Correlation between chromogranin-A expression and pathological variables in human colon carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The possible association between neuroendocrine pattern and cancer prognosis could have substantial clinical implications, but the studies performed have generated conflicting results. As chromogranin-A (CGA) and dense-core granules are expressed concordantly, CGA expression may be used as a marker for cells expressing the complete neuroendocrine cell phenotype.


METHODS
Fifty-six patients with primary colon carcinoma who underwent potentially curative surgery were analyzed. For immunohistochemical study a monoclonal antibody specific for human chromogranin A was used. The tumor was considered positive when the number of CGA cells was higher than 10% in the section. The relation between CGA-positivity and depth of parietal invasion, lymph-node status and differentiation grade was examined.


RESULTS
We observed positive immunostaining in 22 cases out of 56 (39.3%). Significant association was found between CGA-positivity and lymph-node metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
CGA overexpression could reflect a more aggressive tumor. If our results are confirmed, we should consider the CGA + colon cancer patients at risk for lymph-node disease and therefore include them in a adjuvant chemotherapeutic protocol.
Indinnimeo
Marileda
M
Department of Surgery Pietro Valdoni, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy. mariledaindinnimeo@yahoo.it
Cicchini
Claudia
C
Memeo
Lorenzo
L
Stazi
Alessandro
A
Provenza
Claudia
C
Ricci
Francesca
F
Mingazzini
Pietro Luigi
PL
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
C506150:CHGA protein, human; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins