Implications of estrogen and its receptors in colorectal carcinoma

Estrogens have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancer types, including colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Estrogen receptors such as ERα and ERβ activate intracellular signaling cascades followed by binding to estrogen, resulting in important changes in cellular behaviors. The nuclear estrogen receptors, i.e. ERβ and ERα are responsible for the genomic actions of estrogens, whereas the other receptor, such as G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) regulates rapid non-genomic actions, which lead to secondary gene expression changes in cells. ERβ, the predominant estrogen receptor expressed in both normal and non-malignant colonic epithelium, has protective roles in colon carcinogenesis. ERβ may exert the anti-tumor effect through selective activation of pro-apoptotic signaling, increasing DNA repair, inhibiting expression of oncogenes, regulating cell cycle progression, and also by changing the micro-RNA pool and DNA-methylation. Thus, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of estrogen and its receptors in CRC pathogenesis could provide a new horizon for effective therapeutic development. Furthermore, using synthetic or natural compounds as ER agonists may induce estrogen-mediated anti-cancer activities against colon cancer. In this study, we report the most recent pre-clinical and experimental evidences related to ERs in CRC development. Also, we reviewed the actions of naturally occurring and synthetic compounds, which have a protective role against CRC development by acting as ER agonist.

Left atrial reservoir strain provides incremental value to left atrial volume index for evaluation of left ventricular filling pressure

BACKGROUND

Left atrial analysis is employed in diastolic assessment with left atrial volume index (LAVI) incorporated in the 2016 ASE/EACVI diastology guideline algorithm. LAVI has sub-optimal correlation with invasive left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) and incorporation of left atrial reservoir strain (LASr) may improve diastolic assessment.

METHODS

A cross-sectional prospective study of 139 patients was undertaken with all patients undergoing transthoracic echocardiography immediately prior to cardiac catheterization with invasive evaluation of LVFP. LASr by speckle tracking echocardiography and conventional echocardiographic parameters were assessed in relation to invasive LVFP. Modification of the 2016 guideline algorithm was performed with incorporation of LASr in place of LAVI (LASr ≤23% indicating elevated LVFP). Accuracy of the modified and conventional algorithm were assessed for predicting invasive LVFP.

RESULTS

The mean age was 63±12 years with 27% female. LASr demonstrated superior correlation and receiver operator characteristic for predicting LVFP than LAVI (LASr: r -.46 (p < 0.01), AUC: .82 vs LAVI: r .19 (p 0.02), AUC: .66). LASr of ≤23% was the optimal cut-off for discriminating elevated LVFP (sensitivity 80%, specificity 77%). Modification of the 2016 algorithm with incorporation of LASr in place of LAVI reclassified 12% of the patient cohort and improved concordance of echocardiographic and invasive LVFP assessment (modified algorithm κ .47 vs 2016 algorithm κ: .33). No patients were incorrectly reclassified by modified algorithm assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

LASr better predicts invasive LVFP than LAVI. Modification of the 2016 guideline algorithm with incorporation of LASr in place of LAVI improves accuracy of echocardiographic assessment of LVFP.

Role of miR-193a in Cancer: Complexity and Factors Control the Pattern of its Expression

BACKGROUND

There is emerging data suggesting that the non-coding RNA (microRNA 193a or miR-193a) plays key roles in different types of cancers.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to investigate the functional significance of miR-193a in different cancers according to the information of literature.

METHOD

All the literature concerning miR-193a in cancer in PubMed are analysed.

RESULTS

Several studies proved the association of miR-193a expression patterns with cancer's stages, grades, response to the chemotherapy and even patient survival. Also, miR-193a can be used to differentiate some types of cancer. In cancer, miR-193a can act as a tumour suppressor gene or as an oncogene. Till now, several genetic factors (MAX, RXR α, XB130, P63, P73, AEG-1, HIFs, EGFR, Drosha, DGCR8, Dicer) and epigenetic factors (DNA methylation and long non-coding RNAs) were predicted to control miR-193a expression. They have fundamental effects on its biological behaviour in different types of cancers.

CONCLUSION

miR-193a has significant roles in cancer and can be targeted in the future for cancer therapy by better understanding of the factors that control its biological behaviour.

