Clinicopathological significance of the expression of estrogen receptor-beta and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in colorectal cancer

Am Surg. 2012 Dec;78(12):1376-82.

Abstract

Estrogen-receptor-beta (ERβ), progesterone receptor (PR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) have been implicated in colorectal cancer. However, the clinicopathological significance of any expression of these markers remains unclear. Immunohistochemical assays of ERα, ERβ, PR, and VEGF-A were performed on 72 colorectal cancer cases. Normal mucosa from the same cases was assessed as a control. The correlation of presence of these markers with clinicopathological features and survival was determined. ERα and PR were not expressed in tumors. Forty-one of 53 (77.4%) cases of normal mucosa showed strong ERβ expression compared with weak expression in 32 of 72 (44.4%) of malignant cells. A significant decrease in ERβ expression from normal mucosa to tumor was found in females (P = 0.007) but not in males (P = 0.149). VEGF-A was expressed strongly in malignant cells in 64 of 72 (89%) cases. No association was found between ERβ or VEGF-A expression and tumor grade, angiolymphatic involvement, stage, disease-free survival, or overall survival. Colorectal cancers do not express ERα or PR. ERβ may have a protective role, especially in females. VEGF-A may have a role in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, ERβ and VEGF-A cannot be used as prognostic markers.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Colectomy / methods
  • Colectomy / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / analysis
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sex Factors
  • Survival Analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Estrogen Receptor beta
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A