Affiliations: [a] Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan | [b] Department of Laboratory Medical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan | [c] Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Almadina, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Nizar M. Mhaidat, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Tel.: +962 2 720100; Fax: +962 2 7201075; E-mail: nizarm@just.edu.jo.
Abstract: Background:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important health problem all over the world. A great improvement in the screening and early detection of CRC has been achieved. However, a new molecular prognostic marker is largely required. Glucose regulated protein 78-kDa (GRP78) is the central regulator of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and has an important role in the proliferation, differentiation and resistance to chemotherapy in cancer cells. Objective:The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of elevated level of GRP78 on CRC prognosis and chemosensitivity. Methods:Sixty eight CRC tissue samples were collected and protein expression of GRP78 was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The clinicopathological factors of the patients were correlated with GRP78 level. Results:GRP78 expression increased with the progression from early to advanced CRC stages. In addition, GRP78 level was increased with the progression from early T1-2 to late T3-4 tumor localization (p< 0.05). Moreover, a significant association was found between GRP78 expression and response to chemotherapy (p< 0.05). Association between GRP78 expression and patient’s clinical characteristics including lymph node involvement and metastasis was not significant. Conclusions:Results suggest the possibility to use GRP78 as a biomarker for progression of CRC and its chemosensitivity to therapy.
