Transcriptional Activity of Genes Related to the Biotransformation Process in the Development of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of mortality among cancer patients in developed countries. Each new study in this field can contribute to better detection, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. Our study aimed to assess transcriptional activity of genes associated with the biotransformation of xenobiotics and endobiotics in all three phases in the CRC adenocarcinoma, including correlations between them, as well as the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathways. Based on transcriptome analysis (1252 mRNAs) of the CRC tissue and healthy colon, the upregulation or downregulation of 46 significant mRNAs was presented. The study also revealed the downregulation of AKR7A2 and upregulation of SLC5A6 and SLC29A2, previously undistinguished and potentially therapeutically valuable in CRC. The diagnostic potential of ADH1C, GGT5, NQO2, and SLC25A5 was demonstrated. It was stated that the AHR, EPHX1, GSTP1, and SLC25A32 did not correlate in healthy intestinal tissue whereas AHCY, ALDH1A1, NNMT, GSTM4, UGT2B17, and SLCO1B3 did not correlate in CRC. The disturbed transcriptional activity of genes related to the biotransformation process at all stages of CRC suggests that this may be the cause of its occurrence; the genes ought to be taken into account in preventive strategies and the treatment of patients.