Evaluation of serum lysyl oxidase as a blood test for colorectal cancer

Herbal compound Teng-Long-Bu-Zhong-Tang inhibits metastasis in human RKO colon carcinoma

Metastasis is one of the primary obstacles to the successful treatment of colorectal cancer. Teng-Long-Bu-Zhong-Tang (TLBZT) is a modern Chinese herbal formula that may be useful in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. The present study evaluated the effects of TLBZT on lung metastasis in human RKO colon carcinoma cells injected into mice via the tail vein. The results demonstrated that TLBZT inhibited the metastasis of human RKO colon carcinoma cells to the lungs. TLBZT downregulated the expression of LOX and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. TLBZT also inhibited the expression of integrins αV and β3 and the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. These results indicate that TLBZT inhibits the lung metastasis of RKO colon carcinoma by regulating the expression of multiple genes. The results of the present study provide a new basis for the management of colorectal cancer metastasis using treatments derived from Chinese herbs.

Evaluation of serum and tissue levels of VAP-1 in colorectal cancer

Background

The endothelial adhesion molecule, vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1, AOC3) promotes lymphocyte recruitment to tumours, although the contribution that VAP-1 makes to lymphocyte recruitment in human colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. VAP-1 exists in circulating soluble form (sVAP-1). A previous study demonstrated elevated sVAP-1 levels in CRC patients. The aim of this study was to confirm this finding and study the differences in tissue VAP-1 expression between CRC and healthy tissues.

Methods

sVAP-1 levels were measured in the serum of 31 patients with CRC and 31 age- and sex-matched controls. Tissue VAP-1 levels were measured by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting.

Results

The mean sVAP-1 level ± SD was significantly lower in the CRC group compared with the control group (399 ± 138 ng/ml versus 510 ± 142 ng/ml, P = 0.003). Tissue VAP-1 protein and mRNA levels were significantly lower in CRC compared with normal colon tissue. VAP-1 immunostaining was practically absent from CRC.

Conclusions

VAP-1 is downregulated in human CRC and although the molecular basis of this down regulation is not yet known, we suggest it may be part of a mechanism used by the tumour to prevent the recruitment of anti-tumour immune cells. Our data contradicts the findings of others with regard sVAP-1 levels in patients with CRC. Possible reasons for this are discussed.