The apoptotic and proliferation rate of tumour budding cells in colorectal cancer outlines a heterogeneous population of cells with various impacts on clinical outcome

Abstract

Ki67, caspase-3 and M30 staining is absent in most tumour buds, suggesting decreased proliferation and apoptosis. However, the fact that Ki67 and caspase-3 immunoreactivity was associated with unfavourable prognosis points to a heterogeneous population of tumour buds.