Expression and significance of Lgr5 in colorectal carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) and its significance in colorectal carcinoma. Methods The expression of Lgr5 was examined by immunohistochemistry in 139 cases of colorectal cancer, and its relationship with clinical characteristics was analyzed. Results In 139 colorectal carcinoma samples, the Lgr5 expression rate in tubular adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma was 87.1%, 100.0% and 75.0% respectively. The Lgr5 expression rate in mucous layer, muscular layer, and membrane serosa was 50.0%, 82.6%, 93.9% respectively. High expression levels of Lgr5 were detected in 53 of 56 (94.6%) patients with lymph node metastasis and in 68 of 83 (81.9%) patients without lymph node metastasis. The expression of Lgr5 protein was higher in the tissues with deeper infiltration, advanced Dukes stage, or lymph node or remote metastasis. Conclusion The expression of Lgr5 is significantly correlated with invasion and lymph node metastasis, and may play an important role in the occurrence and development of epithelial colorectal carcinoma. Overexpression of Lgr5 provides an important implication of malignancy and prognosis for colorectal carcinoma. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms;  Lgr5;  Stem cell makers