BACKGROUND: We investigated the influence of genes on the apoptosis of colorectal tumor cells, based on DNA and mRNA kinetics. METHODS: In 30 colorectal cancer patients, we examined the mRNA expression of p53, bax, bcl-2, and p21(WAF1), and we also investigated the development of tumor cell apoptosis, using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. RESULTS: TUNEL-positive cells showed a positive correlation with bax (P = 0.010) and a negative correlation with p21 (P = 0.04). We also investigated the relationship between p53 point mutation, p21 immunostaining degree, and apoptosis, based on DNA ladder expression. A remarkable correlation (P = 0.0090) was found between p21 and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study findings suggest that tumor cell apoptosis is (1) strongly inhibited by p21, (2) induced by bax, and (3) influenced by bcl-2, which, presumably, inhibits tumor cell apoptosis.
BACKGROUND: We investigated the influence of genes on the apoptosis of colorectal tumor cells, based on DNA and mRNA kinetics. METHODS: In 30 colorectal cancerpatients, we examined the mRNA expression of p53, bax, bcl-2, and p21(WAF1), and we also investigated the development of tumor cell apoptosis, using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. RESULTS: TUNEL-positive cells showed a positive correlation with bax (P = 0.010) and a negative correlation with p21 (P = 0.04). We also investigated the relationship between p53 point mutation, p21 immunostaining degree, and apoptosis, based on DNA ladder expression. A remarkable correlation (P = 0.0090) was found between p21 and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study findings suggest that tumor cell apoptosis is (1) strongly inhibited by p21, (2) induced by bax, and (3) influenced by bcl-2, which, presumably, inhibits tumor cell apoptosis.