Amphiregulin and epiregulin expression in colorectal carcinoma and the correlation with clinicopathological characteristics.
BACKGROUND
Amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG) have been found to play pivotal roles in several malignancies. However, the correlation between their expression and clinicopathological factors in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is yet to be further investigated. To clarify the clinical significance of AREG and EREG expression in CRC, we detected serum and tissue levels of AREG and EREG.


METHODS
We detected serum AREG and EREG levels by ELISA, and tissue levels by immunohistochemical test in 73 patients with CRC. The correlation between each independent clinicopathological characteristic and AREG and EREG levels was examined.


RESULTS
There was significant correlation between serum AREG level and vascular invasion. There was no correlation between EREG serum level and any clinicopathological characteristics. Among the 73 primary lesions, 51 were AREG-positive, and 48 were EREG-positive. AREG-positive status was significantly correlated with depth of tumor invasion, distant metastases, and nerve invasion. EREG-positive status was significantly correlated with depth of tumor invasion and distant metastases. Coexpression analysis showed that 46 patients were both AREG-positive and EREG-positive.


CONCLUSIONS
High serum and tissue levels of AREG and high tissue level of EREG are predictors of a poor prognosis in patients with CRC.
Li
Xiao-Dong
XD
Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
Miao
Su-Yu
SY
Wang
Guo-Liang
GL
Yang
Li
L
Shu
Yong-Qian
YQ
Yin
Yong-Mei
YM
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D066258:Amphiregulin; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002681:China; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D066260:Epiregulin; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis
C587848:AREG protein, human; D066258:Amphiregulin; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; C587880:EREG protein, human; D066260:Epiregulin; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor