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Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Cdc7 overexpression is an independent prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer

Authors: Nathaniel Melling, Johanna Muth, Ronald Simon, Carsten Bokemeyer, Luigi Terracciano, Guido Sauter, Jakob Robert Izbicki, Andreas Holger Marx

Published in: Diagnostic Pathology | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Background

Cdc7 is a widely expressed protein kinase implicated in cell division, cell cycle checkpoint mechanisms and cancer progression. Recently, it has been suggested as a target for anti-cancer therapy.

Methods

To determine the relationship of Cdc7 protein expression with tumor phenotype, molecular features and prognosis, 1800 colorectal carcinomas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray.

Results

Cdc7 expression was considered negative in 33.6 %, weak in 57.2 % and strong in 9.2 % of 1711 interpretable CRCs. Loss of Cdc7 expression was significantly associated with high tumor stage (p < 0.0001) and high tumor grade (p = 0.0077), but was unrelated to the nodal status (p = 0.5957). Moreover, a link between Cdc7 expression and the tubular histological tumor type was seen (p < 0.0001). p53 and Cdc7 expression were significantly linked to each other (p = 0.0013). In a multivariate survival analysis, strong Cdc7 expression of CRC was an independent marker of improved patient survival (p = 0.0031).

Conclusion

Our data show that Cdc7 is highly expressed in CRC and a potential therapeutic target in a subset of cancers with high p53 expression. Moreover, our findings strongly argue for a clinical utility of Cdc7 immunostaining as an independent prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer enabling to select patients for adjuvant treatment.

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Title: Cdc7 overexpression is an independent prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer
Authors: Nathaniel Melling
Johanna Muth
Ronald Simon
Carsten Bokemeyer
Luigi Terracciano
Guido Sauter
Jakob Robert Izbicki
Andreas Holger Marx
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Diagnostic Pathology / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1746-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-015-0360-7

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Cdc7 overexpression is an independent prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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