TIMP-1 Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer Is Associated with SMAD3 Gene Expression Levels: A Pilot Study

Background & Aims: The prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) varies considerably, and there is a compelling need to identify novel biomarkers with prognostic significance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of a panel of six genes (CDH1, SMAD3, TGF beta 1, ICAM-I, TIMP-1 and MUC12) in CRC patients. Methods: We evaluated these genes by qRT-PCR in normal and CRC tumor tissue, and correlated the relative gene expression values with clinical, pathological aspects and other biological factors. Results: RNA expression levels of CDH1, SMAD3, TGF beta 1, ICAM-1, TIMP-1 and MUC12 were measured by qRT-PCR in a set of 39 tumor samples and non-cancer tissue. Statistically significant increases in expression levels were found for ICAM-1 and TIMP-1 when comparing tumor samples to the non-tumor group. Conclusions: Among the genes which displayed differential expressions between tumor tissue and adjoining normal tissue, the ones that presented statistically significant correlations were TIMP-1 and SMAD3, possibly with prognostic significance.