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FAK, CD44v6, c-Met and EGFR in colorectal cancer parameters: tumour progression, metastasis, patient survival and receptor crosstalk

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Research for reliable and patient-specific markers in colorectal cancer (CRC) is based on solid evidence that staging alone is not informative enough. Employing four cellular receptors, we embarked to identify aggressive tumour behaviour and impact of surrogate marker expression on patient prognosis.

Methods

One-hundred eighty-three CRC patients were enrolled in our investigation that focused on an array of biological markers, namely epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-Met, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and CD44v6. Tissue samples, clinicopathological data and patient’s follow-up information were collected, and immunohistochemical assays evaluated the levels of the aforementioned molecules. All available data were correlated with tumour grade, stage, patient age, gender and survival.

Results

Expression of all receptors correlated closely with tumour stage (P < 0.01) exhibiting a connection with cancer’s invasiveness and progress. Survival also proved to depend significantly on molecular expression (log-rank test for Kaplan–Meier; EGFR P = 0.030, c-Met P = 0.050, FAK P < 0.001, CD44v6 P < 0.001). Stage, FAK and CD44v6 emerged as independent predictors of survival in a stepwise regression analysis (FAK P = 0.001 Exp(B) = 2.517, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.704–5.831 and CD44v6 P = 0.005, Exp(B) = 2.299, 95 % CI = 1.287–4.110). T-stage, nodal metastasis, all metastatic types (N/M) and size correlated with at least one of the receptors or their co-expression. Notably, increased staining for each receptor was followed by statistically significant expression elevation of at least one of the other markers.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the selected cellular receptors are suitable for use as biomarkers of survival and tumour progression in CRC. Furthermore, we provide additional evidence for receptor interaction, properly clarifying their importance, which could potentially lead to more effective anti-CRC regimens.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Medicine, “G. Gennimatas” General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Alexandros Garouniatis

  2. Department of Pathology, “Tzaneio” General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Adamantia Zizi-Sermpetzoglou

  3. First Department of Surgery, “Tzaneio” General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Spyros Rizos

  4. Second Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece

    Alkiviadis Kostakis & Nikolaos Nikiteas

  5. Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece

    Athanasios G. Papavassiliou

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  1. Alexandros Garouniatis
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  2. Adamantia Zizi-Sermpetzoglou
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Correspondence to Athanasios G. Papavassiliou.

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Garouniatis, A., Zizi-Sermpetzoglou, A., Rizos, S. et al. FAK, CD44v6, c-Met and EGFR in colorectal cancer parameters: tumour progression, metastasis, patient survival and receptor crosstalk. Int J Colorectal Dis 28, 9–18 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-012-1520-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-012-1520-9

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