Esophageal Cancer
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 15, 2003; 9(11): 2409-2412
Published online Nov 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i11.2409
Flow cytometric analysis of DNA, telomerase content and multi-gene expression in esophageal epithelial dysplasia
Lian-Fu Zuo, Pei-Zhong Lin, Fing-Ying Qi, Jian-Wen Guo, Jiang-Hui Liu
Lian-Fu Zuo, Jian-Wen Guo, Jiang-Hui Liu, Hebei Provincial Tumor Institute, Shijiazhuang 050011, Hebei Province, China
Pei-Zhong Lin, Department of Pathology, Tumor Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China
Fing-Ying Qi, Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Key Technologies Research and Development Program of China during the 9th Five-year Plan Period, No.96-906-01-02
Correspondence to: Lian-Fu Zuo, Hebei Provincial Tumor Institute, Shijiazhuang 050011, Hebei Province, China. zuolianfu@sina.com
Telephone: +86-311-6033511 Fax: +86-311-6077634
Received: May 10, 2003
Revised: June 12, 2003
Accepted: June 19, 2003
Published online: November 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the alteration of molecular events and the early carcinogenesis mechanism of esophageal epithelial cells in the high incidence area of esophageal cancer.

METHODS: Esophageal epithelial cells of esophageal cancer patients were collected from the high incidence area in China. Content of DNA and telomerase as well as multi-gene expressions such as p53, p21 and cyclin D1 in esophageal precancer cells were quantitatively analysed by flow cytometry (FCM) with indirect immunofluorescence technique and DNA propidium iodide fluorescence staining.

RESULTS: FCM analysis results showed the DNA content increased significantly and the heteroploid rate was 87.9% in occurred carcinogenesis. P53 protein accumulation and ras p21 increase were seen in the early carcinogenesis of the esophagus. The positive rate of p53 and ras p21 was 100% (5/5, 4/4 respectively) in the cancer group. Telomerase and oncogene cyclin D1 were over- expressed in all of the cancer patients.

CONCLUSION: Increased DNA content and heteroploid rate, accumulation of p53 protein, and over-expression of p21, telomerase and cyclin D1 proteins were early molecular events during the development of esophageal cancer.

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