IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF CD44 AND OCT3/4 EXPRESSION IN COLORECTAL CANCER SAMPLES OF IRAQI PATIENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/exp-oncology.2025.01.044Keywords:
cancer stem cells, biomarkers, colorectal cancer, CD44, OCT3/4, immunostainingAbstract
Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancer types diagnosed globally with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Several biomarkers are associated with cancer stem cells present in various solid tumors, including CRC. Aim. This study aimed to investigate the expression of CD44 and OCT3/4 cancer stem cell markers in samples of CRC biopsies and benign colon tumors of Iraqi patients using the immunohistochemical (IHC) technique. Materials and Methods. The IHC analysis was used to determine CD44 and OCT3/4 expression levels in tissue samples of 42 CRC cases and 18 benign neoplasms. Results. The findings revealed a significant increase in high expression levels of CD44 in CRC cases (81%) vs 23% in benign tumor tissue samples. Similarly, a significant rise in OCT3/4 expression was observed in CRC cases (66%) compared to benign tumors (29%). The expression levels of CD44 and OCT3/4 were significantly associated with the CRC stages. Conclusion. Our data indicated that CD44 and OCT3/4 may play a role in CRC progression.
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