gamma-Secretase inhibitors abrogate oxaliplatin-induced activation of the Notch-1 signaling pathway in colon cancer cells resulting in enhanced chemosensitivity.
Our results showed that: i) a significant relationship exists between apoptosis and genesis of colorectal cancer since, compared to adenomatous polyps and adjacent normal mucosa, cell death is markedly inhibited in tumors (p = 0.01); ii) during colon tumor progression, apoptosis and amplifications of c-myc/c-myb genes are inversely related; iii) Bcl-2 expression is retained in colon tumors even though at a significantly lower level with respect to adenomatous polyps.
p53 expression and bcl-2 protein overexpression in rectosigmoid adenomas are associated with advanced histology and a high risk of synchronous advanced proximal colon neoplasm.