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The activity and expression of thymidine phosphorylase in human solid tumours
Y Takebayashi1, K Yamada, K Miyadera
1Department of Cancer Chemotherapy, Institute for Cancer Research, Japan.
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase), also known as platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), is significantly elevated in various solid tumors compared to normal tissues. This suggests dThdPase plays a crucial role in tumor proliferation and angiogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF).
- dThdPase exhibits angiogenic activity and is implicated in tumor angiogenesis.
- Its role in various solid tumors warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure and compare the activity and expression of dThdPase in various tumors and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues.
- To investigate the correlation between dThdPase activity and expression levels.
- To assess the differential expression of dThdPase in early versus advanced carcinomas.
Main Methods:
- Assay of dThdPase activity using spectrophotometry.
- Examination of dThdPase expression via immunoblotting.
- Immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody against dThdPase.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher dThdPase activity was observed in carcinomas of the esophagus, stomach, colorectum, pancreas, and lung compared to adjacent non-neoplastic tissues.
- Immunoblotting results for dThdPase expression correlated well with enzyme activity.
- A higher proportion of dThdPase-positive tumors was found in the esophagus, stomach, colorectum, gall bladder, pancreas, and lung.
- Advanced carcinomas showed significantly higher dThdPase positivity than early carcinomas in esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and lung cancers.
- Tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including macrophages and lymphocytes, expressed high levels of dThdPase.
Conclusions:
- dThdPase activity and expression are elevated in many solid tumors compared to adjacent normal tissues.
- dThdPase likely plays a significant role in the proliferation of these solid tumors.
- The findings highlight dThdPase as a potential target in cancer therapy.
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