title: Validation of the galactose oxidase-Schiff's reagent sequence for early detection and prognosis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma.
abstract: Based on the multistage and multifocal nature of colorectal carcinogenesis, it is likely that reduction of cancer mortality through early detection and identification of new prognostic markers is an attainable goal. Well-documented changes occur in mucin glycoconjugates during neoplastic progression in the colon, and the nonneoplastic colonic mucosa in colon cancer patients is morphologically and histochemically abnormal. In this retrospective study, 152 archival colorectal tissues from 49 patients were studied for changes in mucin secretions as detected by the galactose oxidase-Schiff's (GOS) sequence. Intensity of the stain was evaluated in histological sections by semiquantitative analysis, and the area percentage of epithelium stained was quantified by image cytometry. The correlation between gender or tumor size, location and reactivity with peanut agglutinin and quantitative expression of GOS-reactive mucins was determined as well as intratumor and inter individual variability. Reactivity with GOS: (a) decreased during neoplastic progression and malignant conversion in the neoplasm; (b) increased in the normal colonic mucosa of patients with progressively more advanced disease; and (c) was of prognostic significance for patient survival or recurrence both in the normal colon of cancer patients and in invasive neoplasms. These data are consistent with the conclusion that GOS reactivity in the normal colonic mucosa is a dosimeter of exposure to environmental/lifestyle colorectal carcinogens rather than a marker for an oncodevelopmental cancer-associated antigen.
authors.affiliation: Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory, Newport, Kentucky 41071-4701, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Deddens
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pullman
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Colligan
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Whiteley
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000009:adverse effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D003124:Colorimetry; D004396:Coloring Agents; D018450:Disease Progression; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005692:Galactose Oxidase; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012306:Risk; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D004396:Coloring Agents; D009077:Mucins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C016467:Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen; D005692:Galactose Oxidase; C005732:thioacetic acid