Expression of APC, β-catenin and E-cadherin genes in pathological types of colorectal polyps: A comparative study

 The onset of colorectal cancer requires the transformation of normal epithelial cells into neoplastic cells and eventually the growth of polyps and the progression to malignancy. The purpose of this study was to compare the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and APC genes at the mRNA level and their relationship with the pathological features of colorectal polyps.

 The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 40 biopsy specimens collected from patients with colorectal polyps and 10 healthy tissue samples from the Department of Gastroenterology at Ayatollah Taleghani Educational Hospital in Tehran (Iran), subsequently recording their demographic and clinical characteristics. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and APC genes was evaluated by real-time PCR. 

 According to the present findings, the APC gene expression level indicated a significant decrease in the types of adenomatous polyps, but no change was shown in hyperplastic polyps. In addition, the β-catenin gene expression level did not change in adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps. The E-cadherin gene expression level was decreased in the group of villous polyps. 

 Studies have shown that a decrease in the expression level of the APC gene is one of the primary events in the formation of colorectal polyps, as well as a decrease in the expression level of the E-cadherin gene is considered a late event of polyp malignancy. These genes can be applied as biomarkers for early detection of colorectal cancer.