title: Prognostic significance of DNA aneuploidy and p21 ras oncoprotein expression in colorectal cancer and their role in the determination of treatment modalities.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prognostic significance of DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction and p21 ras oncoprotein expression in patients with colorectal cancer and to correlate these factors with the clinical behavior of the tumors and their response to therapy. Of 79 patients with colorectal cancer 57% (45/79) had early stage disease. Forty-one percent (32/79) had aneuploid tumors while 30% (24/79) of the tumors had a high (>10%) S-phase fraction. p21ras oncoprotein expression was detected in 38% (30/79) of tumors. Patients with aneuploid tumors had a worse prognosis than patients with diploid tumors (p=0.0002). Similarly, patients with high S-phase fraction tumors had a shorter survival than those with low S-phase fraction tumors (p=0.005). No such difference was found between p21 raspositive and p21 ras-negative tumor subgroups. In early stage colorectal cancer, aneuploidy was closely correlated with disease outcome (p=0.029). Early stage patients with diploid tumors who received radiotherapy and chemotherapy had a better prognosis than patients with aneuploid tumors. In conclusion, DNA ploidy is a significant and independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. Aneuploidy and genetic alteration of the p21 ras oncoprotein are important in determining the biological aggressiveness of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, DNA ploidy may identify those subgroups of patients with early stage disease who may benefit from more aggressive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, India. gcri@ad1.vsnl.net.in
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Karelia
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras) / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016196:S Phase; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras)