Abstract
AIM: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with significant incidence and mortality rates recorded in Kazakhstan. CRC poses a substantial healthcare burden, prompting investigations into novel prognostic markers. AIM: This study investigates the prognostic significance of CD163 expression in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, utilizing tissue microarrays from 175 patients diagnosed with Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) stage I–IV colon adenocarcinoma. CD163 expression was assessed through immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was employed to estimate 5-year overall survival, defined as the interval from diagnosis to death or last follow-up. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the relationship between CD163 expression levels and survival outcomes. RESULTS: High CD163 expression was linked to advanced disease stage of colorectal cancer (p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001), perineural invasion (p < 0.001), and Collagen I>30%, A type (p<0.001). CD163 infiltration was a negative prognostic factor for colorectal cancer patients, with higher risks of death in the high CD163 expression group compared to the low CD163 group (HR=5.769, 95% CI 3.194 – 10.42, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings highlight CD163 as a potential prognostic biomarker in CRC, warranting further investigation into its mechanistic role and therapeutic implications.