title: Elevated expression of fatty acid synthase and fatty acid synthetic activity in colorectal neoplasia.
abstract: Expression of the primary enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of fatty acids, ie, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and ex vivo fatty acid synthetic activity were examined in colorectal epithelium and neoplasms, including the relationship to tumor progression and prognosis. Immunohistochemistry for FAS showed only faint staining of native colorectal mucosa, but increased expression was found in all sporadic adenomas (n = 18), adenomas associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 7), hyperplastic polyps (n = 3), dysplasias arising in ulcerative colitis (n = 17), and colorectal carcinomas (n = 130) including 11 with contiguous adenomas. The intensity of staining was strong in 53% of carcinomas, intermediate in 38%, and weak in 9%. Activity of the fatty acid synthetic pathway measured by labeling of six surgical specimens with [U-14C]acetate was 2- to 7-fold higher in colorectal carcinomas than adjacent native mucosa (P = 0.006) and 6- to 16-fold higher than serosal fat (P = 0.01). Activity correlated with immunohistochemical expression (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.85; P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant association between patient survival and FAS staining intensity of carcinomas. Our study shows that FAS is expressed in all colorectal neoplasms and there is a concomitant increase in fatty acid synthesis. FAS may therefore represent a potential therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2196, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Pizer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moga
authors.forename: L Z
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Milgraum
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zahurak
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Pasternack
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Kuhajda
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D012007:Rectum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases