Objective: To investigate the expressions of Oct4 and CD133 and their correlation in colonic cancer.
Methods: The expression of Oct4 and CD133 were detected by immunohistochemistry in 30 colon cancer specimens and the paired adjacent tissues.
Results: The positivity rates of Oct4 and CD133 expression were 83.3% (25/30) and 73.3% (22/30) in colonic cancer tissue, respectively, and their expressions were positively correlated (r=0.586, P<0.05). The matched adjacent tissues showed significantly lower levels of Oct4 and CD133 expressions (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The expressions of Oct4 and CD133 are upregulated in colonic cancer compared with those in the adjacent tissues and show a positive correlation. Oct4 and CD133 may play an important role in the development of colon cancer.