대한대장항문학회

<b>Purpose:</b> Both the β-catenin and p53 play a crucial role in the process of colon carcinogenesis. The expression of β-catenin and/or p53 has been reported to be associated with pathologic features of tumor and prognosis of patients. In<br>addition,<br>several recent studies have suggested a close biological association between p53 expression and nuclear β-catenin level. We analyzed the pathologic variables and p53 expression according to the intra-nuclear β-catenin expression in colon cancer<br>to<br>make such assumptions more clear since they are still controversial issues.<br><br><b>Methods:</b> The expressions of β-catenin, p53 and Ki-67 protein in colon cancer were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between these protein expressions and tumor characteristics was statistically analyzed.<br><br><b>Results:</b> The intra-nuclear β-catenin accumulation was not associated with any of the pathological variables including lymph node metastasis and tumor differentiation, but it was correlated with higher level of Ki-67 proliferation index<br>(P=0.006)<br>and negative staining of p53 (P =0.015). Positive p53 staining was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.006), lymphatic invasion (P=0.03) and venous invasion (P=0.02).<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b> These results support the suggestion that intra-nuclear accumulation of β-catenin may regulate the p53 activity in colorectal cancer. In addition, positive staining of p53 may be used as a valuable prognostic indicator since<br>it<br>was<br>strongly associated with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic and venous invasion.<br>