Aim
To investigate the function of chromobox 2 (CBX2) in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and
Conclusion
CBX2 overexpression in OSCC tissues may serve as a novel biomarker for predicting survival and hematogenous recurrence.
Methods
We used real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry to determine CBX2 expression levels in 13 human OSCC cell lines and clinical specimens of two independent cohorts of patients with OSCC.
Results
PCR array analysis revealed that CBX2 was co-ordinately expressed with WNT5B in OSCC cell lines. RT-qPCR analysis of clinical samples revealed a high tumour-specific CBX2 expression compared with normal oesophageal tissues. High CBX2 expression was significantly associated with shorter disease-specific survival, hematogenous recurrence, and overall recurrence. Analysis of tissue microarrays of one cohort revealed that patients with higher CBX2 levels tended to have a shorter disease-specific survival.