Cdk1/P34Cdc2 and P21waf Expression in Colorectal Adenomas and Carcinomas

p21WAF1,CIP1,SDI 1 is a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase and a tumor suppressor involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of malignancies. Cdk1/p34cdc2 plays a crucial role during mitosis. The immunoreactivity of p21 WAF1,CIP1,SDI 1 and cdk1/p34cdc2 was evaluated in adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the human large bowel. The expression of p21WAF1,CW1,SDI 1 was detected in 5 out of 15 adenomas (33.3 %) and in 13 out of 36 adenocarcinomas (36 %). Cdk1/p34cdc2 was expressed in 11 out of 15 adenomas (73.3%) and in 18 out of 36 adenocarcinomas (50%). In conclusion, our results indicate that there is an expression of cdk1/p34cdc2 in colorectal adenomas and absence of p21 WAF1,CIP1,SDI 1 in both colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. These results suggest that the proliferative activity of colonic cancer might not be solely dependent on control of the cell cycle by p21 WAF1,CIP1,SDI Cdk1/p34cdc2 expression, in a high percentage of both adenomas and adenocarcinomas suggest that this phenomenon may be an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis.