Expression of LeX ,Sialyl-LeX, LeA and Sialyl-LeA in Colorectal Carcinoma and Its Significance / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the level of cell adhesion molecules LeX , sialyl-LeX, LeA and sialyl-LeA expression in colorectal carcinoma and its relation with carcinogenesis, differentiation, metastasis and prognosis.Methods The expression forms of LeX,sialyl-LeX,LeA and sialyl-LeA were studied by immunohistochemistry method with catalysis signal amplification (CSA)in 90 carcinomas and 30 normal mucosal specimens of colon and rectum, as well as in 51 metastatic lymph nodes.Fifty-three patients were followed up. Results Their antigens were expressed in normal mucosa distant from carcinoma lesions with the following frequencies LeX, 93 3% (28/30); sialyl-LeX, 16 7% (5/30); LeA, 93 3% (28/30); and sialyl-LeA, 90 0% (27/30), whereas in colorectal carcinomas, the expression frequency rate were LeX, 90 0% (81/90); sialyl-LeX, 94 4% (85/90); LeA, 78 9% (71/90); and sialyl-LeA, 80 0%(72/90). In metastatic lesion of lymphode LeX, sialyl-LeX, LeA and sialyl-LeA were expressed in 68 7% (35/51),96 1% (49/51),66 7% (34/51) and 66 7% (34/51), respectively.Conclusions The alteration of Lewis-related carbohydrate antigens in cancer cell membranes, including sialylation and/or aberrant glycosylation,these alteration may be related to metastatic behavior. These results suggested that sialyl-LeX may be used for estimating infiltration, metastasis and prognosis as a tumor-associated antigen in colorectal carcinoma.