Expression and clinicopathologic significance of TUFM and p53 for the normal–adenoma–carcinoma sequence in colorectal epithelia

Abstract Background Evidence indicates that most cases of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) develop from adenoma. A previous study demonstrated that mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM) might serve as an independent prognostic factor for colorectal cancer. However, the expression and function of TUFM in the normal–adenoma–cancer sequence have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the clinicopathologic significance of TUFM and p53 expression for the normal–adenoma–carcinoma sequence in colorectal epithelia and evaluated the roles of TUFM during the progression of colorectal tumors. Methods Paraffin-embedded specimens from 261 colorectal normal mucosa samples, 157 adenomas, and 104 early carcinomas were analyzed for TUFM and p53 expression by immunohistochemistry. Results Expression of TUFM and p53 was significantly increased during the colorectal normal–adenoma–carcinoma sequence (all P