Cytoplasmic CD133 Expression is a Reliable Prognostic Indicator of Tumor Regression After Neoadjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Rectal Cancer

摘要

Background Despite development in therapeutic strategies, such as neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), the prognosis of colorectal cancer remains relatively poor. Cancer stem cells (CSC) with several characteristics can lead to therapeutic resistance. CD133 has been identified as a putative CSC marker in colorectal cancer; however, its functional role still needs elucidation. We verified the role of CD133 with emphasis on expression location and correlated the results of CD133 with clinical outcome in colorectal cancer.