Expression of hormone receptors, cathepsin D, and HER-2/neu oncoprotein in normal colon and colonic disease
S. Galandiuk, S. Miseljic, A. R. Yang, M. Early, M. D. McCoy and J. L. Wittliff
Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Ky.
BACKGROUND: Chronic ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis
are associated with an increased risk of colorectal carcinoma. Currently,
there are no reliable methods to assess carcinoma risk. METHODS: Several
prognostic factors known to be useful in breast carcinoma were determined
in 102 specimens of colonic mucosa from 38 patients: 22 specimens from
"normal," non-neoplastic colon, 49 from chronic ulcerative colitis, 10 from
Crohn's colitis, 14 from familial adenomatous polyposis, four from mucosa
adjacent to carcinoma, and three from colon carcinoma. Expression of
estrogen receptor, progestin receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor,
HER-2/neu (c-erb B-2) oncoprotein, and cathepsin D were determined.
RESULTS: Epidermal growth factor receptor expression was higher in chronic
ulcerative colitis, Crohn's colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, and
colon carcinoma and varied with location within the colon for chronic
ulcerative colitis, Crohn's colitis, and familial adenomatous polyposis.
Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in mucosa adjacent to carcinoma
was similar to that in "normal" colon. CONCLUSION: Further analyses are
needed to determine which parameters are related to and possibly predictive
of increased carcinoma risk.
