Nuclear beta-catenin overexpression in metastatic sentinel lymph node is associated with synchronous liver metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Beta-catenin, a component of the Wingless/Wnt signaling pathway, can activate target genes linking with the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether nuclear beta-catenin overexpression in metastatic sentinel lymph node(s) [SLN(s)] is associated with synchronous liver metastasis.

METHODS:

Clinicopathological data from 355 patients (93 cases with liver metastasis and 262 cases without liver metastasis) were reviewed. Beta-catenin expression in metastatic SLN(s) and liver metastatic lesions was examined by immunohistochemistry. The association of nuclear beta-catenin expression in metastatic SLN(s) and liver metastatic lesions was evaluated, and the relationship between nuclear beta-catenin expression and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. Finally, univariate and logistic multivariate regression analyses were adopted to discriminate the risk factors of liver metastasis.

RESULTS:

Nuclear beta-catenin overexpression in metastatic SLN(s) was observed in 70 patients with liver metastasis and 31 patients without liver metastasis (75.3% vs. 11.8%; P < 0.001). Nuclear beta-catenin expression was noted in all the metastatic lesions. Spearman rank correlation analysis demonstrated that nuclear beta-catenin expression in metastatic SLN(s) had a positive correlation with that in metastatic lesions (r = 0.425, P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that nuclear beta-catenin overexpression in metastatic SLN(s) correlated with liver metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Nuclear beta-catenin overexpression in metastatic SLN(s) is strongly associated with liver metastasis and may contribute to predict liver metastasis.

• Authors: Hongxia Cheng, Hui Liang, Yejun Qin, Ying Liu
• Journal: Diagnostic pathology (Diagn Pathol) Vol. 6 Pg. 109 (Nov 04 2011) ISSN: 1746-1596 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22053859 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• beta Catenin

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (metabolism, secondary)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis, metabolism)
• Cell Nucleus (metabolism)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Liver Neoplasms (metabolism, secondary)
• Lymphatic Metastasis (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors
• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
• beta Catenin (analysis, biosynthesis)