MiR-142-5p act as an oncogenic microRNA in colorectal cancer: Clinicopathological and functional insights

OBJECTIVES

miR-142-5p was noted aberrantly expressed and plays important roles in different pathophysiological conditions in human. The present study aims to examine the expression of miR-142-5p and its association with clinicopathological factors in a large cohort of patients with colorectal cancer. In addition, the cellular effects of miR-142-5p and its interacting targets in colon cancer cells were investigated.

METHODS

Expression of miR-142-5p in colorectal cancer tissues (n=125) and colon cancer cell lines were analysed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In vitro assays (cell proliferation, wound healing and colony formation) were used to study the miR-142-5p induced cellular effects. Western blots were used to examine the modulation of FAM134B, KRAS, EPAS1 and KLF6 proteins expression followed by miR-142-5p expression-manipulation.

RESULTS

Significant high expression of miR-142-5p was noted in cancer tissues and cells when compared to the controls (p<0.001). Overexpression of miR-142-5p in patients with colorectal cancer was common (72%; 90/125). miR-142-5p overexpression was associated with cancer in the proximal colorectum and with B-raf positive patients (p=0.05). Exogenous overexpression of miR-142-5p resulted in significantly increased cell proliferation, colony formation, and wound healing capacities, whereas inhibition of endogenous miR-142-5p led reduced cancer growth properties. The cellular effects of miR-142-5p were mediated by the modulation of tumour suppressor KLF6 expression, as the expression of miR-142-5p and KLF6 protein are inversely correlated in colon cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

High miR-142-5p expression was associated with the biological aggressiveness of cancer. Thus, suppression of miR-142-5p could be a therapeutic strategy for patients with colorectal cancers.

ID: 1036 FAM134B, a new player in human colorectal cancer pathogenesis

Background: FAM134B (family with sequence similarity 134, member B) is a relatively new player in many human diseases including cancers. In colorectal carcinomas, FAM134B plays important role in the pathogenesis and associated with biological aggressiveness of the disease. However, expression pattern, the frequency of mutations, methylation status in colon cancer cells and tissue samples has never been studied. Also, the functional roles of FAM134B in cell have never been studied in colorectal cancer. Objectives: To investigate FAM134B promoter methylation, mutations in tissues samples from patients with colorectal cancer and cell lines. Also, promoter methylation, expression and functional roles of FAM134B in colon cancer were studied.  Methods: Methylation and mutations in FAM134B sequence in cancer tissues (n=126) and matched non-cancer samples was studied by high-resolution melt curve analysis followed by Sanger sequencing. FAM134B expression was studied and quantified in cell lines and cancer tissues samples using immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry, Western blot and real time PCR. In vitro functional assays and mouse xenotransplantation model were performed to unveil the molecular roles of FAM134B in colon cancer pathogenesis followed by shRNA-mediated silencing in cells.  Results: We noted that 46.5% (41/88) patients with colorectal cancer were identified as FAM134B mutations positive. Thirty-one novel pathogenic mutations were detected and these mutations were associated with gender of the patients, presence of metachronous cancer, size, T staging, presence of distant metastases and positivity of microsatellite instability (MSI) in the cancer (p < 0.05). Majority of cancer tissues had shown promoter hyper-methylation and were correlated with reduced mRNA and protein expression in both cancer samples and cells. FAM134B expression in cancer cells derived from advanced stages (stage III; SW48 and stage IV; HCT116) of colon cancer was significantly (p<0.01) reduced when compared to non-neoplastic colon cells (FHC) and cancer cells derived from stage II colon cancer (SW480). Expression of FAM134B mRNA in cancer tissues was noted significantly (p<0.001) downregulated when compared to that of non-cancer tissues samples. FAM134B suppression significantly (p<0.05) increased the proliferation of colon cancer cells, remarkably increased (3452% ; p<0.05) the clonogenic, migration capacity, and increases the proportion of cells in S phase of cell cycle (p<0.01). Xenotransplantation model showed that larger and higher grade tumors were formed in mice treated with FAM134B knockdown cells. Conclusion: Reduced expression in cancer samples, in vitro and in vivo functional studies implied that FAM134B acts as a cancer inhibitor in colon cancer play important roles in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Abstract 3420: Mutational status, expression and functional behaviors of FAM134B in colorectal cancer

Background: Family with sequence similarity 134B (FAM134B) is an ER-autophagy regulator and involved in the pathogenesis of neuronal disorders, vascular diseases and carcinomas. In colorectal carcinomas, FAM134B plays important role in the pathogenesis and associated with aggressiveness of the disease. However, the frequency of mutations, expression pattern and functional roles in cell have never been studied in colorectal cancer.

