The association between telomerase, p53, and clinical staging in colorectal cancer

background A proposed etiology of tumor activation involves p53 mutations while telomerase may serve as a key enzyme for maintenance of tumor cell proliferation. methods Telomerase activity levels were measured in colorectal adenocarcinomas and corresponding normal tissue using a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol, and p53 mutations were identified using irnmunohistochemical staining. Results were compared with staging data using regression analysis. results Telomerase activity was present in 23 of 23 (100%) of the tumors and only 2 (9%) of normal specimens (P<0.0001). The p53 mutations were present in 18 of 23 (78%) of the tumors. No significant correlation between p53 mutations, telomerase activity levels, and staging was found. conclusions Telomerase activity in 100% of the tumors suggests telomerase activation is a universal event in colorectal tumor progression; however, telomerase activity appears to be independent of p53 mutations and clinical staging.