Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R) expression has been reported in a variety of cancers, including colorectal, breast, lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, but the role of PDGF-R expression in the development and progression of colon carcinoma has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of PDGF and PDGF-R in human colon carcinomas. The expression of PDGF, PDGF-R and phosphorylated PDGF-R (p-PDGF-R) was examined by immunofluorescence in 12 surgical specimens of colon carcinoma and in human colon carcinoma cells growing in the subcutis (ectopic site) and the cecal wall (orthotopic site) of nude mice. In most surgical specimens, tumor cells expressed PDGF-A and -B subunits, without corresponding levels of PDGF-Ralpha and PDGF-Rbeta. PDGF-Rbeta was predominantly expressed by tumor-associated stromal cells and pericytes of tumor vasculature. The expression of PDGF-Rbeta in the stroma was associated with advanced stage disease. Under culture conditions, human colon carcinoma cell lines expressed PDGF-A and -B, but not PDGF-R. In orthotopic tumors, the KM12 cells (Duke's stage B) expressed PDGF-A and -B, but PDGF-Rbeta was expressed only by stromal cells and pericytes in the tumor vasculature. This expression of PDGF-Rbeta by stromal cells and pericytes was higher in tumors growing at the orthotopic site than in those at the ectopic site. The expression of PDGF-Rbeta in the stroma was higher in highly metastatic KM12SM tumors than in low metastatic KM12C tumors. In conclusion, the expression of PDGF-Rbeta in stromal cells is influenced by the organ-specific microenvironment and is associated with metastatic potential.