Evidence for the Prognostic Value of CDH17 Expression in Colorectal Carcinoma

Colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed in an advanced stage has an increased predisposition for invasion and metastasis, requiring upgraded prognostic markers. CDH17, a liver-intestine cadherin, is an adhesion molecule implicated in tumor progression. This retrospective study assessed the immunohistochemical expression of CDH17 in 84 CRC cases with lymphovascular invasion (LVI), analyzing its correlation with clinicopathological features and survival outcomes. CDH17 expression was evaluated in the tumor core, invasive front, tumor emboli, and lymph node metastases. Statistical analyses showed significant associations between high CDH17 expression and favorable histological types, as well as low-grade differentiation. However, high CDH17 levels in tumor emboli correlated with advanced T stage and poorer overall survival. Multivariable Cox regression confirmed CDH17 expression in tumor emboli as an independent prognostic factor, indicating an approximately twofold risk of death. These findings suggest that CDH17 may have a dual role-maintaining adhesion in low-grade tumors while facilitating tumor emboli-related dissemination. CDH17 expression, particularly in the tumor emboli, could serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker in CRC with LVI.