FAK, Src and p-Paxillin expression is decreased in liver metastasis of colorectal carcinoma patients
Mantonakis, E.; Giaginis, C.; Pikoulis, E.; Felekouras, E.; Patsouris, E.; Liakakos, T.; Papalampros, E.; Theocharis, S.
Journal of BUON Official Journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology 22(5): 1097-1106
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 1107-0625 PMID: 29135089 Document Number: 692769
The FAK/Src/Paxillin (PXN) axis has been implicated in malignant transformation, tumor growth, progression and metastasis. The present study aimed to assess FAK/Src/PXN protein expression in both primary and liver metastatic sites of colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC). FAK, Src and p-PXN expression was assessed immunohistochemically on 32 primary CRCs and their corresponding liver metastases, being also analyzed in relation with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival. FAK, Src and p-PXN expression was significantly decreased in liver metastasis compared to matched paired primary CRCs (p<0.01). Increased FAK expression in primary CRCs was significantly associated with poor histological grade and advanced disease stage (p=0.0330 and p=0.0204, respectively). Increased Src expression in primary colorectal tumors was significantly associated with the presence of lymph node metastasis (p=0.0325), while elevated p-PXN expression with poor histological grade (p=0.0284). FAK, Src and p-PXN appear to play a role in the pathophysiological aspects of CRC. The lower expression of these proteins in liver metastasis compared to the primary CRC could significantly impact the choice of a novel therapeutic agent according to the disease stage.