<p>Combined Detection of ACTN4 and SCC-Ag is a Promising Serological Biomarker for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 3 or Worse: A Case–Control Study</p>

Abstract

Purpose: Cervical cancer (CC) is a common malignancy in women. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) and cancer antigen (CA)-125 are widely used to help diagnose CC, but novel tumour markers with superior sensitivity and specificity are needed. α-Actinin 4 (ACTN4) is overexpressed in CC, though its diagnostic value for CC is unclear. This study examined the diagnostic value of ACTN4 and SCC-Ag as biomarkers for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3 or worse. Methods: Women screened for CC at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were recruited from 2017.1 to 2018.5. Cervical tissues and blood were collected at the same time. Patients pathologically diagnosed as CIN3+ or NILM/CIN1/CIN2 were classified into the case and control groups, respectively. ACTN4 mRNA and protein levels were detected through quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively, and ACTN4 and SCC-Ag concentrations were analysed by ELISA. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood rate (PLR), negative likelihood rate (NLR), and Youden index (YI) of ACTN4 and SCC-Ag were evaluated. The optimum cutoff points for ACTN4 and SCC-Ag were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and accuracy was evaluated by the area under the ROC curve. Results: In total, 105 patients were classified as CIN3+ cases and 106 as controls. The median ACTN4 levels in case and control tissues were 10.6 and 4.15, respectively. The ACTN4 and SCC-Ag concentrations were significantly higher in cases than controls (P ACTN4 =0.0007; P SCC-Ag =0.0067). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, PLR, NLR and YI of ACTN4 were 68.6%, 76.3%, 76.3%, 72.5%, 2.89, 0.41 and 44.9, respectively; SCC-Ag had a similar diagnostic value (P>0.05), and ACTN4 combined with SCC-Ag had a superior diagnostic value (75.6%, 87.5%, 88.6%, 73.7%, 6.05, 0.28, and 63.1, respectively). Conclusion: Combined ACTN4 and SCC-Ag detection is a promising serological biomarker for patients with CIN3 or worse.

The hsa_circ_0000276-ceRNA regulatory network and immune infiltration in cervical cancer

“…In response to the Global Strategy for Accelerating the Elimination of Cervical Cancer released by the WHO, efforts for vaccination and screening have intensified; however, cervical cancer remains the most common malignant tumor in women. According to the pathological classification, SCC accounts for 85-90% of all cervical cancer types and is characterized by a high recurrence rate, strong metastatic nature, and poor prognosis [19]. The ceRNA network has become a research hotspot in recent years to validate confirmed genes, allowing a better understanding of their molecular effects on cervical With the development of high-throughput microarray technology, many ncRNAs have been identified; however, they lack protein coding functions.…”

Circulating cervical cancer biomarkers potentially useful in medical attention (Review)

“…Its principal function is by regulating cell invasion due to its participation in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; however, it is also involved in controlling the cancer stem cell properties and chemoresistance in CC. Zhu et al ( 43 ) demonstrated the circulating and tumor ACTN4 overexpression in patients with CIN3 or more advanced stages. In addition, the ACTN4 mRNA was also overexpressed in CC tissues and in tissues with advanced FIGO stages, larger tumor sizes, and positive lymph node metastasis.…”