ONCOmmunity

CX43 Expression in Colonic Adenomas and Surrounding Mucosa Is a Marker of Malignant Potential.

By: Alen Bišćanin, Neven Ljubičić, Marko Boban, Drinko Baličević, Ivana Pavić, Mirela Maver Bišćanin, Ivan Budimir, Zdravko Dorosulic, Marko Duvnjak

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre Sestre Milosrdnice, University of Zagreb School of Medicine and University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia alen.biscanin@gmail.com.
2016-07-03; doi: 10.21873/anticanres.11122

Abstract

Background/aim

Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem. The adenoma-carcinoma sequence offers potential for screening and surveillance. We tested the clinical behavior and diagnostic utility of connexin 43 (CX43) in connection with pathohistological risk.

Patients

Immunohistochemical expression of CX43 in colonic adenomas and surrounding mucosa from 87 patients was determined.

Results

CX43 expression was higher in mucosa surrounding adenomas with high-grade dysplasia (p=0.047), larger adenomas (p=0.015) and villous adenomas (p=0.02). No difference of CX43 expression in adenomas according to grade of dysplasia was found (p=0.87). CX43 expression in adenomas was dependent on the patient's hemoglobin level (p=0.002), family history of colorectal cancer (p=0.009) and statin therapy (p=0.049).

Conclusion

CX43 expression in mucosa surrounding adenoma could be an additional factor indicative of malignant potential. CX43 expression in colonic adenoma seems to be closely related to family history of colorectal cancer, statin therapy and hemoglobin level.