Correlation between the Expression of Nuclear Factor-kappaB p65 Protein with the Expression of Nuclear Factor-kappaB p50 Protein and the Clinicopathologic Factors in Colorectal Cancer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Nuclear Factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) and nuclear Factor-kappaB1 p50 (NF-kappaB p65) have been shown to play roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine production and oncogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the expressions of NF-kappaB p65 and NF-kappaB p50 proteins in premalignant lesions and colorectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Paraffin sections of 20 normal mucosa specimens, 20 low grade tubular adenoma specimens, 20 high grade tubular adenoma specimens and 64 adenocarcinoma specimens were analyzed immunohistochemically for the expressions of NF-kappaB p65 and NF-kappaB p50 proteins. RESULTS: The expressions of NF-kappaB p65 and NF-kappaB p50 proteins were significantly higher in the adenocarcinoma tissue compared with that in the normal mucosa, the low grade tubular adenoma and the high grade tubular adenoma tissues. The frequency of a NF-kappaB p50 expression was higher in the poorly differentiated histologic grade specimens, in the presence of nodal metastasis and in the high stage specimens. There were significant correlations between the NF-kappaB p65 and NF-kappaB p50 proteins. CONCLUSION: The expressions of NF-kappaB p65 and NF-kappaB p50 proteins may play a role in the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma.