Open AccessApolipoprotein C1 ( APOC 1) as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for lung cancer: A marker phase I trial
Author(s) -
Ko HuiLing,
Wang YuShan,
Fong WengLam,
Chi MauShin,
Chi KwanHwa,
Kao ShangJyh
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
thoracic cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1759-7714
pISSN - 1759-7706
DOI - 10.1111/1759-7714.12117
Subject(s) - lung cancer , medicine , tumor progression , biomarker , cancer , pathology , inflammation , apolipoprotein b , cancer research , tumor microenvironment , immunology , biology , biochemistry , cholesterol
Abstract Background Tumor cells continuously evolve over time in response to host pressures. However, explanations as to how tumor cells are influenced by the inflammatory tumor microenvironment over time are, to date, poorly defined. We hypothesized that prognostic biomarkers could be obtained by exploring the expression of inflammation‐associated genes between early and late stage lung cancer tumor samples. Methods Candidate inflammation‐associated genes, apolipoprotein C‐1 ( APOC1 ), MMP 1, KMO) 1, CXCL 5, CXCL) 7, IL ‐1α, IL ‐1β, TNF ‐α and IL ‐6 were verified by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gene expression profiles and immunofluorescence staining of 30 lung cancer tissues were compared. Results Expressions of APOC 1 and IL ‐6 mRNA on tumor tissues in late stage disease were significantly higher than in early stage lung cancer samples. Immunofluorescence staining of tumor samples showed that the expression of APOC 1 gradually increased from early to late stage in lung cancer patients. The expression levels of IL ‐6 and APOC 1 in tumor samples were positively correlated; however, no prognostic value of APOC 1 can be identified in serum samples. Conclusions We found that the level of tumor APOC 1 was highly expressed in late stage lung cancer. Further research is warranted to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the cross talk of APOC 1 and IL ‐6 in tumor progression. An expanded sample size marker phase II study may lead to the discovery of new lung cancer therapeutics targeting APOC 1.