BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was undertaken to elucidate the correlation between the expression of carbonic anhydrase I or II and the characteristic features of colorectal cancer.

METHODOLOGY

The carbonic anhydrase I or II expressions of 74 colorectal cancer patients were analyzed by Western blotting. The relative intensity of cancer to the paired normal mucosa was calculated, and then compared with the clinicopathological parameters. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis for synchronous distant metastasis was undertaken.

RESULTS

The expression of carbonic anhydrase I in colon cancer or carbonic anhydrase II in rectal cancer with Duke's D was found to be significantly lower than that with Duke's B or C, respectively. Similarly, carbonic anhydrase I in colon cancer or carbonic anhydrase II in rectal cancer with moderate-severe budding was found to be significantly lower than that with none-mild budding, respectively. Based on the findings of a logistic regression analysis, carbonic anhydrase I was adopted for colon cancer (P = 0.057) and carbonic anhydrase II for rectal cancer (P = 0.008) regarding synchronous distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The expressions of carbonic anhydrase I and II correlated with biological aggressiveness of colorectal cancer and synchronous distant metastasis, especially carbonic anhydrase I for colon cancer and carbonic anhydrase II for rectal cancer.