Affiliations: Institute of Digestive Surgery and Department of
Colorectal Surgery, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China
Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China | Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical and
Experimental Medicine, University of Linköping, Linköping, Sweden
Note: [] Corresponding author: Xiao-Feng Sun, Prof., MD, PhD, lecture
professor of "Cheung Kong Scholars" of Sichuan University. Institute of
Digestive Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041,
Sichuan, China. Tel.: +86 28 85164035; Fax: +86 28 85164035. Department of
Oncology, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of
Linköping, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. Tel.: +46 13 222066; Fax: +46 13
223090; E-mail: xiasu@ibk.liu.se
Abstract: We are just beginning to understand how microRNAs (miRNAs) are
involved in tumor-related processes in humans. Applying real-time RT-PCR, we
investigated the miR-31, miR-143 and miR-145 expression in 98 primary CRC
specimens, along with the corresponding normal mucosa specimens, and analyze
the relationship of their expression with clinicopathological features. Our
results showed the miR-31 expression was up-regulated in CRC compared to normal
mucosa (p = 0.001). Furthermore, miR-31 expression was
positively related to advanced TNM stage (p = 0.026) and
deeper invasion of tumors (p = 0.024). MiR-145 was
down-regulated in both colon (p = 0.001) and rectal
(p = 0.012) cancer. MiR-143 was only down-regulated in colon
cancer (p = 0.023) but not in rectal cancer
(p = 0.351). There was no relationship of miR-143 and miR-145
expression with other clinicopathological features (p >
0.05), except that the miR-145 expression was related to cancer site
(p = 0.03). In conclusion, the miR-31 overexpression may be
involved in the development and progression of CRC. The miR-143 and miR-145 may
play a certain role in the development of colon and/or rectal cancers but not
in progression of the disease.
