c-erbB-2 is not a major factor in the development of colorectal cancer.

Abstract

We have investigated c-erbB-2 protein expression in a large cohort of well-characterized colorectal tumours, and in a subset of lymph node metastases. We have also evaluated a Val(655)Ile single nucleotide polymorphism, which is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, in a subset of the colorectal cancer patients and in healthy control subjects. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that while 81.8% of tumours expressed c-erbB-2, in the majority of cases equivalent levels of c-erb-B2 were seen in adjacent normal mucosa. Colon tumours were significantly more likely to express c-erbB-2 than rectal tumours (P=0.015). Only 52.4% of the metastases displayed staining patterns concordant with their primary tumour, indicating that determination of c-erbB-2 protein in colorectal tumours cannot predict the status of lymph node metastases. PCR--RFLP analysis of the Val(655)Ile single nucleotide polymorphism demonstrated that allele frequencies were identical between colorectal cancer patients and a control group of Caucasian subjects (Ile=0.80 and Val=0.20 in each case), indicating that it is not related to the risk of developing colorectal cancer in this population. Furthermore, there was no relationship between c-erbB-2 protein expression and gene polymorphism (P=0.58). In terms of prognosis, no association was seen between either c-erbB-2 protein expression or the presence of the Val allele and patient survival (P>0.05 in each case), suggesting that c-erbB-2 is not a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer.

• Authors: J A McKay, J F Loane, V G Ross, M-M Ameyaw, G I Murray, J Cassidy, H L McLeod
• Journal: British journal of cancer (Br J Cancer) Vol. 86 Issue 4 Pg. 568-73 (Feb 12 2002) ISSN: 0007-0920 [Print] England
• PMID: 11870539 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA Primers
• DNA, Neoplasm
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (metabolism, pathology, secondary)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Case-Control Studies
• Colorectal Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• DNA Primers (chemistry)
• DNA, Neoplasm (analysis)
• Female
• Genes, erbB-2 (genetics)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
• Prognosis
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (metabolism)