Expression of Chromogranin A, Cathepsin D, Cyclin D1 and p53 proteins in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to assess the roles of chromogranin A, cathepsin D, cyclin D1 and p53 protein expression in colorectal tumorigenesis. METHODS: 83 colorectal cancer and 12 villotubular adenoma tissue specimens were investigated by immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A, cathepsin D, cyclin D1 and p53 protein. Clinicopathologic values (tumor size, histologic grade, Astler-Coller stage and lymph node metastasis) were compared with the incidence of chromogranin A, cathepsin D, cyclin D1 and p53 protein expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlation was noted between the expression of chromogranin A and histologic grade (p<0.05). The incidence of positive cathepsin D expression was increased with tumor size (p<0.05), and there was a statistically significant correlation between histologic grade and cathepsin D expression (p<0.005). There were no statistically significant correlations among cyclin D1 expression and tumor size, histologic grade, stage and lymph node metastasis. Patients with lymph node metastasis had a high incidence of positive p53 protein expression compared to those without this finding (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that chromogranin A, cathepsin D, and p53 protein are useful variables for the prognostic assessment of colorectal adenocarcinoma. The p53 protein seems to involve the metastatic ability of colorectal adenocarcinomas. Also, the expression of cathepsin D, cyclin D1, and p53 protein may play an important role in the tumorigenesis and progression of the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence.