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01-09-2009 | Thoracic Oncology

Reduced Axin Protein Expression Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Esophagus

Authors: Anna Fen-Yau Li, MD, PhD, Po-Kuei Hsu, MD, Ching Tzao, MD, Yi-Ching Wang, PhD, I-Chun Hung, BS, Min-Hsiung Huang, MD, Han-Shui Hsu, MD, PhD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 9/2009

Abstract

Aims

Our study investigates the significance of the expression of Wnt pathway proteins including β-catenin, Axin, β-transducin-repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC).

Methods

Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 128 resected ESCC tumors to detect the expression of β-catenin, Axin, β-TrCP, and APC. Correlation between immunoexpression, clinicopathological parameters, and patient survival was analyzed.

Results

Increased β-catenin expression was noted in 22 (18.2%) of 121 tumor specimens. Reduced expression of Axin, β-TrCP, and APC was observed in 57 (46.0%) of 124, 29 (24.4%) of 119, and 54 (48.2%) of 119 specimens, respectively. No correlation was found among these protein expressions. Axin protein expression was inversely correlated with tumor invasion depth (P = 0.033). Reduced Axin protein expression, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis were significant negative predictors for overall survival and disease-free survival on univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, reduced Axin expression remained a significant prognostic factor for patients with ESCC (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Reduced Axin expression was observed in 46% of ESCC tumor specimens and was associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC. Further study is mandatory to elucidate the underlying mechanism responsible for loss of Axin expression and the role of Axin in ESCC tumorigenesis.

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Title: Reduced Axin Protein Expression Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Esophagus
Authors: Anna Fen-Yau Li, MD, PhD
Po-Kuei Hsu, MD
Ching Tzao, MD
Yi-Ching Wang, PhD
I-Chun Hung, BS
Min-Hsiung Huang, MD
Han-Shui Hsu, MD, PhD
Publication date: 01-09-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 9/2009
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-009-0593-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Reduced Axin Protein Expression Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Esophagus

Abstract

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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