Morphological and genetic abnormalities in prediction of recurrence in radically operated colorectal cancer
Jernvall, P.; Mäkinen, M.J.; Karttunen, T.J.; Mäkelä, J.; Vihko, P.
Anticancer Research 19(2b): 1357-1362
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 10365106 Document Number: 511401
Background: We analyzed clinicopathological variables, cell proliferation activity and genetic aberrations related to colorectal cancer in order to recognize clinically usable predictive markers of cancer recurrence. Materials and Methods: A total of 111 patients radically operated upon because of primary colorectal cancer in 1986-1991 were studied. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 18q21 and replication errors were studied by polymerase chain reaction and fragment analysis. Expression of p53 protein and that of Ki-67 were studied using immunohistochemical methods. Results: LOH at 18q21 was the only factor associated with recurrence (P=0.03), and indicated a worse five-year cumulative survival rate (42%) than did LOH-negativity (72%) in cases of Dukes classes B and C. Expression of p53 protein indicated recurrence (P=0.07), short disease-free time and poor survival (P=0.03) in Dukes class A cases. Conclusions: LOH at 18q21 appears useful in predicting recurrence and poor survival in cases of Dukes classes B and C, as does p53 expression in class A cases.