Abstract:

To investigate expression of stem cell marker LGR5 protein in colorectal cancer (CRC) and to evaluate the relationship between LGR5 and clinicopathological characteristics of CRC．MethodsLGR5 expression was immunohistochemically determined on paraffinembedded, formalinfixed biopsy tissues in a total of 139 cases (10 normal colorectal mucosa (NCM), 59 colorectal adenoma (CRA) and 70 CRC). Immunoreactivity of CRA and CRC to the molecule was semiquantified by two pathologists in a doubleblinded fashion. Results1． LGR5 immunoreactivity was detected in NCM, CRA, and CRC with a significant higher expression in CRC than in the other two groups (P<0.05)． 2． LGR5 expression was significantly correlated with Dukes stage and lymph node metastasis． There was no correlation between expression of LGR5 and histological type， as well as differentiation and clinical characteristics in CRC．3．There was no correlation between expression of LGR5 and clinical pathological characteristics in colorectal adenoma．ConclusionExpression of LGR5 in CRC indicated that stem cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of CRC and LGR5 may play an important role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer．

Key words: Colorectal neoplasms； Adenoma； Stem cell； LGR5