Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Fascin and CK4 as biomarkers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Mikiko Takikita1, Nan Hu, Jian-Zhong Shou
1Tissue Array Research Program, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-4605, USA.
Background:
Several studies have suggested that fascin, cytokeratin 14 and cytokeratin 4 may have significant roles as biomarkers for the progression and survival of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
Materials And Methods:
This study performed immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays, profiling premalignant lesions and invasive tumors.
Results:
Fascin increased across the following states as follows: normal-appearing epithelium (26%) to dysplasia (46%) to ESCC (68%), while CK4 was undetectable in ESCC (0%) compared to normal-appearing epithelium (45%) or dysplasia (41%). CK14 was elevated and invariant in expression. In regression analyses, compared to normal-appearing epithelium, higher fascin expression was associated with a 36% increased risk of dysplasia (odds ratio=1.36) and a 56% increased risk of invasive ESCC (odds ratio=1.56).
Conclusion:
Expression of fascin is up-regulated in the transformation from normal-appearing epithelium, through dysplasia, into invasive carcinoma. Expression of CK4, CK14 and fascin did not correlate with patient survival. Fascin has a potential role as an early detection biomarker and CK4 as a tumor marker in ESCC.
