title: Sialyl-Tn antigen as a marker of colon cancer risk in ulcerative colitis: relation to dysplasia and DNA aneuploidy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Expression of the mucin-associated carbohydrate antigen sialyl-Tn (STn) and DNA aneuploidy has each been shown to correlate with malignant transformation in patients with sporadic colon cancer and in those with ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to determine how STn expression topographically and temporally relates to aneuploidy and neoplasia in patients with long-standing UC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients enrolled in a cancer surveillance program were studied, and 1691 mucosal specimens from repeated colonoscopies and colectomies were assessed in a standardized, prospective fashion for the presence of dysplasia, aneuploidy, and STn antigen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  STn was expressed in 47% of specimens from 6 patients who underwent colectomy for dysplasia and 7% of specimens from 6 well-matched patients who underwent surgery for medical intractability. Seven other patients who never developed dysplasia or aneuploidy expressed STn in 6% of biopsy specimens. STn expression was independent of aneuploidy in colons both with and without dysplasia. Of 5 patients with aneuploidy but without dysplasia, 4 expressed STn earlier than aneuploidy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In UC, STn antigen and DNA aneuploidy are independent markers of neoplastic transformation. Determination of STn expression may complement dysplasia and aneuploidy for identification of risk for colonic neoplasia in UC.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Söder Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karlén
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Broström
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Löfberg
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tribukait
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ost
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bodian
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Itzkowitz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C055491:sialosyl-Tn antigen