The Relationship between SALL4 and Fascin Expression and the Progression of Colorectal Carcinoma

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls (Damietta branch), Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

2 Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls (Cairo), Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

Abstract

Objective: SALL4 (Spalt-like transcription factor 4) is a stem cell transcription factor that is reactivated in various tumor tissues and has a proven pro-metastatic role in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mechanism of its reactivation in CRC remains elusive. fascin is an actin-bundling protein linked to CRC progression. Independent of this activity, fascin regulates stemness and embryonic stem cell-related genes in some cancers. Data on the role of fascin in regulating stem cell transcription factors in CRC are scarce, and the relationship between fascin and SALL4 expression in CRC has not been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of SALL4 and fascin in fifty-four CRC cases and their relationship with clinicopathological parameters. Methods: The expression of SALL4 and Fascin determined using immunohistochemistry in 54 paraffin-embedded colectomy specimens from patients with primary colorectal adenocarcinoma. Result: SALL4-positive expression was detected in 9 cases (16.7%), while moderate-to-high fascin expression was found in 21 cases (38.9%). A significant positive relationship was identified between SALL4 expression and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (P = 0.033). Moderate-to-high fascin expression was significantly associated with advanced pathological tumor (pT) stage (P = 0.023), lymph node (LN) spread (P = 0.031), and LVI (P = 0.010). Furthermore, a significant association was observed between SALL4 positivity and moderate-to-high fascin expression (P = 0.009). Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate a significant association between SALL4 and fascin expression in CRC patients, suggesting a potential interplay between them. Both proteins may represent potential markers of CRC progression. Molecular studies are required to further investigate the interaction between SALL4 and fascin in CRC.

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 27, Issue 2
February 2026
Pages 637-642

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 28 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 29 January 2026

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