Nuclear beta-catenin expression is rare and its potential association with short survival in colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2005 Sep;13(3):248-51. doi: 10.1097/01.pai.0000142845.91862.c8.

Abstract

Colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare cancer and the prognosis is usually very poor. The biologic pathways involved in its oncogenesis are unknown. beta-catenin, a key target in the Wnt-signaling pathway, is recognized to play an important role in the carcinogenesis in conventional colorectal carcinoma. This study explores the involvement of Wnt-signaling molecules beta-catenin and cyclin D1, cell cycle regulators cyclin D3, proliferative index Ki-67, apoptotic index, and angiogenic indicator CD31 in 20 colorectal SRCC paraffin-embedded specimens. Results showed that there were 2 specimens with nuclear beta-catenin and higher expression of cyclin D1 than the remaining 18 specimens. Surprisingly, those 2 patients had a much shorter survival of 6 months than the remaining 15 patients, who had around 24 months. Moreover, all colorectal SRCC specimens had an overexpression of cyclin D1, cyclin D3, and Ki-67, as well as much more angiogenesis and apoptosis than adjacent normal epithelial tissues. The authors make the preliminary comment that nuclear beta-catenin is a rare phenomenon in colorectal SRCC, but the involvement of it may indicate a worse prognosis with shorter survival than colorectal SRCC without nuclear beta-catenin expression. Besides, overexpression of cyclin D1, cyclin D3, Ki-67, and increased angiogenesis and apoptosis may play a vital role in promoting colorectal SRCC development.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / chemistry*
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / pathology
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cyclin D1 / analysis
  • Cyclin D3
  • Cyclins / analysis
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • CCND3 protein, human
  • Cyclin D3
  • Cyclins
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Cyclin D1