Expression of insulin-like growth factor- II mRNA-binding protein 3 in colon cancer and its implication

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression and role of insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) in colon cancer. Methods IMP3 expression was detected by immunohisto-chemistry on tissue microarray, which containing 203 samples of primary colon cancer and adjacent normal mucosa, and 66 paired lymph node metastases ( LNM). Results IMP3 was up-regulated in colon cancer as compared with paired normal colonic mucosa and significantly correlated with clinical stage, T classification , LNM, distant metastasis and Ki-67 index. Immunoreactivity of IMP3 was significantly higher in LNM than in primary colon cancer and normal mucosa. The patients positive for IMP3 had lower 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) than those negative for IMP3.IMP3 was an independent prognostic factor for DFS [ hazard ratio (HR) 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-3.47 ;P <0.05] and OS (HR 3.37; 95% CI 1.24.7 ;P <0.05). Conclusion IMP3 might play an important role in colon cancer progression and be served as a biomarker to predict metastasis or recurrence after colonectomy. Key words: IMP3; Colon cancer; Immunohistochemistry