Objectives: To investigate FAM134B mutations in tissues samples from patients with colorectal cancer and cell lines. Also, the expression of FAM134B at protein and mRNA levels were examined. In addition, functional roles of FAM134B in colon cancer were studied.

Methods: Mutations in FAM134B sequence in eighty-eight cancer tissues and matched non-cancer samples was studied by high-resolution melt curve analysis followed by Sanger sequencing. FAM134B expression was studied and quantified in cell lines and cancer tissues samples using immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry, Western blot and real-time PCR. In vitro functional assays were performed to unveil the molecular roles of FAM134B in colon cancer pathogenesis followed by shRNA-mediated silencing in cells. Mouse xenotransplantation model was used to confirm the functional behavior of FAM134B in colon cancer.

Results: In this study, 46.5% (41/88) patients with colorectal cancer were identified as FAM134B mutations positive. Thirty-one novel pathogenic mutations were detected. Of the 31 mutations, 8 novel frameshift mutations caused nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and associated with gender of the patients, presence of metachronous cancer, size, T staging, presence of distant metastases and positivity of microsatellite instability (MSI) in the cancer (p &lt; 0.05). FAM134B expression in cancer cells derived from advanced stages (stage III; SW48 and stage IV; HCT116) of colon cancer was significantly (p&lt;0.01) reduced when compared to non-neoplastic colon cells (FHC) and cancer cells derived from stage II colon cancer (SW480). Expression of FAM134B mRNA in cancer tissues was noted significantly (p&lt;0.001) downregulated when compared to that of non-cancer tissues samples. FAM134B suppression significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the proliferation of colon cancer cells, remarkably increased (34-52%; p&lt;0.05) the clonogenic, migration capacity, and increases the proportion of cells in S phase of cell-cycle (p&lt;0.01). Xenotransplantation model showed that larger and higher-grade tumors were formed in mice treated with FAM134B knockdown cells.

Conclusion: In vitro and in vivo functional studies implied that FAM134B acts as a cancer inhibitor in colon cancer. Also, FAM134B mutation is common in colorectal cancer and the association of mutation with adverse clinical and pathological parameters are in concur with the tumour suppressive property of the gene.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting.

Citation Format: Farhadul Islam, Vinod Gopalan, Riajul Wahab, Katherine Ting-wei Lee, Afraa Mamoori, Cu-tai Lu, Robert A Smith, Alfred K-Y Lam. Mutational status, expression and functional behaviors of FAM134B in colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3420. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3420

Expression pattern of miR-451 and its target MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) in colorectal cancer

AIMS

To investigate the expression pattern of microRNA-451 (miR-451) in patients with colorectal carcinoma and correlate with the expression of its target gene MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor).

METHODS

Matched cancer and non-cancer fresh frozen tissues were prospectively collected from 70 patients (35 men and 35 women) who underwent resection of colorectal adenocarcinoma. These tissues collected were extracted for miR and complementary DNA conversion. Then, miR-451 expressions in these tissues were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression was correlated with clinical and pathological parameters of these patients. In addition, paraffin blocks of 10 colorectal carcinomas with lowest expression of miR-451 were used for the study of MIF protein expression by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

miR-451 was downregulated in majority of the colorectal cancer tissues when compared with their matched normal tissues (84.3%, n=59/70). Downregulation of miR-451 correlates significantly with presence of coexisting adenoma (91.4%, p=0.025). In addition, persistence of cancer or cancer recurrence after surgery showed significant correlation with downregulation of miR-451 (80% vs 0%; p=0.028). There is no significant correlation between miR-451 expression and age, gender of the patients as well as size, grades, pathological stages, presence of lymphovascular permeation, perineural invasion and microsatellite instability status of the colorectal carcinoma (p>0.05). Majority of the cases (80%) with low expression of miR-451 showed high levels of MIF protein expression confirming the inverse relationship between miR-451 and MIF expressions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that miR-451 could play a role in development and progression of colorectal cancer and likely by targeting MIF.

