Study on the Expression and Signifi cance of TGF-β1, p-ERK1/2 and K-ras in Colorectal Cancer Using Tissue Microarray Technique

Abstract

OBJECTIVE    This study aimed to explore the expression and significance of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and K-ras in colorectal cancer (CRC) using tissue microarray technology.
METHODS    The expressions of TGF-β1, ERK1/2, and K-ras in colon cancer cells taken from the specimens of 92 CRC patients (stage I: 16 cases, stage II: 28 cases, stage III: 24 cases, and stage IV: 24 cases) were analyzed using tissue microarray technology and immunohistochemistry, and compared with those of 20 normal colon tissue samples.
RESULTS    High immunoreactive scores (IRS) of TGF-β1, p-ERK1/2, and K-ras protein in CRC were obtained, which were 66.3% (61/92), 59.8% (55/92), and 48.9% (45/92), respectively, and those in normal epithelial cells of colon were 10% (2/20), 20% (4/20), and 30% (6/20), respectively (P<0.05). The expressions of TGF-β1 and ERK1/2 in CRC at stage I were 37.5% and 31.3%, respectively, and those in CRC at stage IV were 83.3% and 79.3%, respectively, with  statistically significant differences. No signifi  cant relationship was found between K-ras expression and tumor stages (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION    High level expressions of TGF-β1 and ERK1/2 are closely related to the clinical stages of colon cancer and crosstalk may exist between the 2 signal pathways.