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Stathmin expression in metastatic colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Leiphrakpam Premila D.,
Lazenby Audrey J.,
Smith Lynette M.,
Brattain Michael G.,
Are Chandrakanth
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.26464
Subject(s) - stathmin , medicine , colorectal cancer , immunohistochemistry , cancer research , metastasis , cell growth , oncology , apoptosis , carcinogenesis , cancer , biology , phosphorylation , biochemistry , genetics
Abstract Objectives To evaluate the relationship between stathmin expression and clinical outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC). Background Stathmin is a phosphoprotein involved in the regulation of microtubule dynamics and integration of intracellular signaling pathways. Stathmin has been implicated in the tumorigenesis of several cancers and is a potential therapeutic target. Methods Stathmin expression was evaluated in 25 metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Ki67 IHC and TUNEL assay were also evaluated in mCRC for cell proliferation and apoptosis. Results High expression of stathmin was correlated with CRC metastasis ( p = .0084), and significantly worse overall survival (OS) in CRC patients ( p = .036). There was a significant increase in cell proliferation and a decrease in apoptosis in liver metastasis compared with CRC primary tumors as determined by Ki67 IHC and TUNEL assay ( p < .0001). We also observed a significant positive correlation between stathmin level and cell proliferation in both CRC primary tumor and liver metastasis ( p = .0429 to 0.0451; r = .4236 to .4288). Conclusion Stathmin expression correlated with worse patient prognosis in mCRC patients and positively correlated with increased cell proliferation. Together, our findings indicate stathmin as a novel potential marker for increased risk of CRC‐specific mortality and identify stathmin as an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of mCRC.