Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of CD133, E-cadherin and WWOX in colorectal cancer, analyze the correlations and pathological significance of the biomarkers. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients with colorectal cancer treated surgically between January 2007 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had pathologic specimens and integrated clinical data. Pathologic specimens were retrieved for immunohistochemical examination of the expressions of CD133, WWOX and E-cadherin. The clinical data of these patients including gender, age, tumor location, tumor size, tumor differentiation, invasion depth, hepatic metastases, lymphatic metastasis, UICC stage and recurrence of tumor were retrieved to investigate their demographics and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: In 210 specimens of colorectal cancer, the positive expression rate of CD133, E-cadherin and WWOX was 61.9%, 40.5% and 41.9%, respectively. The expression of CD133, E-cadherin and WWOX was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis, hepatic metastases and UICC stage (p<0.05). The expression of CD133 was negatively correlated with WWOX and E-cadherin (p<0.05), and the expression of WWOX was positively correlated with E-cadherin in specimens (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A detection of CD133, E-cadherin and WWOX can facilitate physicians in predicting the progression and prognosis of colorectal cancer.