Background: A proposed etiology of tumor activation involves p53 mutations while telomerase may serve as a key enzyme for maintenance of tumor cell proliferation.
Methods: Telomerase activity levels were measured in colorectal adenocarcinomas and corresponding normal tissue using a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol, and p53 mutations were identified using immunohistochemical staining. Results were compared with staging data using regression analysis.
Results: Telomerase activity was present in 23 of 23 (100%) of the tumors and only 2 (9%) of normal specimens (P <0.0001). The p53 mutations were present in 18 of 23 (78%) of the tumors. No significant correlation between p53 mutations, telomerase activity levels, and staging was found.
Conclusions: Telomerase activity in 100% of the tumors suggests telomerase activation is a universal event in colorectal tumor progression; however, telomerase activity appears to be independent of p53 mutations and clinical staging.