"Googling" for Cancer: An Infodemiological Assessment of Online Search Interests in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Background

The infodemiological analysis of queries from search engines to shed light on the status of various noncommunicable diseases has gained increasing popularity in recent years.

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine the international perspective on the distribution of information seeking in Google regarding “cancer” in major English-speaking countries.

Methods

We used Google Trends service to assess people’s interest in searching about “Cancer” classified as “Disease,” from January 2004 to December 2015 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Then, we evaluated top cities and their relative search volumes (SVs) and country-specific “Top searches” and “Rising searches.” We also evaluated the cross-country correlations of SVs for cancer, as well as rank correlations of SVs from 2010 to 2014 with the incidence of cancer in 2012 in the abovementioned countries.

Results

From 2004 to 2015, the United States (relative SV [from 100]: 63), Canada (62), and Australia (61) were the top countries searching for cancer in Google, followed by New Zealand (54) and the United Kingdom (48). There was a consistent seasonality pattern in searching for cancer in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Baltimore (United States), St John’s (Canada), Sydney (Australia), Otaika (New Zealand), and Saint Albans (United Kingdom) had the highest search interest in their corresponding countries. “Breast cancer” was the cancer entity that consistently appeared high in the list of top searches in all 5 countries. The “Rising searches” were “pancreatic cancer” in Canada and “ovarian cancer” in New Zealand. Cross-correlation of SVs was strong between the United States, Canada, and Australia (>.70, P<.01).

Conclusions

Cancer maintained its popularity as a search term for people in the United States, Canada, and Australia, comparably higher than New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The increased interest in searching for keywords related to cancer shows the possible effectiveness of awareness campaigns in increasing societal demand for health information on the Web, to be met in community-wide communication or awareness interventions.

Cancer stem cells in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Identification, prognostic and treatment perspectives

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a vital subpopulation of cells to target for the treatment of cancers. In oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), there are several markers such as CD44, ALDH, Pygo2, MAML1, Twist1, Musashi1, Side population (SP), CD271 and CD90 that have been proposed to identify the cancer stem cells in individual cancer masses. It has also been demonstrated that stem cell markers like ALDH1, HIWI, Oct3/4, ABCG2, SOX2, SALL4, BMI-1, NANOG, CD133 and podoplanin are associated with patient's prognosis, pathological stages, cancer recurrence and therapy resistance. Finding new cancer stem cell targets or designing drugs to manipulate the known molecular targets in CSCs could be useful for improvements in clinical outcomes of the disease. To conclude, data suggest that CSCs in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma are related to resistance to therapy and poor prognosis of patients with ESCC. Therefore, innovative insights into CSC biology and CSC-targeted therapies will help to achieve more effective management of patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Cancer stem cell: fundamental experimental pathological concepts and updates

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of cancer cells which play a key role in predicting the biological aggressiveness of cancer due to its ability of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation (stemness). The CSC model is a dynamic one with a functional subpopulation of cancer cells rather than a stable cell population responsible for tumour regeneration. Hypotheses regarding the origins of CSCs include (1) malignant transformation of normal stem cells; (2) mature cancer cell de-differentiation with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and (3) induced pluripotent cancer cells. Surprisingly, the cancer stem cell hypothesis originated in the late nineteenth century and the existence of haematopoietic stem cells was demonstrated a century later, demonstrating that the concept was possible. In the last decade, CSCs have been identified and isolated in different cancers. The hallmark traits of CSCs include their heterogeneity, interaction with microenvironments and plasticity. Understanding these basic concepts of CSCs is important for translational applications using CSCs in the management of patients with cancer.

