Neural cell adhesion molecule-180 expression as a prognostic criterion in colorectal carcinoma: Feasible or not?

Abstract

AIM:To evaluate the frequency of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-180 expression in fresh tumor tissue samples and to discuss the prognostic value of NCAM-180 in routine clinical practice. METHODS:Twenty-six patients (16 men, 10 women) with colorectal cancer were included in the study. Fresh tumor tissue samples and macroscopically healthy proximal margins of each specimen were subjected to flow-cytometric analysis for NCAM-180 expression. RESULTS:Flow-cytometric analysis determined NCAM-180 expression in whole tissue samples of macroscopically healthy colorectal tissues. However, NCAM-180 expression was positive in only one case (3.84%) with well-differentiated Stage Ⅱ disease who experienced no active disease at 30 mon follow-up. CONCLUSION:As a consequence of the limited number of cases in our series, it might not be possible to make a generalisation, nevertheless the routine use of NCAM-180 expression as a prognostic marker for colorectal carcinoma seems to be unfeasible and not cost-effective in clinical practice due to its very low incidence.

Expression Level of Genes Coding for Cell Adhesion Molecules of Cadherin Group in Colorectal Cancer Patients

“…Another gene, whose expression patterns are similar to CDH3, is gene CDH2 coding for N-cadherin (neural cadherin). However, the results of our own research have shown that there was only 1 case of statistically significant difference in expression – expression was lower in C1 than in C2 – and it was additionally in contravention with the reports of other authors evaluating the expression of NCAM in the context of CRC [ 41 ], but this may confirm the findings of research on expression of this protein in the context of neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and lung cancer, where it facilitates detachment of cells from the tumor to create metastases [ 42 ]. Since there are many controversies surrounding gene CDH2, its role as a target in biologic targeted therapy requires further research.…”