Immunohistochemical expression of Fascin-1 in colorectal cancer in relation to clinical and pathological parameters

Introduction. Fascins are a group of proteins taking part in the maintenance of a proper structure of the cellular cytoskeleton. Fascin-1 is an actin-bundling protein present in neurons, fibroblasts, endothelial, smooth muscle, dendritic and mesenchymal cells whereas lack of its expression is characteristic of epithelial cells. Fascin-1 overexpression can be observed in neoplastic cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the expression of Fascin-1 protein in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and to analyze associations between Fascin-1 ex­pression and clinical-pathological parameters. Material and methods. The study material included postoperative samples (tumor and unchanged colon tissue) ob­tained from 51 CRC patients. Fascin-1 expression was assessed in the paraffin sections by immunohistochemistry. Results. A statistically significant correlation was found between the histological type of cancer and the expres­sion of Fascin-1 (p = 0.012). Increased expression of Fascin-1 in CRC was more frequent in adenocarcinoma type without the mucosal component with a better prognosis and decreased expression of this protein correlated with infiltration of cancer cells to blood and lymphatic vessels (p = 0.038). Conclusions. Our findings indicate a potential role of Fascin-1 in the pathogenesis of colon cancer; however, further studies will show whether this protein plays a role in the infiltration of colorectal cancer cells