Prostanoid receptor expression in colorectal cancer related to tumor stage, differentiation and progression.

INTRODUCTION

Alterations in eicosanoid metabolism is well established in a variety of malignant tumors, particularly colorectal carcinoma. Recent studies in our laboratory have emphasized a role for EP subtype receptors in progression of colorectal cancer and disease specific mortality. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to extend our knowledge to include additional receptor expression (DP1, DP2, FP, IP, TP) for prostanoids (PGD2, TXA2, PGF2alpha, PGI2) in relationship to tumor stage, differentiation and progression of colorectal cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Total RNA from 62 tumors and adjacent normal colon tissue (n = 48) was extracted. Quantification of receptor expression was performed by realtime PCR and related to the expression of an appropriate housekeeping gene (GAPDH). Tumors were assessed according to Dukes A-D (stage I-IV).

RESULTS

DP1, DP2, FP and IP receptor subtypes displayed significantly reduced overall expression in tumor tissue compared to normal colon tissue, while the TP receptor subtype showed significantly higher expression in tumor tissue. Overall expression of the prostanoid receptors in tumor tissue was not related to clinical indexes as tumor stage and tumor cell differentiation evaluated by multivariate analyses. Cultured colorectal cancer cell lines with low (HT-29) and high (HCA-7) intrinsic PGE2 production at confluent state did not express DP1 and IP receptor subtypes, but displayed low expression of DP2, FP and TP receptor subtypes.

CONCLUSION

The results in the present study indicate imbalanced expression of prostanoid receptors in colorectal cancer compared to normal colon tissue without clear cut relationship to disease progression. Therefore, future studies should be performed on defined cells within the tumor tissue compartment determining whether any prostanoid receptor(s) is useful as a molecular target in treatment or prevention of colorectal cancer.