Ki-67 and Survivin as Predictive Factors for Rectal Cancer Treated with Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy.

Aim: To evaluate the usefulness of Ki-67 index and survivin as predictive prognostic factors for rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: The Ki-67 index and survivin expression were examined in patients with stage II/III rectal cancer (n=46) by immunohistochemistry. Patients were divided into a high-group and a low-group for the Ki-67 index, and positive and negative groups for survivin expression. Overall and disease-free survival were compared between the groups, and the correlation between Ki-67 index and survivin expression was assessed.

Results: The 5-year disease-free survival rate of the group with high Ki-67 index was significantly lower than that of the group with low Ki-67 index (53% and 88%, p=0.03), as was the 5-year overall survival rate (68% and 100%, p=0.03). Findings for survivin were not significant.

Conclusion: Ki-67 index and survivin may be useful biomarkers for rectal cancer with preoperative CRT.