title: CD9 Expression in Colorectal Carcinomas and Its Prognostic Significance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CD9, a member of the tetraspanin superfamily, is a tumor suppressor in many malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD9 in colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) and determine clinicopathological and prognostic significance of its expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CD9 expression status of 305 CRCs was evaluated using a semi-quantitative scoring system in tumor cells (T-CD9) and immune cells (I-CD9) by classifying the results as high and low expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High T-CD9 (T-CD9 [+]) expression was detected in 175 samples (57.6%) and high I-CD9 (I-CD9 [+]) expression was detected in 265 samples (86.9%). Using Kaplan- Meier survival analysis, the T-CD9 (+) group showed a tendency for better disease-free survival (DFS) (p = .057). In left-sided tumors, DFS was significantly longer in the T-CD9 (+) group (p = .021) but no statistical significance was observed with right-sided tumors (p = .453). I-CD9 (+) CRCs significantly correlated with well/moderately differentiation (p = .014). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the I-CD9 (+) group had a tendency towards worse DFS compared to the I-CD9 (-) group (p = .156). In combined survival analysis of T-CD9 and I-CD9, we found that the longest DFS was among patients in the T-CD9 (+)/I-CD9 (-) group, whereas the T-CD9 (-)/I-CD9 (+) group showed the shortest DFS (p = .054).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High expression of T-CD9 was associated with a favorable DFS, especially in left-sided CRCs. Combined evaluation of T-CD9 and I-CD9 is required to determine the comprehensive prognostic effect of CD9 in CRCs.
authors: Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Kyung-Ju
authors: KJ
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Hee Jung
authors: HJ
authors: Kwon
authors: Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Min Chong
authors: MC
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Young Kyung
authors: YK
authors: Bae
keywords: CD9 antigens; Colorectal neoplasms; Prognosis; Tetraspanin