltration of lymphocytes in stage IIIB colon cancer.


METHODS
Sixty-eight pathologically-confirmed specimens were obtained from stage IIIB (T3N1M0) colon cancer patients who underwent radical resection between January 1999 and May 2002 at the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to show infiltration of lymphocytes and expression of calreticulin in colon cancer. Association between calreticulin expression, infiltration of lymphocytes, and 5-year survival rate of patients was assessed.


RESULTS
The expression level of calreticulin was lower in cancer nest than in its adjacent normal epithelium since 61.8% (42/68) of the samples were stained with calreticulin in colon cancer. The expression of calreticulin in colon cancer was associated with the infiltration of CD45RO+ cells rather than with that of CD3+ cells. In addition, the stronger expression of calreticulin and the higher infiltration of CD3+ and CD45RO+ cells in colon cancer were associated with the higher 5-year survival rate of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of calreticulin is associated with infiltration of T-cells, which implies that a low expression level of molecular marker may represent a new mechanism underlying immune escape in colon cancer.
Peng
Rui-Qing
RQ
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Biotherapy Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 651 Dongfeng R E, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China.
Chen
Ying-Bo
YB
Ding
Ya
Y
Zhang
Rong
R
Zhang
Xing
X
Yu
Xing-Juan
XJ
Zhou
Zhi-Wei
ZW
Zeng
Yi-Xin
YX
Zhang
Xiao-Shi
XS
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D037282:Calreticulin / Q000032:analysis*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019139:Tumor Escape
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017252:CD3 Complex; D037282:Calreticulin; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens