Correlation of PRL3 expression with colorectal cancer progression

Objectives To evaluate the relationship between phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL3) expression and clinical outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC). Background PRL3, a protein tyrosine phosphatase functions as one of the key regulatory enzymes of various signal transduction pathways. PRL3 is highly expressed in a majority of cancers and is a novel potential therapeutic target. Methods PRL3 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 167 patients with CRC, 37 patients with no disease, and 26 patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC). Phosphorylated Akt at serine 473 (p-Akt S473) expression was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry in mCRC patients. Results High expression of PRL3 was correlated with CRC progression, and every one unit increase in PRL3 level contributed to an increase in the rate of death by 1%-1.7%. PRL3 expression was significantly higher in liver metastases compared with primary tumors and showed a significant positive correlation with the expression level of p-Akt S473. Conclusion PRL3 expression levels associated with CRC progression and metastasis, and positively correlated with activated Akt level in mCRC. Together, these findings indicated that PRL3 might be a potential marker for increased risk of CRC-specific tumor burden and identify PRL3 as an attractive therapeutic target for mCRC treatment.

Automated summary

High expression of PRL3 in colorectal cancer is associated with tumor progression and metastasis, with every one unit increase contributing to an increase in the rate of death by 1%-1.7%. PRL3 expression is significantly higher in liver metastases compared with primary tumors and shows a significant positive correlation with the expression level of p-Akt S473.