Plasma protein changes reflect colorectal cancer development and associated inflammation

Abstract

IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Efficient non-invasive blood-based biomarkers for CRC early detection and prognosis are urgently needed.MethodsTo identify novel potential plasma biomarkers, we applied a proximity extension assay (PEA), an antibody-based proteomics strategy to quantify the abundance of plasma proteins in CRC development and cancer-associated inflammation from few μL of plasma sample.ResultsAmong the 690 quantified proteins, levels of 202 plasma proteins were significantly changed in CRC patients compared to age-and-sex-matched healthy subjects. We identified novel protein changes involved in Th17 activity, oncogenic pathways, and cancer-related inflammation with potential implications in the CRC diagnosis. Moreover, the interferon γ (IFNG), interleukin (IL) 32, and IL17C were identified as associated with the early stages of CRC, whereas lysophosphatidic acid phosphatase type 6 (ACP6), Fms-related tyrosine kinase 4 (FLT4), and MANSC domain-containing protein 1 (MANSC1) were correlated with the late-stages of CRC.DiscussionFurther study to characterize the newly identified plasma protein changes from larger cohorts will facilitate the identification of potential novel diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers for CRC.

Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Characterization of Plasma Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Associated With Inflammation

“… 43 Noteworthy, our recently published study demonstrated the increased level of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in the same CRC cohort by proximity extension assay. 44 It was previously found that LBP polymorphisms were associated with CRC susceptibility 45 and high serum levels were associated with obesity. 46 …”