BACKGROUND/AIM
Y-Box-binding protein-1 (YB-1), a DNA/RNA-binding protein, is an important oncogenic transcription and translation factor. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between nuclear YB-1 expression, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status, and poor clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Nuclear YB-1 expression was immunohistochemically analyzed in CRC tissues obtained from 124 patients who underwent curative resection between 2005 and 2008. Correlations between nuclear YB-1 expression, various clinicopathological characteristics, EGFR status, and prognostic factors were evaluated.
RESULTS
High-grade nuclear YB-1 expression was detected in 62.9% of cases and was found to be an independent predictor of poorer overall survival (p<0.001) and relapse-free survival (p<0.001). A trend was also observed towards a positive correlation between nuclear YB-1 expression and EGFR status (p=0.051).
CONCLUSION
Nuclear YB-1 expression is a useful prognostic biomarker that correlates with EGFR status in patients with CRC.