title: HtrA1: Its future potential as a novel biomarker for cancer.
abstract: HtrA1 appears to be involved in several physiological processes as well as in the pathogenesis of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and osteoarthritis. It has also been hypothesized to play a role as a tumor suppressor. This manuscript reviews the current cancer-related HtrA1 research from the methodological and clinical standpoints including studies regarding its potential role as a tumor marker and/or prognostic factor. PRISMA method was used for study selection. The articles thus collected were examined and selected by two independent reviewers; any disagreement was resolved by a methodologist. A laboratory researcher reviewed the methods and laboratory techniques. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria and concerned the following cancer sites: the nervous system, bladder, breast, esophagus, stomach, liver, endometrium, thyroid, ovaries, pleura, lung and skin. Most articles described in vivo studies using a morphological approach and immunohistochemistry, whereas protein expression was quantified as staining intensity scored by two raters. Often the results were not comparable due to the different rating scales and study design. Current research on HtrA1 does not conclusively support its role as a tumor suppressor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, AUSL Teramo, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Altobelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marzioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lattanzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo Matteo
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Angeletti
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D000074289:High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000074289:High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1; C474012:HTRA1 protein, human; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases