Abstracts
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2000. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 15, 2000; 6(Suppl3): 77-77
Published online Sep 15, 2000. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v6.iSuppl3.77
Detection of telomerase activity in malignant neoplasms and nonmalignant epithelial tissues of human esophagus
Shan-Min Yang, Tian-Jiao Wang, Bao-Yu Li, Yuan-Huan Wu, Zhen-Shi Ye
Shan-Min Yang, Tian-Jiao Wang, Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Research Center, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, Fujian Province, China
Bao-Yu Li, Department of Gastroendoscope, No.1 Hospital, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen 361003, Fujian Province, China
Yuan-Huan Wu, Zhen-Shi Ye, Department of Gastroendoscope, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen 361003, Fujian Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by The Science Council Grant of Department of the Public Health of Fujian
Correspondence to: Dr. Shan-Min Yang, Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Research Center, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, 182 University Road, Xiamen 361005, Fujian Province, China. xmucrc@jingxian.xmu.edu.cn
Telephone: 592-2186390
Received: March 5, 1999
Revised: January 10, 2000
Accepted: July 10, 2000
Published online: September 15, 2000
Abstract

AIM: To study the expression of telomerase activity in malignant esophageal neoplasms and normal human esophageal epithelia.

METHODS: Telomerase activity was assayed by the telomere repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) method. All the neoplasms and epithelia of esophagus were confirmed by routine pathological diagnosis.

RESULTS: Telomerase activity was assayed in 18 normal esophageal epithelial tissues and in 35 malignant neoplasms of esophagus, including 27 cases of esophageal carcinoma and 8 cases of cardiac carcinoma. Telomerase activity was detected in most of malignant neoplasms of esophagus (91.4%, 32/35) and in all the normal esophageal epithelial tissues except one (18/19).

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that in addition to contributing to proliferation of immortal blast cells and neoplastic cells, telomerase activity may also play a similar role in regeneration of normal epithelia of human esophagus. The potential use of telomerase activity as a diagnostic marker in human esophageal neoplasm might not be suitable.

Keywords: Telomerase; Telomerase repeat amplification protocol; Esophagus neoplasms/diagnosis; Esophagus epithelia