Overexpression of RalBP1 in colorectal cancer is an independent predictor of poor survival and early tumor relapse

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Nathan M. Mollberg - , University of Illinois at Chicago, Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Gunnar Steinert - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Maximillian Aigner - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Alexander Hamm - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Fang Ju Lin - , University of Illinois at Chicago (Author)
  • Heike Elbers - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Christoph Reissfelder - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Jürgen Weitz - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Markus W. Büchler - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Moritz Koch - , Heidelberg University  (Author)

Abstract

The non-ABC transport protein RalBP1 has been shown to be overexpressed in various cancer cell lines and implicated in the process of metastasis formation, but its expression in tissue samples and prognostic significance has not been shown. In this study, matched tumor-mucosa tissue samples from 78 CRC patients were investigated. The RalBP1 mRNA and protein levels were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and ELISA . RalBP1 was found to be overexpressed in tumor at the mRNA level both overall (p = 0.027), and for stages I (p = 0.024), II (p = 0.038) and IV (p = 0.004). At the protein level, RalBP1 was only significantly overexpressed in stage IV patients (p = 0.018). Expression of RalBP1 mRNA and protein were inversely correlated (r = 0.4173; p = 0.0004). Multivariate Cox regression analysis including sex, age, stage, grade and nodal status as covariates showed that overexpression of RalBP1 protein, but not mRNA, was an independent predictor of both decreased disease free survival (p = 0.016, RR = 6.892) and overall survival (p = 0.039, RR = 5.986). These results suggest that RalBP1 protein is an independent predictor of poor survival and early relapse for CRC patients. Owing to its multifunctional intermediary role in cell survival, chemotherapeutic resistance and metastasis formation, RalBP1 represents a promising novel therapeutic target.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)695-701
Number of pages7
JournalCancer Biology and Therapy
Volume13
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2012
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 22549157

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer, Metastasis, Prognosis, RalBP1, Survival