OLFM4, KNG1 and Sec24C identified by proteomics and immunohistochemistry as potential markers of early colorectal cancer stages.
BACKGROUND
Despite recent advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and population screening programs, the identification of patients with preneoplastic lesions or with early CRC stages remains challenging and is important for reducing CRC incidence and increasing patient's survival.


METHODS
We analysed 76 colorectal tissue samples originated from early CRC stages, normal or inflamed mucosa bylabel-free proteomics. The characterisation of three selected biomarker candidates was performed by immunohistochemistry on an independent set of precancerous and cancerous lesions harbouring increasing CRC stages.


RESULTS
Out of 5258 proteins identified, we obtained 561 proteins with a significant differential distribution among groups of patients and controls. KNG1, OLFM4 and Sec24C distributions were validated in tissues and showed different expression levels especially in the two early CRC stages compared to normal and preneoplastic tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
We highlighted three proteins that require further investigations to better characterise their role in early CRC carcinogenesis and their potential as early CRC markers.
Gastroenterology Department, GIGA-R, Liège University Hospital CHU, ULg, GIGA CHU-B34 Avenue de l'Hôpital 11, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Florence
F
Quesada-Calvo
Gastroenterology Department, GIGA-R, Liège University Hospital CHU, ULg, GIGA CHU-B34 Avenue de l'Hôpital 11, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Charlotte
C
Massot
Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Chemistry Department, GIGA-R, CART, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Virginie
V
Bertrand
Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Chemistry Department, GIGA-R, CART, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Rémi
R
Longuespée
Department of Anatomy and Pathology, GIGA-R, Liège University Hospital CHU, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Noëlla
N
Blétard
Department of Anatomy and Pathology, GIGA-R, Liège University Hospital CHU, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Joan
J
Somja
Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Chemistry Department, GIGA-R, CART, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Gabriel
G
Mazzucchelli
Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Chemistry Department, GIGA-R, CART, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Nicolas
N
Smargiasso
GIGA Proteomic Facility, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Dominique
D
Baiwir
Mammalian Cell Culture Laboratory, Department of Preclinical and Biomedical Sciences, GIGA-R, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Marie-Claire
MC
De Pauw-Gillet
Department of Anatomy and Pathology, GIGA-R, Liège University Hospital CHU, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Philippe
P
Delvenne
Department of Clinical Sciences, Rheumatology, Liège University Hospital CHU, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Michel
M
Malaise
Abdominal Surgery Department, University Hospital CHU, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Carla
C
Coimbra Marques
Gastroenterology Department, GIGA-R, Liège University Hospital CHU, ULg, GIGA CHU-B34 Avenue de l'Hôpital 11, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Marc
M
Polus
Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Chemistry Department, GIGA-R, CART, ULg, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Edwin
E
De Pauw
Gastroenterology Department, GIGA-R, Liège University Hospital CHU, ULg, GIGA CHU-B34 Avenue de l'Hôpital 11, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Marie-Alice
MA
Meuwis
Gastroenterology Department, GIGA-R, Liège University Hospital CHU, ULg, GIGA CHU-B34 Avenue de l'Hôpital 11, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Edouard
E
Louis