Expression of c-met protein in colorectal cancer and the correlation with liver metastasis

Objective:To investigate the expression of c-met protein in surrounding normal colorectal tissue,colorectal adenoma,colorectal cancer,and the correlation with development and livermetastasis of colorectal cancer. Methods: The expression of c-met protein was detected by SABC immunohistochemical method in normal colorectal mucosa, colorectal adenoma, colorectal tissue with no preoperation liver metastasis , 13 liver metastasis tissue and corresponding primary cancer tissue of synchronic hepatic metastasis were analyzed to demonstrate the correlation with the histological grade, Duke's stages ,lymph nodemetastasis and liver metastasis. Results: The expression level of c-met protein in normal colorectal mucosa and colorectal adenoma were significantly lower than that in colorectal cancer. The expression of c-met protein in colorectal cancer with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that with no lymph node metastasis.The expression of c-met in colorectal cancer with liver metastasis including synchronic hepatic metastasis and heterochronic hepatic metastasis were significantly higher than that with no liver metastasis. Conclusion: c-met protein plays a great role in the course of generation, development and metastasis of colorectal cancer. The high expression of c-met protein in colorectal cancer tissue may be considered as an indicator for hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer.