ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to explore the expression of survivin gene in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its possibility as a molecular target for CRC chemoradiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of survivin in 68 CRC specimens. The correlations between survivin expression and clinicopathological factors and prognosis were evaluated. RNA interference was employed to downregulate survivin expression. The effects of survivin downregulation on chemoradiotherapy of CRC cells were evaluated. RESULTS: The staining of survivin protein was strongly positive in the cytoplasm of CRC cells. Its expression was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, Duke's stage, lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the elevated survivin expression was an independent factor for predicting the prognosis of CRC patients. Survivin downregulation could also enhance chemosensitivity or radiosensitivity of colorectal cells. CONCLUSIONS: Survivin might be an independent prognostic factor and a potential target for the chemoradiotherapy of CRC patients.
