Significant elevation of survivin and livin expression in human colorectal cancer: inverse correlation between expression and overall survival
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
Ren Chong Xi1, Wang Shou Biao, Zhang Zhi Gang
1QingDao Univercity Medical College, QingDao, China. qdrcx2008@yahoo.com.cn
Background:
Survivin and livin are novel members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, which have rarely been studied in human colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to examine their expression and association with clinicopathological factors and prognosis in CRC, and evaluate the possibility of their use as biomarkers for CRC.
Patients And Methods:
We investigated the expression of survivin and livin in 61 CRC samples using immunohistochemical staining (Envision) and correlated it with the survival of these patients using log-rank test and correlation analysis.
Results:
Among the 61 cases, 60.7 and 54.1% were positive for expression of survivin (p < 0.05) and livin (p < 0.05). No expression of survivin and livin was detected in normal colorectal mucosa. An inverse correlation (r = -0.9916) between the increased survivin and livin levels and overall survival was observed in univariate survival analysis. The expression of both proteins was not correlated with age, gender, degrees of differentiation, and TNM stage (p < 0.05) in malignancies.
Conclusions:
High expression of both survivin and livin may influence the prognosis of CRC. This finding opens new perspectives for CRC prognosis because survivin and livin can both be used as biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
