Clinical-pathological correlation of K-Ras mutation and ERK phosphorylation in colorectal cancer

Cheng Jeng Tai, Chun Chao Chang, Ming Chung Jiang, Chung Min Yeh, Tzu Cheng Su, Pei Ru Wu, Chih Jung Chen, Kun Tu Yeh, Shu Hui Lin, Hung Chang Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Ras-ERK pathway is frequently up-regulated in colorectal cancer.We analyzed the clinical-pathological correlation of K-Ras mutation and phospho-ERK expression in colorectal cancer. K-Ras mutations were detected in only 32.5% (41/126) of the colorectal cancer cases, while all cancers were positive for phospho-ERK staining. Colorectal cancer with wild-type K-Ras and low phospho-ERK expression had a significantly higher survival rate (log-rank P=0.04). There were 9 cases of K-Ras mutation/low phospho-ERK diseases; 88.9%(8/9) of them were stage III/IV diseases. High phospho-ERK expression was associated with a high stage and T status of the cancer, yet combined K-Ras mutation/phospho-ERK expression analysis further increased the efficiency of colorectal cancer prognosis. Our results demonstrate that Ras-ERK pathway correlated closely with colorectal cancer progression. Moreover, although colorectal cancer with K-Ras mutations has a more aggressive phenotype; the mutation rate is not very high. Phospho-ERK may be a useful marker in combination with K-Ras for improving the prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)93-100
Number of pages8
JournalPolish Journal of Pathology
Volume63
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer
  • ERK
  • Mutation
  • Phosphorylation
  • Ras

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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