Pattern of expression of CDX2 in colorectal cancer and its role in prognosis.
e15115 Background: CDX2 (Caudal Type Homeobox 2), a nuclear protein, is essential for the proliferation and development of intestinal epithelial cells and is frequently down-regulated during tumourogenesis. We have evaluated the pattern of expression of CDX2 in all stages of CRC (colorectal cancer) and its association with prognosis. Methods: We performed CDX2 staining by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) on the available biopsy block of patients of CRC registered with Medical Oncology, JIPMER, from January 2014-January 2018. CDX2 scoring was done by semi-quantitative method. Results: 286 patients were registered during study period, of which only 110 biopsy blocks were available for staining. Of 110 patients, 77 (70%) constituted colon cancer and 33 (30%) were rectal cancer. The median age was 54.2 years, 62 (56.4%) being male and 48 (43.6%) female with male to female ratio 1.3:1. In the study cohort, 33 (30%) patients had stage II disease, 30 (27.3%) stage III and 47(42.7%) were stage IV. 73 (66.4%) were positive for CDX2 and 37 (33.4%) were negative. Lack of CDX2 expression was significantly associated with advanced stage, rectal site, poor grade of differentiation, and presence of lympho-vascular invasion (LVSI). With median follow-up of 16 months, PFS (progression free survival) at 2 years was 30% for CDX2 negative patients compared to 67% CDX2 positive (P=0.009), while OS (overall survival) at 2 years was 46% for CDX2 negative versus 77% for positive patients (p=0.01). Conclusions: Lack of CDX2 is associated with significantly worse PFS and OS, serves as a poor prognostic factor in CRC. Lack of CDX2 expression is associated with advanced stage, higher tumor grade and presence of LVSI.