Adrenal oncocytic phaeochromocytoma with putative adverse histologic features: a unique case report and review of the literature

Oncocytic phaeochromocytomas are exceedingly rare tumours. To date, there are three reported cases in the literature. This report describes a case of adrenal oncocytic phaeochromocytoma with unique features and malignant potential in a 68-year-old man. The patient presented with an incidental non-functional mass discovered on routine radiological investigation, which was subsequently excised. Histologically, the tumour cells showed oncocytic features with high-grade nuclear abnormalities and foci of extension to the peri-adrenal fat. Immunohistochemistry performed was positive for chromogranin, CD56, S-100 and p53 and negative for inhibin, HMB-45, EMA, AE1/AE3, Cam 5.2 and calretinin. Electron microscopy showed electron dense granules of neurosecretory type, which confirmed the diagnosis. The malignant potential of the tumour was assessed on available histologic scoring systems, which demonstrated a high malignant potential. However, no recurrence was detected after 5 years of follow-up. Compared to all the previously reported cases of oncocytic phaeochromocytoma, this patient was the oldest on presentation, was the only case with identified high malignant potential and has the longest follow-up. A review of the literature showed that all the oncocytic phaeochromocytomas reported were non-functional, non-metastasizing and were described in women. To conclude, oncocytic phaeochromocytoma should be in the differential diagnoses of oncocytic tumours of the adrenal gland. Additional studies are needed to predict the behaviour of this entity.

The roles of JK-1 (FAM134B) expressions in colorectal cancer

The aims of the present study are to investigate the clinicopathological correlations of JK-1(FAM134B) expression and its relationship to carcinogenesis in a colorectal adenoma-adenocarcinoma model. JK-1(FAM134B) protein expression was studied in a colon cancer cell line by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. JK-1(FAM134B) expression profiles at mRNA and protein levels were investigated in cancer tissues from 236 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma and 32 patients with colorectal adenoma using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The findings were then correlated with the clinicopathological features of these tumours. JK-1(FAM134B) protein was demonstrated in the colon cancer cells by Western blot. The protein was located in the nuclei of the tumour cells at both cellular and tissue levels. In colorectal adenocarcinomas, lower levels of JK-1(FAM134B) protein expression were associated with younger age (p=0.032), larger tumour size (p=0.004), advanced cancer stages (p=0.016) and higher rates of cancer recurrence (p=0.04). Also, lower levels of JK-1(FAM134B) mRNA expression were associated with advanced cancer stages (p=0.02) and presence of lymphovascular invasion (p=0.014). Higher JK-1(FAM134B) mRNA and protein expression levels were identified in adenomas and non-neoplastic mucosae, compared to carcinomas (p=0.005). To conclude, JK-1(FAM134B) mRNA expression and JK1 (FAM134B) protein levels varied with the different stages of progression of colorectal tumours. The expression levels of the gene were associated with clinicopathological features in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma suggesting that JK-1(FAM134B) gene has roles in controlling some steps in the development of the invasive phenotypes from colorectal adenoma to early staged as well as advanced staged colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Regulation of microRNA-1288 in colorectal cancer: altered expression and its clinicopathological significance

We aim to examine the miR-1288 expression in cancer cell lines and a large cohort of patients with colorectal cancer. Two colon cancer cell lines (SW480 and SW48) and one normal colonic epithelial cell line (FHC) were recruited. The miRNA expressions of miR-1288 were tested on these cell lines by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). An exogenous miR-1288 (mimic) was used to detect cell proliferation and cell cycle changes in SW480 using MTT calorimetric assay and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, tissues from 122 patients with surgical resection of colorectum (82 adenocarcinomas, 20 adenomas, and 20 non-neoplastic tissues) were tested for miR-1288 expression by qRT-PCR. The colon cancer cell lines showed reduced expression of miR-1288 compared to normal colonic epithelial cell line. Over expression of miR-1288 in SW480 cell line showed increased cell proliferation and increased G2-M phase cells. In tissues, reduced miR-1288 expression was noted in majority of colorectal adenocarcinoma compared to colorectal adenoma and non-neoplastic tissues. Reduced or absent expression of miR-1288 was noted in 76% (n = 62/82) of the cancers. The expression levels of miR-1288 were higher in distal colorectal adenocarcinomas (P = 0.013) and in cancers of lower T staging (P = 0.033). To conclude, alternation of miR-1288 expression is important in the progression of colorectal cancer. The differential regulation of miR-1288 was found to be related to cancer location and pathological staging in colorectal cancers.

