Insulinlike growth factor I receptor and estrogen receptor beta expressions are inversely correlated in colorectal neoplasms and affected by the insulin resistance syndrome.
The present study aimed at evaluating the modulation of insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) and estrogen receptor beta (ER-beta) expression and their correlation during tumorigenesis of sporadic colorectal cancer, with particular interest in the insulin resistance syndrome. In a series of 100 individuals (54 men and 46 women; mean age, 67.3 +/- 9.4 years) with colorectal neoplasms, classified as early adenomas (n = 25), advanced adenomas (n = 44), and adenocarcinomas (n = 31), IGF-IR and ER-beta expression was quantified in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens, using confocal laser scanning microscopy and a computer-based method for assessment of immunofluorescent staining. All individuals were evaluated for insulin resistance markers (hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, central obesity, and arterial hypertension), and 50 (26 men and 24 women; mean age, 68.2 +/- 9.0 years) were diagnosed with the insulin resistance syndrome. For the sequence of early adenoma-advanced adenoma-adenocarcinoma, a gradual increase in IGF-IR expression and a gradual decrease in ER-beta expression were observed. The partial correlation coefficient between IGF-IR and ER-beta expression, controlled for age, sex, insulin resistance, type of lesion, and location of lesion was 0.295 (P = .004, 2-tailed significance). Analysis of variance demonstrated that the effect of the insulin resistance syndrome on IGF-IR and ER-beta expression was significant (P = .007 and P = .018, respectively). The results suggest the combined effect of IGF-I and estrogens in colorectal cancer, with a distinctive role in individuals with the insulin resistance syndrome.
Papaxoinis
Kostis
K
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Electronic address: xoinis@hol.gr.
Patsouris
Efstratios
E
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
Kittas
Christos
C
Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
Nicolopoulou-Stamati
Polyxeni
P
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1