Fascin Expression in Colorectal Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Hashimoto Yosuke, Skacel Marek, Lavery Ian C, Mukherjee Abir L, Casey Graham, Adams Josephine C
Primary Institution: The Cleveland Clinic
Hypothesis
The study investigates the clinical significance of fascin expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma and its correlation with tumor cell proliferation.
Conclusion
Fascin is upregulated in a subset of colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas, with strong expression correlating with poorer survival in advanced cases.
Supporting Evidence
- Fascin was not expressed by normal colonic epithelium.
- In adenocarcinomas, 26% showed fascin expression in more than 10% of tumor cells.
- Patients with strong fascin expression had a 3-year overall survival of 11% compared to 43% for fascin-negative patients.
Takeaway
Fascin is a protein that helps cancer cells move, and when it's found in high amounts in colorectal cancer, it can mean the cancer is more aggressive and harder to treat.
Methodology
The study analyzed tissue sections from colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas using immunohistochemistry for fascin and Ki67 expression.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the selection of tumor samples and the interpretation of immunohistochemical staining.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable due to the specific patient population and the limited number of cases analyzed.
Participant Demographics
The study included 76 patients with sporadic adenomas and 11 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, with a median age of 64.5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.023
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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