Karger Publishers, Pathobiology, 2(82), p. 76-83, 2015
DOI: 10.1159/000398807
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<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) has been reported to be overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and suggested to be a therapeutic target. In this study, we investigated FGFR1 expression and amplification in CRC and its correlation with clinicopathologic parameters. <b><i>Methods:</i></b><i>FGFR1</i> dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization and mRNA in situ hybridization were performed on tissue array blocks composed of 291 consecutive primary CRCs. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the 291 CRC cases, <i>FGFR1</i> gene amplification was found in 11 (3.8%) cases, high <i>FGFR1 </i>polysomy in 4 (1.4%) cases, and<i> FGFR1</i> gene copy number (GCN) gain (GCN >2) in 77 (26.5%) cases. <i>FGFR1</i> GCN gain was significantly associated with left-sided location, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and higher TNM stage (p < 0.05). <i>FGFR1</i> GCN gain also correlated with poor patient survival (p = 0.015). <i>FGFR1</i> mRNA overexpression (score 3-4) was present in 11.7% (34/291) of the patients and was significantly associated with <i>FGFR1</i> GCN alteration (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.463; p < 0.001). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b><i>FGFR1</i> GCN gain was more frequently found (26.5%) than gene amplification (3.8%) and correlated with aggressive clinical behavior in consecutive CRC patients. <i>FGFR1</i> GCN alteration was associated with a high <i>FGFR1</i> mRNA level.