Clinicopathological significance of heterogeneic ezrin expression in poorly differentiated clusters of colorectal cancers

摘要: Multicellular structures, such as tumor buddings and poorly differentiated clusters (PDC), exist at the invasive front of colorectal cancers (CRC). Although it has been reported that CRC with PDC showed frequent lymph node metastases a worse prognosis, molecular markers are responsible for prognosis have not identified. We here noticed first time Ezrin, regulator actin cytoskeleton, is expressed in corner cells PDC. then aimed to verify whether heterogeneous Ezrin expression predicts patients. immunohistochemically analyzed 184 patients completely resected stages I-III CRC. established score (ECS), which quantifies tendency Ezrin-positive accumulate corners On basis ECS values, 2 indices, mean number high ECS, were obtained. Both indices significantly higher lymphatic invasion, grade, presence micropapillary (MP) The ECS-high group shorter recurrence-free survival than ECS-low but without significance. other index, PDC, was associated survival. These results suggest involved progression may be marker aggressive