Expression of Caspase-8 and-10 in colorectal cancer and its association with tumor cell apoptosis

Objective To investigate the expression of caspase-8 and-10 in colorectal cancer and its association with tumor cell apoptosis.Methods The mRNA expression levels of Caspase-8 and-10 were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 121 cases of coloreetal cancer tissues,121 cases of normal adjacent tissues as well as 52 cases of eoloreetal adenomas.Apoptotie cells were detected by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)method.Results The expression of Caspase-8 mRNA Wast up-regulated,and Caspase-10 mRNA expression down-regulated in colorectal adenomas as compared with normal adjacent tissues(P<0.05,respectively).As compared with normal adjacent tissues,Caspase-10 mRNA expression was down-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues (P<0.01).Furthermore,the expression of Caspase-10 mRNA was significantly associated with tumor differentiation(P<0.05).The apoptosis index was 1.63%,2.42%and 2.98%respectively in colorectal cancer,adenoma and normal adjacent tissues.There Was significant difference among three groups(P<0.05).There Was a positive correlation between the apoptosis index and the mRNA expression level of Caspase-10 in colorectal cancer(r=0.408,P<0.01),but no correlation with Caspase-8 expression.Conclusion These results suggested that Caspase-8 mRNA expression was up-regulated in colorectal adenoma,and had no correlation with tumor cell apoptosis,The expression of Caspse-10 mRNA is closely related to tumor cell apoptosis and the degree of malignancy. Key words: Colorectal carcinoma;  Caspase-8; Caspase-10; Apeptosis