Expression of protease activated receptor-2 in human colorectal cancer and its association with tumor progression

PURPOSE: Protease activated receptor-2 has been reported to promote the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of protease activated receptor-2 expression to clinicopathologic factors to clarify its role in tumor progression and patient survival in human colorectal cancer. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining with antiprotease activated receptor-2 antibody was carried out and evaluated on samples from 295 patients with colorectal cancer obtained during surgical treatment at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Medical records were reviewed and relationships between immunostaining and clinicopathologic findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Positive staining for protease activated receptor-2 was observed in samples from 100 patients (33.9%). Expression of protease activated receptor-2 was significantly associated with depth of tumor invasion (P = .013), liver metastasis (P = .008), TNM stage (P = .009), and tumor location (P = .011). However, protease activated receptor-2 expression did not significantly correlate with overall survival of patients and was not a significant negative prognostic factor for survival in univariate or multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of protease activated receptor-2 is related to tumor invasion and metastasis in human colorectal cancer. However, further studies are needed to clarify the role of protease activated receptor-2 in the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.