An Investigation of WT1 Expression in Colon Polyps

Aim: Although WT1 was first identified as a tumor suppressor gene affecting Wilms’ tumor development, it has also been reported that its expression increases in certain malignancies such as colon cancer, and that it therefore has oncogenic properties. In this study, we aimed to determine dependence of WT1 expression on patient age and sex, type of pathological diagnosis, and the sample-taking area. Materials and Methods: Paraffin-embedded blocks and pathology reports of 32 patients with colon polyps that had been sent to pathology department were histopathologically reviewed retrospectively. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No statistically significant relationship was observed between WT1 expression and the parameters of mean patient age, sex, localization, diameter, and histopathological diagnosis (p=0.235, p=0.423, p=0.338, p=0.719, p=0.338, respectively). However, when OR (odds ratio) values were considered, it was thought that there were clinically significant differences. Positive staining was 4.308 times higher in adenomas (neoplastic group) than in polyps (nonneoplastic group) (OR=4.308), 4,308 times higher in the portion from the transverse colon to the anus than in the transverse colon (OR=4.308), and 2.333 times higher in women than in men (OR=2.333). Discussion and Conclusion: The study findings suggest that there is no statistically significant relationship between presence of WT1 expression in polyps and sex, diagnosis, and sample-taking area, but that there is clinically significant differences when OR values are considered. Detection of benign and precancerous polyps with WT1 expression through routine immunohistochemical examination could contribute to better understanding WT1 immunotherapy and vaccine efficacy in individuals at high risk of developing colonic tumors