Abstract:

To investigate the role of cell adhesion molecules CD44v6 and CEA in the occurrence, development, and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and methods: The expression of CD44v6 and CEA in 76 CRC tissues and 43 normal colon tissues was detected using an immunohistological technique. The relationship between the 2 molecules’ expression and their pathologic characteristics, especially for metastasis, was investigated. Furthermore, the relevance between the expression of CD44v6 and of CEA was also assessed. Results: Expression of CD44v6 and CEA protein in CRC tissues was higher than in paracarcinoma tissue and normal colorectal mucosa (both P < 0.001). Positive expression of CD44v6 in CRC was associated with lymph node metastasis, Dukes’ stage, and histological differentiation. Higher expression intensity of CEA in CRC was related to lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, and invasion depth. Combining analysis of CD44v6 and CEA can improve the sensitivity and specificity in evaluating the metastatic potential of CRC (P < 0.05). There was no relevance between the expression of CD44v6 and CEA in CRC (P > 0.05). Conclusion: CD44v6 is associated with the occurrence and lymph node metastasis of CRC. The expression of CEA is related to distant metastasis of CRC positively. Combined analysis of CD44v6 and CEA can be used to evaluate metastasis of CRC.

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