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Human Esophageal Cancer Is Distinguished from Adjacent Esophageal Tissue by Tissue Cysteine Concentrations

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Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that cysteine, in addition to glutathione, may play a role in the genesis, pathobiology, and treatment response of rodent and human cancers. We examined the relative concentrations of cysteine and glutathione in human esophageal cancer and adjacent, minimally involved esophageal tissue. Small biopsies from tumors and adjacent esophageal tissues were placed into cold acid to allow extraction of low-molecular-mass compounds and simultaneous precipitation of macromolecules. Supernatants were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for thiol content. While there was no statistically significant difference between the glutathione content of tumor versus adjacent tissue (2.2 mM vs 2.1 mM, respectively), tumor tissue had significantly higher levels of cysteine than adjacent tissue (0.21 mM vs 0.13 mM, respectively). In conclusion, cysteine content distinguishes tumor from adjacent more normal tissue.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    S.M. Evans, K.M. Safford & C.J. Koch

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    R. Lew & M.L. Kochman

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA

    E.P. Wileyto

  4. Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    E. Baum

Authors
  1. S.M. Evans
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  2. R. Lew
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  3. M.L. Kochman
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  4. E.P. Wileyto
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  5. E. Baum
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  6. K.M. Safford
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  7. C.J. Koch
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Evans, S., Lew, R., Kochman, M. et al. Human Esophageal Cancer Is Distinguished from Adjacent Esophageal Tissue by Tissue Cysteine Concentrations. Dig Dis Sci 47, 2743–2750 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021009322843

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021009322843

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