Serpin B5 is a candidate tumour suppressor, but its oncogenic activity has also been reported. Its function may be affected by
protein interactions. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between
serpin B5 and
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression in
colorectal cancer (CRC). We also analysed the clinicopathological significance of
serpin B5 expression in patients with CRC. Downregulation of
serpin B5 was identified in a CEA-suppressed LoVo cell line using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-associated
laser desorption ionisation-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The specific interaction and co-localisation of
serpin B5 with CEA were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy. Western blot analysis and ELISAs revealed significant positive correlations between levels of
serpin B5 and CEA in human
colon cancer cell lines and in the blood of patients with CRC. Tissue expression of
serpin B5 in 377 patients with CRC was significantly associated with serum CEA, histological grade, stage,
lymph node metastasis, lymphatic and perineural invasion, and infiltrative border. Strong expression of
serpin B5 was also associated with a reduced DFS (p = 0.001) and OS (p = 0.017). Together, these findings describe a relationship between
serpin B5 and CEA expression in CRC. Strong expression of
serpin B5 was associated with a worse prognosis in patients with CRC and its expression may correlate with CEA levels in CRC.