[Immunohistochemical study on the progression of colorectal cancer--with respect to apoptotic index, expression of apoptosis-related gene products, and labeling index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)].

To clarify the biological changes in the development and progression of colorectal cancer, immunohistochemical examination was performed with a particular focus on the activity of apoptosis, the expression of apoptosis-related gene products and cell proliferation activity, assessed by the labeling index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Seventy-six resected specimens of colorectal cancer were used to investigate the expression of apoptosis-related gene products, Bcl-2 protein and PCNA labeling index, as well as the apoptotic index using the TUNEL method. Seventy-five percent of 60 advanced cancer specimens was negative for Bcl-2 protein, and the proportion was higher than that in early cancer specimens. The apoptotic index (AI) in the advanced cancers was significantly higher than in the early stage of cancers. Meanwhile, the percentage of PCNA-positive cells for the advanced cancers was significantly higher than for early cancer. This study demonstrated a decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression, an increase in tumor cell apoptosis, and opposite an increase of cellular proliferation activity in the progression of colon cancer from early to the advanced stage of the disease.