Different expression of some molecular markers in sporadic cancer of the left and right colon

The expression of cytoplasmic c-erbB2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EG FR), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and dipeptidylpeptidase IV ( DPP IV) was significantly higher in sporadic cancer of the right than of th e left colon. In addition, cytoplasmic c-erbB2 displayed the same differenc e in the adjacent (less than 2 cm) and distant (more than 5 cm from the tum our margin) mucosa. The findings cannot be related to Dukes staging. It is suggested that different ontogenic development of the right (from the midgu t) and the left (from the hindgut) colon may be a possible explanation. The refore, data on the expression of different molecular markers in colorectal cancer and surrounding mucosa should always be supplemented by data on tum our location. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.