Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
Upregulation of LTF promotes left-sided colorectal cancer development via activating PI3K/AKT pathway
Peng Chen1,2, Mingrui Zhang3, Xuefeng Bai1
1Colorectal Cancer Surgery Ward 1, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Abstract:
Lactoferrin (LTF) has gained attention as a potential anti-cancer biomarker, but its role in left-sided colon cancer (LCC) remains poorly understood. This study explores the function of LTF in LCC and its underlying mechanisms. LTF expression was significantly elevated in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues (59.67-fold increase, p < .001). LTF overexpression significantly enhanced LCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion (p < .01), while suppressing apoptosis (p < .05). In contrast, LTF knockdown markedly inhibited these oncogenic behaviors. Western blot analysis demonstrated that LTF overexpression led to increased phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt proteins (p < .01), suggesting activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, while LTF knockdown resulted in decreased phosphorylation levels (p < .01). This study identifies LTF as a promoter of LCC development via activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting LTF as a promising therapeutic target. Further research is warranted to evaluate its clinical potential in LCC treatment.
Related Concept Videos
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
Abnormal Proliferation
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...

