A Study of Immunohistochemical Markers in Colorectal Carcinoma with Biomarkers Cyclooxygenase 2, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, BRAF, and Microsatellite Instability Panel: A Prospective Study

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common heterogeneous disease, a worldwide major public health problem with increasing morbidity and mortality. Numerous exogenous and endogenous factors are involved in colorectal malignancies: age, sex, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, intestinal microbiota, genetic factors, and ability of host immune system to respond. CRC does not represent a single pathological entity, rather a heterogeneous group of diseases arising through various molecular pathways that influence individual susceptibility to cancer, and have the potential to determine responsiveness or resistance to antitumor agents. Materials and Methods: The present study analysed the distribution, histopathology, and immunohistochemically in 30 cases of colorectal malignancy. A prospective study of 30 cases of colorectal malignancies and molecular markers such as Cyclooxygenase 2, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, BRAF, and Microsatellite Instability Panel correlating with clinicopathological features of the tumour was done from April 2022 to June 2023. Results: Among the markers COX 2 is not statistically significant but MSH 2 with MSH6 and MLH1 positivity; MSH 6 with MSH 2 and MLH 1 positivity; MLH 1 with grade of tumour, MSH 2 and MSH 6 positivity; BRAF with Lympho-vascular invasion, Perineural invasion, EGFR positivity; EGFR with BRAF positive are statistically significant with chi square test. Conclusion: Thus, among the markers studied MSH 2, MSH 6, MLH 1, EGFR and BRAF can be used to assess the prognostic significance and planning for chemotherapy in colorectal cancers.