Expressions of STAT3, p-STAT3 and E-cadherin in colorectal cancer and clinical implications / 中华胃肠外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation of expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 with epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT)-associated protein E-cadherin in colorectal cancer, and to examine the association of above expressions with tumor invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry assay ElivisionTM plus was used to detect the expressions of STAT3, p-STAT3 and E-cadherin protein in colorectal cancer tissue samples of 50 cases and their corresponding adjacent non-tumor tissues. Association of these protein expressions with tumor invasion and metastasis was analyzed with χ(2) test. Correlation of STAT3 and p-STAT3 with E-cadherin was analyzed with Spearman method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive expression rates of STAT3, p-STAT3 and E-cadherin protein in colorectal cancer tissues were 72%(36/50), 76%(38/50) and 26%(13/50), which were significantly higher compared to adjacent normal intestinal mucosa tissues [24%(12/50), 26%(13/50) and 68%(34/50), all P<0.05]. STAT3, p-STAT3 and E-cadherin expressions were associated with tumor differentiation, tumor invasion depth, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, TNM staging (all P<0.05). In colorectal cancer tissues, STAT3 protein expression was positively correlated with p-STAT3 expression. STAT3 and p-STAT3 expressions in colorectal cancer tissues were negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression(P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>STAT3 and p-STAT3 may be involved in tumor EMT through inhibition of E-cadherin expression, leading to the development of colorectal cancer.</p>