Loss of programmed cell death 4 expression marks adenoma‐carcinoma transition, correlates inversely with phosphorylated protein kinase B, and is an independent prognostic factor in resected colorectal cancer

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate an independent prognostic impact of Pdcd4 and its expression pattern in colorectal cancer. Data from this study support the regulation of Pdcd4 localization by pAkt in vivo. Pdcd4 immunohistochemistry may be useful as a supportive diagnostic tool for the transition between normal, adenoma, and tumor tissues.