The Role of Prostaglandin E₂ on Liver Metastasis of Colorectal Carcinoma

Koki Sunouchi

First Department of Surgery, University of Tokyo

The role of prostablandin E₂, (PGE₂) both on hepatic metastasis of colorectal carcinoma and on the local immunity at the primary site was investigated. Forty six patients with colorectal carcinoma were divided into two groups; 14 with liver metastasis (group A) and 32 without liver metastasis (group B). Samples were obtained from the draining vein, from the afferent artery, and from the peripheral vein. The level of PGE₂ was measured by RIA assay for each sample. The mean level of PGE₂ from the draining vein was higher than those from both the feeding artery and the peripheral vein. These differences were statistically significant. The V/A ratio of PGE₂, (PGE₂) level of the draining vein/PGE₂, level of the afferent artery) was also calculated. The V/A ratio of group A was significantly higher than that of group B. Histological (inflammatory cell infiltration), immunohistochemical (T cell subsets) and biochemical (inactivation of PGE₂) examinations were performed to determine the local immunity in about half of the patients. In patients with liver metastasis, inflammatory cell infiltration, IL-2 receptor positive cells infiltration and the inactivation of PGE₂ were decreased. We conclude that PGE₂ could play a role in suppressing local immunity and have adverse effect on liver metastasis.

Key words
prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, local immunity of colorectal cancer, inactivation of PGE₂ in colorectal cancer tissue, immunosuppression

Reprint requests
Koki Sunouchi First Department of Surgery, University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, ll3 JAPAN

Accepted
March 7, 1990

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