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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer
Published on: July 18, 2017
LIN28 promotes tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer but is not associated with metastatic spread
E Pretzsch1, N Max2, T Kirchner3
1Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Background:
Tumor stem cells play a role in metastatic spread in colorectal cancer (CRC). The oncogene LIN28A/B, a prognostic marker in CRC, is involved in tumorigenesis and maintains stem cell function. Therefore, it was the aim of the present study to clarify whether LIN28A/B is involved in metastatic spread in CRC.
Methods:
Expression of LIN28A/B was analyzed in patients with colon adenocarcinoma in a matched case-control study comparing patients with corresponding liver metastases (n = 42) and patients without hepatic spread within five years (n = 42) by applying immunohistochemistry. Further, LIN28A/B expression was correlated with stem cell associated markers (SOX2, CD133).
Results:
LIN28A and B expression significantly correlated with SOX2 expression (p = .02, and p = .04 respectively) but not with CD133 expression. This correlation between LIN28 A/B and SOX2 was not reflected in differences in hepatic spread. In this respect, there was no significant association between LIN28A/B expression and liver metastases.
Conclusion:
LIN28A/B might be involved in tumor initiation and progression in CRC but is not associated with hepatic spread.
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