The abnormal expression of retinoic acid receptor-β, p53 and Ki67 protein in normal, premalignant and malignant esophageal tissues

Min Xu, Yu Lan Jin, Jun Fu, Hong Huang, Sheng Zu Chen, Ping Qu, Hai Mei Tian, Zhao Yang Liu, Wei Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: Esophageal cancer remains a significant health problem worldwide. It is important to investigate alterations in expression of retinoic acid receptor-β, p53 and Ki67 proteins in esophageal carcinogenesis. Methods: To find biomarkers for early identification of esophageal cancer, we analyzed the retinoic acid receptor-β, p53 protein and the proliferation marker Ki67 in surgical specimens of normal, mildly, and severely dysplastic and malignant esophageal tissues by in situ hybridization of RNA and immunohistochemistry. Results: RAR-β was expressed in 94.3% (33/35) of normal mucosae, 67.8% (19/28) of the mild, 58.1% (18/31) of the severe lesions and 53.2% (116/218) of tumor samples. RAR-β mRNA was expressed in 62.7% (42/67), 55.1% (43/78) and 29.2% (7/24) of well, moderated and poorly differentiated SSCs. The p53 and Ki67 proteins were 5.9% (2/34) of the normal mucosa. P53 and Ki67 stained positively in 10.7% (3/28) and 21.4% (6/28) of mild dysplasia, and 51.6% (16/31) and 58.1% (18/31) of severely dysplasia respectively. Samples from esophageal cancer showed no higher levers of p53 and Ki67 expression than seen in severely dysplastic lesions. There was significant difference of RAR-β, p53 and Ki67 expression between normal mucosa and dysplastic tissue or esophageal cancer. Conclusion: Loss of RAR-β expression and accumulation of p53 and Ki67 proteins may serve as biomarkers for early identification of esophageal cancer in the high-risk populations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)200-202
Number of pages3
JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology

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