Expression of the thrombospondin 1 receptor CD36 is correlated with decreased stromal vascularisation in colon cancer

Vascularisation is determined by the balance between various angiogenic and angio-inhibitory factors in cancer stroma. CD36 is a cell adhesion recepto r shown to interact with the ligand thrombospondin 1 (TSP1). It has not bee n determined whether the interaction of TSP1 and its receptor CD36 is corre lated with vascularisation or clinical outcome of malignant tumours in vivo . We studied the correlations between expression of TSP1, CD36 and vascular isation and prognosis in 65 colon cancers. Various levels of TSP1 gene expr ession were observed in 27 of 65 colon cancers. CD36 expression was detecte d in 33 of 65 cancers, and was significantly correlated with decreased stro mal vascularisation (P<0.001). The colon cancers expressing CD36 showed bet ter prognosis (P<0.01). TSP1 expression levels did not affect CD36 expressi on. These results suggested that CD36 expression which decreased stromal va scularisation is correlated with better prognosis of colon cancer.