BCL-2 expression in human colorectal adenomas and carcinomas.
As BCL-2 oncoprotein has been implicated as a survival factor in a number of tissues, we examined colorectal tumour specimens and cell lines for BCL-2 expression. BCL-2 protein was expressed in 19/22 adenocarcinomas and 12/13 adenomas. 6/9 carcinoma cell lines and 7/8 adenoma cell lines were also BCL-2 positive. BCL-2 expression was retained in metastases to the regional lymph nodes (3/3 specimens) and in the cell line SW620, derived from a lymph node metastasis. These studies suggest a role for BCL-2 in promoting cell survival of benign and malignant colorectal tumours and that BCL-2 deregulation may be a relatively early event in colorectal carcinogenesis. The retention of BCL-2 expression in the carcinomas and lymph node metastases may explain the resistance of colorectal tumours to chemotherapeutic treatment.
Hague
A
A
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Bristol, School of Medical Sciences, UK.
Moorghen
M
M
Hicks
D
D
Chapman
M
M
Paraskeva
C
C
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2