Expression and Clinical Significance of Ezrin in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tissues

ObjectiveTo investigate the roles of Ezrin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) development and progression. MethodsUsing tissue array and immunohistochemistry, the expression of Ezrin was determined in 203 ESCC tissues(observed group) and their corresponding normal esophageal tissues(control group). We analyzed the correlation Ezrin expression and the clinicopathologic characteristics, as well as fire-year survival rate. Results The over-expression rate of Ezrin was significantly higher in ESCC than that in their corresponding normal esophageal tissues (67.0% vs. 38.5%, P＜0.05 ); furthermore,the over-expression of Ezrin was correlated to lymph nodes metastasis and TNM stage, but not the age, gender, tumor cell differentiation and general classification. Survival analysis showed that the abnormal expression of Ezrin was associated with the poor 5-year survival rate of patients with ESCC. ConclusionOur findings suggested that Ezrin over-expression might play an important role in the progression of ESCC, and be a prognostic biomarker related to poor survival.