[Molecular oncological study on DNA ploidy, Ki-ras point mutation, and p21 expression in colorectal cancer]

We studied DNA ploidy, point mutation of Ki-ras oncogene codon 12, and p21 expression using paraffin embedded materials from 42 cases of colorectal cancer. DNA ploidy was measured by the method of Hedley et al. flow cytometrically. Point mutation of Ki-ras oncogene was examined by the method of Bos et al. using a dot-blot screening procedure, and p21 expression was examined immunohistochemically. Incidence of aneuploidy, Ki-ras point mutation, and p21 expression was 71.4%, 26.2%, 40.5%, respectively. There was a very weak correlation between p21 expression and pathologic findings, but there was no correlation between pathologic findings and DNA ploidy, as well as Ki-ras point mutation. Patients who showed aneuploidy tended to have more point mutation of Ki-ras oncogene. There was no correlation between p21 expression and Ki-ras point mutation, as well as DNA ploidy. Although there was no correlation between Ki-ras point mutation and survival, a significant correlation between survival and DNA ploidy, as well as p21 expression was recognized. Patients who had tumors with diploidy or p21 expression tended to have better prognosis.