RCN3 Expression Indicates Prognosis in Colorectal Cancers

Abstract

Background: Reticulocalbin 3 (RCN3) has been associated with several malignancies. However, its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of RCN3 in CRC prognosis. Methods: The clinical significance of RCN3 expression in CRC was evaluated in a large cohort of 483 patients. Normal tissues, carcinoma, para-carcinoma, adenoma, and metastatic tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. We investigated the association between RCN3 expression and CRC occurrence in tumors and other tissues. Prognostic factors were also evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox regression model. Results: RCN3 was significantly overexpressed in CRC and metastatic tissues. Patients with high RCN3 expression had shorter disease-free survival than those with low RCN3 expression. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed a risk ratio HR], 0.607; confidence interval [CI], 0.362–1.016; p < 0.05 after adjusting for other prognostic factors. HighRCN3 expression was also associated with a worse chemotherapeutic response in the colon (p < 0.01) or rectal (p < 0.05) cancer patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: RCN3 expression level is an independent risk factor and serves as a prognostic biomarker for CRC. High RCN3 expression predicts poor prognosis and chemotherapeutic response.