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

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG 2002-04, Vol.8 (2), p.200-202
• Main Authors: Xu, Min, Jin, Yu-Lan, Fu, Jun, Huang, Hong, Chen, Sheng-Zu, Qu, Ping, Tian, Hai-Mei, Liu, Zhao-Yang, Zhang, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Esophageal Cancer; Ki67; p53; β－视黄酸受体; 异常表达; 癌前病变; 食管组织; 食道癌
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840
• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i2.200

AIM: Esophageal cancer remains a significant health problem worldwide. It is important to investigate alterations in expression of retinoic acid receptor-β, P 53 and Ki67 proteins in esophageal carcinogenesis. METHODS: To find biomarkers for early identification of esophageal cancer, we analyzed the retinoic acid receptor-β, P 53 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 P 53 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 P 53 and Ki67 expression than seen in severely dysplastic lesions. There was significant difference of RAR-β、 P 53 and Ki67 expression between normal mucosa and dysplatic tissue or esophageal cancer. CONCLUSION: Loss of RAR-β expression and accumulation of P 53 and Ki67 proteins may serve as biomarkers for early identification of esophageal cancer in the high-risk populations.