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Annexin A4 and cancer
Bin Wei1, Chunmei Guo1, Shuqing Liu2
1Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China.
Summary
Annexin A4 (Anxa4) shows varied roles in cancer, promoting tumor growth in many but suppressing it in prostate cancer. Understanding Anxa4
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Annexin A4 (Anxa4) is a calcium-regulated, phospholipid-binding protein belonging to the annexin superfamily.
- Anxa4 is implicated in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies for various human malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss the clinical significance of Anxa4 in oncogenesis.
- To explore the potential mechanisms underlying Anxa4's diverse roles in different cancer types.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating Anxa4 expression and function in cancer.
- Synthesis of findings on Anxa4's role as an oncogene, tumor suppressor, or diagnostic marker.
Main Results:
- Anxa4 upregulation correlates with tumor progression and chemoresistance in colorectal, esophageal, endometrial, gastric, lung, mesothelioma, renal, ovarian, cholangiocarcinoma, liver, breast, and laryngeal cancers.
- Anxa4 may act as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer and has a paradoxical role in pancreatic cancer.
- Differential Anxa4 expression aids in distinguishing major salivary gland tumors from thyroid cancer and is linked to chemoresistance and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma and glioma.
Conclusions:
- Anxa4 exhibits complex and context-dependent roles in cancer, acting as an oncogene in some and a tumor suppressor in others.
- Further research into Anxa4's mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies and diagnostic tools.
- Anxa4's differential expression patterns offer potential for cancer subtyping and predicting treatment response.
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