FXYD-3 expression in relation to local recurrence of rectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
In a previous study, the transmembrane protein FXYD-3 was suggested as a biomarker for a lower survival rate and reduced radiosensitivity in rectal cancer patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy. The purpose of preoperative irradiation in rectal cancer is to reduce local recurrence. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of FXYD-3 as a biomarker for increased risk for local recurrence of rectal cancer.


METHODS
FXYD-3 expression was immunohistochemically examined in surgical specimens from a cohort of patients with rectal cancer who developed local recurrence (n = 48). The cohort was compared to a matched control group without recurrence (n = 81).


RESULTS
Weak FXYD-3 expression was found in 106/129 (82%) of the rectal tumors and strong expression in 23/129 (18%). There was no difference in the expression of FXYD-3 between the patients with local recurrence and the control group. Furthermore there was no difference in FXYD-3 expression and time to diagnosis of local recurrence between patients who received preoperative radiotherapy and those without.


CONCLUSIONS
Previous findings indicated that FXYD-3 expression may be used as a marker of decreased sensitivity to radiotherapy or even overall survival. We were unable to confirm this in a cohort of rectal cancer patients who developed local recurrence.
Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Norrkoping, Sweden.
Per
P
Loftas
Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Norrkoping, Sweden.
Gunnar
G
Arbman
Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden.
Xiao-Feng
XF
Sun
Department of Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
David
D
Edler
Department of Surgery, Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Erik
E
Syk
Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden.
Olof
O
Hallbook
Human FXYD3 protein; Local recurrence; Rectal cancer