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Mariabeatrice Principi,
Nicola De Tullio,
Maria Principia Scavo,
Domenico Piscitelli,
Andrea Marzullo,
Silvana Russo,
Francesca Albano,
Katia Lofano, Samanta Papagni,
Michele Barone,
Enzo Ierardi,
Alfredo Di Leo
Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology 05/2012; 47(10):1253-4. · 2.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The APC gene mutation triggers familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and approximately 80% of sporadic colorectal cancers. FAP summarizes the natural history of colorectal cancer because low- and high-grade dysplastic lesions and adenocarcinoma are simultaneously present in the same patients free from individual and environmental variability factors. Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) has recently been suggested as the most likely mediator of estrogen-related anti-carcinogenic effects in Apc(Min-/+) mice and humans. In this study we assessed the ERβ expression in the intestinal mucosa of FAP patients to verify its possible involvement in tumor progression in colorectal cancer.
ERβ and ERα expression, cell proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (TUNEL), were evaluated on archival biopsy material from six patients with FAP who underwent colectomy.
A progressive significant decrease of ERβ expression was observed in the different stages of the disease as compared to normal mucosa (p < 0.001). Interestingly, a decreased ERβ expression was directly correlated with apoptosis (r = 0.76, p < 0.001), and inversely correlated with cell proliferation (r = 0.54, p < 0.05).
ERβ expression is related to the severity of the disease, supporting the role of ERβ as a relevant biomarker of tumor progression and possible chemopreventive target in patients at risk of colonic neoplasia.
Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology 05/2010; 45(11):1320-8. · 2.08 Impact Factor
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Michele Barone,
Sabina Tanzi,
Katia Lofano,
Maria Principia Scavo,
Maria Pricci,
Lucia Demarinis, Samanta Papagni,
Raffaella Guido,
Eugenio Maiorano,
Giuseppe Ingravallo,
Maria Cristina Comelli,
Antonio Francavilla,
Alfredo Di Leo
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ABSTRACT: Most sporadic colorectal cancers (CRCs) develop through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence pathway and are initiated by adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations. Estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) is recognized to progressively reduce its expression in adenomatous and carcinomatous tissues in humans. Moreover, ERbeta deficiency enhances small intestinal tumorigenesis in rodents. In the Apc(Min/+) mouse model, we evaluated intestinal polyp development and ERbeta expression plus other biological parameters influencing tumor growth (epithelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration) following the addition of a combination of the ERbeta-selective agonist silymarin (SIL) and/or lignin (LIG) to a high-fat/low-fiber diet. Forty-five Apc(Min/+) mice were divided in four groups: animals fed on the tumorigenic high-fat/low-fiber diet, the tumorigenic diet supplemented with SIL (0.02%) or purified LIG (6.24%) or SIL (0.005%) + LIG (6.24%). In these animals, we assessed polyp number and volume and their degree of dysplasia together with ERbeta messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels and epithelial cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. The latter group of parameters was evaluated in normal and adenomatous mucosa and the results compared with those found in wild-type (WT) mice fed on the control diet. The addition of SIL or LIG to the diet and even more the specific combination of the two significantly counteracted intestinal tumorigenesis and increased ERbeta mRNA and protein levels. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were rebalanced and cell migration accelerated, restoring values similar to those observed in WT animals. Our results further support a protective effect of ERbeta in CRC suggesting the use of the combination of SIL-LIG as a potential approach against CRC development.
Carcinogenesis 11/2009; 31(2):269-74. · 5.70 Impact Factor
