[Changes in the expression of cellular alpha and beta tubulins in patients with sporadic type colorectal cancer]. / Alterazione della espressione delle tubuline cellulari alfa e beta in pazienti affetti da cancro colorettale di tipo sporadico.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this preliminar report is to evaluate alfa and beta tubulins, components of cellular microtubules, alterated expression in sporadic colorectal cancer patients. The Authors considered 16 patients who underwent surgery for sporadic colorectal carcinoma with radical intent. Alfa and beta tubulins were evaluated in tumoral mucosa by immunohistochemistry. In 56.2% of the examined patients a low expression of alfa and beta tubulins was showed while the alteration of alfa tubulin was showed in 81.2% of the patients. This finding supports the hypothesis of Porter that alterations in microtubule structure might be part of the cellular response to DNA damage.