Activated ERK1/2 expression in glioblastoma multiforme and in peritumor tissue

  • Authors:
    • Gina Lama
    • Annunziato Mangiola
    • Carmelo Anile
    • Giovanni Sabatino
    • Pasquale De Bonis
    • Libero Lauriola
    • Cecilia Giannitelli
    • Giuseppe La Torre
    • Meena Jhanwar-Uniyal
    • Gigliola Sica
    • Giulio Maira
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 1, 2007     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.30.6.1333
  • Pages: 1333-1342
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Anomalies of growth factor signaling have been reported in malignant human gliomas. The extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) play a crucial role in transducing growth factor signals to the nucleus and are involved in a wide range of biological responses, including cell proliferation, differentiation and motility. ERK1/2 is expressed and activated in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, no information is available in literature concerning the presence and activity of ERK1/2 in the peritumor tissue. In the present study, we evaluated by immunohistochemistry total and phosphorylated (t and p) ERK1/2 expression in 31 cases of primary GBM and in tissue surrounding the enhanced lesion at different distances up to 3.5 cm from the tumor margin. Total ERK1/2 was, as expected, uniformly expressed not only in GBM but in the areas around the tumor also, which showed higher levels of immunolabeling. ERK1/2 activation was observed in GBM as well as in peritumor tissue, with no statistical difference in the level of the enzymatic activities. In particular, in the peritumor tissue pERK1/2 was present independently of neoplastic cells not only in reactive astrocytes, but in apparently normal glial cells also. These results indicate that ERK1/2 pathway may participate in GBM growth and progression. In addition, they strongly suggest that ERK1/2 stimulation may be linked not only to tissue reactivity to tumor invasion, but also to cell motility or represent per se a sign of transformation. Finally, our findings highlight the meaning of the extension of neoplasm fingers beyond the outer margin of GBM. Patients with neoplastic cells at <10% or without neoplastic cells in peritumor areas showed a higher survival time compared with those with neoplastic elements at ≥10%. In addition, a percentage ≥10 of neoplastic elements in peritumor tissue was associated with an approximately 4-fold increased death risk.

Related Articles

Journal Cover

June 2007
Volume 30 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Lama G, Mangiola A, Anile C, Sabatino G, De Bonis P, Lauriola L, Giannitelli C, La Torre G, Jhanwar-Uniyal M, Sica G, Sica G, et al: Activated ERK1/2 expression in glioblastoma multiforme and in peritumor tissue. Int J Oncol 30: 1333-1342, 2007
APA
Lama, G., Mangiola, A., Anile, C., Sabatino, G., De Bonis, P., Lauriola, L. ... Maira, G. (2007). Activated ERK1/2 expression in glioblastoma multiforme and in peritumor tissue. International Journal of Oncology, 30, 1333-1342. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.30.6.1333
MLA
Lama, G., Mangiola, A., Anile, C., Sabatino, G., De Bonis, P., Lauriola, L., Giannitelli, C., La Torre, G., Jhanwar-Uniyal, M., Sica, G., Maira, G."Activated ERK1/2 expression in glioblastoma multiforme and in peritumor tissue". International Journal of Oncology 30.6 (2007): 1333-1342.
Chicago
Lama, G., Mangiola, A., Anile, C., Sabatino, G., De Bonis, P., Lauriola, L., Giannitelli, C., La Torre, G., Jhanwar-Uniyal, M., Sica, G., Maira, G."Activated ERK1/2 expression in glioblastoma multiforme and in peritumor tissue". International Journal of Oncology 30, no. 6 (2007): 1333-1342. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.30.6.1333