Cdc2 as prognostic marker in stage UICC II colon carcinomas

Abstract Purpose Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdc2) controls the G2–M checkpoint and, therefore, the entrance of cells into mitosis. It might play a crucial role during tumour progression in colon carcinomas (CCA). Thus, the prognostic value of cdc2 expression and connected markers relevant for proliferation and apoptosis has to be evaluated. Experimental design Punch biopsies from the tumour centre and the invasion front of 0.6 mm diameter from 392 CCA stage UICC II–IV were integrated in 14 recipient paraffin blocks. After immunohistochemical staining for cdc2, p53, caspase 3 and ki-67, a present (+) and absent (–) scoring was performed in the tissue arrays. The logrank test was used to compare distant metastasis and cancer-related survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was done to identify independent prognostic factors for parameters with significant influence on cancer-related survival (CRS) and distant metastasis (DM). Results The pT-category ( p  = 0.007), nodal status ( p p p  = 0.003) were identified as independent histological parameters for CRS. Univariate analysis relating to stage UICC II–IV CCA showed caspase 3 in the tumour centre ( p  = 0.047) to be a prognostic marker for CRS. In stage UICC II cdc2 ( p  = 0.041) and caspase 3 in the invasion front ( p  = 0.026) could be identified as independent prognostic factors for CRS and DM by multivariate analysis. Conclusions Cdc2 and caspase 3 could be identified as independent prognostic markers in stage UICC II CCA. They might be of value to select patients who should receive adjuvant treatment.