Prognostic Value of FBXO39 and ETS-1 but not BMI-1 in Iranian Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Despite recent progress in<br />diagnosis and treatment, it remains a major health problem and further studies are needed. We here investigated expression<br />profiles of the FBXO39, ETS-1 and BMI-1 genes in CRCs to validate any possible diagnostic/prognostic significance.<br />Material and Methods: Thirty six patients with locally advanced CRC admitted to Hazrate-Rasoul Hospital-Tehran<br />were enrolled. Initially the expression pattern of FBXO39, ETS-1 and BMI-1 genes were determined using RT-PCR<br />in CRC tumor and adjacent normal tissues then real-time RT-PCR was employed to quantify BMI-1 gene expression.<br />Results: FBXO39 expression was restricted to tumor tissues. Interestingly, expression of this gene was detected in all<br />stage-0 tumor samples. There was a significant relation between FBXO39 gene expression and lymph node involvement.<br />The ETS-1 gene was expressed in 66% of all tumor tissues with p-value=0.03 for increase as compared to the adjacent<br />normal samples. In addition, there was a significant relation between ETS-1 gene expression and tumor size and lymph<br />node involvement. RT-PCR demonstrated BMI-1 gene expression in both tumor and normal tissues and quantification<br />by real-time RT-PCR showed no association between BMI-1 levels and CRC clinicopathological features. Conclusion:<br />Expression of FBXO39 and ETS-1 with lymph node involvement may be considered as an alarm for the occurrence<br />of CRC metastasis, and therfore have prognostic value while BMI-1 appears without importance.