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Association of resistance‐related protein expression with poor vascularization and low levels of oxygen in human rectal cancer
Author(s) -
Mattern Jürgen,
Kallinowski Friedrich,
Herfarth Christian,
Volm Manfred
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19960703)67:1<20::aid-ijc5>3.0.co;2-1
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , protein expression , cancer , medicine , cancer research , oncology , biology , genetics , gene
Rectal carcinomas of previously untreated patients were analyzed for oxygen status using a computerized polarographic needle electrode histograph. Microvessel density and expression of c‐jun, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and several resistance‐related proteins (glutathione S‐transferase‐π, GST; thymidylate synthase, TS; metallothioneine, MT) were determined using immunohistochemistry. To examine whether a relationship exists between intratumoral vessel density and tumor oxygenation, microvessel counts were determined in a 400× field using factor‐VIII‐related antigen and were correlated with the corresponding pO 2 values. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between vessel density and oxygenation status of the tumors. Expression of c‐jun, VEGF and resistance‐related proteins was correlated with microvessel counts and pO 2 values. Significantly lower vessel counts were found in GST‐ and MT‐positive tumors and in tumors with overexpression of c‐jun and VEGF than in negative tumors. In addition, significantly lower pO 2 values were found in c‐jun‐ and VEGF‐positive tumors as well as a tendency for pO 2 values to be lower in tumors where MT, GST and TS were expressed. These data show that expression of c‐jun, VEGF, and resistance‐related proteins is linked with poor vascularization and low oxygenation status in rectal cancer. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.