title: Clinical correlations of alpha2,6-sialyltransferase expression in colorectal cancer patients.
abstract: We have previously demonstrated a link between alpha2,6-Sialyltransferase (alpha2,6-ST; E.C. 2.4.99.1) expression and differentiation of colon tumors. So far, information is not available relative to the expression of alpha2,6-ST in tumors and the survival of patients with colorectal cancer. We have examined the expression of alpha2,6-ST in a variety of colorectal adenocarcinomas (n = 46) at different stages of differentiation (G1 to G3) by immunoperoxidase assay using monoclonal antibody (MAb) 6B9. Clinical outcome of the patients in a 5-year follow-up study has been correlated with the expression of alpha2,6-ST in tumors surgically removed from the same patients. No significant difference in the alpha2,6-ST expression was noted when age, sex, and tumor locations (colon, rectum) were included as parameters. However, 52% of the moderate (G2) and well-differentiated (G1) adenocarcinomas showed stronger alpha2,6-ST expression compared with poorly differentiated (G3) adenocarcinomas. Notably, absence to moderate levels of tumor alpha2,6-ST expression was correlated with 100% survival in patients with stage I and II tumors compared with 64% survival in patients with strong tumor alpha2,6-ST expression (p < 0.01). These studies suggest a negative correlation between the expression of alpha2,6-ST in tumors and a good clinical outcome in colorectal cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lise
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belluco
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganguly
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012799:Sialyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016707:Tissue Fixation; D000094802:beta-D-Galactoside alpha 2-6-Sialyltransferase
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D012799:Sialyltransferases; D000094802:beta-D-Galactoside alpha 2-6-Sialyltransferase