title: Fas ligand expression in lynch syndrome-associated colorectal tumours.
abstract: Fas Ligand (FasL) expression by cancer cells may contribute to tumour immune escape via the Fas counterattack against tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Whether this plays a role in colorectal carcinogenesis in Lynch syndrome was examined studying FasL expression, tumour cell apoptosis and number of TILs in colorectal neoplasms from Lynch syndrome patients (50 adenomas, 20 carcinomas) compared with sporadic cases (69 adenomas, 52 carcinomas). FasL expression was observed in 94% of Lynch syndrome adenomas and in all carcinomas. FasL expression patterns and apoptotic indices were similar in Lynch syndrome-associated neoplasms and sporadic cases. The number of TILs was higher in Lynch syndrome neoplasms than in sporadic cases. There were no correlations between FasL expression and tumour cell apoptosis or number of TILs in Lynch syndrome-associated neoplasms. So, FasL expression is an early event in Lynch syndrome and sporadic colorectal carcinogenesis, but not related to TIL number. Taken together, our data do not support a role for the Fas counterattack in colorectal carcinogenesis in Lynch syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. j.j.koornstra@int.umcg.nl
authors.forename: Jan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Koornstra
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Wietske
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Boersma-van Eck
authors.forename: Nynke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zwart
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hollema
authors.forename: Elisabeth G E
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kleibeuker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein