The Function and Prognostic Significance of Cripto-1 in Colorectal Cancer

Cripto-1 is a plasma membrane protein which is not expressed in adult tissue, but some tumors are accompanied by re-activation. We studied the clinical and biological significance of Cripto-1 in colorectal cancer. Cripto-1 was positive in 68 out of 192 cases (35%) by immunohistochemistry. Cripto-1 expression was correlated with worse prognosis and was an independent prognostic factor. Cripto-1-silenced colorectal cancer cell lines had reduced cell proliferation, migration, and activation of Akt and MAPK signaling pathways