Processing bodies (P-bodies) are one of the most well understood types of RNA granules, and are associated with a variety of diseases, including cancer. mRNA-decapping enzyme 1a (DCP1a), which may be used as a marker to analyze P-bodies, participates in the removal of the 5'-methylguanosine cap from eukaryotic mRNAs as a cofactor. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between DCP1a expression and clinical features in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The levels of DCP1a mRNA expression were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay in carcinoma and non-carcinoma tissues from 75 patients, while the protein expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Additional associations between DCP1a expression and clinical characteristics were analyzed by χ2 test and Cox regression analysis. In the 75 cases, the levels of DCP1a mRNA and protein expression were increased in colorectal carcinoma tissues compared with non-carcinoma tissues. A high expression of DCP1a was significantly associated with lower survival rates in patients with CRC compared with patients with low DCP1a expression (P=0.001). Associations with depth of invasion (P=0.008), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001) and tumor node metastasis stage (P=0.001) were also observed. Additional Cox regression analysis revealed that the DCP1a expression (P=0.012) is an independent factor in survival rate. It was also identified that DCP1a may have high expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues and be associated with poor prognosis. This suggests that DCP1a may be a diagnostic marker or prognostic indicator to assist with patient assessments and therapies.
Keywords: colorectal carcinoma; mRNA-decapping enzyme 1a; prognostic indicator; survival rate.