Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin between primary colon cancer and synchronous liver metastasis tissue. Methods Examined the expression level of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin by real-time PCR, Western-blot and immunohistochemistry in colon cancer without distant metastases (n=42)， primary colon cancer tissues with liver metastases (n=20) and liver metastasis tissues (n=20) respectively. Furthermore, analyzed its association with pathologic parameter clinically. Results The expression of E-cadherin was down-regulated (P ＜0.01）, and N-cadherin and vimentin were up-regulated (P ＜0.05) in primary colon cancer with liver metastasis group compared with colon cancer without metastasis. The absorbance value of the E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin (0.10±0.01 vs 0.06±0.02, 0.07±0.02 vs 0.09±0.01 and 0.06±0.01 vs 0.09±0.02) was significantly different between primary colon cancer and corresponding liver metastasis (P＜0.01, P ＜0.05 and P＜0.01). There exists close correlation between the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin and TNM stage and lymphynode (P ＜0.05). Conclusion The differential expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin between primary colon cancer and liver metastasis is important for its prognosis.

Key words: Colon cancer, Synchronous liver metastases, E-cadherin, Vimentin