Expression of calreticulin is associated with infiltration of T-cells in stage IIIB colon cancer

World J Gastroenterol. 2010 May 21;16(19):2428-34. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i19.2428.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the correlation between expression of calreticulin and infiltration of lymphocytes in stage IIIB colon cancer.

Methods: Sixty-eight pathologically-confirmed specimens were obtained from stage IIIB (T3N1M0) colon cancer patients who underwent radical resection between January 1999 and May 2002 at the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to show infiltration of lymphocytes and expression of calreticulin in colon cancer. Association between calreticulin expression, infiltration of lymphocytes, and 5-year survival rate of patients was assessed.

Results: The expression level of calreticulin was lower in cancer nest than in its adjacent normal epithelium since 61.8% (42/68) of the samples were stained with calreticulin in colon cancer. The expression of calreticulin in colon cancer was associated with the infiltration of CD45RO+ cells rather than with that of CD3+ cells. In addition, the stronger expression of calreticulin and the higher infiltration of CD3+ and CD45RO+ cells in colon cancer were associated with the higher 5-year survival rate of patients.

Conclusion: Expression of calreticulin is associated with infiltration of T-cells, which implies that a low expression level of molecular marker may represent a new mechanism underlying immune escape in colon cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • CD3 Complex / analysis
  • Calreticulin / analysis*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Colonic Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / analysis
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Escape

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CD3 Complex
  • Calreticulin
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens