RT Journal Article
T1 Altered expression of fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) in colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence and in lymph node and liver metastases.
A1 Solano-Iturri, Jon Danel
A1 Beitia, Maider
A1 Errarte, Peio
A1 Calvete-Candenas, Julio
A1 Etxezarraga, María C
A1 Loizate, Alberto
A1 Echevarria, Enrique
A1 Badiola, Iker
A1 Larrinaga, Gorka
K1 cancer associated fibroblast
K1 colorectal carcinoma
K1 fibroblast activation protein
K1 metastasis
AB Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health problem in elderly people because of its high incidence and high mortality rate. Despite early screening programs, more than half of CRC patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has been associated with a higher risk of metastases and poor survival. Here, we have analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of FAP in 41 adenoma-carcinoma sequences. In addition, FAP expression was analyzed individually and in combination with β-catenin (BCAT), CD44 and Cyclin-D1 expression in primary tumors and in their corresponding lymph node and liver metastases (n=294). Finally, soluble FAP (sFAP) levels in plasma from CRC patients (n=127) were also analyzed by ELISA. FAP was expressed only in CRC tissue and its expression level was found to be higher in tumors exhibiting deeper local invasion and poorer cancer cell differentiation. FAP and concomitant nuclear BCAT expression in cancer cells at the infiltrating front of primary tumors and in lymph node metastases was independently associated with 5- and 10-year cancer specific and disease-free survival. Moreover, lower sFAP levels correlated with poorer survival. These findings support the potential importance of FAP as a biomarker of CRC development and progression.
YR 2020
FD 2020-05-19
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/15597
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/15597
LA en
DS RISalud
RD Apr 4, 2025