Significance of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the development of rectal carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To study the ERK expression and its significance in the development of human rectal carcinoma. Methods: Samples were obtained from 62 patients with rectal carcinoma, including tumor tissue and adjacent normal rectal tissue. Western blot was used to measure the expression of ERK-1 and ERK-2. S-P immunohistochemical method was used to count the microvessel density (MVD). Results: ERK-1 and ERK-2 protein levels were increased in rectal carcinoma tissue compared with those in adjacent normal tissues (t = 2.980 and 2.194, P < 0.01 and 0.05 respectively). The MVD was higher in patients with higher ERK-1 and/or ERK-2 protein levels than that in cases with lower ERK-1 and/or ERK-2 levels. Conclusion: Overexpression of ERK-1 and/or ERK-2 may play an important role in the development of human rectal carcinoma, the overexpression can enhance the growth of tumor microvessel and promote the development of human rectal carcinoma.