Reviewer's report
Title:Effect of butyrate and cancer progression on keratin 8 expression in the
colon
Version: 1Date:24 June 2010
Reviewer: Charles Giardina
Reviewer's report:
General comments
The manuscript by Khan et al analyzes the expression of keratin 8 in normal
colon and colon cancer tissue. One goal of this analysis is to determine whether
keratin 8 expression in normal tissue is lower at sites closer to a cancer. In
addition, the authors determine whether keratin 8 expression is associated with
fecal butyrate concentration. Using a well-described histological scoring assay,
the authors conclude that there is no significant correlation between keratin 8
expression and normal tissue location. However, an inverse correlation between
keratin 8 expression and fecal butyrate is observed for normal and tumor tissue,
with the tumor tissue showing a significant difference. This finding should be of
interest to individuals interested in dietary fiber and colon cancer risk.
Specific comments
1. The work described in the manuscript is technically very well done. However,
the relationship between butyrate levels, keratin 8 expression and cancer
development is muddled. Although this study is unlikely to lead to definitive
conclusions, the authors’ views on how keratin 8 expression in normal and
cancer tissue impacts colon cancer development needs to be more clearly
articulated. Do lower levels of keratin 8 expression sensitize the cancer cells to
apoptosis? Does lower keratin 8 expression lead to a less differentiated/more
aggressive cancer? A clearer interpretation of the findings needs to be provided
(starting with the abstract).
2. With regard to the influence of butyrate on cytokeratin 8 expression, it should
be clarified whether this is a direct or indirect effect of butyrate. This could be
assessed by determining whether butyrate influences keratin 8 expression in
colon cancer cell lines.
3. Butyrate levels are measured at a single time point. Is there any information on
the intra-individual stability of fecal butyrate levels? If so, this information should
be provided and/or cited.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Reviewer's report
Title:Effect of butyrate and cancer progression on keratin 8 expression in the
colon
Version: 1Date:24 June 2010
Reviewer: Charles Giardina
Reviewer's report:
General comments
The manuscript by Khan et al analyzes the expression of keratin 8 in normal
colon and colon cancer tissue. One goal of this analysis is to determine whether
keratin 8 expression in normal tissue is lower at sites closer to a cancer. In
addition, the authors determine whether keratin 8 expression is associated with
fecal butyrate concentration. Using a well-described histological scoring assay,
the authors conclude that there is no significant correlation between keratin 8
expression and normal tissue location. However, an inverse correlation between
keratin 8 expression and fecal butyrate is observed for normal and tumor tissue,
with the tumor tissue showing a significant difference. This finding should be of
interest to individuals interested in dietary fiber and colon cancer risk.
Specific comments
1. The work described in the manuscript is technically very well done. However,
the relationship between butyrate levels, keratin 8 expression and cancer
development is muddled. Although this study is unlikely to lead to definitive
conclusions, the authors’ views on how keratin 8 expression in normal and
cancer tissue impacts colon cancer development needs to be more clearly
articulated. Do lower levels of keratin 8 expression sensitize the cancer cells to
apoptosis? Does lower keratin 8 expression lead to a less differentiated/more
aggressive cancer? A clearer interpretation of the findings needs to be provided
(starting with the abstract).
2. With regard to the influence of butyrate on cytokeratin 8 expression, it should
be clarified whether this is a direct or indirect effect of butyrate. This could be
assessed by determining whether butyrate influences keratin 8 expression in
colon cancer cell lines.
3. Butyrate levels are measured at a single time point. Is there any information on
the intra-individual stability of fecal butyrate levels? If so, this information should
be provided and/or cited.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Effect of butyrate and cancer progression on keratin 8 expression in the
colon
Version: 1Date:24 June 2010
Reviewer: Charles Giardina
Reviewer's report:
General comments
The manuscript by Khan et al analyzes the expression of keratin 8 in normal
colon and colon cancer tissue. One goal of this analysis is to determine whether
keratin 8 expression in normal tissue is lower at sites closer to a cancer. In
addition, the authors determine whether keratin 8 expression is associated with
fecal butyrate concentration. Using a well-described histological scoring assay,
the authors conclude that there is no significant correlation between keratin 8
expression and normal tissue location. However, an inverse correlation between
keratin 8 expression and fecal butyrate is observed for normal and tumor tissue,
with the tumor tissue showing a significant difference. This finding should be of
interest to individuals interested in dietary fiber and colon cancer risk.
Specific comments
1. The work described in the manuscript is technically very well done. However,
the relationship between butyrate levels, keratin 8 expression and cancer
development is muddled. Although this study is unlikely to lead to definitive
conclusions, the authors’ views on how keratin 8 expression in normal and
cancer tissue impacts colon cancer development needs to be more clearly
articulated. Do lower levels of keratin 8 expression sensitize the cancer cells to
apoptosis? Does lower keratin 8 expression lead to a less differentiated/more
aggressive cancer? A clearer interpretation of the findings needs to be provided
(starting with the abstract).
2. With regard to the influence of butyrate on cytokeratin 8 expression, it should
be clarified whether this is a direct or indirect effect of butyrate. This could be
assessed by determining whether butyrate influences keratin 8 expression in
colon cancer cell lines.
3. Butyrate levels are measured at a single time point. Is there any information on
the intra-individual stability of fecal butyrate levels? If so, this information should
be provided and/or cited.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
assistant