Gouveris P, Lazaris AC, Papathomas TG, Nonni A, Kyriakou V, Delladetsima J, Patsouris ES, Tsavaris N. Topoisomerase I protein expression in primary colorectal cancer and recurrences after 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy.
J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2007;
133:1011-5. [PMID:
17605046 DOI:
10.1007/s00432-007-0253-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2006] [Accepted: 06/04/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Our aim was to investigate whether chemotherapy with 5-FU induces an alteration in the levels of topoisomerase I (topo I) in colorectal neoplastic tissues
METHODS
Twenty-five colorectal cancer patients were included in our study; these had undergone surgical resection of the primary tumor, received post-operatively 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy and then suffered from recurrences. In a standard three-step immunohistochemical procedure, a monoclonal antibody to topo I was applied in both specimens from each patient (one from the primary location and a second one from the recurrence). Statistical analysis was subsequently performed.
RESULTS
Malignant cells from the recurrences displayed a statistical significant increase, concerning the levels of topoisomerase I, by comparison with the primary tumors (P=0.01). The increase in topo I levels did not demonstrate significant correlations with Duke's stage (Fisher's Exact Test P value=0.496), differentiation grade (P value=0.661), localization (P value=0.072), patient sex (P value=0.434), nor with relapse free interval (P value=0.493). There was a statistically significant relationship between the age of patients and increase in topo I levels (P=0.011).
CONCLUSIONS
Topo I expression may be part of the malignant cells' phenotype in recurrent colorectal carcinomas, suggesting a potential role for Topo I in the acquisition of a metastatic phenotype. The increase of topo I immunohistochemical status is likely to be attributed to 5-FU and given the fact that high levels of topo I correlate with sensitivity to camptothecin, advanced colorectal cancer patients seem to benefit from topo I targeted anticancer drug therapy.
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