Dysregulation of apoptosis is a major mechanism in the lymph node involvement in colorectal carcinoma.
The purpose of this study was to define gene expression profile changes in colorectal tumors in order to identify target genes involved in neoplastic progression. cDNA microarray analysis was used to detect differences in gene expression profiles between colon tumor samples obtained from 20 patients in different tumor stages. Genes included in the cDNA microarray were selected according to their role in the cell cycle, apoptosis process, drug resistance and transcription factor regulation. Cluster analysis showed 2 well differentiated gene expression profiles between colorectal tumors with or without lymph node involvement. Some of these genes are important regulators of apoptotic pathways (DAD1, APO3, DRAK1 or BIK), suggesting that this process could be associated with node involvement. Subsequent analysis of certain genes identified in the microarray analysis were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Our data suggest that microarray technology could discriminate between the involvement of regional lymph node in colon cancer where apoptosis-related genes would be implied. This preliminary analysis also suggests that the gene expression profile may be useful in improving risk-group stratification.
Bandres
Eva
E
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmacogenomics, University Clinic, Cancer Center, University of Navarra, 31008-Pamplona, Spain.
Catalan
Victoria
V
Sola
Iosu
I
Honorato
Beatriz
B
Cubedo
Elena
E
Cordeu
Lucia
L
Andion
Esther
E
Escalada
Alvaro
A
Zarate
Ruth
R
Salgado
Esteban
E
Zabalegui
Natalia
N
García
Fermin
F
Garcia-Foncillas
Jesus
J
D017209:Apoptosis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012306:Risk
D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012313:RNA