Expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene in cancer and pre-cancer tissues of esophagus

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene in cancer and precancer tissues of esophagus and its relation with cellular proliferation antigen Ki-67 and to investigate the value of hTERT in early diagnosis for esophageal cancer as well as predication of prognosis. METHODS: In situ hybridization was adopted to detect the expressions of hTERTmRNA in tissues of esophageal cancer (42 cases), atypical hyperplasia (37 cases), and normal esophagus(12 cases). Ki-67 antigen was detected by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The positive rates of hTERTmRNA in tissues of normal mucosa, atypical hyperplasia and cancers were 0.0%, 48.6%, and 83.3% while rates of Ki-67 antigen were 0%, 56.8%, and 88.1% respectively. The expressions of hTERTmRNA and Ki-67 were significantly increased in tissues of hyperplasia and cancer, compared with those in the normal tissues (P <0.01); Expressions of hTERTmRNA and Ki-67 antigen between hyperplasia and cancer also had significant differences (P <0.01). Expressions of hTERTmRNA and Ki-67 antigen significantly related to clinical staging of esophageal cancer and metastasis of lymph node (P <0.05). Meanwhile, there was significant relation between expression of hTERTmRNA and Ki-67 antigen (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Over-expression of hTERT gene may play an important role during carcinogenesis and progression of esophageal cancer; Expression of hTERTmRNA is relative to cellular proliferating activity. The detection of hTERT will be helpful for early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of esophageal cancer. Li J, Wang Q, Rong WD. Expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene in cancer and pre-cancer tissues of esophagus. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2004;12(10):2280-2282 http://www.wjgnet.com/1009-3079/12/2280.asp