GAEC1 and colorectal cancer: a study of the relationships between a novel oncogene and clinicopathologic features

• Published in: Human pathology Vol. 41; no. 7; pp. 1009 - 1015
• Main Authors: Gopalan, Vinod, BHMS, MSc, Smith, Robert A., BSc, PhD, Nassiri, Mohammad R., MSc, PhD, Yasuda, Koichi, MD, PhD, Salajegheh, Ali, MD, Kim, Sang Y., MD, PhD, Ho, Yik-Hong, MBBS, MD, FRACS, Weinstein, Stephen, MBBS, FRCPA, Tang, Johnny C.-O., BSc, PhD, Lam, Alfred K.-Y., MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCPA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-07-2010; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma - genetics; Adenocarcinoma - metabolism; Adenoma; Adenoma - genetics; Adenoma - metabolism; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer therapies; Child; Colon; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics; Colorectal Neoplasms - metabolism; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; Colorectum; Female; GAEC1; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gene; Gene Dosage; Genetics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mortality; Mucins - biosynthesis; Nuclear Proteins - genetics; Pathogenesis; Pathology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Tumors; Young Adult; Adenocarcinoma; Adenoma; Gene; Colorectum; GAEC1; Rectal disease; Colorectal cancer; Malignant tumor; Colonic disease; Anatomic pathology; Histopathology; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Genetics; Benign neoplasm; Onc gene; Cancer
• ISSN: 0046-8177; 1532-8392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2009.11.014

Summary GAEC1 is a novel gene located at 7q22.1 that was detected in our previous work in esophageal cancer. The aims of the present study are to identify the copy number of GAEC1 in different colorectal tissues including carcinomas, adenomas, and nonneoplastic tissues and characterize any links to pathologic factors. The copy number of GAEC1 was studied by evaluating the quantitative amplification of GAEC1 DNA in 259 colorectal tissues (144 adenocarcinomas, 31 adenomas, and 84 nonneoplastic tissues) using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Copy number of GAEC1 DNA in colorectal adenocarcinomas was higher in comparison with nonneoplastic colorectum. Seventy-nine percent of the colorectal adenocarcinomas showed amplification and 15% showed deletion of GAEC1 ( P < .0001). Of the adenomas, 90% showed deletion of GAEC1 , with the remaining 10% showing normal copy number. The differences in GAEC1 copy number between colorectal adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenoma, and nonneoplastic colorectal tissue are significant ( P < .0001). GAEC1 copy number was significantly higher in adenocarcinomas located in distal colorectum compared with proximal colon ( P = .03). In conclusion, GAEC1 copy number was significantly different between colorectal adenocarcinomas, adenomas, and nonneoplastic colorectal tissues. The copy number was also related to the site of the cancer. These findings along with previous work in esophageal cancer imply that GAEC1 is commonly involved in the pathogenesis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.