Purpose: The β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) is highly expressed in various human cancers. The prognostic significance of its expression in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of β2AR expression in patients with surgically resected CRC.
Methods: One hundred and forty-seven patients with surgically resected CRC were examined using immunohistochemistry. The expression of β2AR was assessed in the specimens of resected primary tumors.
Results: β2AR was expressed in 52.3% of the patients' tumors. β2AR expression was significantly associated with T factor, N factor, and tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67 labeling index). Univariate analysis demonstrated that T factor, N factor, tumor stage, lymphatic permeation, vascular invasion, perineural invasion, β2AR expression, and Ki-67 labeling index were significant prognostic factors for worse disease-free survival (DFS); all but T factor were also significant predictors for worse overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis confirmed that expression of β2AR was a significant prognostic marker for predicting worse DFS and OS.
Conclusion: β2AR expression was identified as a significant independent prognostic factor in patients with surgically resected CRC.
Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Immunohistochemistry; Prognosis; Β2-adrenergic receptor.