title: Potential role of apoptosis and apoptotic regulatory proteins in colorectal neoplasia: correlations with clinico-pathological parameters and survival.
abstract: An imbalance between apoptotic and proliferative processes is believed to underlie colorectal neoplasia. We evaluated the expression of bcl-2, p53, mdm2 proteins, and apoptosis in colorectal neoplasms, as well as their correlation with clinico-pathological parameters, using image analysis. Biopsies from 46 colorectal cancers, 121 adenomas, and 25 controls were studied using monoclonal antibodies against p53, bcl-2, mdm2 and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method for apoptosis. P53 and bcl2 protein expression was higher in adenomas >or=1 cm (P < 0.03) and tubulovillous-villous adenomas (P < 0.03), and correlated with dysplasia (P < 0.03). In Cox regression analysis, Dukes' stage was the most significant independent prognostic indicator of a worse survival (P < 0.019), whereas when stage was eliminated, bcl-2 expression was also a powerful predictor for bad prognosis (P = 0.02). In conclusion, both bcl-2 and p53 immunohistochemical profiles may be useful adjuncts in detecting adenomas with a malignant potential, whereas bcl-2 could be used in combination with Dukes' stage as a predictor of prognosis in colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Agia Varvara General Hospital, 2 Nevrokopiou str, 15669 Athens, Greece, tzouvalam@in.gr
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tzouvala
authors.forename: Andreas C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lazaris
authors.forename: George V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Papatheodoridis
authors.forename: Chariklia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kouvidou
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Papathomas
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kavantzas
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Elemenoglou
authors.forename: Demetrios G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Karamanolis
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agapitos
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C497206:MDM2 protein, human; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2