Budding invasive margin and prognosis in colorectal cancer -: no direct association with β-catenin expression

Cancer cell budding at the invasive margin has been associated with poor prognosis in rectal cancer. beta-Catenin is an adhesion protein involved in the nuclear Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, and mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer cells. Hence, we investigated the relationship between cancer cell budding at the invasive margin, beta-catenin expression, and 5-year-survival in colorectal cancer. Four hundred and sixty six colorectal cancer specimens were analysed for budding margin, and 108 specimens from the same set for beta-catenin by immunohistochemistry A budding margin was present in 24.0% of the cases and predicted a poor 5-year-survival (15.4%, P < 0.00001). Nuclear beta-catenin expression increased from the central area towards the invasive margin (P < 0.001), but did not predict budding. Budding margin is an independent factor associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer, and could be utilised in diagnostic pathology. Nuclear beta-catenin was often found at the invasive margin, but is unlikely to be the sole cause of budding. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.