title: BRCA1 and ERCC1 mRNA levels are associated with lymph node metastasis in Chinese patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although both excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) can be effective biomarkers for chemosensitivity in primary malignant tumors, their applicability to metastases is poorly understood. Here, ERCC1 and BRCA1, which are linked to lymph node metastasis (LNM) in colorectal cancer (CRC), were evaluated in primary CRC samples from Chinese patients with LNM (LNM CRC) or without LNM (non-LNM CRC). mRNA levels of ERCC1 and BRCA1 in CRC samples, and their relationships to primary CRC and LNM, were also examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences in BRCA1 and ERCC1 gene expression between primary CRC with or without LNM were assessed in CRC samples from 120 Chinese patients, using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Relationships between ERCC1 and BRCA1 expression and clinicopathological parameters and prognoses were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ERCC1 and BRCA1 were significantly down-regulated in LNM CRC compared with non-LNM CRC. Down-expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 was significantly associated with LNM (P < 0.001), advanced TNM stage (P < 0.001), and decreased 5-year overall survival rate (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed ERCC1 and BRCA1 expression as independent predictors of recurrence and survival in CRC patients (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ERCC1 and BRCA1 mRNA expression levels correlate inversely to CRC metastasis. ERCC1 and BRCA1 might serve as biomarkers for LNM and as prognostic indicators for CRC; their down-expressions are predictors of poor outcome in CRC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Cancer Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Dong An Road 270, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yuanming
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lineng
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baorong
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Junjie
authors.forename: Cai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanjun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002681:China; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004720:Endonucleases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D019313:BRCA1 Protein; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C071447:ERCC1 protein, human; D004720:Endonucleases