Prognostic significance of AEG-1 expression in colorectal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), as an HIV-1 or TNF-alpha-inducible transcript, is associated with various aspects of tumor malignancy. However, relatively little knowledge is available related to the role of AEG-1 in colorectal carcinoma.


METHODS
By immunohistochemical and western blot analysis, we investigated AEG-1 expression in normal mucosa, adenomas, and carcinomas of colorectum. By statistical analysis, we determined its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and overall survival in colorectal carcinoma.


RESULTS
We found that AEG-1 expression levels were gradually elevated in normal tissues, low-grade adenoma, high-grade adenoma, and colorectal carcinoma, respectively. Though AEG-1 staining mainly emerged in the cytoplasm, we observed that nuclear staining of AEG-1 tends to become more common in lesions from patients with more advanced disease stages. Furthermore, there was a similar trend for Ki67 expression (as a proliferative index) from normal mucous to adenoma and carcinoma. Statistical analysis revealed that AEG-1 expression was markedly correlated with the UICC stage (P < 0.001), T classification (P = 0.002), N classification (P = 0.015), M classification (P = 0.010), Ki67 expression (P = 0.012), and histological differentiation (P = 0.037) in the colorectal cancer patients. Besides, those patients with high AEG-1 levels had shorter survival time (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
High AEG-1 expression correlates with poor overall survival in the colorectal carcinoma patients. In addition, AEG-1 expression in colorectal carcinoma may be associated with tumor progression, indicating that AEG-1 may be a potential preventive and chemotherapeutic target in the patients.
Song
Hongtao
H
Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Li
Cong
C
Li
Rui
R
Geng
Jingshu
J
D015153:Blotting, Western; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011379:Prognosis; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C483039:MTDH protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins