| Correlation of beta-catenin and p53 Protein Expression with Clinico-pathologic Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer. |
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Moon, Kil Min , Park, Young Jin , Kim, Han Seung , Park, Seung Hae , Kim, Ji Il , Kim, Ki Hong , Song, Byung Joo , Lee, Meung Soo , Kim, Chul Nam , Chang, Seok Hyo |
1Department of Surgery, Ilsan-Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Goyang, Korea. yjpark@ilsanpaik.ac.kr
2Department of Pathology, Ilsan-Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Goyang, Korea. |
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| Abstract |
PURPOSE
Both the beta-catenin and p53 play a crucial role in the process of colon carcinogenesis. The expression of beta-catenin and/or p53 has been reported to be associated with pathologic features of tumor and prognosis of patients.
In addition, several recent studies have suggested a close biological association between p53 expression and nuclear beta-catenin level. We analyzed the pathologic variables and p53 expression according to the intra-nuclear beta-catenin expression in colon cancer to make such assumptions more clear since they are still controversial issues.
METHODS
The expressions of beta-catenin, p53 and Ki-67 protein in colon cancer were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between these protein expressions and tumor characteristics was statistically analyzed.
RESULTS
The intra-nuclear beta-catenin accumulation was not associated with any of the pathological variables including lymph node metastasis and tumor differentiation, but it was correlated with higher level of Ki-67 proliferation index (P=0.006) and negative staining of p53 (P=0.015). Positive p53 staining was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.006), lymphatic invasion (P=0.03) and venous invasion (P=0.02).
CONCLUSION
These results support the suggestion that intra-nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin may regulate the p53 activity in colorectal cancer. In addition, positive staining of p53 may be used as a valuable prognostic indicator since it was strongly associated with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic and venous invasion. |
| Key Words:
Colorectal cancer; beta-catenin; p53; Lymph node metastasis; Differentiation |
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