Nup88 expression in normal mucosa, adenoma, primary adenocarcinoma and lymph node metastasis in the colorectum

It was the aim of this study to investigate Nup88 expression in normal colorectal mucosa, adenoma, adenocarcinoma and lymph node metastasis, as well as the relationship between Nup88 expression and clinicopathological features.

Nup88 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 84 normal mucosa samples, 32 adenomas, 181 primary adenocarcinomas, and 18 lymph node metastases from colorectal tumour patients.

Nup88 expression was observed in normal epithelial and tumour cells. The frequency of strong Nup88 expression was increased from normal mucosa or adenoma to primary tumour and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the expression between normal mucosa and adenoma (p = 0.41). The frequency of strong Nup88 expression was higher in ulcerated tumours (40%) than in polypoid/large fungating tumours (23%; p = 0.048). The frequency of strong Nup88 expression was significantly different among tumours with good (21%), moderate (42%) and poor differentiation (48%; p = 0.01). Nup88 expression was not related to the patients' gender, age, tumour location, size, histological type, invasive depth, lymph node status and Dukes stage (p > 0.05).

Our results suggest that Nup88 may play a role during the development, aggressiveness and differentiation of colorectal tumours.