Expression of Fascin-1 in human colorectal cancer and its significance

AIM: To investigate the correlation between Fascin-1 expression and carcinogenesis and biological behavior of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: The expression of Fascin-1 was examined in 80 specimens of CRC, 40 of paired normal colorectal mucosae and 37 of regional lymphatic metastases by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Fascin-1 was expressed heterogeneously among the normal colorectal mucosae, CRC and lymphatic metastases (χ2=30.917, P=0.000). Fascin-1 was higher expressed in CRC compared with normal colorectal mucosae (Z= -3.912, P=0.000), and Fascin-1 expression was significantly stronger in lymphatic metastases than that in primary CRC (Z=-2.419, P=0.016). Furthermore, Fascin-1 expression in CRC with lymph node metastasis was higher than that in CRC without lymph node metastasis (Z=-2.432, P=0.015). Expression levels of Fascin-1 protein, showing no correlation with the differentiation of CRC (χ2=0.333, P=0.847), was positively correlated with the invasive depth of CRC (Z=-2.074, P=0.038). CONCLUSION: Fascin-1 expression plays an important role in invasion and metastasis of CRC. Clinically it may be a useful indicator of the tumor invasion and metastasis in CRC.