Multivariate analysis of molecular indicators for postoperative liver metastasis in colorectal cancer cases.

AIMS To explore the relationship between various molecular makers and liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHOD Using immunohistochemistry, protein expression of CEA, nm23, c-met, MMP2, COX- 2, VEGF, EGFR, and CD44 was assessed in 80 CRC cases. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were performed to analyze the relationship between these indicators and CRC liver metastasis. RESULTS There were significant differences in expression of CEA, MMP2, CD44, VEGF and EGFR between the liver metastasis and non metastasis groups (P < 0.05); no significant differences were noted for nm23, c-met, and COX-2 expression. Logistic regression analysis showed that only CEA, VEGF, and EGFR entered into the regression equation, and had significant correlations with CRC liver metastasis (α inclusion= 0.10, α elimination = 0.15, R2 = 0.718). CONCLUSIONS Combination detection of CEA, VEGF, and EGFR may be an effective means to predict CRC liver metastasis. Nm23, c-met, MMP2, COX-2, and CD44, in contrast, are not suitable as prognostic markers.