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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
11:39
Using Unfixed, Frozen Tissues to Study Natural Mucin Distribution
Published on: September 21, 2012
Mucin associated Tn and sialosyl-Tn antigen expression in colorectal polyps
S H Itzkowitz1, E J Bloom, T S Lau
1Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.
Gut
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Sialosyl-Tn antigen is a potential biomarker for colorectal cancer progression. Its expression increases with adenoma severity, appearing in all invasive carcinomas, unlike Tn antigen which is present in all polyps.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Sialosyl-Tn and Tn antigens are carbohydrate structures involved in mucin O-linked glycosylation.
- These antigens are recognized as sensitive and specific markers for colorectal cancer detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of Tn antigen and sialosyl-Tn antigen in colorectal polyps.
- To evaluate the correlation between sialosyl-Tn antigen expression and the progression from adenoma to carcinoma.
Main Methods:
- Examined 103 colorectal polyps (79 adenomatous, 24 hyperplastic) for Tn antigen using Vicia villosa isolectin B4.
- Assessed sialosyl-Tn antigen expression using monoclonal antibody TKH2.
Main Results:
- Tn antigen was expressed in all polyps.
- Sialosyl-Tn was found in 29% of hyperplastic polyps and 56% of adenomatous polyps.
- Sialosyl-Tn expression correlated with adenoma size, villous component, dysplasia grade, and cytological atypia, and was present in all adenomas with invasive carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- Colorectal polyps exhibit incomplete glycosylation, exposing inner mucin oligosaccharide antigens.
- Sialosyl-Tn antigen expression is linked to the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, suggesting its utility as a marker for malignant progression in the colon.
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