Use of CXCR4 as a prognostic marker for disease-specific survival and pattern of recurrence following resection of hepatic colorectal metastases

11081 Background: Expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CCR7 has been associated with metastases and poor prognosis in primary tumors but their relevance in colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is unclear. This study examines the relationship between tumor chemokine receptor expression, pattern of recurrence and outcome after resection of hepatic metastases.Methods: Eighty patients with metastases from colon or rectal primary tumors who underwent a R0 partial hepatectomy from February 2002 to April 2004 were studied prospectively. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of hepatic metastases using antibodies specific for CXCR4, CXCL12 and CCR7. The correlation between the CXCR4, CXCL12 and CCR7 expression and clinicopathological factors was evaluated.Results: Median follow-up was 42.9 months. Positive expression of CXCR4, CXCL12 and CCR7 was seen in 49 (61%), 23 (29%) and 48 (60%) of tumor specimens, respectively. Clinical risk score greater than ...