Abstract 4134: miR1288 in colorectal cancers: Altered expression and its clinicopathological significance

Introduction: MicroRNA-1288 (miR-1288) is a non-coding RNA located in 17p11.2 and not been studied solely in cancer. We aim to examine the miR-1288 expression in a large cohort of patients with colorectal carcinoma, adenoma and non-neoplastic colorectal tissues. The implications of miR-1288 expression and clinicopathological features were also studied. Methods: Tissues from 102 patients with surgical resection of colorectum (82 adenocarcinomas, 10 adenomas and 10 non-neoplastic tissues), two colon cancer cell lines (SW480 and SW48) and one normal colonic epithelial cell line (FHC) were recruited. miRNA was extracted from all these samples and were converted in to cDNA. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed for the detection of miR-1288 expression. The results were correlated with the clinical and pathological data. Results: miR-1288 expression was decreased in majority of colorectal adenocarcinoma when compared to colorectal adenoma and non-neoplastic tissues. Reduced or absence expression of miR-1288 was noted in 78% (n=64) of the cancers. The colon cancer cell lines showed reduced expression of miR-1288 compared to normal colonic epithelial cell line. Distal colorectal cancers showed higher expression levels of miR-1288 than proximal cancers (p= 0.007). The expression levels of miR-1288 were significantly altered in different levels of cancer invasion (T staging) (p= 0.023). Conclusions: Altered expression pattern of miR-1288 in colorectal cancers compare to non-neoplastic tissues was identified. Also, differential regulation of miR-1288 was found to be related to location and pathological staging of colorectal cancers.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4134. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4134

GAEC1 and colorectal cancer: a study of the relationships between a novel oncogene and clinicopathologic features

GAEC1 is a novel gene located at 7q22.1 that was detected in our previous work in esophageal cancer. The aims of the present study are to identify the copy number of GAEC1 in different colorectal tissues including carcinomas, adenomas, and nonneoplastic tissues and characterize any links to pathologic factors. The copy number of GAEC1 was studied by evaluating the quantitative amplification of GAEC1 DNA in 259 colorectal tissues (144 adenocarcinomas, 31 adenomas, and 84 nonneoplastic tissues) using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Copy number of GAEC1 DNA in colorectal adenocarcinomas was higher in comparison with nonneoplastic colorectum. Seventy-nine percent of the colorectal adenocarcinomas showed amplification and 15% showed deletion of GAEC1 (P < .0001). Of the adenomas, 90% showed deletion of GAEC1, with the remaining 10% showing normal copy number. The differences in GAEC1 copy number between colorectal adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenoma, and nonneoplastic colorectal tissue are significant (P < .0001). GAEC1 copy number was significantly higher in adenocarcinomas located in distal colorectum compared with proximal colon (P = .03). In conclusion, GAEC1 copy number was significantly different between colorectal adenocarcinomas, adenomas, and nonneoplastic colorectal tissues. The copy number was also related to the site of the cancer. These findings along with previous work in esophageal cancer imply that GAEC1 is commonly involved in the pathogenesis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Clinical relevance of Fas expression in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIMS

To determine the extent of Fas expression in oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) from Chinese patients and to correlate Fas expression with clinicopathological prognostic parameters.

METHODS

Clinicopathological data were collected from 58 patients with ESCC who underwent oesophagectomy and had no prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Immunostaining was performed on the primary tumours. Expression of Fas was correlated with patients' demographics, tumour characteristics and stage, R category of surgery, and patients' survival.

RESULTS

The actuarial survival rates of all patients at two and five years after surgery were 48% and 14%, respectively. Fas expression was detected in 89.7% of ESCCs. Higher Fas expression recorded on a four point scale correlated with better tumour differentiation (p < 0.01), but not with other patient or tumour variables. Importantly, higher Fas expression was associated with better survival (p = 0.0317).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that Fas activated apoptosis is important in the pathogenesis of ESCC. This molecular pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.