OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of WWOX and CD133 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and their relationship with the clinicopathologic characteristics of CRC.

METHODSThe expressions of WWOX and CD133 proteins were examined by immunohistochemistry in 174 specimens of CRC tissues and 80 normal colorectal mucosa tissues.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of WWOX and CD133 proteins were 41.4% and 53.4% in CRC tissues, respectively, significantly different from the rates in normal colorectal mucosa tissues (87.5% and 5.0%, respectively; P<0.05). WWOX and CD133 protein expressions were signi- ficantly correlated with the histological grades of the tumors, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and Duke's stages (P<0.05). Spearman analysis showed a negative relationship between the WWOX expression and CD133 expression (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival time of CRC patients with a positive expression of WWOX was longer than that of patients with a negative expression of WWOX; the overall survival time of patients with a positive expression of CD133 was shorter than that of the negative patients (P<0.05). COX regression analysis identified positive expressions of WWOX and CD133 protein and Duke's stage as the independent prognostic factors of CRC.

CONCLUSIONAbnormal expressions of WWOX and CD133 might be involved in the initiation, development, invasion, and metastasis of CRC. A combined detection of WWOX and CD133 can help in predicting the progression and prognosis of CRC.