uPAR; a new way of predicting outcomes in colorectal cancer?

This study examined the relationship between uPAR protein expression in tumors and patient survival in colorectal cancer.

Currently the main way of predicting the outcome of patients with colorectal cancer is based on their stage of cancer and how much it has spread. This is not very specific and newer ways of predicting outcome using biomarkers (a measurable indicator of a biologic state or condition, often a protein) would help improve patient care.

The protein receptor for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPAR) is associated with cancer development and progression. It plays major roles in the ability of cancer to spread and invade new tissues. Based on these features it may be useful to measure uPAR in tumors to help predict patient outcome.

In this study the authors examined if there is a link between uPAR levels and patient survival. They also examined if there was a link between the type of cell uPAR was elevated in and survival: tumor cells or tumor-associated stromal cells (cells of the connective tissue in the colon or rectum).

This study included 262 patients with colorectal cancer. The average age of patients at surgery was 66 years (ranged between 30 and 91). uPAR levels were measured in the tumor tissue from each patient and compared to follow-up data. In patients with higher levels of uPAR there was a trend towards worse patient survival rates. However, the only statistically significant result was that higher levels of uPAR were associated with a 71.3% increased risk of disease recurrence or return when found in tumor-associated stromal cells.

The authors concluded that in patients with higher levels of uPAR in stromal cells in and around the tumor there was an increased risk of disease recurrence.