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Specific overexpression of OLFM4(GW112/HGC-1) mRNA in colon, breast and lung cancer tissues detected using
Saori Koshida1, Daisuke Kobayashi, Ryosuke Moriai
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, S-1, W-1b, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8543, Japan.
Abstract:
Overexpression of the olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4(GW112,/hGC-1)) gene was recently reported to inhibit various apoptotic pathways and promote proliferation of cancer cells, suggesting that OLFM4 might serve as a diagnostic marker for human cancers. Therefore, we examined cancer-specific OLFM4 overexpression. OLFM4 mRNA was highly expressed in cancerous tissues obtained from the colon, breast and lung. Positivity for OLFM4 mRNA, defined as the mean + 2 SD in non-cancerous colon and breast tissues, was observed in 68 and 50% of the studied colon and breast cancer tissues. OLFM4 mRNA expression was not detected in non-cancerous lung tissues but was evident in 62% of the lung cancer tissues. On comparing paired samples, the expression of OLFM4 mRNA was observed to be elevated in 90, 69 and 85% of colon, breast and lung cancer tissues, respectively. OLFM4 mRNA expression was observed even in the early stages of each cancer type. The expression of OLFM4 mRNA did not correlate with that of the antiapoptotic molecule survivin, indicating that it can be used independently in cancer diagnosis. Combining OLFM4 and survivin resulted in higher positivity. Thus, OLFM4 mRNA might be a useful tool to support the diagnosis of cancer, irrespective of the clinical stages.
Insights
Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) gene overexpression is linked to cancer cell growth and survival. This study shows OLFM4 mRNA is a promising biomarker for early cancer detection in the colon, breast, and lung.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Gene Expression Analysis
Background:
- Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) gene overexpression has been associated with inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cancer cell proliferation.
- This suggests OLFM4's potential as a diagnostic marker for various human cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cancer-specific overexpression of OLFM4 mRNA.
- To evaluate OLFM4 mRNA as a potential diagnostic marker for colon, breast, and lung cancers, including early stages.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of OLFM4 mRNA expression in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues from colon, breast, and lung.
- Comparison of OLFM4 mRNA levels in paired cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous tissue samples.
- Correlation analysis between OLFM4 mRNA and survivin expression.
Main Results:
- OLFM4 mRNA was highly expressed in colon, breast, and lung cancer tissues compared to non-cancerous tissues.
- Elevated OLFM4 mRNA expression was detected in 90% of colon, 69% of breast, and 85% of lung cancers, even in early stages.
- OLFM4 mRNA expression was independent of survivin but combining them increased diagnostic positivity.
Conclusions:
- OLFM4 mRNA is a valuable biomarker for supporting cancer diagnosis across different clinical stages.
- OLFM4 mRNA expression is a significant indicator of malignancy in colon, breast, and lung tissues.
- The combination of OLFM4 and survivin may enhance diagnostic accuracy in oncology.
