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High SPINK1 Immunostaining in Colorectal Carcinoma is Associated with Poor Outcomes
Ola Nasser1, Wafaey Gomaa1, Wafaa Aref1
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Al-Minia, Egypt.
Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
|September 22, 2025
Summary
Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1) is elevated in colorectal cancer (CRC) and linked to poorer prognosis. Increased SPINK1 expression correlates with tumor grade, stage, and metastasis, suggesting its role in CRC progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally.
- Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1) is implicated in the poor prognosis of various cancers.
- SPINK1 shows potential as a biomarker for early CRC detection and predicting treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SPINK1 in colorectal carcinogenesis.
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of SPINK1 in CRC.
- To assess SPINK1 expression in relation to clinicopathological features and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess SPINK1 expression in 70 CRC, 18 adenoma, and 20 lymph node metastasis samples.
- Statistical analysis was performed to correlate SPINK1 immunostaining with tumor grade, stage, nodal status, and other clinicopathological parameters.
Main Results:
- SPINK1 immunostaining was significantly higher in CRC compared to normal colonic tissue.
- Elevated SPINK1 levels were strongly associated with adverse prognostic factors including advanced tumor grade, stage, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, and tumor necrosis.
- SPINK1 expression showed a significant association with adenoma and nodal metastasis, indicating its involvement in early tumorigenesis and metastatic spread.
Conclusions:
- SPINK1 expression is upregulated in colorectal cancer.
- Increased SPINK1 is linked to poor prognostic indicators in CRC.
- SPINK1 immunoactivity in adenomas and metastatic lymph nodes suggests its role in colorectal carcinogenesis and progression.
