Expression of Hormone Receptors, Cathepsin D, and HER-2/neu Oncoprotein in Normal Colon and Colonic Disease

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Abstract
Background: Chronic ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis are associated with an increased risk of colorectal carcinoma. Currently, there are no reliable methods to assess carcinoma risk. Methods: Several prognostic factors known to be useful in breast carcinoma were determined in 102 specimens of coIonic mucosa from 38 patients: 22 specimens from "normal," non-neoplastic colon, 49 from chronic ulcerative colitis, 10 from Crohn's colitis, 14 from familial adenomatous polyposis, four from mucosa adjacent to carcinoma, and three from colon carcinoma. Expression of estrogen receptor, progestin receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, HER-2/neu (c-erb B-2) oncoprotein, and cathepsin D were determined. Results: Epidermal growth factor receptor expression was higher in chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn's colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, and colon carcinoma and varied with location within the colon for chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn's colitis, and familial adenomatous polyposis. Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in mucosa adjacent to carcinoma was similar to that in "normal" colon. Conclusion: Further analyses are needed to determine which parameters are related to and possibly predictive of increased carcinoma risk. (Arch Surg. 1993;128:637-642)