Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the expressions of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in hepatic metastasis of colonic carcinoma and their relationships with clinical parameters. Methods   The expression of CXCR3 was detected by immunohistochemical staining in surgical specimens of colonic carcinoma with (group A, 40 cases) or without (group B, 30 cases) hepatic metastasis. The expression of VM was detected by Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining in colonic carcinoma. Relationships between the above two indicators and clinical parameters were analyzed. Results   Positive expression rates of CXCR3 and VM in the colonic carcinoma of group A were 77.5% and 72.5% respectively, while the positive rate of CXCR3 was 75.0% in the hepatic metastases of this group. Positive expression rates of CXCR3 and VM in the colonic carcinoma of group B were 43.3% and 20.0% respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups. Expression of CXCR3 in colonic carcinoma was positively related to histologic differentiation, lymph node metastasis and hepatic metastasis. Meanwhile, the expression of CXCR3 was also positively correlated with that of VM (P<0.05). Conclusion   CXCR3 and VM are highly expressed in colonic carcinoma tissue of group A. Expressions of CXCR3 and VM are correlated with histologic differentiation and the metastasis of colonic carcinoma.

Key words: CXC chemokine receptor 3； Vasculogenic mimicry； Colonic carcinoma； Hepatic metastasis；Immunohistochemistry； PAS staining