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Prognostic Value of TWIST1 and EZH2 Expression in Colon Cancer

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Abstract

Background

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common human cancer. Twist, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is an epithelial-mesenchymal transition ((EMT) inducer that has been involved in carcinogenesis and chemoresistance. Also, the enhancer of Zeste homolologue2 (EZH2), a member of the polycomb group of genes, had been associated with poor prognosis in several malignancies.

Objective

To evaluate the expression of Twist1 and EZH2 in colon carcinoma in Egyptian patients and its relation to clinicopathological parameters, prognosis, and survival.

Methods

Twist1 and EZH2 expressions were evaluated immunohistochemically in 50 cases of colorectal tumors (12 colon adenomas and 38 colon carcinomas) and 20 samples from normal colonic mucosa.

Results

The expression of Twist1 and EZH2 was significantly higher in colon adenoma and carcinoma than that in normal colonic mucosa (P < 0.05). Twist1 and EZH2 expressions were associated with decreased tumor differentiation, advanced stage, and lymph node metastasis. Twist1 and EZH2 expressions were significantly related to 3-year disease-free survival (P = 0.005 and 0.002 respectively) and 3-year overall survival (P = 0.045 and 0.039, respectively).

Conclusions

Twist1 and EZH2 may serve as prognostic predictors for colon carcinoma and may have a potential role as therapeutic targets in patients with colon carcinoma in the future.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all our colleagues in the Pathology, Clinical Oncology, General Surgery, and Internal Medicine Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, for their support and encouragement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Samar M. Abdel Raouf & Taiseer R. Ibrahim

  2. Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Lobna A. Abdelaziz

  3. General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Mohamed I. Farid

  4. Internal medicine Department, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Salem Y Mohamed

Authors
  1. Samar M. Abdel Raouf
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  2. Taiseer R. Ibrahim
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  3. Lobna A. Abdelaziz
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  4. Mohamed I. Farid
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  5. Salem Y Mohamed
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Correspondence to Salem Y Mohamed.

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This study was carried out with full ethical approval and patients’ consent.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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All patients gave written permission to participate in the present work.

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Abdel Raouf, S.M., Ibrahim, T.R., Abdelaziz, L.A. et al. Prognostic Value of TWIST1 and EZH2 Expression in Colon Cancer. J Gastrointest Canc 52, 90–98 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-019-00344-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-019-00344-4

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