Objective:Toinvestigate the role ofmaspin

p53 and Skp2 expression in the progression ofcolorectal tumors

and tounderstand their clinicopathological significance.Methods:The expression of maspin

p53 and Skp2 in colorectal adenocarcinoma(n=50)

adenoma(n=20)and normal tissue(n=20)were detected by immunohistochemistry and compared with the clinicopathological tumor parameters.The relationship among the expression of maspin

p53

and Skp2 was also analyzed in colorectal tumors.Results:Maspin expression was much lower in colorectal adenocarcinoma than in adenoma and normal tissues(P<0.05).Maspin expression showed a negative association with lymphatic metastasis and higher Dukes stage(P<0.05).Expression of maspin protein was negatively correlated with p53 expression(P<0.01).However

there was no significant correlation between expression of Skp2 and p53 or maspin(P>0.05).Conclusion:Maspin might be regulated by the p53 pathway.Combined detection of the expression of maspin

p53

and skp2 may be useful for evaluating its infiltration

metastasis and prognosis.