Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered a highly fatal disease. There is a strong need for novel markers to reach a proper outcome. Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) belongs to the family receptors tyrosine kinases with a possible relation towards CRC,as DDR2 has a proved role in development of other cancers by enhancing proliferation and metastasis.
Aim of the study: To evaluateDDR2 protein expression and its possible role in CRC for improved patient outcome and decreased morbidity and mortality.
Material and methods: Forty-eight patients diagnosed as colorectal carcinoma were encountered in this study.We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of discoidin domain receptor 2 and then assessed the correlation of its expression with clinicopathological data.
Results: Discoidin domain receptor 2 expression is significantly associated with tumor size, infiltrating tumor border, presence of necrosis, tumor grade, tumor stage, lymphocytic infiltration and peritoneal spread (P=0.002, P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.01, P=0.005, P=0.001, P=0.001, respectively), which all are associated with well-known indicators of poor prognosis.
Conclusion: Discoidin domain receptor 2 overexpression, being correlated with poor prognostic factors in colorectal carcinoma, confirm the role of DDR2 in poor outcome.