The Prognostic Significance of Fascin Expression in Colorectal Carcinoma

Abstract

using monoclonal anti-fascin antibody. Staining of >5% of tumor cells was recorded as positive immunoreactivity. Results: Overall, fascin immunoreactivity was detected in 63 of 79 patients (79.7%). Twenty-three patients were classified as 1+ (5-25% immunoreactive tumor cells) and 24 were 2+ (>25% immunoreactive tumor cells). In these patients, 16 had 3+ (>75% immunoreactive tumor cells) fascin immunoreactivity. Fascin immunoreactivity was increased according to the TNM stage (P<0.001), positive lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), budding (P <0.001), vessel invasion (P=0.001), perineural invasion (P=0.039), overall survival (P=0.012), and disease-free survival (P=0.016); however, fascin immunoreactivity was not correlated with recurrence or depth of tumor invasion. Conclusions: This study suggests that an increased expression of fascin was associated with a poor prognosis and the immunohistochemical detection of fascin provides useful information as one of the prognostic values in CRC. (Intest Res 2010;8:117-125)