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Connexin 43 Expression in Primary Colorectal Carcinomas in Patients with Stage III and IV Disease

Background/Aim: Protein connexin 43 (Cx43), a part of intercellular gap junctions, is frequently down-regulated in tumors. The aim of the study was to compare Cx43 expression in primary colorectal tumors of patients with stage III and IV disease. Patients and Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of Cx43 was analyzed in 50 colorectal adenocarcinomas from surgically-treated patients of stage pT3N1-2 without metastases(M0) and 50 specimens of the same pTN stage from patients with synchronous liver metastases (M1). Association of Cx43 expression with clinicopathological factors and tumor site was also analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in Cx43 expression between M0 and M1 tumor specimens (p=0.817), as well as in Cx43 expression between colonic and rectal tumors (p=0.116), respectively. Stromal expression of Cx43 was higher in M1 than in M0 tumors (p=0.004). Conclusion: Stromal Cx43 expression is possible indicator of metastatic potential of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Connexin 43 (Cx43) expression ; colorectal cancer ; synchronous metastases ; stroma

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