Korean J Intern Med.  2005 Dec;20(4):317-324. 10.3904/kjim.2005.20.4.317.

Relationships Between the Expressions of CDX1 and CDX2 mRNA and Clinicopathologic Features in Colorectal Cancers

• Kim GH
• Lee DH
• Kim HW
• Cheong JY
• Seo SB
• Heo J
• Kang DH
• Song GA
• Cho M
• Yang US
• Park DY
• Yoo MA

• KMID: 1115256
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2005.20.4.317

Abstract

BACKGROUND
CDX1 and CDX2 are members of the caudal-type homeobox gene family and control the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal mucosal cells. Their expressions are commonly reduced in colorectal cancer, but reports about the relationships between their expressions and clinicopathologic features are rare. The aim of this study was to examine the expressions of CDX1 and CDX2 mRNAs in colorectal cancers and to assess the relationships between their expressions and clinicopathologic features. METHODS: CDX1 and CDX2 mRNA expressions were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 48 colorectal cancers and in adjacent non-tumorous normal mucosal tissue. RESULTS: CDX1 and CDX2 mRNA expressions were significantly reduced in colorectal cancer tissues versus normal mucosal tissues (p=0.001, p=0.042, respectively). As compared with paired normal mucosal tissues, colorectal tissues showed reduced CDX1 mRNA expression in 64.6% (31/48) and reduced CDX2 mRNA expression in 66.7% (32/48) of cases. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the expressions of CDX1 mRNA and CDX2 mRNA in colorectal cancer (r=0.543, p< 0.001). However, the expressions of CDX1 and CDX2 mRNAs were not related to age, sex, cancer location, differentiation, lymphatic or vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, stage or serum carcinoembryonic antigen level. CONCLUSIONS: CDX1 and CDX2 mRNA expressions were found to be significantly reduced in colorectal cancers, but these expressional changes were not found to be related to clinicopathologic features.

Keyword

Colorectal cancers; Homeobox genes; CDX1; CDX2; Expression

MeSH Terms

RNA, Messenger/*metabolism
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Middle Aged
Male
Humans
Homeodomain Proteins/*metabolism
Female
Colorectal Neoplasms/*metabolism