BACKGROUND: Recently, two meta-analysis reports have suggested that CD133 expression in the primary tumor is significantly associated with shorter survival in colorectal cancer (CRC), and that CD133 may play an important role in CRC progression. However, the expression of CD133 in lymph node metastases as well as in primary tumors in CRC remains to be elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed CD133 expression in both primary tumors and lymph node metastases in stage III CRC by immunohistochemistry, and its correlation with clinicopathological factors and outcomes. RESULTS: Through immunohistochemistry we demonstrated that 69.6% of CRC primary tumors and 62.3% of lymph node metastases were CD133-positive. High CD133 expression in lymph node metastases was significantly associated with the number of lymph node metastases. Moreover, patients with CD133-negative staining of either primary tumor or lymph node metastases had a higher overall survival rate than those with CD133-positive staining, although this finding was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: CD133-positive cancers may be more aggressive than CD133-negative ones during the process of lymph node metastasis. Further investigation of the role of CD133-positive cells in lymph node metastases in CRC is required. Copyright
BACKGROUND: Recently, two meta-analysis reports have suggested that CD133 expression in the primary tumor is significantly associated with shorter survival in colorectal cancer (CRC), and that CD133 may play an important role in CRC progression. However, the expression of CD133 in lymph node metastases as well as in primary tumors in CRC remains to be elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed CD133 expression in both primary tumors and lymph node metastases in stage III CRC by immunohistochemistry, and its correlation with clinicopathological factors and outcomes. RESULTS: Through immunohistochemistry we demonstrated that 69.6% of CRC primary tumors and 62.3% of lymph node metastases were CD133-positive. High CD133 expression in lymph node metastases was significantly associated with the number of lymph node metastases. Moreover, patients with CD133-negative staining of either primary tumor or lymph node metastases had a higher overall survival rate than those with CD133-positive staining, although this finding was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION:CD133-positive cancers may be more aggressive than CD133-negative ones during the process of lymph node metastasis. Further investigation of the role of CD133-positive cells in lymph node metastases in CRC is required. Copyright