AKAP4, SPAG9 and NY-ESO-1 in Iranian Colorectal Cancer Patients as Probable Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers

Abstract

Background and objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the second<br />leading cause of cancer death in women in the world. Cancer-Testis Antigens (CTAs) are a group of tumor-associated<br />proteins which typically are expressed in normal reproductive cells of men, but their expression in normal somatic cells<br />is silenced. CTAs, due to their limited expression pattern, are considered as promising targets for cancer diagnosis and<br />immuno-therapy. Methods: Expression of AKAP4, SPAG9 and CTAG1B genes from the CTAs family was studied<br />in both tumor and normal tissues of 62 Iranian CRC patients by RT-PCR with the aim of finding biomarkers for early<br />detection and anticipated progression. Statistical analysis was performed SPSS software V22.0 to assess the significance<br />of any associations. Results: Elevated expression of SPAG9 and AKAP4 genes was observed in approximately 66%<br />and 44% of tumours, respectively, as compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues. While a significant association was<br />found between AKAP4 gene expression and metastasis (P-value: 0.045), expression of the CTAG1B (NY-ESO-1) gene<br />was not observed in our cases. Conclusion: AKAP4 and SPAG9 genes may find use as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC<br />and AKAP4 may play an important role in progression to metastasis.