Expression of p73 in colorectal carcinoma: clinicopathological relevance

p73 gene expression and its correlation with clinicopathological variables were examined in 92 patients (53 male, 39 female; age range 38 - 89 years) with colorectal carcinoma. Gene expression was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of resected formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded carcinoma specimens. When p73 staining of each specimen was divided into two modes (small expression, 0-50% and large expression, > 50%), small expression of p73 was obtained in most cases. Tumour, grade, stage, site and size did not correlate with the mode of expression, but tumour recurrence differed according to mode. Expression of p73 was also related to prognosis: large expression indicated a shorter survival period. Our findings suggest that p73 expression plays a role in inducing tumour recurrence, and that analysis of the expression is useful in evaluating the clinical course of colorectal carcinoma post-surgery.