The expression of the novel CYP2W1 enzyme is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer - a pilot study.

Aim: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are important for drug metabolism. A novel cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP2W1, has recently been identified. This enzyme is mainly found in foetal colon tissue and in tumour tissue. In this pilot study, we have investigated the expression of CYP2W1 in 162 tumours from patients with stages II and III colorectal cancer.

Methods: The expression of CYP2W1 enzyme was immunohistochemically detected using a polyclonal antibody. Staining intensity was defined using a visual grading scale from 0 to 3. Grades 0-2 were classified as low, and grade 3 was classified as high expression of CYP2W1.

Results: About 64% of the tumours expressed a low level of CYP2W1-expression, and 36% expressed a high level. CYP2W1-expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (p=0.007), where a high expression was associated with a worse clinical outcome.

Conclusions: Immunohistochemically assessed expression of CYP2W1 is an independent prognostic factor in patients with stages II and III colorectal cancer.