Low expression of claudin-1 and presence of poorly-differentiated tumor clusters correlate with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Claudins are integral membrane proteins that constitute tight junctions. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of claudin-1 in terms of the cell-cell adhesion, considering the poorly-differentiated tumor component.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A total of 344 cases of stage II and III colorectal cancer were enrolled. We evaluated the expression of claudin-1 by immunohistochemistry and the extent of the poorly differentiated component.

RESULTS:

Low expression of claudin-1 was associated with lymphatic involvement, histological differentiation, extent of poorly-differentiated component, reduced disease-free and overall survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that lymph node metastasis, venous involvement and low claudin-1 expression were independent predictors of recurrence, and that lymph node metastasis, venous involvement and low claudin-1 expression were associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSION:

Our study not only showed the significance of low expression of claudin-1 as a predictor of poor prognosis of colorectal cancer but also supported the concept of grading of the poorly-differentiated component.

• Authors: Masatsune Shibutani, Eiji Noda, Kiyoshi Maeda, Hisashi Nagahara, Hiroshi Ohtani, Kosei Hirakawa
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 33 Issue 8 Pg. 3301-6 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 23898096 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• CLDN1 protein, human
• Claudin-1

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cell Aggregation
• Cell Differentiation
• Claudin-1 (metabolism)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology, surgery)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Grading
• Prognosis