Annexin II overexpression correlates with stromal tenascin-C overexpression - A prognostic marker in colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND. Overexpression of annexin II, a calcium-dependent phospholipid- binding protein, has been reported in various carcinomas. One of its ligand s is tenascin-C, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein with predominantly an tiadhesive qualities that also has been reported to be a prognostic marker for several carcinomas. In the current study, the authors investigated the correlation between the overexpression of annexin II and tenascin-C in colo rectal carcinoma. METHODS. Western blot analysis of annexin II expression was examined in fou r human colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Using immunohistochemical methods, the authors also examined expression of annexin II and tenascin-C in 105 p rimary colorectal carcinoma cases. RESULTS. Although annexin II was expressed in human colon carcinoma cell li nes, there was no apparent correlation between its expression level and the metastatic potential of these cell lines. The authors observed overexpress ion of annexin II and tenascin-C proteins in 29.5% and 49.5%, respectively, of colorectal carcinoma cases. Overexpression of annexin II was found to b e correlated significantly with histologic type, tumor size, depth of invas ion, and pTNM stage, whereas tenascin-C overexpression was noted to be corr elated significantly with histologic type, depth of invasion, lymphatic inv asion, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, and pTNM stage. Expression o f annexin II was shown to be correlated significantly with that of tenascin -C. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that annexin II and tenascin-C coove rexpression was an independent factor of poor prognosis in patients with co lorectal. carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS. The data from the current study suggest that both annexin II a nd tenascin-C are overexpressed in advanced colorectal carcinoma and that t hey may be related to the progression and metastatic spread of colorectal c arcinoma. (C) 2001 American Cancer Society.