Clinical significance of stromal apoptosis in colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epithelial and stromal cells play an important role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to determine the prognostic significance of both epithelial and stromal cell apoptosis in CRC.

Methods

Total apoptosis was determined by caspase-3 activity measurements in protein homogenates of CRC specimens and adjacent normal mucosa of 211 CRC patients. Epithelial apoptosis was determined by an ELISA specific for a caspase-3-degraded cytokeratin 18 product, the M30 antigen. Stromal apoptosis was determined from the ratio between total and epithelial apoptosis.

Results

Epithelial and stromal apoptosis, as well as total apoptosis, were significantly higher in CRC compared with corresponding adjacent normal mucosa. Low total tumour apoptosis (< or = m

SUBMITTER: Koelink PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2736838 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature