[Expressions and significance of STAT3 and p38 in the carcinogenesis of sporadic colorectal tubular adenoma].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible role of STAT3 and p38 in the carcinogenesis of sporadic colorectal tubular adenoma. METHODS: The expression of STAT3 and p38 at protein level was studied in 107 sporadic colorectal tubular adenomas with different dysplasia (SCTA-D) or with cancerous changes (SCTA-Ca) by immunohistochemical staining method, meanwhile the expression of STAT3 at mRNA level was detected by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the positive expression rate of STAT3 and p38 was 12.0%, 59.0%, 91.7% and 8.0%, 47.0%, 91.7% in normal colorectal mucosa (NCM), SCTA-D and SCTA-Ca, respectively, with a statistically significant difference of STAT3 and p38 expression among the SCTA-D, SCTA-Ca and NCM (P < 0.05). The expression of STAT3 and p38 was positively correlated with the degree of dysplasia from mild to severe SCTA-D (P < 0.05). In situ hybridization results showed that the positive expression rate of STAT3 at mRNA level in NCM, SCTA-D and SCTA-Ca was 8.00%, 51.8% and 100.0%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among these either (P < 0.05). The positive expression of STAT3 at mRNA level was not only positively correlated with the degree of dysplasia (P < 0.05), but also with the expression of p38 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: STAT3 and p38 may be involved in the carcinogenesis of sporadic colorectal tubular adenoma.