ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions and clinical implications of kruppel-like factor 6(KLF-6) and APC in human colorectal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of KLF-6 and APC in tumor and normal tissues from 32 patients with colorectal carcinoma were investigated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression rates of KLF-6 and APC mRNA were 37.5% and 34.3% in tumor tissue, 96.9% and 93.8% respectively in normal tissues (both P< 0.05). The expression rates of KLF-6 and APC protein were 28.1% and 25.0% in colorectal carcinomas, 81.3% and 84.43% respectively in normal tissues (both P< 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the expressions of KLF-6 and APC in colorectal carcinomas (P < 0.05). The expressions of KLF-6 and APC were significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, depth of infiltration, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage (P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Down-regulations of KLF-6 and APC might play an important role in the carcinogenesis, development, metastasis of human colorectal carcinoma.</p>