Decreased ERβ expression and high cyclin D1 expression may predict early CRC recurrence in high-risk Duke's B and...

Despite many known risk factors for the colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence, significant differences in disease-free survival (DFS) impose the need to look for new explanations. This study aimed to determine the degree of expression of ERα, ERβ, PR, Cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 and their association with early CRC relapse.

This retrospective study included 101 radically operated CRC patients in high-risk Duke's B and Duke's C stage. Tissue samples were retrieved from paraffin blocks and clinical and diagnostic data from medical records obtained during further clinical treatment and follow up. Patients were divided into DFS≤24 months group and DFS≥48 months group. Immunostaining of ERα, ERβ, PR, Cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 was performed and analyzed.

ERα was not expressed in all patients. ERβ moderate expression was present in 25% of all patients, more often in the DFS≥48 group (p=0.001). PR and Bcl-2 showed only moderate expression in 1/5 and 1/3 of the patients, respectively, without significant difference between groups (p=0.145;p=0.566). Cyclin D1 was expressed in the whole sample of patients with strong expression statistically more often in DFS≤24 group (p=0.011) and had 5.2 higher odds of having DFS˂24 months. Moderate expression of ERβ was joined with 79.2% smaller odds for shorter DFS. Advanced T stage had 11.3 times higher odds of having DFS˂24 months.

Early recurrence of CRC in high-risk Duke's B and Duke's C stage relates with reduced ERβ expression and the high cyclin D1 expression, so they could be considered independent prognostic factors, especially in patients in advanced T stage.