Carboxylesterase 2 is downregulated in colorectal cancer following progression of the disease.

Expression of carboxylesterase 2 in colorectal tumor tissues and serum carboxylesterase 2 levels at different stages of the disease were investigated by Western blotting. Carboxylesterase 2 was decreasing in tumor tissues from TNM stages 0 through IV (n = 20); the expression of carboxylesterase 2 was similar between "normal" and tumor tissues (n = 20); serum carboxylesterase 2 levels were similar among patients at different stages of the disease. These results indicate that local expression of carboxylesterase 2 is downregulated following progression of the disease; carboxylesterase 2 expression is altered in histology "normal" tissues from stages I through IV before histopathological changes.