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Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
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PDGFRalpha/beta expression correlates with the metastatic behavior of human colorectal cancer: a possible rationale

Thomas C Wehler1, Kirsten Frerichs, Claudine Graf

  • 1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55101 Mainz, Germany.

Oncology Reports
|February 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDGFRalpha/beta) are frequently expressed in colorectal cancer. Their co-expression correlates with lymph node metastasis and advanced disease stages, supporting targeted therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Emerging multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors offer new therapeutic avenues for malignancies.
  • Understanding receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) co-expression is crucial for optimizing cancer treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the co-expression patterns of platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDGFRalpha/beta) in human colorectal cancer.
  • To correlate PDGFRalpha/beta expression with clinicopathological features and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of PDGFRalpha/beta expression using RT-PCR in 99 colorectal carcinomas and 5 cell lines.
  • Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for confirmation of expression and RTK localization.
  • Statistical analysis to determine correlations with metastasis and disease stage.

Main Results:

  • PDGFRalpha was expressed in 83% and PDGFRbeta in 60% of colorectal cancer specimens.
  • PDGFRalpha showed cytoplasmic staining in tumor cells and stromal pericytes; PDGFRbeta was restricted to stromal pericytes.
  • PDGFRalpha/beta co-expression (57%) and mono-expression (29%) were observed. Co-expression significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and advanced UICC stages in older patients.

Conclusions:

  • PDGFRalpha/beta expression is common in colorectal cancer and significantly associated with lymphatic dissemination and advanced disease.
  • Findings support the potential application of PDGFRalpha/beta RTK-inhibitors in combination therapy for colorectal cancer.

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