Abstract: Objective To investigate the expressions of WWOX and CD133 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and their relationship
with the clinicopathologic characteristics of CRC. Methods The expressions of WWOX and CD133 proteins were examined by
immunohistochemistry in 174 specimens of CRC tissues and 80 normal colorectal mucosa tissues. Results The positivity rates
of WWOX and CD133 proteins were 41.4% and 53.4% in CRC tissues, respectively, significantly different from the rates in
normal colorectal mucosa tissues (87.5% and 5.0%, respectively; P<0.05). WWOX and CD133 protein expressions were significantly
correlated with the histological grades of the tumors, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and Duke’s stages (P<
0.05). Spearman analysis showed a negative relationship between the WWOX expression and CD133 expression (P<0.05).
Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival time of CRC patients with a positive expression of WWOX
was longer than that of patients with a negative expression of WWOX; the overall survival time of patients with a positive
expression of CD133 was shorter than that of the negative patients (P<0.05). COX regression analysis identified positive
expressions of WWOX and CD133 protein and Duke’s stage as the independent prognostic factors of CRC. Conclusion
Abnormal expressions of WWOX and CD133 might be involved in the initiation, development, invasion, and metastasis of
CRC. Acombined detection of WWOX and CD133 can help in predicting the progression and prognosis of CRC.