Phosphatidylserine-specific phospholipase A1 (PS-PLA1) expression in colorectal cancer correlates with tumor invasion and hematogenous metastasis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The function of phosphatidylserine-specific phospholipase A1 (PS-PLA1), a phospholipase that acts specifically on phosphatidylserine and produces lysophosphatidylserine, a lysophospholipid mediator, has not been fully elucidated. We evaluated the role of PS-PLA1 in oncogenesis and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens from 85 patients with CRC were immunostained with a monoclonal antibody against PS-PLA1. The correlation between PS-PLA1 expression and the clinicopathological variables was analyzed. RESULTS: Tumor depth and hematogenous metastasis independently positively correlated with PS-PLA1 expression. High PS-PLA1 expression was associated with shorter disease-free survival, although it was not an independent predictive factor. CONCLUSION: PS-PLA1 expression in CRC is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis.