COLORECTAL CELL-KINETICS

The assessment of cell proliferation in colorectal tissue may provide information with both prognostic and therapeutic implications. A varie ty of methods are available, including flow cytometric estimations of S phase fraction, immunohistochemical and autoradiographic visualizati on of exogenous and endogenous proliferation proteins, and morphologic al and stathmokinetic techniques. There is some correlation between Du kes stage and proliferation state features, and there is increased pro liferative activity throughout the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Data on cell proliferation rates are difficult to obtain. When correctly appl ied, the metaphase arrest technique remains the 'gold standard' of mea suring proliferation, but its usefulness in clinical practice is limit ed. Recent studies have employed dual measurement flow cytometry and d ouble labelling techniques to produce rate data.