Prognostic value of phosphorylated STAT3 in advanced rectal cancer: a study from 104 French patients included in the EORTC 22921 trial.
BACKGROUND
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been implicated as an oncogene in several neoplastic diseases. However, the biological effects of STAT3 have not been extensively studied in rectal carcinogenesis.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate STAT3 activation in advanced rectal cancers and its association with clinicopathological variables and prognosis.


METHODS
Nuclear immunohistochemical expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) was studied in 104 advanced rectal cancers (T3-T4). All patients were participating in the EORTC 22921 trial to assess whether preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by postoperative chemotherapy improved overall and progression-free survival.


RESULTS
Nuclear p-STAT3 expression was detected in 37.5% of rectal cancer patients. No correlation was observed between p-STAT3 and any clinicopathological variables tested. However, patients with tumours positive for p-STAT3 had significantly improved overall survival.


CONCLUSIONS
These results highlight an unexpected role for nuclear p-STAT3 expression in advanced rectal cancers and need further investigation to clarify this finding.
Monnien
Franck
F
Department of Pathology, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France. fmonnien@chu-besancon.fr
Zaki
Harouna
H
Borg
Christophe
C
Mougin
Christiane
C
Bosset
Jean-François
JF
Mercier
Mariette
M
Arbez-Gindre
Francine
F
Kantelip
Bernadette
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human