Role of SALL4 in the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer

Abstract

BackgroundHuman cancer cells resemble stem cells in expression signatures leading them to share some features, most notably, self-renewal. A complex network of transcription factors and signaling molecules are required for continuance of this trait. SALL4 is a zinc finger transcriptional activator crucial for maintenance of self-renewal in stem cells; however, its expression level has not yet been elucidated in colorectal tumor cells. To determine this level and probable clinicopathological consequences, its expression was analyzed.MethodsSALL4 expression in fresh tumoral and distant tumor-free tissues from 46 colorectal samples was compared by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsGreater than a two-fold increase in SALL4 expression was detected in 87% of tumors vs. normal related tissues. SALL4 expression was significantly correlated with tumor cell metastasis to lymph nodes, especially in moderately-differentiated tumor samples (P < 0.05). Furthermore, higher levels of SALL4 mRNA expression were significantly associated with younger than older patients with tumor cells in stages I and II (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results indicate a relationship between SALL4 expression and tumor cell metastasis to lymph nodes and consequent advancement of tumors to advanced stages III and IV. Along with the promising evidence of its role in self-renewal in various cancers, SALL4 may have a role in progression, development and maintenance of colorectal cancers.

Expression and clinical significance of SALL4 and LGR5 in patients with lung cancer

“…Similar studies have also reported the overexpression of SALL4 in various malignancies (21)(22)(23). In breast cancer, it has been demonstrated that the SALL4 mRNA level is elevated in 86.1% of tumor samples (21).…”

SALL4 is expressed in pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma

“…SALL4 expression was detected in variant carcinomas, such as breast, lung, colorectal and hepatocellular carcinomas. The expression of SALL4 is related to early clinical stage in breast and lung carcinomas [13,14] but with early metastasis and an unfavorable prognosis in liver and colorectal carcinomas [15,16] . More case analyses are needed to clarify the role of SALL4 in ACC.…”

“…It is suggested that SALL4 might be important in pathogenesis of germ cell tumors (GCT), and can be used as a highly specific marker to confirm the germ cell origin of a metastatic tumor, due to its sensitivity and specificity [18,19] . Furthermore, it is proposed that SALL4 may have diagnostic and therapeutic value in breast, lung, liver, and colorectal cancers [15,16] .…”

“…SALL4 is an important regulator of survival and phenotype, not only in several types of normal stem cells, but also in cancer cells and possibly cancer stem cells [12] . SALL4 expression is reported in numerous malignancies, such as breast cancer [13] , lung cancer [14] , colorectal carcinomas [15] , hepatocellular carcinomas [16] , and other malignant neoplasms [17][18][19][20] . It is suggested that SALL4 might be important in pathogenesis of germ cell tumors (GCT), and can be used as a highly specific marker to confirm the germ cell origin of a metastatic tumor, due to its sensitivity and specificity [18,19] .…”

In Silico Analysis, Cloning and Expression of Recombinant CD166 in E. coli BL21 (DE3) as a Marker for Detection and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

“…Colorectal cancer is fourth common type of cancer with an estimated of 1/2 million new diagnosed cases annually. This disease is the third cause of death among the cancers in the world [2][3][4].…”