Relationship between molecular markers and endoscopic findings in laterally spreading tumors.
OBJECTIVE
Characteristic clinicopathological features of laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) have been reported by endoscopists; however, only a few studies have been conducted on the biological features. These studies were not fully associated with the endoscopic findings of LSTs. The aim of this study was to estimate the biological features of each type of endoscopic finding of LST using two molecular markers, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and beta-catenin.


METHODS
Expression of the molecular markers and the endoscopic findings were compared in 22 LSTs and 14 subpedunculated polyps. MMP-7 and beta-catenin were immunostained. Three types of representative endoscopic findings of LST were defined as segments in LSTs. They were 15 granular segments, seven large nodular segments, and seven flat segments that corresponded to the area composed of aggregates of similar size granules, large nodules of diameter more than 10 mm, and a flat surface with no granule, respectively.


RESULTS
Expression of MMP-7 and coexpression of MMP-7 and beta-catenin were higher in large nodular segments than in granular segments (P < 0.0167). Among the three types of segments, flat segments showed the highest expression densities of beta-catenin accumulated in the nucleus. Large nodular segments and subpedunculated polyps showed similar expression patterns for the molecular markers.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides new and important information on the relationship between the molecular markers and endoscopic findings of LSTs.
Hashimoto
Shinichi
S
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Japan. sin-333@fb3.so-net.ne.jp
Higaki
Shingo
S
Amano
Ayaka
A
Harada
Katsunori
K
Nishikawa
Jun
J
Yoshida
Tomoharu
T
Okita
Kiwamu
K
Sakaida
Isao
I
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051176:beta Catenin; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases