Evaluation of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) expression in colorectal carcinoma: Relation to the available clinicopathological parameters.

Background: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract, representing an incredible health problem. It is essential to develop drugs against novel targets––involved in CRC tumorigenesis and progression––to improve the management of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) expression in CRC, and to associate their expression with the available clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: This study included 50 cases of primary CRC. All cases were stained by CXCR4 and PPAR-γ antibodies to assess their immunohistochemical expression. The relations between their expression and clinicopathological variables were assessed. Results: CXCR4 expression was detected in 76% of studied cases. High CXCR4 expression showed significant associations with the depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.024), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.009), advanced tumor stage (P = 0.001) and the presence of vascular invasion (P = 0.035). PPAR-γ expression was detected in 78% of studied cases. PPAR-γ expression showed a statistically significant inverse relation with histologic types (P = 0.001), tumor grade (P = 0.005), depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.001), lymph node status (P = 0.001), TNM stage (P = 0.002), and vascular invasion (P = 0.001). Conclusions: High CXCR4 and decreased PPAR-γ expressions are related to high tumor grade, advanced stage, and vascular invasion in colorectal carcinoma.