Prognostic significance of AEG-1 expression in colorectal carcinoma

• Published in: International journal of colorectal disease Vol. 25; no. 10; pp. 1201 - 1209
• Main Authors: Song, Hongtao, Li, Cong, Li, Rui, Geng, Jingshu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Berlin/Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag 01.10.2010; Springer-Verlag; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1); Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Cancer; Carcinoma; Cell Adhesion Molecules - analysis; Colorectal cancer; colorectal neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Colorectal Neoplasms - mortality; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; Disease Progression; Gastroenterology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hepatology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Internal Medicine; Ki-67 Antigen - analysis; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Proctology; Prognosis; Progression; Severity of Illness Index; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Surgery; Survival Rate; Tumor necrosis factor; Tumors; Immunohistochemistry; Progression; Prognosis; Colorectal carcinoma; Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1); Rectal disease; Colorectal cancer; Malignant tumor; Astrocyte; Colonic disease; Anatomic pathology; Gastroenterology; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Evolution; Cancer
• ISSN: 0179-1958; 1432-1262
• DOI: 10.1007/s00384-010-1009-3

Background Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), as an HIV-1 or TNF-α-inducible transcript, is associated with various aspects of tumor malignancy. However, relatively little knowledge is available related to the role of AEG-1 in colorectal carcinoma. Methods By immunohistochemical and western blot analysis, we investigated AEG-1 expression in normal mucosa, adenomas, and carcinomas of colorectum. By statistical analysis, we determined its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and overall survival in colorectal carcinoma. Results We found that AEG-1 expression levels were gradually elevated in normal tissues, low-grade adenoma, high-grade adenoma, and colorectal carcinoma, respectively. Though AEG-1 staining mainly emerged in the cytoplasm, we observed that nuclear staining of AEG-1 tends to become more common in lesions from patients with more advanced disease stages. Furthermore, there was a similar trend for Ki67 expression (as a proliferative index) from normal mucous to adenoma and carcinoma. Statistical analysis revealed that AEG-1 expression was markedly correlated with the UICC stage (P < 0.001), T classification (P = 0.002), N classification (P = 0.015), M classification (P = 0.010), Ki67 expression (P = 0.012), and histological differentiation (P = 0.037) in the colorectal cancer patients. Besides, those patients with high AEG-1 levels had shorter survival time (P < 0.001). Conclusions High AEG-1 expression correlates with poor overall survival in the colorectal carcinoma patients. In addition, AEG-1 expression in colorectal carcinoma may be associated with tumor progression, indicating that AEG-1 may be a potential preventive and chemotherapeutic target in the patients.