Prognostic relevance of Fas (APO-1/CD95) ligand in human colorectal cancer.

Objective: Fas ligand (FasL) is an important mediator of immune function and induces apoptosis by binding to its receptor Fas on sensitized cells. It has recently been shown that malignancies may express FasL and acquire immune privilege by inducing apoptosis of lymphocytes. Acquired resistance to Fas mediated apoptosis is known to be an early event in carcinogenesis.