[Telomerase activity in colorectal carcinoma and its relationship to clinicopathological findings].
Telomerase is thought to be responsible for cell immortality. The telomerase activity in carcinomas has been remarked since 1995. We examined telomerase activity in colorectal carcinoma by TRAP (Telomeric repeat amplification protocol) assay, and investigated its relationship to clinicopathological findings. We could analyse telomerase activities in 33 cases (66%) of 50 colorectal carcinomas, whereas the activity was not found in all 13 cases of noncancerous colorectal mucosa. There was no relation between the telomerase activity and the clinicopathological findings or metastatic status. We confirmed telomerase activities in much of colorectal carcinomas in spite of their progression. The carcinoma cells might be immortal from their early stage of progression by means of telomerase activity.
Iida
A
A
First Department of Surgery, Fukui Medical University.
Yamaguchi
A
A
Ohtaki
N
N
Goi
T
T
Hirose
K
K
Nakagawara
G
G
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis*
D019098:Telomerase