Expression of Survivin, CK7, ASH1, HMGB3, L587S, and CLCA2 in Peripheral Blood of Lung Cancer Patients by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

TL;DR

This study identifies specific gene expression patterns in lung cancer patients' blood using real-time PCR, finding survivin and others as potential markers.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel real-time PCR-based approach to detect gene expression in peripheral blood for lung cancer diagnosis.

Findings

Survivin showed a 26.8-fold increase in lung cancer patients compared to controls.

ASH1 and L587S had reduced expression in cancer patients.

CLCA2 expression was higher in patients without adrenal metastases.

Abstract

Introduction

The objective of the present study was to identify gene expression in peripheral blood by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in patients who have lung carcinoma.

Material and methods

Peripheral blood samples of patients with non-small cell and small cell lung cancer were collected. Target genes included survivin, CK7, ASH1, HMGB3, L587S, and CLCA2. β-Actin was the reference gene. If the mean CT (threshold cycle) value for a target gene is ≥40, the gene expression is considered undetectable.

Results

Fifty patients with lung carcinoma were included and 30 healthy controls. Out of the six genes, survivin showed 26.8 times fold change as compared to controls; ASH1 and L587S were 0.54 and 0.06, respectively; and HMGB3, CLCA2, and CK7 had non-significant fold change in comparison to controls. The overall detection rate of the six target genes examined in lung cancer was 84%, with 42 out of 50 patients testing positive. Higher stages and ASH1 (p = 0.031), CK7 (p = <0.001), and HMGB3, p = 0.011 were associated significantly. CLCA2 had higher expression in patients without adrenal metastases (p = 0.044).

Conclusions

Lifestyle and geographical variation might be a probable cause of variable gene expression as compared to other studies. However, further research is needed to determine the clinical implication of these markers, especially in larger groups of early-stage patients.

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