J Korean Soc Coloproctol.  2001 Oct;17(5):251-258.

Expression of p27 Protein in Adenoma and Adenocarcinoma of the Colorectum

• Son HJ
• Kang MJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1 protein is a negative regulator of the cell division cycle, and its degradation is required for entry into the S phase. Loss of p27(kip1) protein expression has been reported to be associated with aggressive behavior in a variety of tumors of epithelial and lymphoid origin. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of p27 protein in adenoma and adenocarcinoma of the colorectum and to assess the prognostic significance.
METHODS
We performed immunohistochemical staining for expression of p27 protein in adenomas (20 cases) and adenocarcinomas (30 cases) of the colorectum. The data (p27 protein labeling index (LI, mean+/-standard deviation)) were analyzed in association with clinicopathologic parameters.
RESULTS
p27 protein LI of normal mucosa (10 cases), adenoma, and adenocarcinoma were 93.3+/-4.5, 65.4+/-17.5, and 28.2+/- 14.5, respectively (p<0.0001). p27 protein LI of well differentiated adenocarcinoma was slightly higher than those of moderately and/or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, but did not show any significant difference among these groups (p=0.19). Also p27 protein expression did not show any significant relationship to other prognostic facters such as age, invasion depth, and operative staging.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that reduced expression of p27 protein may play an important role in the malignant transformation process of colorectal cancer.

Keyword

p27; Colorectal adenoma; Colorectal adenocarcinoma

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma*
Adenoma*
Cell Cycle
Colorectal Neoplasms
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27
Mucous Membrane
Phosphotransferases
S Phase
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27
Phosphotransferases