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Am J Translational Res 2011;3(5):445-453
Original Article
The clinical value of von Willebrand factor in colorectal carcinomas
Vera S. Schellerer, Larissa Mueller-Bergh, Susanne Merkel, Robert Zimmermann, Dominik R. Weiss, Anne
Schlabarakowski, Elisabeth Naschberger, Michael Stürzl, Werner Hohenberger, Roland S. Croner
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse
12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Pathological Institution, University Hospital Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse 12,
91054 Erlangen; Department of Molecular end Experimental Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen,
Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen.
Received August 28, 2011; accepted September 19, 2011; Epub September 23, 2011; Published October 31,
2011
Abstract: Background: To identify the value of von Willebrand factor (vWF) as a clinical marker in colorectal
carcinomas (CRC). Methods: Plasma levels of vWF were measured in 79 patients with UICC Stage I-IV CRC at
time of operation and correlated with TNM categories, levels of the carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA), blood groups
and 19 controls (CO). CO included cancer-free patients without bacterial or viral infections. For tissue analysis
paraffin embedded tumour and mucosa sections of operation specimens were stained immunohistochemically
for vWF and compared to vWF plasma levels as well as to TNM categories. Results: VWF plasma levels in CRC
patients were significantly dependent on blood groups (BG) (p=0.012) and elevated compared to the normal
ranges as well as to controls (BG 0: p=0.668, BG A/AB/B: p=0.020). CRC-Patients over 60 years of age presented
with significantly higher vWF levels than patients below 60 years (BG 0: p=0.005; BG A/AB/B: p=0.035). There was
no correlation of vWF plasma levels and UICC stages in CRC. Patients with elevated vWF plasma levels also
presented with elevated CEA levels, but significance was missing (p=0.080). VWF concentration within the
tumour tissue was independent of concentration within normal mucosa, blood groups, histopathological
characteristics and did not correlate with plasma vWF levels. Conclusion: VWF plasma levels are elevated in
CRC patients, but not in a stage dependent manner. Besides the tumour at least blood groups and age mainly
influence plasma vWF levels. In our opinion vWF as a routinely used clinical marker in CRC cannot be
recommended. (AJTR1108001).
Keywords: Von-Willebrand-Factor, colorectal cancer, blood group, prognosis
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Vera Schellerer, MD
Department of Surgery
University Hospital Erlangen
Krankenhausstraße 12
91054 Erlangen, Germany
Phone: +49-9131-8542024
Fax: +49-9131-817749
E-mail: vera.schellerer@uk-erlangen.de
Original Article
The clinical value of von Willebrand factor in colorectal carcinomas
Vera S. Schellerer, Larissa Mueller-Bergh, Susanne Merkel, Robert Zimmermann, Dominik R. Weiss, Anne
Schlabarakowski, Elisabeth Naschberger, Michael Stürzl, Werner Hohenberger, Roland S. Croner
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse
12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Pathological Institution, University Hospital Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse 12,
91054 Erlangen; Department of Molecular end Experimental Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen,
Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen.
Received August 28, 2011; accepted September 19, 2011; Epub September 23, 2011; Published October 31,
2011
Abstract: Background: To identify the value of von Willebrand factor (vWF) as a clinical marker in colorectal
carcinomas (CRC). Methods: Plasma levels of vWF were measured in 79 patients with UICC Stage I-IV CRC at
time of operation and correlated with TNM categories, levels of the carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA), blood groups
and 19 controls (CO). CO included cancer-free patients without bacterial or viral infections. For tissue analysis
paraffin embedded tumour and mucosa sections of operation specimens were stained immunohistochemically
for vWF and compared to vWF plasma levels as well as to TNM categories. Results: VWF plasma levels in CRC
patients were significantly dependent on blood groups (BG) (p=0.012) and elevated compared to the normal
ranges as well as to controls (BG 0: p=0.668, BG A/AB/B: p=0.020). CRC-Patients over 60 years of age presented
with significantly higher vWF levels than patients below 60 years (BG 0: p=0.005; BG A/AB/B: p=0.035). There was
no correlation of vWF plasma levels and UICC stages in CRC. Patients with elevated vWF plasma levels also
presented with elevated CEA levels, but significance was missing (p=0.080). VWF concentration within the
tumour tissue was independent of concentration within normal mucosa, blood groups, histopathological
characteristics and did not correlate with plasma vWF levels. Conclusion: VWF plasma levels are elevated in
CRC patients, but not in a stage dependent manner. Besides the tumour at least blood groups and age mainly
influence plasma vWF levels. In our opinion vWF as a routinely used clinical marker in CRC cannot be
recommended. (AJTR1108001).
Keywords: Von-Willebrand-Factor, colorectal cancer, blood group, prognosis
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Vera Schellerer, MD
Department of Surgery
University Hospital Erlangen
Krankenhausstraße 12
91054 Erlangen, Germany
Phone: +49-9131-8542024
Fax: +49-9131-817749
E-mail: vera.schellerer@uk-erlangen.de
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