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. 2011 Apr;6(2):83-9.

Genetic biomarkers for neoplastic colorectal cancer in peripheral lymphocytes

Mirela Ionescu  1 , Mihai Ciocirlan, Cristina Ionescu, Gabriel Becheanu, Serban Gologan, Adriana Teiusanu, Tudor Arbanas, Diculescu Mircea
Affiliations

Genetic biomarkers for neoplastic colorectal cancer in peripheral lymphocytes

Mirela Ionescu et al. Maedica (Bucur). 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Loss of genomic stability appears as a key step in colorectal carcinogenesis. Micronucleus (MN) designates a chromosome fragment or an entire chromosme which lags behind mitosis. MN may be noticed as an additional nucleus within the cytoplasm cell during the intermediate mitosis phases. We tested the hypothesis that MN and its related anomalies may be associated with the presence of neoplastic colorectal lesions.

Method: Peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured and microscopically examined. The frequency of micronuclei (FMN) and the presence of nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB) in binucleated cells were compared in patients with of without colorectal neoplastic lesions.

Results: We included 45 patients undergoing colonoscopy, 23 males and 22 females, with a median age of 59. 17 patients had polyps, 11 colorectal cancer (CRC) and 17 had a normal colonoscopy. The FMN was significantly higher in women than in men (8.14 vs 4.17, p=0.008); NPB were significantly less frequent in patients with advanced adenomas (>10mm or vilous) or CRC (p=0.044) when compared with patients with normal colonoscopy, hiperplastic polyps or non-advanced adenomas.

Conclusion: Micronuclei are more frequent in women, but its frequency was not significantly different in patients with advanced adenomas or CRC. Null or low frequency values for nucleoplasmic bridges presence in peripheral lymphocyte may be predictive for advanced adenomas and colorectal cancer.

Keywords: colon cancer; micronucleus; nucleoplasmic bridges.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Photomicrograph of a binucleated cell (BN) with 11 micronuclei (MN) with various sizes in one patient with professional exposure to ionized radiations
Figure 2
Figure 2. Photomicrograph of two binucleated cells (BN) one with a single micronucleus and one with three micronuclei (MN) in the same patient
Figure 3
Figure 3. Comparison of MN number (a) and frequency of binuceated cells with 1 MN (b) by sex groups
Figure 3
Figure 3. Comparison of MN number (a) and frequency of binuceated cells with 1 MN (b) by sex groups
Figure 4
Figure 4. (A-E) Photomicrograpfs of typical binucleated cells (BN) with nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB). (B) Ilustrates a relatively wide nucleoplasmic bridge.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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